DeKalb County Community Foundation

Sycamore High School graduate Delaney Baylor has been awarded a scholarship to support her music education at Illinois State University.

Indian Creek High School graduate Ellie Bend has been awarded the 2025 YEP Changemakers Scholarship, meant to honor Bend’s philanthropic efforts in the community.

A DeKalb County nonprofit foundation has distributed more than $110,000 to almost two dozen area organizations to support music education.

Though summer’s here and a new school year seems a distant thought, DeKalb County parents got some recent help prepping their children for kindergarten.

The foundation’s Community Needs Grants totaled $113,528 and support a wide range of community priorities – from public safety and education to the arts and preservation of local history.

In its 12th year, donors set a new Give DeKalb County record by contributing more than $2.1 million in support of nonprofit organizations. “Give DeKalb County is a powerful reminder of what this community can do together,” organizer Ben Bingle said.

The scholarship is meant to serve as a lasting tribute to the late Jim Dombek, a longtime Sycamore School District 427 school board president and volunteer, according to a news release. Dombek was known for his lifelong commitment to education, youth and community service.

Give DeKalb County, a 24-hour fundraiser that supports hundreds of nonprofits in the area, has broken a charitable giving record, organizers said this week.

Educators from across DeKalb County recently received accolades for their teaching at an annual awards ceremony meant to highlight local learning.

On May 1, generosity takes center stage as Give DeKalb County returns for its twelfth year. There are multiple ways to give

The DeKalb County Community Foundation has awarded a three-year grant totaling $60,000 to Habitat for Humanity of DeKalb County’s Home Preservation Program to support various projects within DeKalb Township.

Two charity funds which benefit the DeKalb County Rehabilitation and Nursing Center are now under the oversight of the DeKalb County Community Foundation.

Donors who give to the DeKalb County Community Foundation’s endowment funds can now qualify for a 25% Illinois income tax credit.

Kristin Peska has joined the DeKalb County Community Foundation as its full-time community engagement manager, according to a news release.

A new charitable fund has been created to help better the lives of Waterman residents, according to a news release from the DeKalb County Community Foundation.

Now in its 12th year, the annual fundraising event features multiple ways to support nonprofit organizations. Give DeKalb County registration is open.

Applications are now open for the Spinoso Masters Scholarship, which helps high school graduates seeking higher education degrees in any field.

A new scholarship has been created for Northern Illinois University students who participate in the university’s marching band program. The Michael Embrey Band Scholarship Fund runs through the DeKalb County Community Foundation.

The DeKalb County Community Foundation is accepting applications for spring Community Needs Grants and Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grants. Nonprofit and public sector organizations are encouraged to apply.

A scholarship fund at the DeKalb County Community Foundation is accepting online applications through February to support medical students seeking financial aid.

The DeKalb County Community Foundation has launched a new program meant to fund facility expansion and construction projects that serve DeKalb County residents.

Eligible nonprofit and community organizations serving DeKalb County youth are invited to apply for grants through the DeKalb County Community Foundation, meant to support programs that make a positive impact on area youth.

Projects supporting underserved populations in DeKalb County received a boost through the Promise Grant-Subvencion de Promesa program offered by the DeKalb County Community Foundation.

The DeKalb County Community Foundation awarded $131,700 in Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund grants to support music education this fall.

From public safety and building renovations to nature conservation and increasing accessibility, local projects addressing community needs received support through the DeKalb County Community Foundation this fall.

The DeKalb County Community Foundation is accepting applications from area organizations such as food pantries, homeless shelters, groups that provide meals to area residents and more to distribute aid through its Emergency Food and Shelter fund.

The DeKalb County Community Foundation recently updated its Essential Skills Video Series, a resource aimed at enhancing the essential soft skills of middle and high school students in DeKalb County.

Almost 200 DeKalb County area students received more than $350,000 in scholarships from funds at the DeKalb County Community Foundation.

DeKalb High School graduate Joscelyn Dieckman recently was awarded a $1,000 scholarship for her local philanthropy and volunteer work.

The DeKalb County Community Foundation recently awarded $116,100 in Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grants to support music education for 26 nonprofits in DeKalb County and the region.

Sandwich Community Unit School District 430 received $10,000 to purchase audio equipment for school performances

The DeKalb County Community Foundation has announced the creation of the Eric J. Gabriel Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund was created by the family of Eric J. Gabriel who died Aug. 2, 2023, after a lengthy battle with cancer.

The family of late Naval Lt. Jeffrey Trail recently donated $5,000 to the DeKalb County Veterans Recognition Fund, an endowment fund held at the DeKalb County Community Foundation.

DeKalb County area high school students recently worked together to support a local nonprofit’s efforts to address youth mental wellness, part of a program through the DeKalb County Community Foundation.

To equip DeKalb County schools and organizations serving middle and high school youth, the Community Foundation developed the Essential Skills Video Series, which helped more than 45 DeKalb High School students get a special certification.

Give DeKalb County, a countywide fundraiser benefiting area nonprofits, raised more than $2 million in its 11th year, the most ever, organizers said.

Youth Engaged in Philanthropy recently awarded $17,177 in youth impact grants to area nonprofits that provide services to residents in DeKalb County.

The DeKalb County Community Foundation recently announced the creation of the Sharon Sue Betts Wiggins Mier Scholarship Fund, meant to provide aid to graduation DeKalb High School seniors attending any 2-year college or trade school in any area of study.

The DeKalb County Community Foundation recently hired Teri Kleckner as its new administrative manager.

While most scholarships fall under the universal application, some require an individual application.

Almost 100 people gathered Saturday in downtown DeKalb’s Memorial Park to give thanks to military service men and women, while officials announced a new plan to fund more public veterans memorials.

Four DeKalb County students pursing a master’s or doctorates recently were named the 2023 Spinoso Masters Scholarship recipients.

The 10th annual Give DeKalb County nonprofit fundraiser raised $1.8 million dollars – more than it has any other year, officials with the DeKalb County Community Foundation said.

The DeKalb County Community Foundation recently announced that Jolene Willis was selected to be the foundation’s new Grants Director.

The DeKalb County Voluntary Action Center recently received more than $17,000 for new kitchen equipment for its Meals on Wheels and Congregate meal programs that provide food to area residents.

At 12:01 a.m. Thursday, DeKalb County’s 24-hour day of giving will kick off, with a chance for those looking to fund some local resources to donate to 140 participating nonprofits. Here's how to give, and what your donation means for the community: