DeKalb County Community Foundation

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: