YEP Changemakers Fund Created

The YEP Changemakers Scholarship Fund was established by Board member Brenda Jergens and her family to provide lasting support for the annual scholarship, honoring the legacy of Kurt D. Hudson and supporting graduating YEP members who show leadership and service.

👉 Learn more about the YEP Changemakers Scholarship >

Thank you, Regina!

We proudly recognize Regina Parker for nine years of service on the Community Foundation Board of Directors, representing the Sycamore community.

👉 Read our thank-you to Regina >

$135,000 for Proactive Care

The Community Foundation awarded $135,000 to support a new Community Paramedicine Program that provides proactive, non-emergency care and helps reduce nonemergency 911 calls. Funding supports a partnership between local organizations.

👉 Learn more about this community partnership >

Thank you, Justin!

We proudly recognize Justin Wegener for six years of service on the Community Foundation Board of Directors, representing the Sandwich community.

👉 Read our thank-you to Justin >

Share Your Feedback

We invite donors and grantseekers to take a brief, anonymous survey to help guide our Strategic Action Planning and strengthen how we serve DeKalb County. Your perspective will help shape our future work!

👉 Take the survey by January 31 >

Spring Grant Opportunities

2026 Grant Openings

Applications are now open for several Spring 2026 grant programs supporting nonprofit and public sector organizations. Funding is available through the following programs, each with upcoming deadlines.

• Community Needs Grants
• Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grants
• Youth Engaged in Philanthropy (YEP) Grants
  

👉 Grant program information and applications >

Stronger Nonprofit Boards

Learn the core roles and responsibilities of nonprofit board members, with practical guidance on governance, fundraising, and leadership. This January 29 session, presented by Jill Olson of the DeKalb County History Center, is designed for board members and executive directors.

👉 Register for this session >

Intern Spotlight: Jacob

Meet Jacob Woodson, an international politics and philosophy major at NIU. Through the Internship Program, Jacob is gaining hands-on experience with the CORE Collective while building professional skills and connections.

👉 Read Jacob's update >  

The Internship Program is a collaboration between the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership, the Center for Nonprofit Studies, and Career Services at Northern Illinois University, as well as the Douglas C. and Lynn M. Roberts Family Foundation.

2026 Charitable Tax Changes

Several new charitable tax law changes take effect in 2026 and may impact how you give. Learn what is changing, from deduction rules to Qualified Charitable Distributions, and why now is a good time to talk with your tax advisor.

👉 Learn how 2026 tax changes may affect your giving >

IL Gives is Back

The IL Gives Tax Credit Program is open again for 2026, with credits reset and available until they are fully used. Illinois donors can receive a 25% state income tax credit for gifts to eligible endowed Funds at the Community Foundation, helping your generosity go even further.

👉 Step-by-step donation guide >