DCCF: Community Needs Grants

Overview

_NOTE: Eligible organizations seeking funding for facility construction or expansion are encouraged to apply for a Build the Future Grant. This program replaces the large-request section of the Community Needs Grant program. Applications open two months prior to each deadline._

* _Please see our Build the Future Grant page [here]()._

Community Needs Grants

The DeKalb County Community Foundation’s Community Needs Grant program supports requests for capital assets or equipment associated with various projects, renovations of existing facilities, and services throughout DeKalb County, Illinois.

Funding Areas

The Community Foundation provides Community Needs Grants in the following areas:

* Arts and Culture – Supports organizations that provide opportunities for access, participation, education, awareness, and appreciation for a variety of arts and cultural experiences.
* Community Development – Supports organizations that focus broadly on strengthening, protecting, unifying, and building the economic, cultural, and social services of a community.
* Education – Supports organizations that provide educational opportunities from birth to adulthood.
* Environment and Animal Welfare – Supports organizations whose primary purpose is to preserve, protect, conserve, and improve the environment. Animal Welfare supports organizations that promote the well-being of animals.
* Health and Human Services – Supports organizations that provide essential programs and services addressing basic human needs to children, youth, adults, and senior citizens, and/or promoting physical and mental health.

Funding

The maximum amount that can be requested in an application is $20,000.

Eligibility

_We've imported the main document for this grant to give you an overview. You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's [website]().
_

Application Details

DEKALB COUNTY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
475 DeKalb Avenue, Sycamore, IL 60178
T: (815) 748-5383 Email: grants@dekalbccf.org
www.dekalbccf.org
COMMUNITY NEEDS GRANT GUIDELINES
The DeKalb County Community Foundation’s Community Needs Grant program supports requests for capital assets
or equipment associated with various projects, renovations of existing facilities, and services throughout DeKalb
County, Illinois. The maximum amount that can be requested in an application is $20,000.
APPLICANT ELIGIBILITY
 Eligible applicants are 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organizations and public sector organizations, with preference given to
501 (c) 3 organizations that provide direct assistance, services, and/or benefits to DeKalb County, Ill. residents.
 Organizations must be in good standing with the IRS with current filed 990, if applicable.
 Have a valid EIN number.
 Organizations currently receiving Build the Future Grant distributions are ineligible to apply for a Community
Needs Grant within the same calendar year.
 Organizations can only receive one successful grant per two consecutive grant periods. For example, if an
application in the fall grant cycle is funded in any amount, that organization is not eligible to receive another grant
until at least the following fall. If a grant application is not funded, an organization may re-apply with a similar or
new application in the next grant cycle. Please plan your project and grant request accordingly.
 Sequential Grant Award Limit: The maximum number of consecutive Community Needs grants awarded to the
same organization is limited to three years, regardless of the specific projects funded during those years. Once an
organization has received grants for three consecutive years, they must then wait for one calendar/funding year
before they are eligible to reapply for additional funding. This policy is designed to promote fairness and equity in
the distribution of grant funding.
Example:
ABC Nonprofit received a grant in any cycle of 2021, 2022, and 2023. They would not be eligible to apply again until
the Spring 2025 grant cycle, skipping the 2024 calendar/funding year.
DEADLINES
This grant program is offered in two cycles each year:
 Spring Cycle:
o Applications open January 1 for the March 1 deadline (by 11:59 p.m.)
o May 1: Grant decisions announced
 Fall Cycle:
o Applications open July 1 for the September 1 deadline (by 11:59 p.m.)
o November 1: Grant decisions announced
Applicants will be notified of the Board’s funding decision by phone or e-mail. Contact grant staff at
grants@dekalbccf.org or 815-748-5383 with questions, to discuss project ideas, and for help facilitating a successful
application. If you are unsure about your eligibility for this grant program or are applying as a fiscal sponsor for
another organization, please contact grants@dekalbccf.org.
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APPLYING FOR A GRANT
To apply, organizations must complete an online Community Needs Grant Application at www.dekalbccf.org. No
hard copy applications are accepted. Community Foundation staff and/or Board members may contact applicants
for further information. For complex and/or large grant requests, the Community Grants Committee may request
a presentation by the applicant and/or a site visit. By submitting a proposal, you give the Community Foundation
permission to share your application details with other interested individual donors who are interested in co-
funding with the Foundation.
APPLICATION & FUNDING DETAILS
When applying for a grant, please note the following:
 Grants are one-time awards supporting specific projects to be completed within one year. In limited cases, a
commitment may be made to a specific project for a longer period.
 Grants for specific projects offered by the same organization are not typically awarded year-after-year (e.g.,
no ‘evergreen funding’)
 Organizations can only receive one successful grant per two consecutive grant periods. For example, if an
application in the fall grant cycle is funded in any amount, that organization is not eligible to receive another
grant until at least the following fall. If a grant application is not funded, an organization may re-apply with a
similar or new application in the next grant cycle. Please plan your project and grant request accordingly.
 The maximum number of consecutive Community Needs grants awarded to the same organization is limited
to three years, regardless of the specific projects funded during those years. Once an organization has
received grants for three consecutive years, they must then wait for one calendar/funding year before they
are eligible to reapply for additional funding. This policy is designed to promote fairness and equity in the
distribution of grant funding.
 Grants are made to eligible organizations located in or serving DeKalb County, Illinois. Organizations must
have local leadership in the form of a board of directors or advisory committee, local financial support, and/or
local program management and accountability.
 In the case of a nationally, statewide, or regionally sponsored organization, no portion of the grant can be
used to support the national, state, or regional entity.
 Applicants may receive partial funding for their request. Applicants are encouraged to consider the amount
requested and develop a budget rationale that accurately corresponds with the proposed project.
 If a grant is awarded and the organization chooses to decline the award, the organization is not eligible to
apply for a grant during the following grant cycle.
 Grant awards will be paid via ACH transfer directly to the recipient organization’s bank account.
 Applicants must ensure that all reports from prior grant awards are fully completed and submitted before
applying for a new grant. Please note that incomplete reporting on previous grants will be taken into
consideration during the review process for new applications.
GRANTMAKING PRIORITIES
The Community Foundation believes in supporting projects that will have a significant impact within the
community. The Board has broadly defined these priorities for the Community Needs Grant program:
 Support organizations with projects that enhance the quality of life in DeKalb County.
 Assist organizations to better respond to clearly defined unmet needs within the community.
 Encourage programs and projects that enhance cooperation and collaboration among organizations within
DeKalb County. Examples of collaboration include partnerships, demonstrating community leadership, and
being a contributing member of the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership (DCNP).
 Demonstrate leveraged funds and in-kind support, such as using “seed" money, "match" and "challenge"
grants and funds from multiple sources.
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PROJECTS GENERALLY NOT FUNDED
Community Needs Grants are not made for:
 Routine operational costs of projects, programs, event sponsorships, existing technology, and organizations.
 Personnel and/or administrative/overhead costs, payroll, routine expenses, etc.
 Religious purposes; however, grants may be given to religious/faith-based organizations for programs or projects
with a direct community benefit or to facilities such as day-care centers that have nonprofit status independent
from a sponsoring church or religious organization.
 Purchase of advertising or routine marketing materials.
 Capital or operational debt reduction.
 Any political campaign or to support attempts to influence legislative issues of any government body.
 Direct funding to individuals.
 Re-granting organizations.
 Project costs incurred prior to the grant start date.
 Project costs incurred after the grant end date, unless given prior approval from the Community Foundation.
FUNDING AREAS
The Community Foundation provides Community Needs Grants in the following areas:
 Arts and Culture – Supports organizations that provide opportunities for access, participation, education,
awareness, and appreciation for a variety of arts and cultural experiences.
 Community Development – Supports organizations that focus broadly on strengthening, protecting, unifying,
and building the economic, cultural, and social services of a community.
 Education – Supports organizations that provide educational opportunities from birth to adulthood.
 Environment and Animal Welfare – Supports organizations whose primary purpose is to preserve, protect,
conserve, and improve the environment. Animal Welfare supports organizations that promote the well-being
of animals.
 Health and Human Services – Supports organizations that provide essential programs and services addressing
basic human needs to children, youth, adults, and senior citizens, and/or promoting physical and mental
health.
ADDITIONAL PROVISIONS FOR PUBLIC SECTOR ORGANIZATIONS
K-12 Private and Public-School Districts – Within schools, the above-mentioned guidelines apply to each school
building. For example, each elementary, middle, and high school building is eligible to receive one grant per two grant
cycles. To ensure that each individual school grant request is aligned to its own strategic priorities and initiatives, each
grant application must include a letter of support from the district/administration office, including a narrative
explaining how the project fits within the district plans.
Higher Education – Within a community college or university, each “department” is eligible to receive one grant per
two grant cycles.
Municipal or Governmental Entities – Within governmental entities, each department (e.g., police, fire) is eligible to
receive one grant per two grant cycles.
GRANT MODIFICATION REQUESTS
Grant modification requests considered by the Community Foundation include:
 Extension of the grant period to permit additional time to complete supported activities or raise matching
funds.
 Reallocation of funds to permit spending in a manner different than that described in the original budget.
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 Rollover of funds from an older Community Foundation grant into a newer grant given for the same
purpose.
 Transfer of grant funds from the original grantee to another organization.
Grantees must obtain advance written approval from the Community Foundation for these and other material
changes. More significant changes, such as repurposing a grant or modifying the terms of a matching grant,
require the approval of the Community Foundation's Board.
Grantees should also promptly inform the Community Foundation in writing of significant changes in project
staffing, organizational leadership, scheduling, or budgeting, when such changes occur during the grant period.
The Community Foundation reserves the right to suspend the use of grant funds if the change is considered
material to the success of the grant.
GRANTMAKING NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY
No person in the United States shall, on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, ethnicity, national
origin, religion, sex and gender identity, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, physical or mental ability,
pregnancy, veteran status, military obligations, marital or parental status, political affiliation, or any other
improper criterion be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination
under any program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds made available by the Community
Foundation, and any other program or activity funded in whole or in part with funds appropriated for grants,
cooperative agreements, and other assistance administered by the Community Foundation.
Revised: 12/21/21; 12/14/23; 06.24.24; CGC approved: 09/19/24; DCCF Board approved: 10/24/24
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