The DeKalb County Community Foundation (DCCF) is a powerful ally of non-profit organizations in the DeKalb County area.

The goal of DCCF is to distribute funds through the county to enhance and promote the quality of life in different communities, said Larry Bolles, a member of the DCCF board of directors.

DCCF was started in 1993 by Charles and Mary Roberts, said Sycamore Mayor Ken Mundy. The foundation began with $3.8 million and over time expanded to $2.5 million in size.

Bolles said DCCF receives funding from donors. Donations can range from $50 to $100,000. The other way DCCF receives support is by through money from casinos that match the amount of money DCCF raises.

“We’ve been blessed with individuals [in DeKalb County] fortunate enough to make donations,” Bolles said.

DeKalb Mayor Kris Povlsen said DCCF serves a wide variety of non-profit organizations like small libraries and Hope Haven, 1145 Rushmoore Drive. They are very helpful in allocating money and materials for them, he said.

“A lot of the not-for-profits really struggle with revenue streams,” Povlsen said.

DCCF does not contribute money to an organization’s staff or overhead expenses though, Povlsen said.

“Just in Sycamore, three years time, [DCCF] has issued half a million dollar grants to Sycamore non-profits,” Mundy said.

One of the many recipients of DCCF grants has been the Midwest Museum of Natural History, 425 W. State St. in Sycamore.

The museum received a grant to update the Oasis Room, said Executive Director Molly Holman Trickey. This has allowed the room to become more beautiful and useful for lectures, classes and exhibits, Holman Trickey said.

DCCF is an integral part of the community, Holman Trickey said. They provide much-needed support for a wide range of non-profit organizations.

“With these rough economic conditions, non-profits are taking one of the largest hits and the DCCF works hard to make their funding go far,” Holman Trickey said.

Other beneficiaries include the NIU Campus Child Care Center, located on the east side of Annie Glidden Road behind Gabel Hall. Enhancing child care is a priority for DCCF, said Chris Kipp, Campus Child Care director. DCCF allows the care center to submit grant proposals once a year. They have been able to afford playground equipment and laptops for teachers thanks to DCCF, Kipp said.

“I think [DCCF serves] a really invaluable service to childhood centers,” Kipp said.

Bolles said child care in the county receives much support from DCCF.