Non-profit organizations in DeKalb County depend on the DeKalb County Community Foundation, which gave $787,402 in grants to various organizations in 2003.

The foundation has awarded community grants since 1993 and has given out more than $5.6 million, said Jerry Smith, executive director for the foundation.

The fund was started when a local couple transformed their private foundation into a community foundation and provided $3 million as start-up money. That $3 million has grown to more than $16 million, Smith said.

About 5 percent of that – about $800,000 – will be given out every year, he said.

The foundation has contributed to several programs at NIU. In 2003, it awarded $1,235 to a partnership between the College of Health and Human Sciences and the DeKalb Housing Authority, said Alan Robinson, director of outreach for the College of Health and Human Sciences.

The money was used to buy equipment for an exercise program at retirement homes in DeKalb and Sycamore and printed and video materials used to help train NIU student volunteers in the Senior Friends Program.

The foundation also contributed $30,000 in three grants to the Ben Gordon Center and the Family Service Agency.

The foundation receives money from private donors, Smith said. Although Smith encourages endowment funds, smaller donations are accepted as well.

An endowment requires a minimum donation of $10,000. The money is invested, and 5 percent is given out in grants every year, Smith said. The donor can determine where the money will go each year.

If no organization or institution is specified, the money is classified as unrestricted and can be used toward any organization at the foundation’s discretion.

The foundation accepts requests for grants in the fall and spring. Not all organizations requesting grants are accepted.

In fall 2003, 60 organizations requested grants totaling $650,600. Fifty four requests were accepted, though the foundation only could grant $167,735, Smith said.

This spring, the foundation received a record 71 requests for a total of $837,800, Smith said, but can give out just under $200,000.

A grant committee goes through proposals and decides which organizations receive grants. Their recommendations are forwarded to a voluntary board representative of the municipalities in DeKalb County, Smith said.

For more information about the DeKalb County Community Foundation, donations or grants, visit www.dekalbcountyfoundation.org or call 748-5383.

DeKalb County Community Foundation 2003 grant awards categories

Arts and culture: $20,600

Community development and civic affairs: $83,500

Education: $53,615

Health and human services: $179,189

Total: $336, 904

Median grant award: $10,175

Smallest grant award: $350

Largest grant award: $20,000