DeKalb Times

At least 23 organizations received COVID-19 Response Grants totaling $98,180 during DeKalb County's Community Foundation second round of funding.

Awarded by the group’s advisory committee, the program was designed to support the needs of the people in DeKalb County impacted by the lingering effects of the coronavirus.

“We are thankful to the many fine nonprofit and public sector direct service organizations serving people in need as a result of the pandemic,” Community Foundation Executive Director Dan Templin said in a news release. “Thanks to many donors who have supported the DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Fund, including a grant from the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund and collaborative funding from the DeKalb County Community Mental Health Board which made this latest round of grants possible.”

Created in March as stay-at-home orders across the state went into effect as a way of mitigating the spread of the coronavirus, the DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Fund is a pass-through fund created in collaboration with various local funding partners. Its stated purpose is to serve as a warehouse for contributions. Grants distributed can address preparedness, response, recovery, and/or rebuilding efforts.

Organizers said a third round of grants will likely be made available at some point and time.

Those receiving grants during the second round are Adventure Works of DeKalb County, Ben Gordon Center, CASA DeKalb County, Children’s Learning Center, DeKalb County Community Gardens, DeKalb County Health Department, DeKalb Park District, Family Service Agency of DeKalb County, Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project, Friends of the Regional Office of Education, Hope Haven, Kishwaukee Special Recreation Association, Neighbors’ House, Open Door Rehabilitation Center, Opportunity House, RAMP, Safe Passage, Salem Lutheran Food Pantry, The Salvation Army, Harvest Chapel The Store Food Pantry, Voluntary Action Center of DeKalb County, We Care Pregnancy Clinic and Westminster Presbyterian Church.