DeKalb Times

Northern Illinois University students are partnering with small business owners and nonprofit agencies in DeKalb County during the COVID-19 pandemic to upgrade computer access, social media, website and e-commerce venues that will help businesses survive.

Titled “40Tude for Business and Nonprofits,” the program will be a collaborative effort between NIU students, officials of DeKalb County UNITES, OC Creative, the DeKalb County Community Foundation, and the DeKalb Nonprofit Partnership.

“In 40TUDE Business, NIU students, under the direction and mentorship of talented local experts from OC Creative and NIU College of Business marketing faculty, will provide high quality services that would not otherwise be affordable or available,” Jennifer Groce, 40TUDE coordinator and NIU director of community promotion, said on a website for the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce. “We’re grateful to OC Creative and the NIU College of Business for making it possible to serve businesses while NIU students gain valuable work experience.”

The report said DeKalb County UNITES was created to provide help and encouragement to small businesses in the area and the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership was instrumental in setting up a DeKalb County COVID-19 Response Fund. A survey found that businesses and nonprofits without an aggressive digital presence faced severe handicaps and with the pandemic the need for computer outreach has increased.

Having computer ability aids businesses and nonprofits to apply for grant funding being made available from the federal government to cover losses cause by the pandemic.

Students from the NIU College of Business working with business experts from OC Creative a graphic design and video agency in Rockford will provide free support to nonprofits and businesses in the areas of data collection and analysis, fund-raising, communications and volunteer coordinating, the Chamber report said.

Business owners in Northern Illinois and particularly in DeKalb County may apply to receive the help by going to DeKalbCountyUnites.com. The services will be provided through 2020 and an evaluation performed for ongoing needs in 2021.

“Many nonprofits are seeing an increased need for their services right now,” Alicia Schatteman, director of the NIU Center for Nonprofit and NGO Studies, said. “At the same time, they’re struggling to reimagine their fundraising without in-person events. Nonprofit leaders have told us they need data analysis to help them apply for grants, as well as support in communicating effectively with their donors and volunteers.”