DeKalb Township Committee on Youth Grant

The DeKalb Township Committee on Youth (COY) serves as an advisory body to the DeKalb Township Board of Trustees, tasked with guiding the development and support of programs aimed at preventing juvenile delinquency and uplifting underserved youth and their families within DeKalb Township. This grant initiative is rooted in the Committee’s mission to provide strategic funding to programs that foster positive youth development and community wellness through structured activities, services, and partnerships. By centering its focus on youth ages 0 to 18 and their families, the Committee leverages funding to promote stability, educational growth, and social well-being in the Township’s most vulnerable populations. The COY Grant is open to established nonprofit organizations with valid 501(c)(3) status of at least one year. Eligible applicants must operate projects or programs within a 15-mile radius of DeKalb Township. Proposed programs must clearly benefit DeKalb Township youth and/or families and should intentionally align with the 40 Developmental Assets framework, a nationally recognized set of building blocks for healthy youth development. This framework guides applicants in structuring activities that instill positive values, skills, and relationships critical to reducing delinquency and increasing resilience. Applicants may request up to $5,000 per proposal. While the total project budget may exceed this amount, the grant focuses on providing supplemental funding to projects that demonstrate alignment with COY’s values and a clear impact on DeKalb Township youth. Funded programs are required to collect and submit evaluation data, including demographic reach and program outcomes, within three months of program conclusion. Applicants must also provide a detailed project timeline, total project cost, and a breakdown of all funding sources and uses. The grant application process accommodates rolling submissions during three annual windows: September 1, December 1, and March 1. Applications must be submitted via email, postal mail, or in person to DeKalb Township’s offices. Each submission must include organizational details, project narrative, budget, timeline, and alignment with developmental assets. While collaboration with other entities is encouraged, it is not a requirement. Marketing strategies and evaluation methods must be articulated in the proposal. Applications are initially reviewed by the COY Committee, but final funding decisions are made by the DeKalb Township Board of Trustees. Each application will be assessed based on clarity of objectives, alignment with COY priorities, demonstrated need, and potential for positive youth impact. Supervisor Mary Hess serves as the main point of contact for grant-related inquiries and can be reached at 815-758-8282. Full program guidelines are available through the official Request for Proposals (RFP) document.