The DeKalb County Community Foundation Promise Grants program aims to support charitable community organizations that offer services to underserved populations within DeKalb County, Illinois. This aligns with the Foundation's broader mission to inspire, educate, and empower individuals who face significant challenges due to their ethnicity, immigration status, and abilities. The grant program is a key component of the Foundation's strategic priorities, focusing on fostering community well-being and addressing systemic inequities.
The target beneficiaries of the Promise Grants are underserved and often dismissed populations in DeKalb County. The program specifically seeks to empower individuals who experience extraordinary challenges. Impact goals include increasing participation and empowerment of these populations in community life, developing leadership skills among marginalized groups, and enhancing understanding and tolerance across the community.
The grant prioritizes projects that focus on healthcare and affordable housing within DeKalb Township, in addition to supporting organizations that serve underserved populations generally. Proposed projects are reviewed based on their potential to raise educational levels, enhance the quality of life, and strengthen organizations that can transform community perspectives. The Foundation's theory of change appears to be centered on empowering individuals and strengthening community organizations to create a more inclusive and equitable DeKalb County.
Expected outcomes and measurable results include increased empowerment and participation of underserved populations, improved leadership skills, and a higher quality of life for beneficiaries. While specific metrics are not detailed, the focus on "increase participation," "develop leadership skills," "increase understanding," "raise educational levels," and "enhance quality of life" implies a commitment to measurable positive changes within the community. Funding requests should not exceed $5,000, with typical grants under $800, indicating a focus on supporting a broader range of smaller, impactful projects.
