Finances at a Glance

Thank you donors!

The Finance Committee of the Foundation Board of Directors oversees the investment of our assets as well as expenses. The following information is available upon request from our office: names of investment managers and fees charged, full audited financial statements, IRS Form 990, governing documents, and conflict of interest policy.

Due to a down market, we ended 2022 with significant unrealized losses in our investment portfolio.

Grants and Distributions

Nonpro t Capacity Building & Give DeKalb County

$1,784,338

Health & Human Services

$580,367

Additional Distributions Designated and Field of Interest Funds provided $348,749 for administration costs associated with Community Foundation operations and initiatives including the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership, Youth Engaged in Philanthropy, and CommunityWorks.

The Rochelle Area Community Foundation started numerous non-endowed Agency Funds with the DeKalb County Community Foundation since 2005. In 2022 they closed those Funds, requesting their full distribution totaling $3,423,502.

Arts & Culture Environment & Animal Welfare

$514,114 $55,699

Community Development

Grants awarded during 2022

$8.6 million

Grants at a Glance Grants awarded since 1993 $49.7 million

Grants and Distributions

Continuing Purpose, One Brick at a Time

Thank you, donors, for making grants like these possible!

A building was constructed in 1878 that recognized the harmony of day-to-day community operations and the arts. The beautiful brickand-mortar construction was home to the Sandwich City Hall and the Sandwich Opera House. The City Hall occupied the first floor, while the Opera House operated and performed on the second floor.

Over the years, the building began to experience a decline in usage as outside facilities took over many of the activities held at the Opera House, and the city departments grew into new locations. In 1979, a need to save the building arose. Residents created the Association to Restore City Hall (ARCH) and immediately went to work. The building was placed on the National Register of Historic Places, and extensive restoration and renovation began.

The historic landmark re-opened on April 12, 1986, and the building operated once again as a community- oriented facility. With the restoration came a return of the community theatre and various performances and other uses.

As expected with a 144-year-old historic building, the exterior brick is deteriorating. In early 2022, Sandwich Opera House (ARCH) applied for both a Community Needs Grant and a Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund Grant from the DeKalb County Community Foundation. The requests produced a combined $17,500 in support from the two grant programs.

UPDATE:

The brick restoration and replacement was completed in November 2022. What was once crumbling and cracked is now smooth and safe, allowing patrons to enter and leave the building safely.

“Without support from organizations such as the Community Foundation and their supporters, the Sandwich Opera House and similar facilities would not be able to continue to provide arts and entertainment to the Sandwich area.”

~ Je ry Ellis, Treasurer, Sandwich Opera House

Thanks to donor generosity to Community Impact Funds and the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund, the Sandwich Opera House (ARCH) has received over $140,000 in grants since 2000. Grants supported a variety of purposes and projects, including: l Replacement of the damaged or outdated lightboard and audio equipment ($4,350) l Repair and restoration of theatre seating ($15,000) l Replacement and restoration of windows ($15,000) l Assistance with updating restroom facilities ($8,000) l Replacement of stage curtains and addition of water heaters to areas ($10,000) l And more!

Grants in Action – Community Impact Fund

Technology Provides Safe Lifting During Emergency Response

With steady growth in Kirkland and surrounding communities, the call volume for emergency responses has grown. With increased calls comes the need to lift and safely load more patients on cots than ever before.

The mission of the Kirkland Community Fire District (KCFD) is to protect the lives and property of people in Kirkland and surrounding communities. The department’s district covers approximately 82 square miles, the largest in DeKalb County. Their area includes four towns: Kirkland, Clare, Esmond, and Fairdale.

The KCFD embraces and practices the concepts of safe lifting and proper body mechanics through ongoing training. However, upgrading to powered patient transport equipment allows EMS providers to focus on life-saving patient care rather than worrying about the possibility of injury to themselves or the patient during the manual lift. In addition, the responders could respond to calls and reduce the need for extra manpower (needed on 95% of calls) to lift the cot into the ambulance. Powered equipment is easy and intuitive to use, exchanging the coordination of levers and strategic lifting with the ease of pushing a button.

In 2022, the Kirkland Community Fire District applied for a Community Needs Grant and received $10,400 in funding to purchase a Stryker’s Power Load lift. The KCFD raised the additional dollars through alternative sources, including a community fundraiser.

Funding for Community Needs Grants is made possible through donor generosity to Community Impact Funds at the Foundation. Thank you donors!

Upgrading transport equipment benefits both providers and patients.