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Grants

Grants

Questions concerning the Foundation's grant programs? Please contact Barb Szczepaniak, vice president for programs, for more information.

phone: 630.598.5280
email: barb@dupagefoundation.org

Grants

Since its inception, DuPage Foundation has awarded more than $80 million in grants to not-for-profit agencies serving the residents of DuPage County and beyond. As DuPage County’s philanthropic leader, we are committed to raising the quality of life for area residents through our support of area not-for-profits and special initiatives while also helping donors realize their unique charitable goals. Specifically, DuPage Foundation grant programs consist of:

  • Community Needs Grants
    Awarded to local not-for-profits working in the areas of Health and Human Services, Education, Arts and Culture, Environment and Animal Welfare.
    Click here to learn more.
     
  • Special Initiatives
    Such as Arts DuPage and Bright & Early DuPage, among others.
    Click here to learn more.
     
  • Donor-Advised Grants
    Awarded from Foundation donor-advised funds to agencies and causes throughout the county and beyond upon recommendation from their fund advisors.
    Click here to learn more.
     
  • Designated Grants
    Awarded from Foundation designated funds to benefit one or more agencies or causes throughout the county and beyond as specified by the funds' creators at the time the funds are established.
    Click here to learn more.
     
  • COVID-19 Response Fund Grants
    Created in April 2020, DuPage Foundation initiated this special grant fund to help not-for-profits in DuPage County, including those associated with local governmental agencies such as schools, to manage the challenges of the pandemic. Nearly $1.8 million was distributed from this fund to the community. Funding for this grant program came from government, foundations, major donors and the general population. The program is now closed.
    Click here to learn more.
  • DuPage Community Transformation Partnership
    In January 2022, the DuPage County Board voted to solidify a grantmaking partnership with DuPage Foundation, executing an agreement to allocate $10.6 million in federal funds received through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to the Foundation to implement and manage a five-year grant program benefitting local not-for-profit organizations responding to the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Immediate Intervention and Transformational grant opportunities were established to support programs addressing the issues of food insecurity, housing instability, mental health and substance use disorder.  As of October 2022, 35 grants totaling almost $5 million have been awarded.  Additional application opportunities will be offered in 2023 and 2024 for Immediate Intervention grants and 2024 for Transformational grants.
    Click here to learn more.​​​​

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