Rural Vitality Grant Cycle Now Open

Organizations across rural DeKalb County will have the opportunity to secure funding for projects that strengthen communities, enhance local assets, and revitalize downtowns through a grant initiative supported by Compeer Financial and administered by local partnership organizations.

The DeKalb County Rural Vitality Committee of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation (DCEDC), in collaboration with the DeKalb County Community Foundation (DCCF), will award funding provided by Compeer Financial to strengthen the economic vitality and livability of rural DeKalb County. Priority will be given to projects identified in community plans, those that leverage additional resources, and collaborative efforts.

Applicants must be a unit of local government or an organization working in partnership with a community with a population less than 10,000 residents. Organizations must be able to provide evidence of application support from the community. Eligible applicants must provide direct assistance, services, and/or benefits to rural DeKalb County, IL residents. Please visit the DCCF grant portal for application and guidelines.

Completed grant applications are due November 1, 2026, and decisions will be announced by early December 2026. The proposed project should have a target completion date of one year and a grant report will be required. Applicants may request up to $10,000. Awards may be made for the full or partial amount requested, with a maximum grant award of $10,000. Funding areas of interest include Community Development/Downtown Revitalization; Agriculture; Rural Education; Workforce Development; Entrepreneurship/Small Business Support; Leadership Development; Housing Expansion.

Contact DCCF grant staff at grants@dekalbccf.org or 815-748-5383 or DCEDC (815-895-2711) with questions, to discuss project ideas, and for help facilitating a successful application. To learn more and apply visit DeKalbCCF.org. If you are unsure about your eligibility for this grant program or are applying as a fiscal sponsor for another organization, please contact grants@dekalbccf.org.

If you would like more information on the Rural Vitality Committee initiatives, please visit www.dcedc.org/rural-vitality/ or contact Andrea at DCEDC at avandrew@dcedc.org.