We are pleased to announce we recently awarded nearly $750,000 to 57 DuPage County nonprofit organizations as part of our Fall grant cycle. Included were grants through our Community Impact, Arts DuPage, and Glen Ellyn Fund grant programs.
Community Impact, our twice-yearly signature grant program supporting local nonprofit programs enriching the quality of life for DuPage County residents, awarded more than $500,000 to 32 organizations in the areas of youth education, workforce development, environment, and animal welfare. Arts DuPage continued its comprehensive support for the arts in DuPage County with more than $200,000 in grants to 22 organizations, and the Glen Ellyn Fund Initiative, a targeted partnership with the Village of Glen Ellyn, awarded more than $20,000 to three organizations.
Our strong network of donor-advised fund representatives and area donors provided more than $250,000 in additional funds to boost the Community Impact and Arts DuPage grant budgets this cycle. With their support, we were able to fund nearly 60% of eligible grant applications.
Workforce Development Grants Added to Fall Grant Cycle
This fall, with a generous donation from the Martin and Patricia Jahn Foundation, we introduced workforce development as a new category within our Community Impact grant program. This addition reflects our commitment to meeting emerging community needs and supporting long-term economic stability. By funding programs that build skills, open career pathways, and expand access to quality jobs, we hope to help more residents secure strong livelihoods.
“Expanding our grant programs to include a category dedicated to workforce development was a natural and necessary next step,” said Barb Szczepaniak, our vice president for programs. “By investing in job readiness, skills training, and pathways to stable employment, we’re not just funding programs—we’re strengthening families, local businesses, and the long-term economic vitality of DuPage County.”
The inaugural recipients of workforce development grants were: Career & Networking Center, Compudopt, Donka, Inc., Kids Matter, Literacy DuPage, Little Friends, Inc., Poised for Success, Resilient, NFP, and Turning Pointe Autism Foundation.
Grant Open House Celebrates 57 Recipients
Fall Community Impact, Arts DuPage, and Glen Ellyn Fund Initiative grantees celebrated alongside our staff, volunteer leaders, and community partners at a Grant Open House held Wednesday, December 10. Recipients received their grants and connected with fellow changemakers and philanthropists to discuss the current landscape within DuPage County.
“In this season of giving, it was a pleasure to award so many deserving local nonprofits with grants that allow them to do such impactful work in our communities,” said Betsy Goltermann, DuPage Foundation Trustee and Grant Committee Chair. She added, “It was inspiring to learn about their plans and to celebrate so much good done in DuPage County.”
The following 32 organizations received a Fall Community Impact grant:
| Youth Education (14) | $184,000 |
| Accelerate Climate Solutions | $5,000 |
| Alive Center | $25,000 |
| Best Buddies | $10,000 |
| Candor Health Education | $10,000 |
| CREO DuPage | $24,000 |
| DuPage County Farm Bureau Foundation | $5,000 |
| Exodus World Service | $20,000 |
| GiGi’s Playhouse – Fox Valley | $5,000 |
| Glen Ellyn Children’s Resource Center | $25,000 |
| Green Halo Scholars | $25,000 |
| Junior Achievement of Chicago | $5,000 |
| Roots & Wings – Alas y Raices | $5,000 |
| Three Fires Council, Scouting America | $15,000 |
| United States Adaptive Golf Alliance | $5,000 |
| Workforce Development (9) | $175,000 |
| Career & Networking Center | $5,000 |
| Compudopt | $25,000 |
| Donka, Inc. | $15,000 |
| KidsMatter | $25,000 |
| Literacy DuPage | $25,000 |
| Little Friends, Inc. | $25,000 |
| Poised For Success | $5,000 |
| Resilient, NFP | $25,000 |
| Turning Pointe Autism Foundation | $25,000 |
| Environment (4) | $76,520 |
| Fermilab Natural Areas | $17,520 |
| SCARCE | $25,000 |
| The Conservation Foundation | $14,000 |
| The Morton Arboretum | $20,000 |
| Animal Welfare (5) | $84,000 |
| A.D.O.P.T. Pet Shelter | $15,000 |
| Hinsdale Humane Society | $5,000 |
| Naperville Area Humane Society | $19,000 |
| Paws for a Cause Vet Care | $25,000 |
| West Suburban Humane Society | $20,000 |
Total Community Impact Grants: $519,520
The following 22 organizations received an Arts DuPage grant:
| Anima – Glen Ellyn Children’s Chorus | $10,000 |
| BrightSide Theatre | $25,000 |
| Buffalo Theatre Ensemble | $25,000 |
| Chhobighar Film Society | $7,500 |
| Downers Grove Choral Society | $3,500 |
| DuPage County Historical Museum Foundation | $4,000 |
| DuPage Symphony Orchestra | $10,590 |
| Elmhurst Art Museum | $25,000 |
| Equality Downers Grove (EQDG) | $5,000 |
| ESSE Adult Day Services | $10,000 |
| Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale | $4,472 |
| Illinois Conservatory for the Arts | $10,000 |
| Lisle Community Band | $5,000 |
| Lizzadro Museum of Lapidary Art | $3,000 |
| Mays Music Centre Of Excellence | $5,000 |
| Opera for the Young | $5,000 |
| Paramount Theatre | $21,000 |
| Senior Suburban Orchestra | $2,500 |
| Sharing Notes | $5,000 |
| Sinfonietta Bel Canto | $5,000 |
| The West Towns Chorus | $5,000 |
| Young Naperville Singers | $4,450 |
Total Arts DuPage Grants: $201,012
The following three organizations received a Glen Ellyn Fund Initiative grant:
| B.R. Ryall YMCA | $10,000 |
| Glen Ellyn-Wheaton Chorale | $1,800 |
| Go Green Glen Ellyn | $9,000 |
Total Glen Ellyn Initiative Grants: $20,800
Spring Grant Cycle Opens January 2026
Our Spring Community Impact grant applications will open in January 2026. DuPage County nonprofits that provide programs in the areas of health and human services and that meet the application criteria are welcome to apply. For more information on the 2026 grant calendar and guidelines, visit https://dupagefoundation.org/grants/community-impact.html.
