Rural Vitality Grant Open! Closes Nov 1 2026
The DeKalb County Rural Vitality Committee, of the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation, in collaboration with the DeKalb County Community Foundation, will award funding provided by Compeer Financial to strengthen the economic vitality and livability of rural DeKalb County. Funding will support projects that build local capacity, enhance community assets, and improve downtown areas. 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 support for the application from the community. Eligible applicants must provide direct assistance, services, and/or benefits to rural DeKalb County, Ill. residents. Grant guidelines are available here.
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.
Contact DCCF grant staff at grants@dekalbccf.org or 815-748-5383 or DCEDC at avandrew@dcedc.org (815-895-2711) with questions, to discuss project ideas, and for help facilitating a successful application. 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.
Downtown Revitalization in Action in Leland, IL
The Rural Vitality Exchange made a stop in neighboring Leland on the evening of Wednesday, September 23 to learn more about an example of local downtown revitalization efforts driven by two of its local community champions, Al and Marcy Kinney.
The event kicked off at the Leland Resource Bank location with some brief resource sharing, then featured a downtown walking tour led by the Kinney’s. Event attendees were guided through examples of the Kinney’s current residential and future mixed-use projects in Leland’s historic downtown buildings. They discussed challenges, both the expected and unexpected, and the patience needed over the years. Hard work and a reliable network of friends and community connections were critical for the building rehab, but Al and Marcy emphasized it is well worth it. There is still work to be done, but the returns for their persistence are visible.
A special Thank You to Al and Marcy for sharing their experiences and highlighting how change can begin at the individual level and impact a community – one project at a time.
Thank you to Resource Bank for hosting and event support! Another special Thank You to IL State Rep. Fritts for joining us and listening to concerns of attendees. Finally, thank you to everyone who traveled to see an example of local downtown revitalization in action!
Stay tuned for the next Rural Vitality Exchange event. Keep up to date at dcedc.org/rural-vitality or contact avandrew@dcedc.org for more information.
Funding Opportunities
Community Development Block Grant OPEN
Powering Affordable Reliable Technology Program (USDA Rural Development)
IDNR Accepting OSLAD Park Development Grant Applications
SBA Announces Grocery Guarantee to Promote Affordability
2026 Rebates for Ag Properites: Nicor Gas Energy Efficiency Program
IDNR State Historic Preservation Office Financial Incentives
Nicor Pillars of Giving Grants: https://www.nicorgas.com/company/about-us/charitable-giving/pillars-of-giving.html
Thank You to our Generous Funding Partners:
Upcoming Events
2026 Rural Vitality Grant Open – Applications close November 1, 2026
2026 Illinois Main Street Conference November 18-20, 2026
Rural Business Transitions Webinar Series (IL Extension office)
Resources
DCEDC formed the Rural Vitality Committee to address the needs of DeKalb County’s rural communities. The committee is comprised of countywide organizations invested in promoting community development and livability. The initiative will balance resources to better serve smaller communities based on the DeKalb County Community Foundation’s (DCCF) recent research, additional input from community leaders, and examples of success from elsewhere. This introduction provides information on the committee and how it can help your community.
The expressed mission of the DeKalb County Rural Vitality Committee is to work with businesses, public officials, and community leaders to strengthen the economic vitality of rural DeKalb County. The committee will foster regional collaboration, identify resources, guide projects or plans, and empower local participation in community development.
These efforts will generate opportunities for each community to grow local capacity to develop, manage, and sustain a strong economic base, improve livability, and enhance its physical assets, particularly downtown.
The Rural Vitality Committee Believes:
- Greater effort must be made to support the vitality of DeKalb County’s rural communities.
- Additional resources should be identified to help meet the needs and opportunities within these rural communities, assisting them to achieve their goals and objectives.
- Developing county-wide relationships will benefit all communities.
- Each rural community should experience improved livability, economic vitality, and broad resident engagement. Key leaders (elected and non-elected) will be supported and empowered to work within their community and across communities, building on their assets and making practical improvements tied to their needs and goals.
The efforts of the Rural Vitality Committee are designed to generate progress towards achieving each community’s desired goals. Metrics will be developed to track progress, use resources wisely, and maintain focus. By measuring progress, plans can be adjusted, additional needed resources identified, and successes celebrated.
This page is designed to share news, updates, and resources you and your community can use.
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