Voices of Philanthropy Announces $9,972 in Grants

Voices of Philanthropy is excited to announce the recipients of their Spring 2026 grant awards. A total of $9,972 in funding has been granted to eight organizations that are working to address community needs and create meaningful impact across DeKalb County.

A youth-led program of the Community Foundation DeKalb County, Voices of Philanthropy engages high school students from across the county in hands-on grantmaking. Through monthly meetings during the school year, students learn the value of charitable giving, gain insight into community challenges, and make informed decisions about where to invest their grant dollars. The program is made possible through a partnership with the Dekko Foundation, local schools, and the Community Foundation.

“Our Voices of Philanthropy members carefully review each application, learning what it means to make meaningful investments in their community,” stated Tanya Young, Executive Director & CEO of Community Foundation DeKalb County. “They’re able to recognize the challenges facing their community and respond, responsibly, to those issues.”

Spring 2026 Grant Recipients:

• Butler Youth Evangelistic Association (Butler Filling Station) – $1,000 for its Meal Program 2026
• St. Martin’s Healthcare, Inc. – $1,000 for Understanding Is Care: Expanding Language Access in Healthcare – Translation App Access
• Kate’s Kart Inc – $2,000 to provide books to children at Parkview DeKalb Hospital
• JAM Center – $592 for Hands-on Learning Materials for JAM Early Education
• Inspiration Ministries, Inc. (The Refuge Community Church) – $1,000 to purchase shoes for its Back to School Bash 2026
• Waterloo-Grant Township Public Library – $980 to start a Community Hygiene Pantry
• Trustees of Purdue University (4-H Junior Leaders DeKalb Co) – $900 to purchase supplies for members to build Cancer Conqueror Kits
• DeKalb County Historian – $2,500, Unrestricted funding to support current & future projects.

“Voices has helped me better understand the needs in our community and how we can be part of the solution,” shared Abby Thomas, President of Voices of Philanthropy. “Every grant we make shows what’s possible when young people work together.”