DuPage Foundation grants total $1 million to aid DuPage nonprofits during COVID-19 pandemic

The DuPage Foundation recently announced a total of $1 million in grants from its emergency COVID-19 Response Fund has been delivered to nonprofit service providers in the DuPage County region to date.

The third round of grants, totaling $500,000, was delivered this week, to support 43 DuPage County nonprofits that provide food and emergency assistance, technology to support virtual health and education, access to health care, housing, and mental health services to support the community.

"This grant means some of the most in-need people who are DuPage residents are going to receive help. Some people called us back crying with happy tears after receiving the great news. I am sure you do know how much this help means to them," said Alexandra Sossa, executive director, Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project.

"Reaching this $1 million milestone has been a true testament to the power of the DuPage philanthropic community and how much they care about the county's residents and its not-for-profit service providers," said Dave McGowan, foundation president and CEO. "The needs have been extraordinary but our community has stepped up in an extraordinary manner. However, there is more to do. DuPage Foundation is uniquely positioned to meet community needs."

The COVID-19 Response Fund will continue to meet community needs as they arise and donations can still be made to this fund to address those needs.

These 27 grant recipients received a total of $324,000 for "Food and Emergency Financial Assistance":

• DuPage Senior Citizens Council, $25,000;

• Educare of West DuPage, $20,000;

• Elmhurst Walk-In Assistance Network, $5,000;

• Family Focus, $10,000;

• Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project, $5,000;

• Glen Ellyn Food Pantry, $20,000;

• H.O.M.E. DuPage, Inc., $20,000;

• HCS Family Services, $5,000;

• Hope's Front Door, $10,000;

• Humanitarian Service Project, $7,000;

• Immigrant Solidarity DuPage, $5,000;

• Indian Prairie Educational Foundation, $4,500;

• Loaves & Fishes Community Services, $15,000;

• LOVE Christian Clearinghouse, $2,500;

• Metropolitan Family Services DuPage, $15,000;

• Naperville Education Foundation, $5,000;

• People's Resource Center, $15,000;

• Serenity House Counseling Services, Inc, $20,000;

• Student Excellence Foundation, $5,000;

• Teen Parent Connection, $10,000;

• The Salvation Army, $20,000;

• Tri-Town YMCA, $15,000;

• United Community Concerns Association, $5,000;

• West Suburban Community Pantry, $15,000;

• World Relief DuPage, $15,000;

• Xilin Association, $10,000; and

• YWCA Metropolitan Chicago, $20,000.

The six grant recipients received a total of $59,000 for "Technology to Support Virtual Health and Education":

• Alive Center, $5,000;

• B.R. Ryall YMCA, $20,000;

• Glen Ellyn Children's Resource Center, $5,000;

• Northeast DuPage Special Recreation Association, $14,000;

• Spectrios Institute for Low Vision, $10,000; and

• Youth Outlook, $5,000.

These five grant recipients received a total of $56,000 for "Access to Healthcare":

• Access Community Health Network, $10,000;

• Almost Home Kids, $5,000;

• DuPage Health Coalition, $20,000;

• DuPage Health Matters, $1,000; and

• VNA Health Care, $20,000.

These four grant recipients received a total of $41,000 for "Housing":

• 360 Youth Services, $15,000;

• Bridge Communities, Inc, $15,000;

• ChildServ, $6,000; and

• Senior Home Sharing, $5,000.

In addition, SamaraCare received $20,000 for "Mental Health Services."

Previously, 36 grants totaling $500,000 were awarded in April and May during the first rounds of special COVID-19 Response Fund grantmaking. See all the recipients at DuPageFoundation.org.

DuPage Foundation has raised more than $1.2 million for its COVID-19 Response Fund. Our thanks goes to our lead partners including the Birck Family, the Hyett Family, two area private foundations wishing to remain anonymous, the Shebik Family, the Gustafson Family Foundation and the Snodgrass Family funds of the DuPage Foundation, along with scores of contributions from other individuals, businesses, and foundations. Special thanks to our most recent donors, Doris K. Christopher and Family and the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund.

The foundation encourages donors to continue giving directly to their favorite charities and, for those who are interested and able, to continue to contribute to the DuPage Foundation's COVID-19 Response Fund to help "do a world of good in our own back yard," and be part of a powerful, collaborative response to help people and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

About the DuPage Foundation

DuPage Foundation is DuPage County's philanthropic leader. Established in 1986 to raise the quality of life throughout DuPage County, the foundation serves our community by helping area residents and organizations realize their charitable goals, providing impactful support to our community's nonprofits, and fostering key partnerships to address critical issues affecting DuPage County.

As a 501(c)(3) public charity, the foundation receives contributions and bequests from individuals, corporations, organizations and foundations looking to make a difference for our community and the causes about which they are most passionate. Since its inception, the foundation has grown to more than $95 million in assets and awarded more than $45 million in grants to nonprofit agencies serving the residents of DuPage County and beyond.