DuPage County presents $711,336 in small nonprofit grants to 32 local organizations

DuPage County presented grants totaling $711,336 to 32 local nonprofit organizations at its June 24 board meeting, part of a small nonprofit program established to fund services including job readiness, literacy, housing, behavioral health, substance use treatment and food assistance.

Chair Deborah A. Conroy said the program uses American Rescue Plan Act investment earnings and that members reviewed and selected awardees after vetting by county finance staff and the state's attorney’s office. “Today, we presented grant awards to 32 organizations totaling more than $700,000,” Conroy said.

Greg Shorze, chair of the Human Services Committee, described the grants as ranging from $5,000 to $30,000 and said each board member played a role in selection. Lynn Dugan, executive director (volunteer) of Repeat Boutique, spoke for grantees and said the award will allow the 100%-volunteer organization to hire an executive director after serving 4,000 families (about 18,000 individuals) last year. “This grant comes at an amazing time,” Dugan said. “It’s going to be the seed money we need to hire an executive director.”

Why it matters: the grants are intended to expand capacity for services to DuPage residents in need. County officials said the program focuses on projects with direct community impact in areas such as food assistance and behavioral health.

Process and oversight: County staff described a multi-step process: applications were vetted by finance staff, reviewed by committee members, and further reviewed by the state's attorney’s office before awards were finalized and checks presented to grantees at a reception.

Next steps: recipients are expected to use the awards for the stated program areas; the county did not present additional appropriations or contract conditions during the meeting.