The DeKalb County Community Foundation is pleased to announce the creation of the Pay It Forward Health & Human Services Fund, a new endowed Field of Interest Fund supporting health and human services in DeKalb County.

The Fund was established following the dissolution of Pay-It-Forward House in 2025. In keeping with the organization’s spirit of service, 80 percent of its remaining assets created the new Fund, while 20 percent supported the DCNP Endowment Fund to strengthen the operations of the DeKalb County Nonprofit Partnership (DCNP), which was a critical partner in the organization’s 20 years of success.

The Pay It Forward Health & Human Services Fund provides support for public sector and nonprofit organizations that deliver health and human services benefiting residents of DeKalb County. While the Fund’s focus is broad, it was created to honor the legacy of Pay-It-Forward House, a Sycamore-based nonprofit that, for 20 years, provided physical and emotional rest in a homelike environment to the loved ones of patients receiving medical treatment in DeKalb County. The organization celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2025, the same year it closed its doors due to the loss of its primary partner hospital, Kindred Hospital Sycamore.

“Deciding to close was incredibly difficult, but we knew it was the right decision,” said MaryLou Eubanks, founder and former board president of Pay-It-Forward House. “We are deeply grateful to the DeKalb/Sycamore community that sustained our efforts for two decades, and thankful that the generosity of this community will continue to support health and human services in DeKalb County through the Community Foundation.”

“The Pay-It-Forward House has left a powerful legacy of compassion and community support,” said Dan Templin, executive director of the Community Foundation. “We are honored to partner in carrying that legacy forward through this new Fund, ensuring that health and human services remain strong for generations to come.”

Donations of any size are welcome to grow the impact of the Pay It Forward Health & Human Services Fund. To give online or explore giving options, visit dekalbccf.org/donate.

To learn more about creating your own named Fund or to discuss your charitable interests, contact Dan Templin at 815-748-5383 or dan@dekalbccf.org.