The Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation Fund provides grant opportunities through the DeKalb County Community Foundation. The fund primarily supports music education initiatives, funding nonprofit and public sector organizations within the greater Chicagoland area. The Wurlitzer Foundation Fund places a particular emphasis on projects in DeKalb County, but will consider projects across the broader region as well. The funding is made available through a Field of Interest Fund, which was established by the Farny R. Wurlitzer Foundation to facilitate grantmaking in this area.

The grants from the Wurlitzer Foundation Fund are approved by a Board of Advisors, who evaluate applications submitted during two distinct grant cycles each year. These cycles align with fixed submission deadlines: March 1 and September 1. All grant applications must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. on these respective dates. Applicants are encouraged to review the guidelines carefully before submitting their applications to ensure alignment with the foundation’s priorities.

Applications are accepted online and can be submitted during a two-month window prior to each deadline. This period for application submission opens immediately before March 1 and September 1. Therefore, potential applicants should plan ahead to submit within this time frame.

If applicants have any questions or need further assistance during the application process, they are encouraged to contact the Arts & Culture Consultant, George Buck, via email at george@dekalbccf.org. His expertise will guide applicants through the process and help clarify any points in the guidelines.

The Wurlitzer Foundation Fund’s mission is focused on fostering music education, with particular attention paid to projects that enhance the cultural fabric of the DeKalb County area. The foundation aims to support initiatives that foster community engagement through music, offering grants to organizations that meet the criteria specified in the application guidelines.

For those interested in applying, there is an online portal for submission. Applicants should keep the deadlines in mind and make sure they complete the process within the prescribed submission windows.