GALESBURG, Ill. (April 16, 2020)– The Rapid Response Fund at Galesburg Community Foundation issued the first grants to 14 local nonprofits serving the front lines due to COVID-19 in Knox and Warren Counties. The Rapid Response Fund stipulates that priority be given to local nonprofits providing front line services and nonprofits providing basic services to communities already vulnerable before the emergency or disproportionately affected by the emergency. Grants from the Rapid Response Fund are made possible thanks to generous local foundations, organizations, individuals and funds received from the Illinois COVID-19 Response Fund (ICRF). The ICRF was established by the United Way of Illinois and the Alliance of Illinois Community Foundations, in collaboration with the Office of the Governor.
Contributions to the Rapid Response Fund reached more than $265,000 this week thanks to the initial $145,000 from the Community Foundation, The Twomey Foundation, the G.L. Vitale Family Foundation, the McClean Family Endowment Fund, the Warren County United Way and the United Way of Knox County. Many generous community members have given to the fund with gifts of all sizes. Compeer Financial also announced a donation to the fund earlier this week. And, as announced last week, the Fund received $100,000 from the ICRF.
Joshua Gibb, president & CEO of Galesburg Community Foundation said, “Thanks to philanthropy we are able to provide grants to nonprofits providing incredibly important services during this time to our communities. Our team is continually communicating with our nonprofits to ensure needs are being met, they have the resources they need and efficient collaborations are being formed to ensure as many community members as possible are being served in our region. We are grateful to all of the people, organizations and businesses that have contributed to the Rapid Response Fund and to the people of Illinois who have supported the ICRF to make these grants possible. The current needs are great and our team will continue coordinating with public health and safety officials to ensure necessary resources are available in the most responsive manner possible.”
A total of $143,000 was awarded to 14 nonprofits serving Knox & Warren Counties for the following:
- Bridgeway, Inc.– Tele-health technologies for mental health, substance abuse and mobile crisis services and Personal protective Equipment (PPE) for residential clients and staff
- Carl Sandburg College Foundation– Emergency assistance for Carl Sandburg College students
- Feed My Lambs– Emergency food needs for members of the Abingdon community
- FISH of Galesburg– Emergency food needs for Knox County community members
- Helping Hands of Roseville, Inc.- Emergency food needs for Warren County
- Jamieson Community Center– Emergency food and supplemental assistance for Warren County
- Knox County YMCA– Emergency meals, daycare for children of essential workers and wellness checks for local seniors
- Knox County Unified Command– PPE including masks and hand sanitizer for first responders
- ROWVA Food Pantry– Emergency food needs for the ROWVA community
- The Salvation Army of Galesburg– Food program, homeless prevention, rent and utility assistance
- United Way of Knox County– Providing school lunches for Galesburg School District #205 students
- VNA Community Services– Providing meals and wellness checks for senior community members
- Warren Achievement Center– PPE, no-touch thermometers and sanitizing equipment to protect residents with developmental disabilities and staff
- Williamsfield United Methodist Church– Food for Williamsfield school children, adults and seniors
