GALESBURG, Ill. (July 7, 2020) ─ In response to recent events related to COVID-19, Galesburg Community Foundation is proactively supporting local nonprofits to help ensure the services they provide continue. Since the onset of COVID-19, Galesburg Community Foundation has consistently communicated with local nonprofits to learn that many are implementing innovative and collaborative approaches to continue serving the people who call Knox and Warren Counties home.
This proactive support approved by the Community Foundation’s Board of Directors includes removing program restrictions on grants awarded during the Foundation’s 2019 Turnout Grant Cycle. This means that organizations unable to complete programs they applied for through last year’s Turnout Grant Cycle, due to COVID-19, may use those grant dollars in any way needed to fulfill their missions and provide important services to Knox and Warren Counties.
Regarding the 2020 Turnout Grant Cycle, as this event is heavily reliant upon in-person interaction, the organization cannot hold the cycle in the same way. With this, the Community Foundations Board of Directors approved proactively awarding the 43 nonprofit organizations receiving grants in 2019 with 60% of their 2019 award. These grant dollars are also unrestricted, meaning that nonprofits may use the dollars as they see best fit to continue serving Knox and Warren Counties. These proactive grants are made possible thanks to generous community members who support the Foundation’s Community Impact Fund.
Joshua Gibb, president & CEO of the Community Foundation said, “Our nonprofits are hard at work making sure that residents have what they need during this difficult time. Their important services span food, utility assistance, senior services, access to the arts, education and so much more—services that enable and enrich our daily lives. We are grateful to the many people who give to our Community Impact Fund to ensure that we can proactively grant these dollars—especially in today’s environment.”
The Community Foundation urges local nonprofits to continue their nimble, innovative, collaborative and proactive approaches. To further aid with this, the Foundation is working to set aside an amount equivalent to the remaining 40% of the dollars granted during the 2019 Turnout. These dollars will be used to aid post COVID-19/mission sustainability efforts. More details about these opportunities will be available in the coming weeks.
Tiffany Springer, director of grants and programs at the Community Foundation said, “While the onset of COVID-19 is certainly an unfortunate situation, with it comes the opportunity to further strengthen the local nonprofit sector and equip organizations with the tools they need to further collaborate and address complex issues. We’re working to build a robust set of experiences that will allow for learning and conversations so that together we can even further impact the people who call our region home.”
Organizations that did not participate in the 2019 Turnout Grant Cycle are not eligible for the proactive 60% 2020 Turnout Grant. However, additional opportunities will be made possible through the Community Foundation during 2020. For specific needs or questions contact Tiffany Springer, director of grants and programs at TSpringer@YourGCF.org or 309.344.8898.
The 43 nonprofits serving Knox and Warren Counties receiving proactive funding for 2020 include:
Bridgeway, Inc.
Buchanan Center For The Arts
Camp Big Sky
Choral Dynamics of Galesburg
Christmas in Action Galesburg
Court Appointed Special Advocates of West Central Illinois
Cremation Assistance Foundation
Discovery Depot Children’s Museum
Family Planning Service of Western Illinois, Inc.
First Lutheran Church of Monmouth- Open Table
FISH of Galesburg
Galesburg Civic Art Center
Galesburg Public Library
Galesburg Symphony Society- Knox- Galesburg Symphony
Galesburg Youth Athletic Club
Galva Arts Council
Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois, Inc
Heart of Illinois Big Brothers Big Sisters
Helping Hands of Roseville, Inc.
Historical Ellisville Restoration Organization H.E.R.O.
Jamieson Community Center
KCCDD, Inc.- Gordon Behrents Senior Center
Knox County Child Advocacy Center & Paladin Children’s Center
Knox County YMCA
Knox Jazz Year
Knox Prairie Community Kitchen
Loving Bottoms Diaper Bank
Main Street Codes Foundation
Monmouth-Roseville Education Foundation
NOVA Singers
Prairie Players Civic Theatre
Prairie State Legal Services, Inc.
Rainbow Riders
Roseville Kids Place
ROWVA Public Schools Foundation
Safe Harbor Family Crisis Center
Salvation Army
The Orpheum Theatre
Triumph Services, Inc.- Camp Kidz
VNA Community Services
Warren Achievement Center
Warren County Historical Society
Warren County United Way
About Galesburg Community Foundation
Galesburg Community Foundation develops and supports the efforts of local people and organizations to promote healthy communities. The Community Foundation makes giving easy and believes that generosity can positively change Knox and Warren Counties forever. The Community Foundation partners with individuals, families, businesses and nonprofits to help them have the greatest impact with their giving. The Community Foundation is working for the good of your community.
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