KNOXVILLE COMMUNITY FUND

About the fund

The Knoxville Community Fund is a fund of the Galesburg Community Foundation. It was developed in 2015 when the community raised $25,000, which was matched by the Foundation for an initial investment of more than $50,000.

The Knoxville Community Fund has been granting awards to the community for eight years. Recent grant recipients include Knoxville Junior High School for an author visit, First Christian Church for structural repairs, Blessings in a Backpack weekend meals for area students, and seven mini grants to Knoxville teachers to assist their curriculums. Funds have also been allocated to assist in beautification efforts by planting trees around Knoxville.

Continued growth of the permanently endowed Knoxville Community Fund ensures that community needs are met today and well into the future. Guided by an advisory board, the fund supports the services and needs of Knoxville. Since the fund is endowed, the more the fund grows, the more dollars available each year to grant into the community.

Galesburg Community Foundation provides professional investment and administrative management for the Knoxville Community Fund, freeing up advisory board members to focus on donor relations and grant awards. Learn more about community funds.

How it works

Advisory board members

  • Mary Austin
  • Mandy Balser
  • Tessa Jones
  • Barb Kirchgessner
  • Toby Myers
  • David Wilt
  • Brett Wright

Ways to give

  • Give to the Knoxville Community Fund online.
  • Mail a check to Galesburg Community Foundation / 246 E. Main Street, Suite 101 / Galesburg, IL 61041. Checks should be made payable to Galesburg Community Foundation with “Knoxville Community Fund” listed in the memo.
  • Schedule an appointment to learn how you can leave a gift to the Knoxville Community Fund through appreciated assets, grain, an individual retirement account, or in your will or estate. Call 309.344.8898 or reach out to us online at Info@YourGCF.org.

Apply for community or teacher mini grantsgrants

The Knoxville Community Fund offers community and teacher mini grants. These grant opportunities fund projects that shape the future and promote the wellbeing of the Knoxville community. Applications  for community and teacher mini grants are accepted from March 1-22.

  • All 501(c)(3) nonprofit or public charities, including churches, schools, and government agencies that serve Knoxville, are eligible to apply for community grants.
  • Teachers in the Knoxville School District are encouraged to apply for teacher mini grants. Proposals may be for classroom projects or materials up to $500. Grants must be for the following school year and recipients will be notified by May 1.
Sarah Grant

Let's connect

To learn more about the Knoxville Community Fund, call Sarah Grant, Director of Development, at 309.344.8898.

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Haley Sloss

Charitable Giving Coordinator

Short Bio

Haley provides support to enhance the function and success of the Charitable Giving and Affiliate Teams. She ensures donors receive a personal approach to philanthropy through outstanding customer service by supporting charitable giving for donors and fund holders across the state.