When John Taylor and his colleagues first started conversations about creating an organization that would elevate Henry County and the surrounding area, socially, culturally, and economically through live music and the performing arts, they knew they would be creating something special. But they also knew that to leave a lasting impact, they needed to ensure the organization’s longevity – something that would outlast any individual leader and continue to enrich the community for generations to come.
“One of the things we would talk about was this idea of creating something that would outlast any of us. An endowment was the answer to that,” said John Taylor, founder of Crossroads Cultural Connections.
Launched in 2022, Crossroads Cultural Connections offers everything from live concerts to school outreach programs. Its mission? To bring people together by celebrating diversity through music, art, and cultural exchange. But beyond the music, it’s about creating lasting, shared experiences for the community.
“There’s a magic that happens when people from different walks of life come together, especially when they can connect through art and music,” said Taylor. “You may have people at a concert who would never meet otherwise, yet they share a common experience, and that opens doors to new relationships and mutual understanding.”
After getting the organization up and running, Taylor prioritized building an endowment to ensure support for the organization indefinitely. The endowment was created in 2023, and now, after over a year of growth, Crossroads is seeing the benefits. This year the organization is drawing from the endowment’s “spendable” balance to directly support its programming—one of the first tangible ways they’re witnessing the results of their long-term planning.
The funds will support their Visiting Artist Series, which brings artists into local schools to perform and share their stories. “Last week, we visited five schools, and the following week we’ll do more. This is a great way to connect with young people and introduce them to different cultures, musical styles, and creative career paths,” Taylor shared.
“Through this endowment, the ability to make an impact in our communities is priceless. Not only are we able to create a social, cultural and economic impact for our citizens, but we are able to bring the arts directly into our schools,” shared Jason Bates, Board Member of Crossroads Cultural Connections.
Alongside the school programs, Crossroads continues to organize concerts, with 81 performances planned for this year alone. These events, which feature a mix of local, national, and international talent, remain at the heart of their mission. The endowment will help sustain these events for years to come.
“An endowment tells your supporters and donors that the mission of your organization is vital enough to last forever. John and Crossroads Board of Directors have kept that mindset at the forefront and the endowment fund will now provide a yearly, predictable amount that the organization can use to help fulfill their mission!” shared Sarah Grant, Galesburg Community Foundation Director of Development.
For others thinking about establishing an endowment fund, Taylor advises starting the conversation early and reaching out for help. “When I first started working on our concert series, I had no idea how to raise funds, but I just started reaching out and building relationships,” Taylor said. “Galesburg Community Foundation has been incredibly helpful in guiding us through the process, and I highly recommend starting that conversation as early as possible. It’s worth it.”
Through the power of endowment, Crossroads is ensuring that its mission will continue to enrich the entire region for years to come. “Being an all-volunteer organization at the moment, the endowment fund allows us to extend our reach and is a means of achieving financial sustainability in the long run,” Commented Clarke Novak, Crossroads Cultural Connections Board Member.
If you would like to learn more about Crossroads Cultural Connections visit https://www.xroadscc.org. To support their endowment fund visit, yourgcf.org/give. Gifts made directly to Galesburg Community Foundation for the benefit of the Crossroads Cultural Connections endowment fund are eligible for an Illinois Gives Tax credit.
To learn more about establishing an endowment fund or for information about the Illinois Gives Tax Credit, contact Sarah Grant, Director of Development at Galesburg Community Foundation.
