Meet Sarah Walters, Galesburg Community Foundation’s newest board member
For Sarah Walters, community has always been at the center of her story.
A lifelong resident of Monmouth, Sarah’s connection to the region runs deep. While she spent a few years away early in her adult life, she ultimately chose to return—drawn back by family, familiarity, and a deep appreciation for the place she calls home.
“I choose to live here,” she shared. “I love my community. I love Monmouth.”
That love for her community is what first connected Sarah to Galesburg Community Foundation. While she had long been aware of the Community Foundation, it wasn’t until her involvement through the Twomey Foundation that she began to understand the broader impact of the Community Foundation’s work.
Most recently, Galesburg Community Foundation, and the Twomey Foundation worked together to make grants to nonprofits in Henderson County.
Through that partnership, Sarah saw firsthand how working together could create something greater than working alone. “It made more sense for us to be partners!” she said.
When asked to join the Galesburg Community Foundation Board of Directors, Sarah didn’t hesitate. Having seen the Community Foundation’s impact up close, she was eager to play a role in helping others.
Sarah brings a unique perspective to the Community Foundation Board which is shaped by her professional journey. After spending 17 years as a teacher, she took a leap into business ownership when she purchased Market Alley Wines in Monmouth and learned about the ins and outs of running a local business from the ground up.
As she steps into her role on the Community Foundation Board, Sarah is driven by a desire to help share the Community Foundation’s mission more broadly—particularly beyond Galesburg. She recognizes that while the name reflects the Community Foundation’s origins, its reach and impact extend far beyond.
“One of my biggest goals is to help people understand what Galesburg Community Foundation really is and all the ways we serve Knox, Warren and Henderson Counties,” she said.
Galesburg Community Foundation President & CEO Joshua Gibb shared his excitement about Sarah joining the board. “Sarah brings a genuine passion for her community, and a strong belief in the power of philanthropy and collaboration,” he said. “That mindset is exactly what helps move our mission forward and strengthen the communities we serve.”
At the heart of it all is Sarah’s belief in people and in the power of community. Whether through her work, her business, or her service on the board, she is committed to helping her community and our region grow and thrive.
And for Sarah, that commitment is simple.
“I just want to be a good steward of spreading the mission,” she said.
