For more than a century, Galesburg Community Arts Center (GCAC) has been connecting people in our region to the arts through exhibitions, education, and shared experiences.
“Our mission has never changed,” shared Tuesday Çetin, Executive Director of Galesburg Community Arts Center. “We are here to connect our community to the arts because art is essential. It sparks conversations, lights up imaginations, and brings people together.”
GCAC has partnered with the Galesburg Community Foundation over the last several years, and as part of their own strategic plan, is expanding their effort to further grow their endowment fund. An endowment fund provides a source of lasting support that is both stable and predictable even in uncertain economic times.
“With this stable source of support, nonprofits can make long-term plans with confidence, remain resilient through economic shifts, and stay focused on delivering their mission,” said Sarah Grant, Galesburg Community Foundation Director of Development.
Galesburg Community Foundation is offering a 2 for 1 matching grant to build the Arts Center’s endowment. For every $2 donated, Galesburg Community Foundation will donate $1, giving the organization an opportunity to raise a total of $300,000 toward its $1.5 million endowment goal.
“For many donors, the match is a game-changer,” Çetin added. “It empowers donors at every giving level to know they’re making a significant difference.”
Gifts made directly to the arts center’s endowment at Galesburg Community Foundation are eligible for an Illinois Gives tax credit, offering an additional way to maximize impact. Donors are encouraged to consult with their tax professional to determine if this would be beneficial to them and then contact Galesburg Community Foundation for guidance through the process. Learn more about Illinois Gives here.
With the initial campaign nearly halfway complete, Galesburg Community Arts Center is asking the community to join them in completing their ultimate endowment goal of $1.5M. This amount will fund its daily operations, which includes connecting the community and visitors to art experiences and supporting the local creative economy that includes connecting well over one hundred artists to economic opportunity. Operational support is critical to keeping admission free and arts opportunities accessible to all. Just this year, over 23,000 people were able to appreciate art, participate in classes, and explore their own creativity at community events.
“Every gift, no matter the size, helps us keep arts accessible in our community,” says Ҫetin, “accessible for children, adults, and seniors. The arts are fundamental to our humanity – it helps us express our emotions, values, and connect with one another, it’s a universal way of telling our own stories.”
To make a gift to the Galesburg Community Arts Center endowment fund at Galesburg Community Foundation, contact Sarah Grant, Director of Development, at 309-344-8898 or donate here. Donors wishing to take advantage of the Illinois Gives Tax Credit should contact Galesburg Community Foundation prior to making their gift.
