The grant funding was used to put on a July 4^th celebration, commemorating the 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence while also celebrating the 50^th anniversary of the Henderson County Museum. More than 300 people packed into the historic Raritan Opera House to experience a community produced reenactment of the presentation of the Declaration of Independence, all planned and directed by the Historical Society.  

The highlight of the celebration was the reenactment of the famous photo of the presentation of the Declaration of Independence, featuring 47 local men who portrayed each signer present during the signing in 1776. Participants came from many different walks of life, including farmers, railroad engineers, bankers, students, and much more.  

“There was a huge educational component,” commented Melinda Whiteman, of the Historical Society. “Each person was assigned a signer and researched them, learning about their roles and lives.”  

Grant funding covered costumes, educational materials, stage decorations, children’s activities, and promotional efforts that helped attract an audience far beyond Henderson County. Every participant received materials identifying the signer they portrayed, while children enjoyed patriotic activities, including a parade and custom Henderson County Historical Society coloring sheets. 

The event also highlighted the Historical Society’s museum collections by showcasing local artifacts alongside stories shared by descendants of the individuals connected to them. The presentations demonstrated how Henderson County’s history continues to be carried forward by the community members who call it home.  

While the July 4 event captured the community’s attention, it was only one part of a broader effort supported through the Turnout Grant. Funding also helped the Historical Society continue its strategic planning process, invest in new technology for the museum, and create digital resources that will preserve and share Henderson County’s history for years to come. 

The organization also partnered with Clear Profits to produce professional promotional and documentary videos from the event and about Henderson County history. 

The overwhelming response to the July 4 celebration demonstrated the impact of investing in community-centered programming. Despite standing-room-only conditions inside the Raritan Opera House, attendees remained engaged throughout the two-hour program, eager to celebrate both the nation’s history and Henderson County’s own story. 

Grants for The Turnout come from the Community Foundation’s unrestricted Impact Fund and Field of Interest Funds along with contributions from our generous community donors who hold Donor Advised Funds at the Community Foundation.  

To learn more or make a gift to the Henderson County Impact Fund, visit yourgcf.org or contact Sarah Grant, Vice President of Development at Galesburg Community Foundation.  

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The idea for the program sparked during an Illinois Library Association Conference, where library director, Yesenia Lambert, attended and listened to a session on multicultural programming, and wondered how she could adapt those ideas for a rural community like theirs.  

Thanks to a $2,500 grant from the Galesburg Community Foundation Henderson County Impact Grants, the library was able to bring her idea to life. The funding allowed the library to purchase a collection of cultural children’s books, laying the foundation for a yearlong program that now welcomes dozens of children each month.  

“Without the grant funding, we may have attempted something on a much smaller scale,” shared Lambert. “But this support allowed us to do the program the way that we wanted to.”  

Each month, Storytime Around the World focuses on a different county, selected to align with cultural holidays or heritage months. March brought Ireland and St. Patrick’s Day, and April opened the door to Spain, where children made castanets, and learned about Pablo Picasso. The story time is more than just stories; the program reflects thoughtful design. Younger children (aged 0-5) participate in a program with music and movement, while older children (ages 6+) learn facts about the country, enjoy a STEM activity, cultural crafts, and sometimes even sample foods of the region. The impact has been significant. Attendance has grown with more than 60 people attending a recent Storytime! But it’s not just the program that’s making a difference, it’s the space the library is creating.  

“Philanthropy opens the door for new ideas,” commented Joshua Gibb, President and CEO of Galesburg Community Foundation. “It gives the communities the tools they need to experiment, expand, and to serve in ways that truly matter, and the library fully embraced that.” 

This grant was awarded as a part of the Henderson County Impact Grants, that were awarded to celebrate the addition of Henderson County into the Community Foundations’ service area, and to introduce nonprofits in the county to Galesburg Community Foundation.  

“After the program ends, families stay, and children play and explore. It’s become a gathering space, a place for community to form,” added Lambert. 

This program is a reflection of how much can be done when local organizations have the resources and support needed to fulfill their ideas.  

“What’s powerful about this program is not only that it enriches the lives of kids, but it is giving rural families a reason and place to gather and connect,” Gibb added. “That’s the heart of what local philanthropy can do.”  

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The Impact Fund lets everyone support immediate, ongoing, and emerging community needs. Through our annual grant cycle, the Turnout, gifts made to the Impact Fund, along with Donor Advised Fund Support, we are able to fully fund the accepted grant proposals, giving our nonprofit organizations the resources they need to address current community issues.  

5 Reasons to give to the Impact Fund  

Collaboration and Innovation: The Impact Fund enables the Community Foundation to foster collaborative efforts among organizations and encourage innovative solutions to community challenges. 

Sustainability and Endowment Growth: Contributions to the Impact Fund build the Community Foundation’s endowment, allowing us to continue supporting the community for future generations. This long-term perspective helps create a legacy of support for the region. 

Local Impact: The Impact Fund supports a broad range of community projects and initiatives. By contributing, you can have a significant and widespread impact on education, healthcare, arts, social services, and more. 

Capacity Building: The Impact Fund is used to support the long-term health and capacity of local nonprofits and community organizations. This support can help these organizations strengthen their infrastructure, build sustainability, and enhance their ability to serve the community effectively. 

Responsiveness: The Impact Fund gives Galesburg Community Foundation the flexibility to respond quickly to emerging needs and unforeseen challenges, allowing us to allocate resources where they are most urgently needed, addressing changing circumstances and priorities within our region. 

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Through Walt’s will, the gift he left to Galesburg Community Foundation was used to establish the Walter & Rose Sampson Fund. Rose was Walt’s wife.

The Walter & Rose Sampson Fund is an Impact Fund, meaning it can be used to meet the challenges and demands facing our communities as they arise. Impact Funds are unrestricted dollars that allow the Community Foundation to respond to the opportunities and needs of Knox and Warren Counties and can benefit the nonprofits working here through grants.

“For Walt, giving his wealth to philanthropy was an easy option,” said Galesburg Community Foundation President & CEO Josh Gibb. “Setting up what organizations to give to in a will is simple and is a great way to make a difference in your communities. Hopefully, Walt’s gift will encourage others to think about giving this way, too.”

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