Building on the success of similar efforts in Knox County, the Warren County Housing Authority (WCHA) recently received a Hunger Collaborative grant to expand access to free public transportation to housing authority residents in Warren County. In partnership with Warren County Public Transportation, the grant provides fare-free rides for residents of WCHA public housing.  

Since its start in February of 2025, the program has provided an average of 250 rides each month, connecting residents to medical care, employment, groceries and essential services both within Warren County and in Galesburg.  

“Many of our residents don’t have a vehicle or don’t have one that’s reliable,” shared Hank Shimmin, Executive Director of the Warren County Housing Authority. “Before this program, some people were walking long distances or relying on friends and family. Others simply stayed home. Now, they have the freedom to go where they need to go.”  

That freedom is life-changing for residents, like a 66-year-old tenant who recently retired and now travels to Galesburg three times a week for medical treatments. “I would not be able to get to my doctors,” he shared. “This is great, and I am thankful to you for letting me do this. I don’t have a lot of family and friends that would help me.” 

Another couple, one elderly and the other legally blind, said the service has been critical for maintaining their health and independence. “We use the bus for doctors, pharmacy, and the store. We couldn’t get there otherwise unless we walked,” they said. The couple estimates they save $30 to $40 each month on bus fares—money they can now use for groceries and over-the-counter medicines not covered by SNAP benefits. “We want everyone to know that we are very thankful for the service that is provided for us.” 

According to Hilary Martin, Program Coordinator, the impact of the grant extends far beyond transportation. “Without dependable transit options, residents face barriers to sustaining employment or accessing medical care,” she said. “This grant provides not just transportation, but opportunity. It’s helping residents access food pantries, maintain consistent jobs, and reach vital healthcare services.” 

Galesburg Community Foundation President & CEO Joshua Gibb emphasized the broader impact of initiatives like this one. “Access to affordable, reliable transportation has a huge impact on hunger in our region,” Gibb shared. “It connects people to jobs, health care, and resources that improve their quality of life. This is exactly the kind of long-term collaborative solution the Hunger Collaborative was created to support.” 

To learn more about the Hunger Collaborative, visit yourgcf.org/hungercollaborative. 

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Through everyday people volunteering their time, CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates) of West Central Illinois provides children who are navigating the court system with something simple, yet incredibly important: someone who consistently shows up, listens, and stands by them.  

“During a case, a child may have fifteen different caseworkers and live in multiple different foster homes. CASA volunteers are often the one constant in a child’s life when everything else is shifting around them,” said Kelly Price, Executive Director of CASA of West Central Illinois. “They build trust, advocate for the child’s best interests, and make sure their voice is heard.”  

Grant support from Galesburg Community Foundation’s 2025 Turnout Grant Cycle is supporting key parts of CASA’s program, including volunteer recruitment and training, supervision, and the specialized software used to manage case records and court reporting.  

The need for volunteers continues growing. More than 320 children in Knox, Warren, Henderson, and McDonough County are in foster care. CASA serves just over 100. “We need more volunteers to close the gap,” said Price. “This grant will help us continue to recruit and support the people who make this work possible.” 

CASA volunteers come from all walks of life. They are retired teachers, nurses, business owners, and people with no professional background in child welfare. CASAs spend time with their paired child each month, attend court hearings, and gather insight from teachers, counselors, and caregivers. Their insights are shared directed with the judge to provide a clear picture of how the child is doing and anything they may need.  

“It’s about catching what might otherwise slip through the crack,” Price commented. “That could be getting a child into counseling, helping them get new glasses, or making sure they’re adjusting to a new school.”  

The impact is real. Children with a CASA are more likely to succeed in school, find stable placements, and spend less time in foster care.  

CASA is funded almost entirely by grants, donations, and fundraising. That means support from donors and partners like Galesburg Community Foundation doesn’t just sustain the program; it directly increases the number of children who receive advocacy, support, and stability during these chapters of their lives.  

“CASA is a powerful example of the incredible work nonprofits are doing for our region,” said Joshua Gibb, president & CEO of Galesburg Community Foundation. “They address the deep, personal challenges children face when navigating the court and foster care systems. Supporting organizations like CASA, is how we can invest in the long-term health of our region.” 

To learn more about becoming a CASA volunteer, or supporting their mission, visit www.casaofwestcentralillinois.org.  

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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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“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.  

The post How Crossroads Cultural Connections is Securing its Impact Through Endowment   appeared first on Galesburg Community Foundation.

Bryan Clontz, of Charitable Solutions, LLC., recently presented a workshop for Galesburg Community Foundation nonprofit endowment partners focused on endowment building with a limited staff and/or limited budget.

The workshop brought together local nonprofit staff and board leadership committed to strengthening their nonprofit through effective philanthropy and endowment growth.

By 2030, approximately 2.5 billion dollars with transfer from one generation to the next in Knox, Warren, and Henderson counties. Nonprofits have an opportunity to capture some of this wealth if they effectively integrate planned giving strategy into their work. 

Clontz provided participants with a three-pronged approach to legacy giving including identifying prospects, engaging leadership and marketing ideas for growth.

“Ninety percent of all planned gifts come through wills or beneficiary designations on retirement plans and life insurance policies,” Clontz noted during his presentation. He encouraged participates to talk to their donors about including their nonprofit organization and endowment funds in their wills or as beneficiaries to grow their endowment and ensure long term support.

“We see the benefit of endowment every day at the Community Foundation. Endowment provides a predictable source of support for a nonprofit allowing the organization to more fully focus on its mission,” said Sarah Grant, Director of Development. “A nonprofit endowment fund also provides a way for donors to continue to support their favorite nonprofit after their lifetime,” added Grant.

For more information about starting or growing a nonprofit endowment or leaving a planned gift to a nonprofit endowment fund held at Galesburg Community Foundation, contact Sarah Grant.

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For each area, nonprofit organizations are collaborating to develop strategies for multi-year grants. The Knox County Housing Authority (KCHA) recently received a Hunger Collaborative grant for the Fare Free Public Transit Initiative. In collaboration with the City of Galesburg Transportation Department, KCHA is now able to offer free transit services for residents of Knox County Housing Authority Public and Affordable Housing Programs. The program currently offers an average of 1,900 rides per month, demonstrating that this seemingly small change has had a profound impact on the lives of those who were previously burdened by the cost of transportation.

Before this initiative, many KCHA residents were forced to sacrifice basic necessities to afford a bus fare. This often meant choosing between buying groceries or getting medical care, a choice no one should have to make.

Jillian Isaacson, Galesburg Community Foundations Director of Grants and Programs, emphasized the significance of this grant, stating, “This initiative not only improves access to essential services such as work, school, and medical appointments, but also empowers residents to make choices that enhance their quality of life.

Amber Thurman, a resident of Knox County Housing Authority, shared the difference this program has made.

“The free bus pass has transformed my life,” Amber shares. “I get out more, experience less pain because I no longer have to carry heavy bags, and my health has improved since I can visit my doctor regularly and fill my prescriptions more easily.” The freedom to access essential services without financial strain has been, in Amber’s words, “lifesaving”.

“The Fare Free Public Transit Initiative showcases the power of proactive granting. Organizations are developing innovative solutions that address the root causes of hunger, with clear goals and outcomes driving their success.” Joshua Gibb, President & CEO of Galesburg Community Foundation.

To learn more about how the Hunger Collaborative is working to address the root causes of hunger in our region, visit yourgcf.org/community-programs/hunger-collaborative/.

The post Combating Hunger Through Transportation Access appeared first on Galesburg Community Foundation.

Convened in 2021 by Galesburg Community Foundation, the Hunger Collaborative is a group of individuals and leaders from more than 30 local nonprofits, both directly and indirectly involved in food assistance. The Hunger Collaborative is working to develop strategies to reduce hunger by addressing its root causes. In addition to direct, immediate need for food, the Hunger Collaborative has identified four priority root causes of hunger: access to and awareness of services, workforce and skills readiness, housing and homelessness, and transportation. 

With funding from the Hunger Collaborative, the Knox County Housing Authority (KCHA) and the Salvation Army have transformed their warming shelter into a year-round, overnight facility. By providing consistent shelter year-round, these organizations aim to enhance the physical well-being of unhoused individuals and assist them in securing permanent housing.

The year-round shelter offers a safe place for unhoused individuals to sleep, and its staff works diligently to connect them with necessary resources. Jordan Belville, the shelter manager, explains, “We bring them in, learn their backstory, understand why they are here, and identify the resources they need. I then reach out to partners like Bridgeway for mental health services and the Salvation Army to help them obtain an ID and access other resources.”

Jordan emphasizes that the shelter serves as a crucial entry point, where individuals can begin receiving the assistance they need. “We collaborate with other KCHA staff to help connect shelter residents with permanent housing.”

The shelter is low-barrier, welcoming help to those who need it. “If someone needs somewhere to go, we open our arms and allow them to come and get the help they need, in a place that is safe,” continued Belville.

To learn more about the Hunger Collaborative visit yourgcf.org/hungercollaborative.  

The post Year-Round Shelter Supports the Unhoused appeared first on Galesburg Community Foundation.

Some of the projects that will be funded include forensic science lab materials at Knoxville High School, an outdoor learning oasis at United Junior High School, and an American Sign Language Curriculum at Monmouth-Roseville High School.

“By providing flexible funding directly to educators, mini grants not only bolster classroom learning but also foster a sense of support and appreciation within the local community for the crucial work teachers do every day,” said Sarah Grant, Director of Development at the Galesburg Community Foundation.

Mini grants receive funding from Community Funds, which are funds of Galesburg Community Foundation. Each Community Fund has a local advisory board that is empowered to award grants that positively impact their community and residents. Because they are endowments, Community Funds grow forever, creating a permanent source of financial support for local needs.

To expand funding for teachers in the United School District this year, the United 304 Foundation Fund co-funded grants with the Alexis Community Fund for United North Elementary School and the United 304 Foundation Fund co-funded grants with the Becky Carlson Teacher Mini Grant Fund for grants at United West Elementary School.

“Through collaboration, these funders are amplifying their impact,” said Joshua Gibb, President and CEO of Galesburg Community Foundation. “By pooling resources and expertise, they’re not just supporting educators; they’re investing in the future of our students.”

Below is a list of teachers, schools, projects, and funders of teacher mini grants for the 2024-25 academic year.

Knoxville CUSD #202

• Jennifer Black, Knoxville High School – Forensic Science Lab Materials (Knoxville Community Fund)
• Deborah Dunlap, Knoxville High School – Start German Program (Knoxville Community Fund)
• Jolene Parrish, Mable Woolsey Elementary School – Art Supplies (Knoxville Community Fund)
• Kaelee Potter, Mable Woolsey Elementary School – Building Academic, Creativity, and Functional Skills Supports (Knoxville Community Fund)
• Katie Smith, Knoxville High School – Life Skills Enrichment (Knoxville Community Fund)
• Ellen Shrader – Mable Woolsey Elementary School, Young Students Need Keyboarding Skills (Knoxville Community Fund)
• Katie Frey, Knoxville Junior High – STEM Recharge (Knoxville Community Fund)
• Amy Hopper, Knoxville Junior High – STEM Cricut Creations (Knoxville Community Fund)
• Terrah Myers, Mable Woolsey Elementary School – Math Professional Development Book Study (Knoxville Community Fund)

United CUSD #304

• Keeley Brinkmeier, United North Elementary – Flexible Workspace for Active Learning: Enhancing Collaboration and Creativity (Alexis Community Fund, United 304 Foundation Fund)
• Lynsey Temple, United North Elementary –Classroom Library Improvements (Alexis Community Fund, United 304 Foundation Fund)
• Melinda Fry, United Junior High School – Outdoor Learning Oasis (United 304 Foundation Fund)
• Nikki Robertson, United West Elementary – Classroom Materials (Becky Carlson Teacher Mini Grant Fund, United 304 Foundation Fund)
• United North Elementary – Operation Kindergarten Success (Alexis Community Fund, United 304 Foundation Fund)
• Mindy Murray, United North Elementary – If You Build a Library, They Will Read (United 304 Foundation Fund)
• Bethany Allen, United West Elementary – Classroom Library (United 304 Foundation Fund, Becky Carlson Teacher Mini Grant Fund)
• Chelsea Logsdon, United West Elementary School – SEL Sensory Room (United 304 Foundation Fund, Becky Carlson Teacher Mini Grant Fund)
• Anna Hinton, United Junior High School – Outdoor Learning Oasis (United 304 Foundation Fund, Becky Carlson Teacher Mini Grant Fund)
• Breanna Ryner, United North Elementary – SEL Learning (United 304 Foundation Fund, Alexis Community Fund)
• Kelsi Kleine, United West Elementary – Sensory Room/Office (United 304 Foundation Fund, Becky Carlson Teacher Mini Grant Fund)

Monmouth-Roseville CUSD #238

• Cammy Davis, Central Intermediate School – Flexible Classroom Seating (Monmouth and Roseville Community Funds)
• Nicole Trego, Monmouth-Roseville High School – American Sign Language Curriculum (Monmouth and Roseville Community Funds)

The post Enhancing Classroom Experiences: Community Funds Award Mini Grants to Teachers appeared first on Galesburg Community Foundation.

From a mini golf course upgrade to a robotics team to a summer reading program, Community Funds in Alexis, Knoxville, Monmouth, Roseville, and Williamsfield recently distributed 15 grants to organizations that serve their communities.

Community Funds, which are funds of Galesburg Community Foundation, are guided by local advisory boards that are empowered to award grants that positively impact their communities and residents. Because they are endowments, Community Funds grow forever, creating a permanent source of financial support for local needs.

This year, the Community Funds collaborated to co-fund grants to four of the organizations that provide services to multiple communities. “This collective approach to granting from multiple Community Funds offers organizations a unique opportunity to access diverse resources and expertise, amplifying the impact of their initiatives,” said Jillian Isaacson, Director of Grants & Program at Galesburg Community Foundation. “Co-granting fosters innovation, collaboration, and sustainability, empowering organizations to address complex challenges more effectively and create lasting change in our communities.”

Below is the list of organizations that received Community Grants and the Community Funds that awarded the grants.

• Buchanan Center for the Arts – Arts for All (Monmouth)
• CASA of West Central Illinois – CASA Volunteer Recruitment (Alexis, Knoxville, Monmouth)
• Knoxville Robotics Team – FIRST Tech Challenge (Knoxville)
• Junk 4 Jingles – Funding assistance for Knox County Salvation Army Angel Tree children (Knoxville)
• Knoxville United Methodist Church – Food for Knoxville Food Pantry (Knoxville)
• Loving Bottoms Diaper Bank – Diaper and Period Product Distribution (Knoxville, Monmouth)
• Roseville Kids Place – Early Childhood Operations (Roseville)
• Strom Center, Inc. – Expansion of Space for Programs (Monmouth)
• Village of Alexis – Main Street Christmas Decorations (Alexis)
• Alexis Museum – Repairs (Alexis)
• Warren County Public Library District – Summer Reading Program (Monmouth, Roseville)
• Warren Achievement Center – Achieving Greatness: slowing the progression, or onset, of dementia (Monmouth)
• Warren County YMCA – Camp Meskwaki Campus Pavilion (Alexis, Monmouth, Roseville)
• Williamsfield Area Food Pantry and Resource Center – Williamsfield Area Food Pantry (Williamsfield)
• Williamsfield Parks Association – Doubet-Benjamin Park Mini Golf Upgrade (Williamsfield)

The post Community Funds Across Knox and Warren Counties Empower Local Initiatives with 15 Grants appeared first on Galesburg Community Foundation.

“People aren’t just hungry—there are other things going on that result in food insecurity,” says Stacy Brown, Vice President of Behavioral Health Services at Bridgeway. “If we want to reduce hunger, we need to find more holistic solutions.”

Brown is leading the subgroup of the Hunger Collaborative that is seeking to increase awareness of services in the two counties. To date, two grants have been made.

The first grant was made to fund an Adult Systems of Care position at Bridgeway. Jamie Stark has been in the position for a little less than a year, working with nonprofit and governmental service providers to support individuals in Knox and Warren Counties with accessible services so they can thrive.

“I meet people where they are in their life at that moment and work with them to get past barriers,” says Stark. An example is a mom and two young children coming from a domestic violence situation. Stark helped the mother fill out an application for Knox County Housing Authority and get a link card, and she connected her with a childcare provider so that she could get a job. “She did most of the legwork herself. I was just there to support her and provide resources.”

In addition to receiving referrals, Stark is at the Galesburg Public Library on Wednesdays from 1:30-4 pm and Fridays from 9 am-noon. She plans to have regular hours at a location in Warren County soon. Individuals and organizations can connect with Stark at jamies@bway.org or call 309.368.2305.

The second grant was made to develop a multilingual service and resource online database. The database allows those in need of services and organizations access to current information on resources available in Hancock, Henderson, Knox, McDonough, and Warren counties. Check out the database.

“When you’re in survival mode, it’s sometimes hard to know where to turn for help,” says Jamie Roth, Community Services and Public Relations Director of the Western Illinois Regional Council (WIRC), the lead grantee for the initiative. The top of the web page asks one question, “Hey, how can we help?” Based on what’s asked, the response can be anything from where to find food pantries to how to find resources to get rid of bed bugs to where to get help with heating bills.

It’s a resource that’s available anytime, day or night, that was built based on the questions most often answered by staff at WIRC.  “It’s a living resource that we will improve and build as time goes on,” continued Roth. “It not only helps individuals in need, but helps local organizations spread the word about the services they offer.” The website is available in English and Spanish and will be translated into French in 2024.

Hunger Collaborative initiatives are being funded through more than $1.4 million entrusted to Galesburg Community Foundation by the Knox County Board, along with $750,000 invested by the Community Foundation itself and more than $100,000 generously contributed by local residents. Learn more about the Hunger Collaborative.

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