A lack of state dollars has left a number of local organizations looking for external funds to stay a-float.
Organizations are turning to other funding options to make up the difference, through areas such as philanthropy .
The Galesburg Community Foundation is an organization who can certainly make a positive impact on the community through funding non-profit organizations, but they alone can not be the answer.
Executive Director Josh Gibb says it’s important for legislators to know that philanthropic dollars can “never replace state grants.” Gibb says the foundation can “certainly collaborate with the state to increase efficiency,” but that it is unlikely philanthropic dollars will make up the difference in cuts.
Gibb tells WGIL, that it’s also important for non-profits to be aware of their own potential funding possibilities.
“Their donors really care about them, and the ways to connect to their organization is critically important at all times, but especially in this sort of environment” says Gibb. “Having this sort of endowment match, or having an endowment to let your donors think about larger gifts, major gifts, planned gifts–we think that this is something to call people on.”
GCF has various grant programs, one of which matches up to $20,000 in an endowment grant funds. The foundation reportedly aided more than 40 non-profits throughout two counties last year.
