A litany of local not-for-profit organizations in the area received funding from the Galesburg Community Foundation’s 2022 Turnout grants.
Josh Gibb, President and CEO of the GCF, says in a news release that, quote, “The important work of our nonprofits spans from youth to senior services, access to the arts, education, healthcare, food, and so much more..”
The following 37 nonprofits will receive full funding for proposals submitted for the 2022 grant cycle:
- B.Y.E. Ambulance Service – For a new cardiac monitor/defibrillator
- Best Buddies International – To develop opportunities for people with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities to meet and grow new friendships
- Big Brothers Big Sisters of Knox County – For their youth mentoring program in Knox County
- Bishop Hill Heritage Association – To support hosting a professional acting troupe from Gothenberg, Sweden
- Court Appointed Special Advocates of West Central Illinois – To support the program, which advocates for the best interests of abused and neglected children in the court system
- Choral Dynamics of Galesburg – To support production costs for two performances
- Discovery Depot Children’s Museum – To support a free, weekly, developmentally based program for children ages 3 months to 3 years and their caregivers
- Family Planning Service of Western Illinois, Inc. – To provide low-to-no-cost, confidential sexual health care, and education
- Galesburg Heritage Days – To support entertainment costs for the annual living history event
- Galesburg Community Art Center – To support ARTReach activities for individuals of all ages and abilities
- Galesburg Community Chorus – For general operations to increase outreach and engage a younger, more diverse audience and artist base
- Galesburg Youth Athletic Club – To support programming for at-risk youth of Knox County through their Olympic-style boxing program
- Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois – To support the Girl Scout Leadership Program in Knox and Warren Counties
- Habitat for Humanity of Knox County – To upgrade outdated technology
- Historic Ellisville Restoration Organization – To support the Spoon River Rascals 20th anniversary show season
- KCCDD – Gordon Behrents Senior Center – To fund equipment for the center’s fitness program
- Knox County Child Advocacy Center – To support the cost of supplies used to assist with counseling for children and their caregivers
- Knox-Galesburg Symphony – To support the visiting artist residency series
- Knox Jazz Year – To support educational outreach initiatives
- Lutheran Social Services of Illinois – To provide basic needs items to children and families they serve from their Galesburg office
- Monmouth Early Learning Center – for programs and services in education and recreation for preschoolers
- National Stearman Fly-In – For audio-visual equipment in the new 500+ seating capacity International Stearman Community Center hangar
- Nova Singers – To support their ’22-’23 season
- Prairie Players Civic Theatre – For a week-long theatre residency program that culminates in two public performances
- Prairie State Legal Services – To support free legal services to low-income people, people age 60 or over, victims of domestic violence, and veterans
- Rainbow Riders Therapeutic Horseback Riding Center – To support therapeutic horseback riding and unmounted horsemanship opportunities for children and adults with special needs
- River Bend Food Bank – For cooler and freezer equipment at the Galesburg location
- Henderson, Knox, Mercer, and Warren Regional Office of Education #33 – To help students who struggle in a regular school environment receive training and certifications to improve job opportunities
- Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois – To provide a supportive place for families from Knox and Warren counties to stay while their child is receiving medical care
- Roseville Kids Place – To support their year-round infant/toddler program, year-round preschool program, before and after school-age program, and summer school-age program
- Special Olympics Illinois – To provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities
- Strom Center – For direct client assistance for seniors (age 60+) and disabled adults (age 18+) in Warren and Henderson counties
- The Orpheum Theatre – To expand the Youth Entertainment Series for students in grades K-8
- Triumph Services, Inc. – For Camp Kidz, a summer day camp for individuals in Knox, Warren, and Henderson Counties with developmental disabilities
- Warren Achievement Center – To increase community integration for individuals with developmental disabilities
- Warren County Historical Society – To support the Great Nicola Magic Festival (aka Magic Fest)
- United Way of Greater Warren County – To support strategic planning and equipment for the nonprofit enrichment center
Director of Grants and Programs Tiffany Springer says that nonprofits have the opportunity to tell their stories and connect with donors who want to be charitable through the Foundation’s Turnout.
To be considered for funds, organizations submit an application that is reviewed by a committee of local volunteers, and decisions are made based on community needs in priority areas, such as education, workforce development, art, community enhancement, and more.