Galesburg Reporter

To raise emergency funding for local COVID-19-affected arts organizations, the Arts Alliance of Illinois has offered a 2-to-1 match grant challenge to Galesburg Community Foundation (GCF).

Arts organizations in Knox, Warren, and Henderson counties could see their operating capital bolstered by the award, but only if the conditions of the matching grant are met. The grant stipulates that GCF must raise $40,000 locally over the next month. If that is achieved, the award will match funds up to $20,000.

The matching grant is funded through the Arts for Illinois Relief Fund (AIRF), a platform established in response to the adverse financial impact the coronavirus has had on artists and arts organizations, a news release on the arts foundation website stated in July. The alliance partnered with the City of Chicago, the State of Illinois and philanthropic organizations and individuals throughout the state to create the relief fund.

Joshua Gibb, president and CEO of the Galesburg Community Foundation. | LinkedIn

"Our local arts organizations provide many wonderful opportunities and experiences to our region," Joshua Gibb, president and CEO of the foundation, said on the GCF website. "We know that these last few months have been trying and this matching grant is intended to aid them. Our arts community is vibrant and we hope our local communities will join us in this exciting opportunity to provide our arts organizations an extra boost."

Gibb said the importance of the arts community was clear, and he complimented the artists and organizations on their creativity in finding different ways to continue serving the area despite the difficulties brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

Donations of any amount will be accepted and can be made online or by check. To give online, visit the GCF website All In For The Arts Fund page. Instructions for paying by check can be found here.

GCF actively partners with businesses, nonprofit organizations, and individuals to try to make giving easy and effective, believing that generosity can be a catalyst for positive change. For more information, visit https://yourgcf.org/mission.

To help offset the financial difficulties of the coronavirus pandemic, AIRF has awarded more than $5 million to over 1,400 artists and 233 organizations in Illinois. For more information, visit their website at https://artsforillinois.org.