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Philanthropic Fund Coming to Knoxville

T.J. Carson
Mabel Woolsey Elementary received a $500 grant from the Knoxville Community Fund to go towards anti-bullying programs.

Residents of Knoxville now have a new way to contribute to philanthropic efforts in their community.  The Knoxville Community Fund was established this week with the help of the Galesburg Community Foundation.

The Knoxville Community Fund's aim is to provide financial support to non-profits and organizations in the town.

GCF Executive Director Joshua Gibb said the fund already has $76,000 in the bank. He said it was launched because of a challenge grant to the community to raise $25,000, with the foundation providing a match when the mark was reached.

Gibb said the fund fills a need for Knoxville.

“Our communities need to be thinking about building permanent philanthropic dollars for themselves, so I think it’s a need in every community,” Gibb said.

The fund has already given out six $500 grants. The Knoxville Food Pantry, Knoxville Fire Protection District, Knoxville Police Department, Knoxville Community Band, Mabel Woolsey Elementary, and Knoxville Junior High received the grants.

An advisory board determines which organizations receive grants. Board member Peg Bivens said Knoxville was already a giving community before the fund was established. But she said fundraising efforts can be better coordinated through the new organization.

“It allows us really to work together better. And by everyone sort of working together, I think it maximizes the impact of that philanthropy,” Bivens said.