GALESBURG, Ill — The still-in-construction new Galesburg Public Library received a grant of over $1 million thanks to a challenge from a local organization.
The Galesburg Community Foundation offered a 2:1 match grant challenge to help promote donations to the library campaign. For every $2 donated, the foundation matched an additional $1 up to $350,000.
When the campaign ended on Sept. 30, it had raised already raised more than $700,000 in donations, and the foundation's match raised the total to $1,050,000.
Donations came from all corners of the community, and officials thanked all contributors for their help and stressed the importance of the library's service to its community.
That money will go towards the construction of the new library's Community Room, which will serve as a multi-purpose space available to the public.
“We wanted to give the library a tool that would allow them to connect with members of the community. We also wanted to give members of the community a chance to see what can happen when they give together. The Community Room was our chance to do both,” said Joshua D. Gibb, President and CEO of Galesburg Community Foundation, “The library is a place where everybody in our community can go. The library as an institution is important for Galesburg.”
“It has been amazing to see so many individuals and business owners come forward to support this project. Its success illustrates that people believe in this community and the value a new library adds to it.” said Heather Sipes, Executive Director of Galesburg Public Library Foundation.''
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