Galesburg Community Foundation featured at Compeer Financial's Rural Forum

How do we keep local dollars local? Who needs a seat at the table? What makes our rural town thrive?

These are a few of the questions tackled by Galesburg Community Foundation's breakout session at the 2026 inaugural Rural Forum, hosted by Compeer Financial.

Held September 14-16 in Owatonna, MN, the Rural Forum brought together rural community champions, local officials, nonprofit partners, business leaders, and more to explore strategies that strengthen rural economies and expand opportunities. The conference covered topics like rural policy and research, cultivating local leadership, education, economic development, asset-based storytelling, and community thriving.

Galesburg Community Foundation (GCF) was selected as one of six breakout presenters, sharing on "Catalyzing Rural Progress Through Philanthropy: Community Funds in Action." The presentation highlighted the powerful role Community Foundations can play in rural areas, especially as large asset transfers of wealth are on the horizon. 

GCF President and CEO, Josh Gibb, shared that Community Foundations can often help accept complex gifts and assets (from land, to airplanes, to livestock, or just regular stock) to ensure the local community benefits for generations to come. GCF serves a three county region in West Central Illinois (Knox, Warren, and Henderson), and provided $25,000 challenge grants to seed five local Community Funds to-date in Alexis, Knoxville, Monmouth, Roseville, and Williamsfield.

From teacher mini-grants to downtown beautification, these Community Fund endowments are are guided by local advisory boards that award grants to positively impact their communities and residents. Carol Shaw, co-panelist, noted that her role as chairperson of the Roseville Community Fund is one of the most rewarding experiences of her career, because she can see the fund's positive impact directly in her community. Mandy Balser, co-panelist, and president of the Knoxville Community Fund, echoed these sentiments, and noted that GCF's administrative support makes it easy for local residents to focus on directing the grants.

Special thanks to Compeer Financial for hosting the Rural Forum, and to the Galesburg Community Foundation for their leadership in RSC's Illinois Regional Hub.