your COMMUNITY SUMMER 2025
A N E WS L E T T E R F R O M GA L E S B U R G CO M M U N I T Y F O U N DAT I O N
Establishing your Legacy Turning what you care about into lasting impact
L
egacy is one of those words that can feel a little weighty. It sounds like something reserved for people in history books or names etched on buildings. But the truth is, legacy is something we all carry and shape every single day.
I’ve come to realize that legacy isn’t just about what we leave behind. It is about how we live right now. It’s what we care about, how we give, who we support, and the opportunities we create for others. I often think about how I am part of someone else’s legacy, my parents, my great grandparents, and how the choices I make today ripple forward, especially for my own kids. That is legacy. At the Community Foundation, we don’t always use the word “legacy” in every conversation, but it is at the heart of everything we do. Whether someone wants to ensure a future for local students, fund a program at a nonprofit they love, or support a church they’ve attended their whole life, we help them make the best gift in ways that reflects who they are and what they value, both now and in the future.
In this issue, you’ll find stories that bring the idea of legacy to life in different, meaningful ways. You’ll hear from Dr. Subbia Jagannathan and Cynthia Stoerzbach about how their service on our board has shaped the way they think about giving and impact. You’ll read about Harold Watters, who honored his late wife Jeanne’s memory by creating a fund that reflects her values and passions. And you’ll learn more about how giving to an endowment fund can be a powerful way to carry your values forward—supporting the people, causes, and communities you care about most, not just today but for generations to come. As you read through this issue, I encourage you to reflect on your own legacy. The most important thing about legacy is that it’s yours. What do you care about deeply enough to carry forward? Who are you shaping the future for? And how can we help you make sure what matters to you continues to be supported, long after today? Joshua D. Gibb / President and CEO
Legacy takes many forms. For some, it’s about giving others opportunities they never had themselves. For others, it’s about honoring a place or a community that shaped who they are. And for many, it’s simply a desire to make sure something they care about continues. Every conversation we have starts with a simple question: What do you care about? From there, we help build something lasting—something rooted in your values and shaped by your story.
246 E Main Street, Suite 101, Galesburg, IL 61401 | www.yourgcf.org | 309.344.8898
LEAVING A LEGACY FOR THE FUTURE:
E
The Power of Endowment
ndowment funds offer a unique opportunity to beyond your lifetime. Your support will provide sustained funding leave a lasting charitable legacy. By establishing for the causes you care about while also protecting the funds you’ve an endowment fund at Galesburg Community worked hard to build. The fund will continue to grow, amplifying your Foundation, you can ensure that your generosity charitable giving forever. supports the community for generations to come. For example, a fund started with an initial gift of $100,000 will have Unlike one-time donations, an endowment ensures your gift is the ability to grant more than $447,000 in total over a fifty-year period preserved in perpetuity by investing it for long-term growth while to charitable organizations. While at the same time, the fund balance generating annual support for the causes that matter most to you. The continues to grow, increasing the amount available for distributions principal remains intact, while a portion of the earnings are distributed each year. The growth of your fund means even more support for your each year, following your wishes to create a continuous impact. favorite nonprofit or cause each year. This approach balances financial security with meaningful Endowment funds are more than just a way to give today; they are an philanthropy. As your fund grows, so does its ability to support your investment in the future of your community. At Galesburg Community community, addressing today’s needs while also planning for the future. Foundation, we’re honored to help you create a legacy that will make a For those who have been annual supporters of a cause or organization, lasting impact for generations to come. an endowment fund ensures that your annual generosity continues
Donor establishes
$100,000 endowed fund
Fund grows to
Fund grows to
$145,000
$178,000
$296,000
Cumulative grants
Cumulative grants
Cumulative grants
Year 15
Year 25
Year 50
$96,000
Year 1
Fund grows to
$168,000
$447,000
Sarah Grant,
Director of Development Consider defining your legacy by establishing an endowed fund at Galesburg Community Foundation. For more information contact Sarah at 309-344-8898 or info@yourgcf.org.
YO U R C O M M U N I T Y: A N E W S L E T T E R F R O M G A L E S B U R G C O M M U N I T Y F O U N D AT I O N
Turning Care & Compassion into Lasting Support
W
hen Harold Watters speaks of his late wife Jeanne, he describes her as a nurse, a mother, and a lifelong community volunteer – someone who radiated compassion and made action a way of life. She grew up in Centralia, a community somewhat similar to Galesburg, and later relocated to Galesburg, where she spent many years. After Jeanne passed, Harold wanted to create something meaningful associated with her dedication to the services she provided as a nurse, mother of four children, grandmother to ten grandchildren, and leader of many organizations such as the Galesburg Jaycettes, Sunrise Rotary Club, and Knox County YMCA Board. She was also a devoted host mom to over 20 international high school students.
and standing in the way of earning a degree. “At first, we considered scholarships but learned there are already a lot of resources dedicated to helping with tuition, but not as much for unexpected expenses that may prevent people from becoming nurses. Examples of help include appropriate clothing, equipment, travel, childcare, or other needs recognized by the College nursing programs,” Harold explained. To create the funds, Harold used a required minimum distribution (RMD) from his IRA and was also able to benefit from the Illinois Gives Tax Credit, which provides a 25% state income tax credit for gifts to permanent endowment funds at qualified community foundations. “It was a great opportunity,” he says. “But for me, the bigger part is being able to do something that honors Jeanne and helps other people”.
“Harold’s gift is a great example of how you can use endowment “My wife was very involved in our community, and it seemed to honor the legacy of a loved one. Through these funds, Jeanne’s appropriate to do something that would encourage and assist legacy of care will live on, not just in memory, but in action, young people to pursue nursing careers and community service,” helping students overcome barriers and serve their communities he shared. just as she did.” Joshua Gibb, Galesburg Community Foundation, With that goal in mind, Harold created two endowment funds President & CEO. at Galesburg Community Foundation to support the Nurses in Through this gift, Harold has created more than a memorial. He’s Need programs at Carl Sandburg College and Kaskaskia Colleges. building a legacy that reflects the life Jeanne lived and the values These programs provide flexible, often life-changing support for they shared. hidden costs and everyday challenges capable of derailing dreams
“
Harold’s thoughtful support eases a very real, everyday challenge that students face. Even more, it reflects the very heart of nursing,” Eric Johnson, Chief Advancement Officer at the Carl Sandburg College Foundation
SUMMER 2025
W
How Crossroads Cultural Connections is Securing its Impact Through Endowment
hen John Taylor and his colleagues first started conversations about creating an organization that would elevate Henry County and the surrounding area, socially, culturally, and economically through live music and the performing arts, they knew they would be creating something special. But they also knew that to leave a lasting impact, they needed to ensure the organization’s longevity – something that would outlast any individual leader and continue to enrich the community for generations to come.
“One of the things we would talk about was this idea of creating something that would outlast any of us. An endowment was the answer to that,” said John Taylor, founder of Crossroads Cultural Connections. Launched in 2022, Crossroads Cultural Connections offers everything from live concerts to school outreach programs. Its mission? To bring people together by celebrating diversity through music, art, and cultural exchange. But beyond the music, it’s about creating lasting, shared experiences for the community. “There’s a magic that happens when people from different walks of life come together, especially when they can connect through art and music,” said Taylor. “You may have people at a concert who would never meet otherwise, yet they share a common experience, and that opens doors to new relationships and mutual understanding.” After getting the organization up and running, Taylor prioritized building an endowment to ensure support for the organization indefinitely. The endowment was created in 2023, and now, after over a year of growth, Crossroads is seeing the benefits. This year the organization is drawing from the endowment’s “spendable” balance to directly support its programming—one of the first tangible ways they’re witnessing the results of their long-term planning. The funds will support their Visiting Artist Series, which brings artists into local schools to perform and share their stories. “Through this endowment, the ability to make an impact in our communities is priceless. Not only are we able to create a social, cultural and economic impact for our citizens, but we are able to bring the arts directly into our schools,” shared Jason Bates, Board Member of Crossroads Cultural Connections. Alongside the school programs, Crossroads continues to organize concerts, with 81 performances planned for this year alone. These events, which feature a mix of local, national, and international talent, remain at the heart of their mission. The endowment will help sustain these events for years to come.
“An endowment tells supporters and donors that the mission of your organization is vital enough to last forever. John and Crossroads Board of Directors have kept that mindset at the forefront and the endowment fund will now provide a yearly, predictable amount that the organization can use to help fulfill their mission.” shared Sarah Grant, Galesburg Community Foundation Director of Development. For others thinking about establishing an endowment fund, Taylor advises starting the conversation early and reaching out for help. “When I first started working on our concert series, I had no idea how to raise funds, but I just started reaching out and building relationships,” Taylor said. “Galesburg Community Foundation has been incredibly helpful in guiding us through the process, and I highly recommend starting that conversation as early as possible. It’s worth it.” Through the power of endowment, Crossroads is ensuring that its mission will continue to enrich the entire region for years to come. “Being an all-volunteer organization at the moment, the endowment fund allows us to extend our reach and is a means of achieving financial sustainability in the long run,” Commented Clarke Novak, Crossroads Cultural Connections Board Member.
Gifts made directly to Galesburg Community Foundation for the benefit of the Crossroads Cultural Connections endowment fund and many other permanent endowment funds are eligible for an Illinois Gives Tax Credit, to learn more visit yourgcf.org/illinoisgives.
Through your experience and years of service, what has legacy come to mean to you?
Legacy in Action Reflections from Dr. Subbia Jagannathan and Cynthia Stoerzbach Pictured from left to right: Joshua Gibb, President & CEO, Dr. Subbia Jagannathan, Cynthia Stoerzbach, and David Erickson, Board Chairman.
A
s two esteemed board members, Dr. Subbia Jagannathan (SJ) and Cynthia Stoerzbach (CS), transition off the Foundation Board after 15 years of collective service, we share their reflections on community service, the work of the Foundation, and what it truly means to leave a legacy. Their experiences show that legacy isn’t reserved for a select few, it’s built through consistent, thoughtful acts that shape our communities for the better. How did you first get involved with the Community Foundation? CS: After retiring from a career in healthcare, I wanted a new way to engage with my community. I served on the Galesburg Community Arts Center Board, and during that time, I started working closely with Community Treasures to get materials for our monthly art events. We had a great partnership, and through that I began to learn more about the Community Foundation. SJ: I worked for Cottage Hospital when the hospital became a for-profit hospital, laying the groundwork for the Community Foundation we have today. Though I wasn’t initially on the board, I had strong ties to the hospital and broader communit. I decided to create a fund at the Community Foundation, and over the years became more involved, and eventually was asked to join the board.
What motivated you to say yes to board service? CS: I appreciated that the Foundation actively sought board members from different backgrounds. That kind of diversity of thought, of profession, of experience, matters. It leads to stronger decision-making. I also quickly realized the Community Foundation wasn’t just about grantmaking. It was about longterm change, and I wanted to be part of that. SJ: For me, it was an extension of my commitment to Galesburg. I’ve lived here since 1976 and have always tried to give back. Serving on the board allowed me to focus on areas I care about deeply, like health and education, and see ideas turned into real programs. Why is this work so important to the long-term health of our communities? CS: The depth and breadth of the work is remarkable. I watched the Foundation not only grow but also help expand philanthropic work in Galesburg and the surrounding communities. That’s long-term community development. It’s more than one-time donations, it’s about teaching people how to give their time, talents, and money in ways that builds resources for local nonprofits and causes. That creates strength. When we take ownership of our needs and our future, the whole community benefits. SJ: The Community Foundation bridges donors and community needs in a smart and meaningful way. There are people who want to give and those who need support, but how do you connect them? That is exactly what the Community Foundation does. It helps match people who have the ability and desire to give with organizations and individuals who need the resources.
CS: After my husband Dan passed away, I really reflected on this. He was proud of his roots in Galesburg and deeply supported the community. In his memory, I’ve continued to support the CEO program for local students, because he cared about the program. Through the years, I’ve come to learn that legacy isn’t just what happens after you’re gone. It’s what you’re doing right now to make your community stronger. That can be something big, or something small, like keeping your neighborhood clean. It all matters. SJ: Legacy, to me, is not about having your name on a building or being remembered with a statue. If people remember, that’s fine. If they don’t, that’s fine too. What matters more is whether someone was helped because of something I did. If a kid gets to go to school or someone’s life improves, that is what’s meaningful. I think legacy is really a side effect. It is not the goal. The goal is to do what you can to help others, and if that leads to being remembered, so be it. I’ve seen people do tremendous things just for the good of others, not for recognition. That’s the kind of legacy I believe in. What advice would you give to someone wondering how to leave their own legacy? CS: You don’t have to do something huge. It can be something small. Maybe you just take care of a public space or help keep something clean and welcoming. Those things matter. It’s not about waiting until you can give a lot of money. It can be your time, your talent, or your presence. We all have a role to play. You just have to be willing to look around and ask, “What can I do to make this a little bit better than it was yesterday?” SJ: I would say, think about what matters to you and find a way to support it. The Community Foundation is a great place to begin because they know about the organizations and causes in the area, like education, health, or youth programs, and can connect you to them. Instead of trying to do everything on your own, you can partner with people who know how to make an impact. That’s what I tell people: if you have something to give, let it be used in a way that truly helps others. That’s how you leave a legacy. Final Thoughts: The Community Foundation’s legacy isn’t just written in grants or endowments; it’s written in the lives of those who serve. Through their wisdom, generosity, and belief in local philanthropy, Dr. Subbia Jagannathan and Cynthia Stoerzbach have helped build something lasting. And they remind us: legacy is for everyone. YO U R G C F.O R G
246 E Main Street, Suite 101 Galesburg, IL 61401 www.yourgcf.org 309.344.8898
GALESBURG COMMUNITY FOUNDATION STAFF
Joshua Gibb - President & CEO Sarah Grant - Director of Development Shawn Hedden - Director of Finance Karsyn Hunt - Communications Manager Lori Kriegshauser - Administrative & Special Projects Coordinator Reach out to any member of our team at 309.344.8898 or info@yourgcf.org COMMUNITY TREASURES STAFF
Maureen Fesler, Community Treasures Manager Jordan Holcomb, Community Treasures Assistant Manager Laurie Sykes, Community Treasures Cashier
Bickerdyke Society
Have you heard of the Illinois Gives Tax Credit? Established in 2025, the Illinois Gives Tax Credit Act offers a 25% state income tax credit to donors who make gifts to eligible permanent endowment funds held at Qualified Community Foundations. Grants from eligible permanent endowment funds must be for the benefit of Illinois residents or charities and projects in Illinois. There is a limited amount of funds available for this program. We encourage you to plan early to take advantage of this credit and contact us to ensure your gift is eligible.
The Bickerdyke Society recognizes individuals who choose to extend their charitable giving beyond their lifetime by including Galesburg Community Foundation in their estate plans. By arranging a planned gift during your lifetime, you can ensure the causes you care about today will be supported forever.
SUMMER 2025