When you make a gift to a local community fund, you’re making a difference right where you live. One of the ways that impact takes shape is through Teacher Mini Grants: $500 grants that help educators in Knoxville, Monmouth-Roseville, United, and Williamsfield school districts support their students.
Mini grants are funded by local Community Funds as well as other cooperating funds including the United 304 Foundation Fund and the Becky Carlson Teacher Mini Grant fund which are all funds of Galesburg Community Foundation. Each Community Fund has a local advisory board that is empowered to award grants that positively impact their community and residents. Because they are endowments, Community Funds grow forever, creating a permanent source of financial support for local needs.
This year’s grants supported everything from manipulatives that build early math skills to virtual reality headsets that will help bring history to life. Whether it’s giving students hands-on tools to explore new concepts or providing resources that make classrooms more welcoming and effective, the goal is the same: to support educators in delivering engaging, practical, and memorable learning experiences to local students.
“These grants give teachers the tools to bring creativity and innovation to their classrooms, which benefits not only their students but the entire community,” said Sarah Grant, Director of Development at Galesburg Community Foundation.
Below is a list of teachers who received Teacher Mini Grants for the 2025-26 academic year and the corresponding granting fund.
Knoxville CUSD #202 – Knoxville Community Fund
- Dawn Cypert, Mable Woolsey Elementary School
- Michelle Davies, Mable Woolsey Elementary School
- Baylee Derham, Mable Woolsey Elementary School
- Deborah Dunlap, Knoxville High School
- Kristy Kirgan, Mable Woolsey Elementary School
- Jamie Palmer, Knoxville High School
- Jolene Parrish, Mable Woolsey Elementary School
- Heather Smith, Knoxville High School
Monmouth-Roseville CUSD #238 – Monmouth Community Fund & Roseville Community Fund
- Juli Cole, Harding Primary School
- Brett Friel, Monmouth-Roseville Highschool
- Nicole Trego, Monmouth-Roseville High School
- Amy Watson, Harding Primary School
United CUSD #304 – Alexis Community Fund, United 304 Foundation Fund, and Becky Carlson Teacher Mini Grant Fund
United North Elementary School
- Marci Bertelsen, Alexis Community Fund & United 304 Foundation Fund
- Keeley Brinkmeier, Alexis Community Fund & United 304 Foundation Fund
- Lauren Johnson, Alexis Community Fund & United 304 Foundation Fund
- Carissa Jaminet, Alexis Community Fund & United 304 Foundation Fund
- Amber Postin, Becky Carlson Teacher Mini Grant Fund & United 304 Foundation Fund
- Breanna Ryner, Alexis Community Fund & United 304 Foundation Fund
- Lynsey Temple, Alexis Community Fund & United 304 Foundation Fund
- Jaclyn Turner, Alexis Community Fund & United 304 Foundation Fund
- Paula Yung, Alexis Community Fund & United 304 Foundation Fund
United West Elementary School
- Barbe Ford, United 304 Foundation Fund and Becky Carlson Teacher Mini Grant Fund
United Intermediate School
- Amanda Carson, United 304 Foundation Fund and Becky Carlson Teacher Mini Grant Fund
- Kay Hedrick, United 304 Foundation Fund and Becky Carlson Teacher Mini Grant Fund
- Nicole Hull, United 304 Foundation Fund and Becky Carlson Teacher Mini Grant Fund
- Nikki Robertson, United 304 Foundation Fund and Becky Carlson Teacher Mini Grant Fund
United Junior High School
- Melinda Fry, United 304 Foundation Fund
- Amy Toops, United 304 Foundation Fund
Williamsfield CUSD #210 – Williamsfield Community Fund
- Victor Mahnesmith, Williamsfield Schools
- Lori Secrist, Williamsfield Schools
- Starla Yelm, Williamsfield Schools
To learn more about Community Funds and Teacher Mini Grants, visit https://www.yourgcf.org/community-programs/community-funds/.
***Courtesy of the Galesburg Community Foundation***
