G&M is proud to call Galesburg and Dixon, Illinois home and to serve excellent beverages to the residents of western and northern Illinois. Every organization, benefit, fundraiser, initiative, or celebration has an impact. Thank you for taking the time to volunteer and serve. People like you make a difference.
To that end, we’ve created a grant program to support the needs of local organizations in our community and those we serve. Below you will find applications for product and financial donations.
Here are some things to keep in mind while applying:
As you can imagine, G&M gets thousands of donation requests annually. Please keep the following parameters in mind when making a request:
- Geographic Location: We only make donations to organizations and initiatives in the communities we serve. We are located in west-central and northern Illinois and serve 24 counties in this area. We do not sell products in the Chicago Metropolitan area and do not donate to special events in the Chicago area.
- Free Products: Please keep in mind there are strict laws governing alcohol in the State of Illinois. G&M is not allowed to give away alcohol. Simultaneously, G&M does not give away any nonalcoholic products to be resold or used for special events.
- Time Frame: To stay organized and on a budget, we only look at donation requests once per month. An application must be submitted a minimum of 45 days in advance.
- Impact: As a company policy, we strive to donate to organizations with a significant impact. For example, we donate to the American Red Cross to help victims that have been involved in a home fire. Over 80% of our team gives to the United Way. As a policy, we are unable to give to single-person or family benefits.
- Employee Champions: We always prioritize donations that are close to our employees’ hearts. If you know a G&M employee, ask them to defend your gift.
- The organization must apply online to be considered for funding or a donation.
- Requests for funds or products valued at $250 or less must be submitted no less than 45 days before needed.
- Requests valued over $250 must be submitted no less than 60 days before needed.
- Organizations may only submit and receive one request.
- Your organization must fall into one of the following categories:
- Tax-exempt status under 501 (c)(3), (4), (6) or (19)
- A recognized government entity: state, county or city agencies, including law enforcement and fire departments that are requesting funds for public purposes
- K-12 schools, public, private or charter, community and junior colleges, state or private colleges or universities
- Church or faith-based organizations with a project that benefits the community at large such as food banks, soup kitchens, clothing donation centers, etc.
- To receive a donation, your organization must verify they meet the eligibility requirements.
- Submitting online applications does not guarantee approval.
- G&M reserves the right to adjust the amount awarded without prior notice.
Funding Exclusions Include:
- Advertising, film or video projects
- Capital campaigns and endowments
- Pageants or contests
- In-kind donation requests, including requests for free beverage products
- We already provide funds to several nationally-sponsored organizations: American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association, American Heart Association, Children’s Miracle Network, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, United Way, Walk For Life, the Alzheimer’s Association
- Organizations or programs that do not benefit the communities within the company’s service area
- Organizations whose services do not benefit the community at large
- Political causes, candidates, organizations or campaigns
- Projects that send products or people to foreign countries or on domestic travel
- Registration Fees
- Requests made on behalf of another organization or by an unauthorized representative of the recipient organization
- Requests made solely to benefit one person or family
- Research
- Salaries, stipends, tips, and rewards
- Scholarships (tuition room, board, other expenses for college/university/vocational school attendance)
- Third-party giving, including funds that are re-allocated to fiscally sponsored organizations
- Tickets for contests, raffles or any other activity with prizes
