Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois Launches 70th Anniversary Celebration with $100,000 Matching Gift Challenge

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois Launches 70th Anniversary Celebration with $100,000 Matching Gift Challenge

Springfield, Ill. - The Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois (BGCCIL) is thrilled to announce the launch of its 70th Anniversary Celebration, “The Greatest Show on Earth”, a year-long tribute to seven decades of creating Great Futures for local youth. The celebration began in October 2025 and continues through October 2026, honoring the Club’s legacy of impact while looking ahead to an even brighter future for children and teens across Central Illinois.

To kick off this milestone year, a private donor has generously pledged a $100,000 matching gift challenge, inspiring the community to give boldly. Every dollar donated to BGCCIL during the campaign will be matched dollar-for-dollar up to $100,000, doubling the impact of every contribution.

“This matching challenge is an incredible opportunity to celebrate where we’ve been and invest in where we’re going,” said Tiffany Mathis Posey, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois. “For seventy years, the Club has been a safe, inspiring place for tens of thousands of kids. With this campaign, our supporters can help ensure the next seventy years are just as bright.”

Funds raised through the matching campaign will directly support BGCCIL’s after-school and summer programs, academic enrichment, mentorship, and career readiness initiatives that currently serve more than 1,000 youth across 10 Club sites in Central Illinois.

“I want to help Springfield children have a chance to be everything they want to be, since our current government does not,” said the private donor. “I love kids, and so does The Boys & Girls Clubs. I thank them for providing a place where kids feel welcome and thrive!”

The 70th anniversary theme, “The Greatest Show on Earth,” celebrates the joy, creativity, and community spirit that have defined the Boys & Girls Clubs since its founding in 1956. Throughout the celebratory year, BGCCIL will host special events, alumni reunions, and community partnerships that highlight the organization’s history and ongoing mission to build Great Futures.

Community members are encouraged to participate in the matching challenge by making a donation today. Every gift - large or small - will help unlock the full $100,000 match and continue the Club’s life-changing work.

To contribute and have your gift matched visit: https:bgccil.org/donate

The mission of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Illinois is to inspire and enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, and responsible citizens. We are positioned to serve more than 1,000 youth at our Central Unit and nine elementary schools covering two counties (Sangamon & Morgan). BGCCIL provides character building activities and academic programs designed to deliver measurable outcomes and a safe environment with caring adults. For additional information visit http://bgccil.org



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