Peoria, Ill.-based Caterpillar Inc. is the lead corporate donor in the fundraising effort to create a Central Illinois Regional Museum (CIRM.) The Museum Collaboration Group, which combines Lakeview Museum, the Peoria Historical Society, the African American Hall of Fame Museum, the Peoria Regional Museum Society, the Heartland Foundation and others, last week announced Caterpillar’s contribution of $11 million to the project with a matching grant potential to generate a total of $20 million. “We are grateful to Caterpillar for making this significant contribution to our fundraising campaign to make this museum a reality for all of central Illinois,” said Jim Richerson, president and CEO of Lakeview Museum, which is spearheading the campaign for the museum. “The matching grant will encourage the entire community to join Caterpillar in supporting this legacy project.”