Heartland Community Foundation
We’re kicking off our 9th annual Match Month campaign, and this year, we’re going the Whole Nine Yards!
Throughout February, Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties are coming together to build a stronger future through local giving. Our goal? Raise $99,000 per county in honor of our 9th year!
And here’s the best part—your donation is TRIPLED thanks to a generous 200% match from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation! That means:
💙 $100 turns into $300
💙 $1,000 becomes $3,000
💙 $5,000 grows to $15,000
Every dollar fuels community projects, grants, and lasting local impact. Let’s make this our best Match Month yet!
Give today and triple your impact: Donate Online Now!
💙 Donate to the Ellis County Legacy Fund
💙 Donate to the Rooks County Legacy Fund
💙 Donate to the Trego County Legacy Fund
Learn more here: MATCH MONTH: DONATE IN FEBRUARY!
Why Match Month Matters
Match Month is more than just a fundraising campaign—it’s an opportunity to strengthen our region by creating a sustainable source of funding for local nonprofits, schools, and community projects. Donations made to the Ellis, Rooks, and Trego County Legacy Funds are endowed, meaning they grow over time, with only a percentage distributed as grants each year.
This ensures that your gift today will continue making a difference for generations to come. In the 2024 fiscal year, HCF awarded over $396,000 in grants. Since 2007, we’ve invested $4.3 million into local causes! These funds support vital initiatives in education, healthcare, community development, and more—fostering lasting impact and a vibrant future for our communities.
Explore our 2024 Annual Reports
Take a look back at an incredible year! Our 2024 annual reports are now available, showcasing the impact we’ve made together. Click below to explore each report and see how your support is strengthening our communities.
Ellis County
Rooks County
Trego County
Join Us for Fun Match Month Events
We’re hosting several fun and engaging events throughout February, and we’d love for you to join us:
Souper Bowl Pop-Up Lunches:
A new event this year! Join us for a warm bowl of soup, learn about recent community grants, and connect with fellow supporters.
• Feb. 6, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Stockton Souper Bowl at City Hall Community Room (soups by The Daily Grind)
• Feb. 7, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Hays Souper Bowl at Sternberg Museum (soups by Professor’s)
• Feb. 10, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
WaKeeney Souper Bowl at our new office (110 N. Main St. next to Pfannenstiel Law) featuring locally catered soups and a new office ribbon cutting at 11 a.m.
Coffee Chats:
Casual meet-ups where you can learn more about Match Month, meet other community members, and drop off your donation. Heartland staff will offer free coffee from the menu. Here are the dates and locations:
• Feb. 12, 8:30-10 a.m.
Hays at Augustine’s Bakery | Stockton at The Daily Grind | WaKeeney at The Well
• Feb. 18, 10-11 a.m.
Victoria at Library Bar & Grill | Palco at Palco Grocery & Deli (coffee and donuts provided)
• Feb. 19, 8:30-10 a.m.
Ellis at Ellis Public Library | Plainville at Papa’s Corner | WaKeeney at The Well
Rally Your Team & Multiply Your Impact!
This year, we’re inviting donors to form teams to maximize their giving power. Whether it's with friends, family, or colleagues, pooling resources means even greater impact. And don’t worry—individual donations are just as meaningful and important! We’ll be celebrating top teams and giving away prizes throughout the month.
How to Get Involved:
- Gather Your Team – Invite friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors to join you. Choose a group of up to 10 members or go big with a team of 10-20 members.
- Choose a Team Name – Get creative!
- Register Your Team – It’s easy to sign up here: Register Your Team.
- Pool Your Donations – No fundraising required! Each team member contributes what they can, and together, your team’s total is tripled with the match.
- Participate in Match Month Events – Join us at a Souper Bowl Pop-up Lunch or Coffee Chat to connect, celebrate, and build momentum.
- Turn in Donations Together – Submit your team’s total donations at once by February 28 to maximize the match.
Give Early to Win
Donate by February 20, and you’ll be entered to win $500, thanks to an anonymous donor! Plus, donations of $500 or more earn an additional entry.
Ways to Donate
There are many ways to give and make a big impact! Along with cash and online donations, you can also donate appreciated stock, retirement assets, grain, or gifts from a donor-advised fund—and every dollar will be tripled thanks to the Hansen Foundation match in February.
Plus, your gift is tax-deductible, so you can support your community while also maximizing your tax benefits.
No matter the amount, every gift counts. Together, we can go the Whole Nine Yards for Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties—helping our communities thrive now and for years to come. 💙
Exciting News: New Local Offices!
Heartland Community Foundation is growing—just in time for Match Month! To better serve donors, grantees, and community members, we’re thrilled to announce the opening of two new local offices in Trego and Rooks counties. These spaces will provide a welcoming spot to give back, apply for grants, and collaborate on community projects.
📍 WaKeeney: Savannah Downing, Trego County Development Director, will be based at Pfannenstiel Law (110 N. Main St., WaKeeney), with a ribbon-cutting on Feb. 10 at 11 a.m. during the Match Month Souper Bowl Pop-Up Lunch!
📍 Plainville: Deanna Hammerschmidt, Rooks County Development Director, will work from 202 W. Mill St., Plainville, with a ribbon-cutting event to come.
Both offices will be open 8:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Meanwhile, HCF’s main office remains in Hays at 1200 Main St., Suite 102, Hays, in the Chestnut Building. Stop by and see us!
Thank you for supporting the Heartland Community Foundation and the communities we call home! Your generosity makes a lasting impact, helping to build a stronger, more vibrant future for Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties.
Warmly,
Sarah Meitner, Savannah Downing, and Deanna Hammerschmidt
Heartland Community Foundation
Contact Information:
Website: www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 785-621-4090
P.S. Follow us on Facebook @HeartlandCF to stay up to date on all things Match Month!