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The Heartland Community Foundation (HCF) is celebrating a milestone this February as it kicks off the 10th annual Match Month campaign, inviting residents of Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties to experience the power — and magic — of local giving.
Match Month is more than a fundraiser. It is a community-wide effort to build permanent, local sources of funding that support nonprofits, schools, and community projects for generations to come. Since its inception, Match Month has helped grow the Heartland County Legacy Funds, strengthening the region’s ability to respond to evolving needs close to home.
In 2025, the impact of local generosity reached a new high. Heartland Community Foundation awarded $1,067,523 in grants to 138 organizations, bringing 245 community projects to life across Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties — the largest grant total in the foundation’s history. From supporting essential services to sparking innovation and improving quality of life, these grants filled critical gaps where other funding sources fell short.
“Each year, we see more organizations come forward with meaningful ideas and urgent needs,” said Sarah Meitner, Executive Director. “Match Month helps ensure we have the long-term resources to say ‘yes’ to more of those ideas — not just today, but well into the future.”
Gifts Tripled Through Matching Funds
During Match Month, every dollar donated to the Heartland County Legacy Funds is tripled, thanks to a generous $2-for-$1 match from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, up to the first $50,000 raised per county. A $100 donation becomes $300, $1,000 grows to $3,000, and a $5,000 gift turns into $15,000 — creating an extraordinary impact for local grantmaking.
Donations to the County Legacy Funds are endowed, meaning they are invested for long-term growth, with only a portion distributed annually through grants. This structure ensures that gifts made during Match Month continue supporting communities year after year.
Over the past nine Match Months, this model has proven its power. Local donors have contributed nearly $1.7 million to the Heartland County Legacy Funds, which has been amplified by more than $2.7 million in matching dollars through one-to-one and two-to-one matches. Together, those gifts have built more than $4.4 million in permanent community assets. Because these funds are endowed, they continue generating grants every year — supporting local organizations, addressing emerging needs, and ensuring that generosity given once keeps working for the Heartland region long after the month of February ends.
“Match Month is about building something lasting,” Meitner said. “When donors give to the Legacy Funds, they’re creating a permanent source of funding that will strengthen our communities for generations.”
A Goal Focused on Participation
As part of its 10th-anniversary celebration, HCF is setting a different goal: 500 donors across the Heartland region during Match Month. The focus is on participation — showing the collective strength of the region when individuals come together to invest in their communities. “There’s no gift too small to make a difference during Match Month,” Meitner said. “Every donor plays a role in making the magic happen.”
How to Give
Match Month runs February 1–28. Donations can be made:
• Online at www.HeartlandMatchMonth.org
• In person at HCF offices in Hays (1200 Main St., #102), Plainville (202 W. Mill), or WaKeeney (110 N. Main St.)
• By mail at PO Box 1673 Hays, KS 67601
The Heartland Community Foundation accepts both cash and noncash gifts, including appreciated stock, retirement assets, grain, and more. All qualifying gifts made during Match Month are eligible for the match and are tax-deductible. With the matching opportunity confirmed for at least another year, HCF encourages donors to take advantage of this powerful moment to multiply their impact
“Ten years of Match Month have shown us what’s possible when people believe in their communities,” Meitner said. “This February, we invite everyone to be part of the magic.” For more information, visit www.HeartlandMatchMonth.org or follow Heartland Community Foundation on Facebook at @HeartlandCF. For further inquiries, please reach out to Sarah Meitner, executive director, at 785-621-4090, Savannah Downing, Trego Development Director, at 785-743-3270, or Deanna Hammerschmidt, Rooks Development Director, at 785-688-5098.
About Heartland Community Foundation
Since 2007, Heartland Community Foundation has been connecting donors with philanthropic causes they love. As an affiliate of the Greater Salina Community Foundation, HCF is proud to serve the communities and residents of Ellis, Rooks and Trego Counties. For more information, visit heartlandcommunityfoundation.org