By SALINA POST
Called a "win-win for everyone," Salina's annual Match Madness giving day is set for March 23.
The 2023 Match Madness will be the 12th consecutive year for the donor event hosted by the Greater Salina Community Foundation (GSCF).
“This event is a win-win for everyone and a great example of community collaboration. Donations of all sizes are pooled together to provide long-term support for our charities, and the match given can be used instantly by the charities to meet urgent needs,” said Jessica Martin, GSCF executive director.
Indeed, since Match Madness' beginning in 2012, 6,416 donors have contributed a record-breaking total of $2,726,606.55 to 104 charities, according to information from GSCF. Additionally, during that time period, the events match and bonus grants have totaled $1,180,579.41 and the total impact to the community has been more than $3.9 million.
This year's Match Madness will include the option for people to donate to 92 participating charities. The list of participating charities can be found online at www.matchmadnessgscf.org.
All donations made during Match Madness 2023 will go to each charity’s permanent endowed fund held at the Greater Salina Community Foundation. These funds are permanently invested to produce a steady stream of income that charities can count on every year, which eases the pressure to raise annual funds, the foundation noted.
Thanks to a group of private donors, Match Madness also will have $300,000 in matching funds. Those funds will be used to match proportionally up to 50 percent each donation made to one of the 92 participating charities. Those funds can be accessed instantly by the charities to help meet immediate needs, GSCF noted in a news release.
If you would like to donate during Match Madness on March 23, you have three options:
- In-person from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Salina Fieldhouse, 140 N. Fifth Street.
- Online at www.matchmadnessgscf.org from midnight to 11:59 p.m.
- Mail donations postmarked on March 23 to GSCF, PO Box 2876, Salina, KS 67402-2876
According to information from GSCF, Match Madness 2023 also will include the following.
●Bill Grevas Memorial Nonprofit Free Throw Contest, sponsored by Salina Regional Health Foundation, where nonprofit representatives will have one minute to shoot free throws for a chance to earn up to $100 in bonus cash for their organization. Competition starts at 11:30 a.m. and will run until 5 p.m. Come down to the fieldhouse and cheer on your favorite nonprofits.
●BE Wealth Half-Court Shot for Charity, where nonprofit representatives will attempt to make a shot from half-court, and the winner will receive an extra $1,000 for their organization. Competition starts at 5:30 p.m. Come down to the fieldhouse and cheer on all the nonprofits with emcee Cash Hollistah.
●Food trucks, including Saddle Jack’s BBQ, and Taco’s Food Truck will be serving food from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. outside of the Salina Fieldhouse.
●Nonprofit booths will be set up from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Visit the nonprofit booths and participate in the “Around the World” booth contest. Get a stamp at five or more booths and be entered to win a special prize at the end of the event.