Unlike the spring basketball basketball event of a similar name, everyone wins in the Greater Salina Commmunity Foundation's Match Madness.
The 10th anniversary edition of Match Madness is scheduled for 7 a.m.-7 p.m. March 25 in the Salina Fieldhouse, 140 North Fifth Street.
On this day, donations to any of the 78 participating charities will be matched up to 50 percent. The list of participating charities can be found online at www.matchmadnessgscf.org.
Since the event’s inception in 2012, 4,660 donors contributed a record-breaking total of $1,780,029 to 88 charities. The events match and bonus grants total $724,676 and the total benefit exceeds $2.5 million in total impact to the community, GSCF noted in a news release.
All donations made on March 25 will go to each charity’s endowed fund held at the Greater Salina Community Foundation. These funds are permanently invested to produce a steady stream of income charities can count on every year, which eases the pressure to raise annual funds.
Plus, every gift to a nonprofit’s endowed fund will be matched (proportionally, up to 50 percent) with a cash grant that the charity can access immediately to meet immediate needs. This year, there are $200,000 in matching funds, thanks to the generosity of private donors.
“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.
According to information from GSCF, donors can give in the following three ways.
In person from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at Salina Fieldhouse, 140 North Fifth Street
Online at matchmadnessgscf.org from midnight to 11:59 p.m. on March 25
Mail donations postmarked by March 25 to GSCF, PO Box 2876, Salina, KS 67402-2876
Match Madness events will include the following.
•Livestreamed 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 $100 in bonus cash for their organization. Competition starts at 4 p.m. and can be viewed on Facebook Live.
•Livestreamed 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 4 p.m. and can be viewed on Facebook Live.
•Food trucks, including Saddle Jack’s BBQ and Food by Bonnie, will be serving lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. outside of the Salina Fieldhouse.
Visit the Match Madness website, matchmadnessgscf.org, to learn more about the 78 nonprofits participating this year and view live donation updates on the day of the event. Due to COVID-19 there will not be any public events as in prior years.