By SALINA POST
Today The Greater Salina Community Foundation (GSCF) is hosting Salina’s annual Match Madness giving day marking the 14th consecutive year of the event.
On Match Madness, donations to any of the 104 participating charities will be matched up to 50%. The funds raised are directed to each charity’s permanent endowed fund held at the GSCF, ensuring a steady stream of income that eases the pressure of annual fundraising. Additionally, every gift to a nonprofit’s endowed fund will receive a proportional cash match—up to 50%—in the form of a cash grant available immediately for urgent needs. This year, private donors have contributed $300,000 in matching funds.
“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, Executive Director of the GSCF.
As of 3 p.m. on Thursday, the Greater Salina Community Foundation’s Match Madness giving day has raised $543,541.89 through 2,064 gifts supporting 103 nonprofits. Donations will continue to be accepted until midnight.
Donors can contribute in one of three ways:
• In Person:Visit the Salina Fieldhouse, 140 N. 5th Street, between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m.
• Online:Donate via www.matchmadnessgscf.orgfrom midnight to 11:59 p.m.
• By Mail:Send donations postmarked on March 13 to GSCF, PO Box 2876, Salina, KS 67402-2876.
The event will feature a variety of activities, including:
• Bill Grevas Memorial Free Throw Contest:Sponsored by Bennington State Bank, nonprofit representatives will have one minute to shoot free throws for a chance to earn up to $100 in bonus cash for their organization. The contest runs from 10:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
• BE Wealth Half-Court Shot for Charity:Nonprofit representatives will take a half-court shot, with the winner receiving an extra $1,000 for their organization. The competition starts at 5:30 p.m.
• Refreshments and Food: Enjoy coffee and treats from Ad Astra Books & Coffee House throughout the day, along with food truck offerings from Paradise Eats and 805 Taco’s from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. outside the fieldhouse.
• Nonprofit Booths: These will be set up from 7 a.m. until 6 p.m.
In a unique community initiative, all Saline County fifth graders will participate in Match Madness for the third year in a row. Each student receives $10 to donate to the endowed fund of their favorite nonprofit—matched up to 50% by the Foundation. A local teacher emphasized the importance of the experience.
“We can’t teach this. This is something that the students experience, and in our realm of the day anytime we can let a student have an experience outside of the classroom, it’s a home run!”
Before the event the students are given information about Match Madness, learn how an endowment works, and why it's important to give back to charity.
When the students arrive at the Fieldhouse, they get to visit 10-15 nonprofit booths to learn about the mission of each nonprofit and how it impacts the community. After they are done visiting the booths, each student gets to fill out a donation form and pick which nonprofit their $10 supports.
Each $10 donation is matched up to 50%, meaning their $10 donation could grow to $15.
The best part is that their $10 donation will always be held in that nonprofit's permanent endowed fund, growing while making grants at the same time.
Thanks to the following donors, all Saline County 5th graders can participate at Match Madness and donate $10 each to the nonprofit of their choice:
Anonymous
Mark & Jane Berkley
Taylor & Kelly Currie
Ken & Karen Ebert
Brad & Cassie Shields
For more details on the 104 participating nonprofits and to view live donation updates on the day of the event, visit www.matchmadnessgscf.org.
Since its inception in 2012, Match Madness has seen 9,621 donors contribute a record-breaking total of $4,154,409 to 106 charities. With match and bonus grants totaling $1,811,029, the overall impact of the event exceeds $5.9 million for the community.