Heartland Community Foundation Reaches $1M Milestone in Each County Legacy Fund
Heartland Community Foundation Reaches $1M Milestone in Each County Legacy Fund, Fueled by Match Month & Matching Dollars
HAYS, Kan.— The Heartland Community Foundation is proud to announce a significant milestone: each individual County Legacy Fund at the community foundation has surpassed $1 million in assets! This remarkable achievement reflects the incredible growth and support of our communities. We are deeply grateful to all our donors and partners whose contributions, especially during our annual Match Month campaigns, have made this milestone possible.
This extraordinary milestone was made possible by the tremendous support we received during our 8th annual Match Month campaign, held in February. During this month, we raised a total of $249,389 from individual and business donors in Ellis County ($89,363), Rooks County ($80,913), and Trego County ($79,113). In addition, we received a generous $300,000 matching grant from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation to benefit the foundation and the County Legacy Funds, which arrived last week. We have also been approved for a $70,000 matching grant from the Patterson Family Foundation. This brings our full 2024 Match Month total to $619,389!
Our County Legacy Funds are the backbone of our grant-making efforts, allowing us to support impactful projects and programs that enrich the lives of residents across Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties. These endowed funds serve as a vital resource for nonprofits, schools, and community organizations, enabling them to address critical needs, launch innovative initiatives, and create lasting positive change. We set a goal in 2016 to reach the $1-million mark in each fund by 2026 – an achievement we celebrate today two years ahead of our goal.
Today, the balances of our County Legacy Funds are: Trego County Legacy Fund = $1,068,566; Ellis County Legacy Fund = $1,059,293; and Rooks County Legacy Fund = $1,028,427. We extend our sincere gratitude to all our donors, partners, and foundations for their continued support and investment in the future of our communities.
"We are thrilled by the overwhelming support we've received, both in reaching the $1 million milestone and in our successful Match Month campaign," said Sarah Meitner, Executive Director of Heartland Community Foundation. "These achievements highlight the dedication and generosity of our community members, whose investments continue to make a lasting impact on the region."
Over 365 individual donors supported HCF during Match Month, demonstrating the widespread community support for our mission. Among them, the regional banking industry played a significant role, with 15 regional banks collectively donating nearly $20,000 and encouraging their peers in the industry to also give. Additionally, each of the County Clerks, as well as the cities of Hays, Plainville, Stockton, Palco, and WaKeeney, made generous contributions.
Every dollar raised stays in the community in which it was given. The funds are endowed with our other investments and we use a portion of the investment income to make grants available twice a year during a fall and spring cycle. In 2023, HCF granted $393,564 to 79 organizations for 147 community projects.
Our spring cycle is now accepting applications. The deadline to apply is May 15; learn more and apply at www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org/grants.
“To offer our thanks to donors, we are mailing “Made it to a Million” signs for them to hang in a business window, on their fridge at home, or some place else,” Meitner continued. “The signs serve as a reminder that each individual donor had a hand in reaching this achievement, benefiting charities now and forever.”
For further information or inquiries, please contact heartland@gscf.org.
###
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.
