Local Donors Empower Area 5th Graders Once Again with $10 and $15 in “Give Bucks” to Give to Nonprofits During Give Fest
In a fun effort to inspire the next generation of givers, Heartland Community Foundation is bringing back a special initiative for Give Fest 2026: area students will once again receive “Give Bucks” to donate to local nonprofit organizations of their choice.
Thanks to the generous support of Insurance Planning, the Fred and Jean Berger, Insurance Planning Charitable Fund, and Sunflower Bank, fifth graders in Ellis County will each receive $15 to donate to the participating organizations of their choice.
In Trego County, First Federal Bank, a Branch of Lyons Federal Bank, of WaKeeney will provide $10 in Give Bucks to students. Because Trego County has fewer fifth graders than the other counties, First Federal Bank is once again including fourth graders, giving even more local students an opportunity to participate.
In Rooks County, the William H. Andreson Charitable Trust will provide $10 in Give Bucks to fifth-grade students to donate to the participating organizations of their choice.
During Give Fest on October 7, students will visit the in-person events in Hays, Plainville and WaKeeney, where they will have an opportunity to meet participating organizations, learn about their missions and decide where to allocate their Give Bucks, which are distributed in $5 increments.
The program is designed to give students firsthand experience with charitable giving while helping them learn more about the organizations serving their own communities.
“We are honored to get to be a part of teaching the next generation the importance of giving back to their community,” said Aaron Satran, Branch Manager at First Federal Bank in WaKeeney. “The excitement that it brings the kids is awesome to witness, and we hope they will carry that excitement for charitable giving with them when they go.” In the days leading up to Give Fest, representatives from Heartland Community Foundation will visit area schools to introduce students to the idea of giving back and help them prepare for their Give Fest experience.
“We’re excited to talk with students about what it means to be a nonprofit and why supporting local organizations matters,” said Sarah Meitner, Executive Director of Heartland Community Foundation. “It’s inspiring to see young people get involved and understand that, no matter their age, they can make a real difference in their community.”
Give Fest Returns October 7
Give Fest 2026 will take place Wednesday, October 7, across Ellis, Rooks and Trego counties. The annual day of giving brings together donors and local organizations while providing an opportunity to build both immediate and long-term support for the causes that make our communities stronger.
This year, Heartland Community Foundation is providing a $160,000 match pool. Donations to participating endowed funds will be matched proportionally, up to 100%, from the available pool. Donor gifts build the organizations’ endowed funds at Heartland Community Foundation, creating permanent resources for the future, while matching dollars are available to participating organizations for immediate needs.
Online giving opens October 1 and continues through October 7, with in-person Give Fest celebrations taking place October 7.
Ellis County
Hays Rec Center Main Gym 1105 Canterbury Dr., Hays 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
The Ellis County celebration will wrap up with Happy Hour from 4:30–6 p.m., featuring tasty bites and mocktails.
Rooks County
Plainville Township Hall 108 S. Jefferson, Plainville 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
Give Fest attendees are invited to enjoy a Brats & (Root) Beer Lunch from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Lunch is free, with free-will donations encouraged to the participating organization of each attendee’s choice.
Trego County
Trego County Fairgrounds 13th and Russell Ave., WaKeeney 9 a.m.–4 p.m.
A Brats & (Root) Beer Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Lunch is free, with free-will donations encouraged to the participating organization of each attendee’s choice. We want to thank our lunch sponsor, TWI Insurance.
How to Give
Online: Donate at HeartlandGiveFest.org beginning at midnight October 1 through 11:59 p.m. October 7. Online gifts made during the giving period are eligible for matching funds.
In Person: Bring donations to any of the three Give Fest events on October 7. Donations may also be dropped off at the Heartland Community Foundation office, 1200 Main St., Suite 102, Hays, from 8:30 a.m.–5:30 p.m.
By Mail: Send donations to Heartland Community Foundation, PO Box 1673, Hays, KS 67601. Donations must be received by October 7 to qualify for Give Fest matching funds.
Out-of-Town Donors: Donors may send their gift directly to a participating organization to be delivered for Give Fest. Checks should be made payable to Heartland Community Foundation with the participating organization’s name in the memo and accompanied by a donor form.
For more information about Give Fest, participating organizations and ways to give, visit HeartlandGiveFest.org.
