Heartland Community Foundation Launches Match Month: Going the Whole Nine Yards for Our Communities
HAYS, Kan.— The Heartland Community Foundation is kicking off its 9th annual Match Month in
February -- a chance for Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties to invest in their communities and
build a lasting source of local funding. More than just a fundraiser, Match Month strengthens
the region by ensuring nonprofits, schools, and community projects have the resources they
need for years to come.
This year, HCF is rallying the region to go the Whole Nine Yards and help reach a bold goal of
$99,000 per county in celebration of our 9th annual campaign! Every donation made to the Ellis,
Rooks, and Trego County Legacy Funds during February will be tripled, thanks to an incredible
200% match from the Dane G. Hansen Foundation for the first $50,000 raised. That means your
$100 donation becomes $300, a $1,000 gift grows to $3,000, and a $5,000 contribution turns
into $15,000—creating an extraordinary impact for local grantmaking.
Why Match Month Matters
The Heartland County Legacy Funds are the backbone of our local grantmaking, ensuring that
every dollar stays in Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties to support vital projects and initiatives. In
2024 alone, Heartland Community Foundation (HCF) awarded $396,156 in grants, funding 144
community projects—strengthening nonprofits, sparking innovation, and improving lives. Since
2007, HCF has invested $4.2 million back into its communities, all thanks to generous donors
who believe in the power of local giving.
Match Month matters because it builds a permanent, growing resource for our communities.
Donations to the County Legacy Funds are endowed, meaning they are invested for long-term
growth, and only a percentage of the fund is distributed each year as grants. This ensures that
gifts made today will continue making an impact for generations to come. By tripling
contributions through the Dane G. Hansen Foundation’s match, donors aren’t just giving for the
present—they’re helping to create a lasting source of local funding that will address needs both
now and in the future.
“This is more than just fundraising—it’s about building a permanent source of funding for our
communities,” said Sarah Meitner, Executive Director of Heartland Community Foundation. “By
giving today, you’re making an investment in the future, ensuring that local nonprofits, schools,
and organizations have the resources they need for years to come.”
Join the Community: Coffee Chats & Souper Bowl Pop-Up Lunches
As part of the campaign, HCF invites the community to Coffee Chats and Souper Bowl Pop-Up
Lunches, where attendees can learn more about Match Month, bring their donations, and
connect with others who believe in the power of giving.
Attend one of our come-and-go Coffee Chats to casually discuss how charitable giving makes a
difference or drop off your Match Month donation. Heartland staff will offer free coffee from
the menu.
- Feb. 12, 8:30-10 a.m.: HCF will host chats in Hays at Augustine’s Bakery, in Stockton at
The Daily Grind, and in WaKeeney at The Well. - Feb. 18. 10-11 a.m.: HCF will be in Victoria at the Library Bar & Grill and in Palco at the
Palco Grocery & Deli. The organization will provide coffee and donuts. - Feb. 19, 8:30-10 a.m.: HCF will be in Ellis at the Ellis Public Library, in Plainville at Papa’s
Corner, and in WaKeeney at The Well.
Souper Bowl Pop-Up Lunches are new this year for HCF’s Match Month events and in
celebration of the Super Bowl! Everyone is welcome to join HCF for a warm bowl of soup, a
great cause, and a chance to be part of something bigger to fuel our communities. Heartland
will also feature a Grant Gallery, so visitors can walk through the gallery and learn more about
recent grant dollars. Soup lunch is provided free or for a free-will donation.
- Feb. 6, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Stockton Souper Bowl Pop-Up Lunch! Join us at the City Hall
community room, featuring soups provided by the Daily Grind. - Feb. 7, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Hays Souper Bowl Pop-Up Lunch! Join us at the Sternberg
Museum, featuring soups provided by Professor’s. - Feb. 10, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: WaKeeney Souper Bowl Pop-Up Lunch! Join us at our new
WaKeeney office in a shared space with Pfannenstiel Law, 110 N. Main St. featuring
soups that are locally catered. We will also have a Ribbon Cutting during the event.
Rally Your Team & Multiply Your Impact!
This Match Month, HCF invites you to form a team and experience the power of collective
giving. Whether it’s with coworkers, family, friends, or a community group, teaming up allows
you to pool resources and maximize your impact—without fundraising. Each team member
simply contributes what they can, and together, your gifts add up to make an even bigger
difference. However, HCF also deeply values individual contributions! If you prefer to give on
your own, your donation is just as important and impactful. Teams are a new addition this year,
inspired by the growing interest we’ve seen from groups wanting to pool their efforts, but
everyone’s contribution counts, no matter the size or whether it’s from an individual or a team.
The top two teams will be awarded a catered dinner at a mystery location—one team from
each of the two categories: teams with 0-10 members and teams with 10-20 members. Plus,
we’ll be celebrating all teams throughout February with additional prizes and special shout
outs!
“With the Hansen Foundation matching every donation $2-to-$1, your team’s contributions will
triple in impact,” Meitner said. “Plus, forming a team makes giving more fun and meaningful as
you work together toward a common goal for your county.”
How to Get Involved:
- Gather Your Team – Invite friends, family, coworkers, or neighbors to join you. Choose a
group of up to 10 members or go big with a team of 10-20 members. - Choose a Team Name – Get creative! Pick a name that reflects your team’s spirit and
enthusiasm. - Register Your Team – Signing up is easy! Register your team name and members here:
https://forms.gle/c7VUStAi6pdFrKjt8. Please email a team picture to
Heartland@gscf.org. so we can share on social media. - Pool Your Donations – No fundraising required! Each team member gives what they can,
and together, your team’s total is tripled with the match. - (Optional) Participate in Match Month Events – Join us at a Souper Bowl Pop-up Lunch
or Coffee Chat to connect, celebrate, and build momentum. - Turn in Donations Together – Submit your team’s total donations at once to maximize
the match and ensure every dollar counts. The deadline to donate for matching funds is
Feb. 28. - Win Big! – The top teams (one from each size category) will win a catered dinner at a
surprise location! Plus, we’ll be giving away other prizes throughout February.
Join the movement, rally your team, and help us go the Whole Nine Yards for our community! If
you’d rather give individually, please do.
Give Early to Win
When you donate by February 20 as an individual, business, or team, you’ll be entered to win
$500, thanks to prize money given by an anonymous donor! Gifts of $500 or more earn an
additional entry in the drawing. Donations can be made online at
www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org, brought to a Match Month event, or mailed or
dropped off at one of our HCF offices:
- 1200 Main St., #102 in Hays
- 202 W. Mill St. in Plainville
- 110 N. Main St. in WaKeeney
Maximize Your Impact with Cash and Noncash Gifts
The Heartland Community Foundation accepts cash and noncash gifts, including appreciated
stock, retirement accounts, grain, gifts from donor-advised funds, and more. These
contributions will be tripled thanks to the Hansen Foundation’s match, between Feb. 1-28,
2025. Gifts made anytime to HCF are tax-deductible, allowing donors to maximize their impact
on the community while benefiting from tax advantages. Donors will receive a receipt for their
records. Donor names will be featured on social media and in the HCF 2025 annual report.
With your help, we can go the Whole Nine Yards and meet our goal! Every gift, no matter the
size, helps build a stronger, more vibrant future for Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties. Follow us
on Facebook at @HeartlandCF to hear more about Match Month and the community
foundation.
Email: Heartland@gscf.org
Phone: 785-621-4090
Website: www.heartlandcommunityfoundation.org
