HAYS, Kan.—Heartland Community Foundation, in partnership with The Dane G. Hansen Foundation, is excited to announce a new fund-matching initiative, beginning now. This program is designed to help donors establish and grow endowed funds that will provide lasting support for the causes and organizations they care about most.
“This matching opportunity empowers donors to create a meaningful legacy and ensures resources for our community’s future,” said Sarah Meitner, executive director at the Heartland Community Foundation. “We’re thrilled to offer this program as a way to strengthen our collective impact.”
The matching program includes two main opportunities:
1. Establishing New Endowed Funds: Donors can receive a 1:1 match, up to $2,000, for gifts made to create a new endowed field of interest, donor-advised, designated, or organization fund. Donors must agree to meet the $10,000 fund minimum within three years. The matching dollars will be invested into the new fund.
2. Growing Existing Endowed Funds: Donors can receive a 1:2 match, up to $1,000, for gifts made to existing endowed field of interest, organization, or designated funds that have not yet reached the $10,000 minimum and did not receive a new fund incentive previously. The fundholders who are eligible for this incentive will be contacted by foundation staff.
Program Highlights:
· Matching funds are limited to $20,000 per county annually for 2025, 2026, and 2027.
· Gifts to existing donor-advised funds and new scholarship, provisional funds, or temporary pass-through funds are not eligible.
· A single fund is eligible for only one match during the three-year program.
· Donors can establish more than one new fund to maximize their impact.
The matching program applies to four types of endowed funds that offer donors flexibility in how they support the community. Each fund type is designed to address unique donor goals while building permanent resources for the community:
· Field of Interest Funds: These funds allow donors to support a broad cause or area of interest, such as education, healthcare, or the arts, without being tied to a specific organization. The foundation ensures grants are directed to programs or organizations that align with the donor's chosen area.
· Donor-Advised Funds: These funds provide donors with the flexibility to recommend grants to charitable organizations over time. Donors can involve their family in giving decisions and adjust their grantmaking to reflect changing priorities or respond to emerging needs. It’s a great way to stay engaged in philanthropy while leaving the administrative details to the foundation.
· Designated Funds: These funds provide sustained support for one or more specific nonprofit organizations selected by the donor. Designated funds are ideal for donors who want to ensure a particular organization receives consistent, reliable funding over time.
· Organization Funds: Established by nonprofit organizations, these funds create a stable source of income to support their operations, programs, or mission. Organization funds help ensure long-term sustainability and financial security for nonprofits.
“We encourage donors to reach out and take advantage of this opportunity early, as matching funds are limited and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis,” Meitner added.
This program is part of Heartland Community Foundation’s ongoing mission to inspire and connect donors with meaningful ways to support their community. The matching opportunity aligns with the foundation’s vision of building permanent resources for Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties. For more information or to get started, contact Heartland Community Foundation today.
785-621-4090
