New Fund Incentive: Create Your Legacy Today

The Heartland Community Foundation, in partnership with The Dane G. Hansen Foundation, is excited to offer a new incentive program to help donors establish and grow permanent endowed funds at the community foundation. This program provides matching funds to create new permanent funds or grow existing ones that support the causes you care about most! With limited matching dollars available, now is the perfect time to create a lasting impact for our community.

How the Program Works

1. Establishing New Endowed Funds

• Match: 1:1 match, up to $2,000, for gifts made to create a new endowed fund at the Heartland Community Foundation in 2025, 2026, and 2027.
• Eligible Fund Types: Field of interest, donor-advised, designated, or organization funds.
• Requirement: Donors must agree to meet the $10,000 fund minimum within three years.

2. Growing Existing Endowed Funds

• Match: 1:2 match, up to $1,000, for gifts to existing endowed funds that have not yet reached the $10,000 minimum.
• Eligibility: Existing field of interest, organization, or designated funds that did not previously receive a new fund match are eligible. HCF staff will reach out to eligible fundholders.

3. Take Action Early:

• Matching funds are limited to $20,000 per county each year for 2025, 2026, and 2027. Funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so don’t wait!

Program Highlights

• Gifts to existing donor-advised funds, scholarships, provisional funds, or temporary pass-through funds do not qualify.
• Each fund is eligible for only one match during the three-year program.
• Donors can establish more than one new fund to maximize their impact.
• Matching funds are limited to $20,000 per county annually for 2025, 2026, and 2027.

Eligible Fund TypesThe matching program applies to four types of endowed funds, each offering donors a unique way to make a lasting impact in 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.

Learn more here

Take Advantage of This Opportunity

Matching funds are limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Don’t wait—create or grow your endowed fund today to leave a lasting legacy for Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties. Contact us to get started: Email Heartland@gscf.org or call 785-621-4090.