Heartland Community Foundation is gearing up for another Give Fest, bringing communities across Ellis, Rooks, and Trego counties together for a day of giving, connection, and Oktoberfest-inspired fun on Wednesday, October 7.

This year, Heartland has committed a $110,000 match pool, allowing donors to make their gifts go even further while supporting organizations making a difference throughout the region.

Online giving opens October 1 at Heartland-GiveFest.org and continues through Give Fest on October 7. In-person celebrations will also take place simultaneously in all three counties on October 7. Give Fest continues to grow from a giving day into a celebration of the organizations and people working to strengthen the Heartland region. In 2025, 56 participating organizations raised nearly $400,000 in a single day, thanks to generous donors, matching opportunities, bonus games, and tremendous community support. This year, there are 73 organizations signed up to participate.

“Give Fest is an opportunity to celebrate all the good happening across our communities,” said Sarah Meitner, Executive Director of Heartland Community Foundation. “It brings donors and nonprofits together, introduces people to organizations they may not have known about before, and gives all of us a chance to see just how much can happen when a community comes together around generosity.”

$110,000 Available In Matching Funds

During Give Fest, donations to participating funds will be matched proportionally, up to 100%, from Heartland Community Foundation’s $110,000 match pool. Donor gifts go into the organization’s permanent fund at Heartland, where they are invested to provide a lasting source of support for the organization’s mission. Heartland then grants matching dollars to the organization for immediate needs, allowing a single Give Fest gift to make an impact today and well into the future.

Several organizations are also highlighting specific projects or needs during this year’s event, allowing donors to learn more about how Give Fest dollars can make a difference throughout the region. With participating organizations representing healthcare, education, youth, the arts, history, human services, recreation, community development, and more, donors can support the causes that matter most to them.

More Than a Giving Day 

Give Fest was created to mobilize the community to give back in a big way while providing participating organizations an opportunity to share their missions and connect directly with the people they serve.

On October 7, donors can visit participating organizations in person, learn more about their work, and enjoy the food, music, games, prizes, and Oktoberfest spirit that have become part of Give Fest.

In-person Give Fest celebrations will be held at:

• Rooks County: Plainville Township Hall, 108 S. Jefferson, Plainville | 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

• Ellis County: Hays Rec Center Main Gym, 1105 Canterbury Dr., Hays | 9 a.m.–6 p.m.

• Trego County: Trego County Fairgrounds, 13th and Russell Ave., WaKeeney | 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Visitors can meet participating organizations, learn about their missions, and make Give Fest gifts in person. Donors will also have a chance to win a $50 Visa gift card and award a $100 bonus grant to their favorite participating organization.

New this year: Lunch & Happy Hour 

This year, Give Fest is adding even more opportunities to gather, connect with participating organizations, and enjoy the Oktoberfest spirit in each county.

In Rooks and Trego counties, community members are invited to stop by for a Brats & (Root) Beer Lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Lunch is free, with free-will donations encouraged to the participating organizations of each donor’s choice.

In Ellis County, the celebration will continue into the late afternoon with a Give Fest Happy Hour from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at the Hays Rec Center Main Gym. Community members are invited to stop by after work for tasty bites and a menu of mocktails, visit participating organizations, and make their Give Fest gifts before the celebration wraps up.

Whether donors join us for lunch, visit nonprofit booths throughout the day, or stop by Happy Hour after work, Give Fest offers plenty of ways to connect with local organizations while celebrating generosity across the Heartland region.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Givers

Give Fest also gives young people across the Heartland region a chance to experience philanthropy firsthand.

Through Heartland’s 5th Grade “Give Bucks” initiative, area fifth graders will visit the Give Fest celebrations throughout the day to meet participating organizations, learn how nonprofits serve their communities, and choose where to donate their sponsored Give Bucks.

The experience gives students something many adults never have the opportunity to do at such a young age: make their own charitable giving decisions and see firsthand how generosity can strengthen their community.

How to Give • Online: Give at www. HeartlandGiveFest.org anytime from midnight on October 1 through 11:59 p.m. October 7. Donors can support one organization or divide a single gift among multiple participating funds.

• In Person: Visit one of the Give Fest celebrations on October 7. Ellis County’s event runs from 9 a.m.–6 p.m., while Rooks and Trego County events run from 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

• Stop by one of the local Heartland offices before Oct. 7, and we’ll hold the donation until Oct. 7, so it gets matched.

• Ellis County: HCF, 1200 Main St., Suite 102, Hays, KS 67601 (There will be a day-off drop-off at this location on Oct. 7, as well.)

• Rooks County: HCF, 202 W. Mill, Plainville, KS 67663

• Trego County: HCF, 110 N. Main St., WaKeeney, KS 67672

• By Mail: Mail donations to Heartland Community Foundation, PO Box 1673, Hays, KS 67601. Mailed gifts must be received by October 7 to qualify for matching funds.

• Out-of-Town Donors: Gifts may also be sent directly to a participating organization for the organization to bring to Give Fest. Make checks payable to Heartland Community Foundation and include the organization’s name in the memo.

Donors can make a