HCF launches Match Month in February

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 Wa-Keeney 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 1020 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:

1. 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.

2. Choose a Team Name – Get creative! Pick a name that reflects your team’s spirit and enthusiasm.

3. Register Your Team – Signing up is easy! Register your team name and members here: https:// forms.gle/c7VUStAi6pd-FrKjt8. Please email a team picture to Heartland@ gscf.org. so we can share on social media.

4. Pool Your Donations – No fundraising required! Each team member gives what they can, and together, your team’s total is tripled with the match.

5. (Optional) Participate in Match Month Events – Join us at a Souper Bowl Pop-up Lunch or Coffee Chat to connect, celebrate, and build momentum.

6. 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.

7. 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 @Heartland-CF to hear more about Match Month and the community foundation.