The Golden Belt Community Foundation is again taking part in Giving Tuesday on Nov. 27, and foundation Executive Director Christy Tustin this is an important opportunity to help the community.

“As a Giving Tuesday champion, Golden Belt Community Foundation inspires giving from all ages. We would like to invite the community to take the Giving Tuesday Challenge to support local charities’ needs now and in the future,” Tustin said. “GBCF is a catalyst for generosity in the Golden Belt area and on this Giving Tuesday, Nov. 27, we again are bringing together philanthropists to shape our community’s future.” 

Making it easier

New this year, participating organizations may choose to receive what they raise as a grant back to their organization or to continue to build their endowment fund, she said. Also, this year, GBCF has extended the invitation to participate in Giving Tuesday to any charitable organization in Barton, Pawnee, Rush and Stafford counties that meets the eligibility requirements. 

“Your gift stays right here helping local charities with current and long-term funding needs,” she said. “GBCF stands strong behind the nonprofits that serve our area.” 

Again this year, Giving Tuesday will include the school challenge. Every elementary school in Barton, Pawnee, Rush and Stafford counties that chooses to participate in the giving event is eligible for a $500 classroom minigrant. 

“This is an opportunity for kids and their families to participate in the generosity of the season,” Tustin said. “GBCF will award one $500 grant to every elementary school that participates, going to the classroom that donates the most dollars on Giving Tuesday.”

Local match and cash prizes

There is $10,000 in matching funds awarded in proportion to the total amount raised during the entire month of November, Tustin said. For example, if Fund A raises 10 percent of all gifts received, then Fund A receives 10 percent of the matching funds pool. Organizations that have endowment funds with GBCF are eligible to receive matching funds.  

In addition to the matching money, all participating organizations are eligible for the additional $5,000 in cash incentive prizes that will be awarded throughout the Giving Tuesday campaign.

Local giving locations

The foundation board and staff will host giving sites across the GBCF service area on Giving Tuesday. Gifts can be made online, by mail, or in person at any of the following locations. Chili and cinnamon rolls will be served at these locations from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Golden Belt Community Foundation 

1307 Williams St., Great Bend 

8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

• Hoisington Chamber of Commerce 

123 N. Main St., Hoisington 

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Larned Chamber of Commerce 

502 Broadway St., Larned 

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

• Golden Valley Inc. 

102 N. Main St.,  Rozel 

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

• E-Z Mart 

1409 Main St., La Crosse 

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

• White’s Foodliner 

503 N. U.S. 281, St. John 

11 a.m. – 1 p.m. 

• Paul’s Grocery 

309 S. Main St., Stafford 

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

How to give

Giving Tuesday, or #GivingTuesday, refers to the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States. It is a movement to create an international day of giving at the beginning of the Christmas and holiday season. Giving Tuesday was started in 2012 by the 92nd Street Y and the United Nations Foundation as a response to commercialization and consumerism in the post-Thanksgiving season (Black Friday and Cyber Monday). 

Donations may be made online at www.goldenbeltcf.org where participants can select the organization or endowment fund(s) they wish to support. Gifts can be made in person or mailed to the GBCF to qualify for Giving Tuesday at 1307 Williams St., P.O. Box 1911, Great Bend, KS 67530 anytime in the month of November. 

Checks must be made out to GBCF. All donations must be postmarked or received by Nov. 30.