The numbers are in and for the third straight year, Golden Belt Community Foundation’s Giving Tuesday event proved successful, foundation Executive Director Christy Tustin said.
Celebrated on Nov. 29 this year, Giving Tuesday attracted 370 donors and raised $218,731 “that will forever impact organizations throughout Barton, Pawnee, Rush and Stafford counties” she said. This total amount includes $60,000 in match funds.
Giving Tuesday is promoted as an opportunity to build organizational and community endowments across the four-county area. Tustin said the first Giving Tuesday in 2014 raised over $127,000 in a one-day giving event, and over $210,000 in 2015. Gifts were accepted throughout the month of November in-person, by mail and online this year. Five giving locations were open and available on Giving Tuesday as well.
At the end of the day, the foundation held a Great Bend Chamber of Commerce after-hours event at the Knights of Columbus Hall.
With nearly 70 funds from which to choose, the top 10 organizations to raise the most funds for their endowments included Almost Home Inc., the Prairie Godmother Funds Endowment, Prince of Peace Parish, Holy Family School, Family Crisis Center, Kans for Kids Fighting Cancer Foundation, Barton County Emergency Aid Association, United Way of Central Kansas, Stafford Community Improvement Endowment, and First Christian Church of Great Bend Endowment.
These top 10 organizations, plus other endowment funds getting gifts, all received a share of $50,000 in match funds that were awarded proportionately, Tustin said. The four county endowment funds competed for a share of $10,000 in matching funds with the Rush County Endowment receiving the most gifts.
Votes are tallied
In the spirit of #GivingTuesday and to celebrate their 20th Anniversary, the foundation awarded $20,000 in grants across the four-county service area. Donors and program supporters were invited to vote for their favorite program or project to receive a $5,000 grant – with the projecting receiving the most votes winning the grant.
“We selected programs or projects, some of which are larger, ongoing projects, that we knew needed funding, or projects that would enhance the community,” Tustin said.
The $5,000 grant recipients included: In Barton County, the Ellinwood splash pad; in Pawnee County, the Pawnee County 4-H special interest clubs; in Rush County, the City of McCracken merry-go-round; and in Stafford County, the City of Stafford toddler playground.
For questions or more information, call the foundation at 620-792-3000 or email gbcf@goldenbeltcf.org.
To learn more about #GivingTuesday or visit www.givingtuesday.org.
