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Preparations underway for Giving Tuesday
new lgp gbcfgivingtuesdaylogo

From communities, families and businesses, to non-profits and charitable foundations, people around the world are preparing for Giving Tuesday, on Nov. 29. Giving Tuesday was launched to inspire giving of all kinds during the holiday season and has evolved into a global giving movement to celebrate philanthropy and generosity.
Golden Belt Community Foundation joined the movement two years ago and promotes Giving Tuesday as a day and opportunity to help build the endowment funds for nearly 50 charitable organizations in Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford counties. Endowment funds for several communities and areas of interest, such as the arts, also benefit from the day of giving. Endowments provide a source of long-term support for local organizations.
Foundation board and staff will host giving sites across the area to accept donations on Nov. 29, with specific locations and times to be announced soon. Gifts can be made in-person or mailed to the foundation at 1307 Williams St., P.O. Box 1911, Great Bend, KS. 67530, during the month of November to qualify for Giving Tuesday. Make checks payable to GBCF.
“This year, Giving Tuesday will be a month-long celebration of giving,” said Christy Tustin, executive director for the foundation. Gifts may be made to participating endowment funds throughout the month of November.
Just like the prior two years, the foundation raised funds to match Giving Tuesday donations. There will be two match pools: at least $40,000 for organization/area of interest endowments and at least $10,000 for county-wide endowments. Matching funds are awarded in proportion to the total amount raised on Giving Tuesday. For example, if Fund A raises 10% of all gifts received, then Fund A receives 10% of the matching funds pool.
“This year all gifts will help build long-term assets for these organizations and will be added to the chosen endowments – and all matching funds will be awarded proportionally as grants directly to the organizations,” said Tustin.
Altogether there are approximately 70 endowments funds to choose from, with several new organizations establishing endowments for the first time in 2016.
Also new for 2016, donations may be made online at www.goldenbeltcf.org. Beginning Nov. 1, there will be a special Giving Tuesday campaign where donors can give and select the endowment fund(s) they wish to support. Credit card processing fees do apply.
Foundation Celebrates 20th with After-Hours
The Golden Belt Community Foundation celebrates its 20th Anniversary of connecting people who care to causes that matter in 2016. To complete Giving Tuesday it will hold a special after-hours celebration from 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 29, at the Columbus Club in Great Bend.
“We invite everyone to join us in celebrating 20 years of philanthropy and giving in our local communities,” said Tustin. “Plans for the evening include great food and drinks, celebrating giving and generosity, and even some special grant awards by the community foundation.”
Full Giving Tuesday event details will be available on the foundation’s website at www.goldenbeltf.org or by calling the foundation at 620-792-3000.
About #GivingTuesday
Now in its fifth year, #GivingTuesday is a global giving movement that inspires and celebrates giving of all kinds, on #GivingTuesday and year-round. Created in 2012 by 92nd Street Y, #GivingTuesday ignites collaboration between groups of people to make a difference - connecting individuals, local nonprofits, international philanthropic organizations, businesses, government, educational institutions, faith groups and community organizations through their shared experience of giving. This year, #GivingTuesday will be celebrated on November 29th. To learn more about #GivingTuesday or to join the day of giving, visit: www.givingtuesday.org
Golden Belt Community Foundation
At $19.70 million in total assets and more than 175 funds under management, Golden Belt Community Foundation has been connecting people who care to causes that matter since 1996. Golden Belt Community Foundation exists to provide non-profit organizations in central Kansas with a permanent source of support and to serve as a vehicle for charitable giving for donors. GBCF serves the counties of Barton, Pawnee, Rush, and Stafford. For more information about Golden Belt Community Foundation, call (620) 792-3000 or visit their website at www.goldenbeltcf.org.