The Greater Salina Community Foundation hosted Salina’s 7th annual Match Madness giving day on Thursday, March 15, at Salina Fieldhouse. In 24 hours, over $270,000 was raised for 75 area nonprofit organizations through donations and bonus prizes.

A total of 744 unique donors contributed a record-breaking total of $267,755.45 through 1,815 gifts. This is the highest total dollar amount and number of gifts raised in the event’s history.

“The generosity of this community continues to amaze me,” said Jessica Martin, president and executive director of the foundation. “We are so lucky to have such strong nonprofits in the Salina area, and the number of gifts received through Match Madness is a testament to that.”

The foundation awarded $3,020 in bonus prizes to 56 organizations who participated in the nonprofit free throw contest. Each representative was given one minute to shoot 10 free throws, and every shot made was worth a $10 bonus grant.

Three shooters made a perfect 10 out of 10, earning $100 for each organization they represented. They were Tim Niles of the Salina Saints, representing Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas; Marquez Patterson of the Salina Saints, representing Rolling Hills Zoo; and Bay’lee Purdy, Assistant Women’s Basketball Coach at Kansas Wesleyan University, representing Salina Breakfast AMBUCS.

Following the event, three $500 bonus grants were awarded to participating nonprofits. Sacred Heart Jr./Sr. High School was named “Most Valuable Player,” awarded to the nonprofit who raised the most dollars. Saint Francis Community Services was awarded “Most Improved,” awarded to the organization who received a higher number of gifts this year than in 2017. Child Care Aware of Kansas received “Most Spirited,” awarded to the organization who did the most marketing and promotion prior to Match Madness.

The foundation will match gifts proportionally, up to 50%, from a pool of $100,000. Together, Match Madness donations, bonus prizes and matching funds combine for a total impact of $372,275.45 for the Salina community.

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It was madness on the hardwood at the Salina Fieldhouse on Thursday. Not March Madness basketball, but rather Match Madness charitable giving.

The Greater Salina Community Foundation’s seventh annual Match Madness giving day turned into one of the single biggest days of charitable giving in the history of Salina.  After all was said and done, over $270,000 was donated to 75 participating organizations.

All donations will go to a participating organization’s endowed fund held at the Greater Salina Community Foundation. These funds are permanently invested to produce a steady stream of income charities can count on every year, which eases the pressure to raise annual funds.

Every gift to a nonprofit’s endowed fund will be matched up to 50% with a cash grant from a match pool of $100,000. Matching funds will be available instantly to help each organization meet its immediate needs.

Donors were able to give in person from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. at the Salina Fieldhouse, where about 50 of the 75 participating charities set up booths and displays.

Match Madness also included:

• A nonprofit free throw contest, with nonprofit representatives shooting free throws throughout the day for a chance to earn bonus cash for their organization.
• Food trucks on site, including Relish, Umami Bowl and Saddle Jack’s BBQ. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and dinner from 5 to 7 p.m.
• NCAA basketball tournament games airing throughout the Fieldhouse.
• Complementary refreshments.

When all was said and done, preliminary numbers indicated that 1,815 gifts, totaling $270,775.45 were made to be matched.

Since its inception in 2012, Match Madness has generated over $1 million for local charities.

Match Madness Preliminary Totals

A nonprofit free throw contest was held throughout the day.