The Sheridan County Community Foundation (SCCF) is excited to announce a new matching program in partnership with the Dane G. Hansen Foundation. This initiative offers up to $3,000 in matching funds for new endowment funds established in 2025, 2026, and 2027.
How the Matching Program Works
For every $7,000 raised toward a new endowment fund, the Dane G. Hansen Foundation will provide a $2,000 match, and SCCF will contribute an additional $1,000 using funds earned from the second round of a successful Patterson Family Foundation Match Month campaign. This creates a total fund of $10,000. This opportunity allows donors to maximize their contributions and establish long-term funding to support local causes.
What is an Endowment Fund?
An endowment fund is a permanent investment where the principal remains intact, and the income generated supports charitable causes. This ensures lasting financial stability for organizations and community initiatives in Sheridan County.
Types of Endowment Funds Available
SCCF offers five types of endowment funds to match donors’ interests and goals:
Field of Interest Fund – Supports a specific cause, such as education, healthcare, or the arts.
Designated Fund – Benefits a particular organization(s), ensuring continued financial support.
Organization Fund – Designed for nonprofits to secure long-term sustainability.
Donor-Advised Fund – Allows donors to recommend how their fund is distributed over time.
Unrestricted Fund – Offers the broadest giving option, allowing grants to be made based on the community’s needs at any point in time.
Ideas for Endowed Funds
If you're considering starting an endowment fund, there are many ways to create a lasting impact. In essence, if there is a cause, program, project, organization, etc., that could use ongoing funding, then a new fund can be created to ensure its perpetual support.
Here are some potential fund ideas:
Youth & Education: Support local schools, scholarships, 4-H programs, literacy initiatives, or after-school activities.
Community Services: Fund first responders, libraries, parks, recreation centers, and historical preservation projects.
Healthcare & Well-being: Help recruit and retain healthcare professionals, assist local clinics, or provide resources for mental health initiatives.
Arts & Culture: Support local theater, music programs, cultural festivals, and public art projects.
Faith & Legacy Giving: Establish a fund for a local church, cemetery preservation, or mission-based community service projects.
Economic Development: Invest in business growth, workforce development, or local entrepreneurship programs.
Important Program Details
If you are unable to reach the $10,000 minimum in the first year (12-month period), you will have three additional years to raise the funds to that threshold.
If the minimum endowment threshold is not met at that time, all funds will be added to the principal amount of SCCF’s large endowed unrestricted grant fund, Cultivate Sheridan County.
Scholarship funds and certain donor-advised funds do not qualify for this program.
Each fund can only receive a match once during the three-year program period.
Limited Availability
SCCF is offering ten matching grants in 2025. Once these opportunities are filled, no additional matches will be available until the next funding cycle. Donors are encouraged to act quickly to secure their spot.
Make a Lasting Impact
“This is an incredible opportunity to create a lasting legacy in Sheridan County,” said SCCF Executive Director Karl Pratt. “By taking advantage of this match, donors can ensure their contributions continue to benefit our community for generations to come.”
For more information or to get started, contact Pratt at 785-677-5090 or email director@growsheridancounty.org.
SCCF is an affiliate of the Greater Northwest Kansas Community Foundation based in Bird City. The foundation seeks to encourage, prudently manage, and distribute charitable contributions to improve the quality of life of Sheridan County residents, now and in the future. To learn more, contact Pratt at 785-677-5090, director@growsheridancounty.org, or visit www.growsheridancounty.org. Connect with SCCF at www.facebook.com/sheridanccf.
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