Earth Day, April 22, 2016, is a great day for the Manhattan, Kansas community when the 4th Annual Grow Green Match Day will take place. On that day, donations made through the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation to participating nonprofit agencies will receive a 50% match that can be used for their most crucial needs. 

Meadowlark Hills Foundation is joining 44 other local organizations in urging our donors to participate. For our Foundation, Grow Green Match Day is an opportunity to increase our endowment so that we can continue to develop our services and meet the future needs of our campus and community.

Here’s how the event works:

Although gifts of any amount are welcome and encouraged, individual contributions ranging from $25 to $1,000 per organization will receive a local match at $.50 per $1, so a $1,000 gift can receive a $500 local match. Already, several Meadowlark Hills residents have pledged to participate, so I’m confident our endowed fund will experience a healthy growth spurt. Last year, Meadowlark Hills Foundation received an $8000 boost on Match Day! 

Gifts may be made by cash, check, or online between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. at event headquarters, located at Colony Square Atrium, 555 Poyntz Ave., or online from a remote location. Because there are prize incentives for donations made at event headquarters, Meadowlark Hills is providing transportation at 10 a.m. and at 2 p.m. that day for those who are willing and able to donate in person. Please register in the Blue Book if you’d like a free ride to the event.

Donors who attend the event will be entered for a chance to win $100 for the participating charity of their choice. (A winner will be chosen every hour from that hour’s donations!) And, the three participating not-for-profits with the most donors coming in person to the event will win extra prize money; $500 for 1st place, $300 for 2nd place, and $200 for 3rd place.

If you cannot visit event headquarters in person, either on your own or as part of the Meadowlark Hills group, please leave your donation at the Hospitality Desk, and your gift will be submitted for you. The concierges will accept donations beginning April 21 through 9 p.m. and through 6 p.m. on April 22. Checks should be made payable to Greater Manhattan Community Foundation and dated 4/22/15 no matter which day they are submitted. Donations are tax-deductible.

If you have questions, please contact Becky Fitzgerald, Development Director, at 323-3843. Thank you for considering this opportunity!