The Greater Emporia Area Match Day event surpassed last year’s fundraising efforts, raising its largest amount to date. The 7.8% increase resulted in a grand total of $829,607.68 in support of the 35 participating nonprofit agencies.
The total included $170,000 in matching funds, along with $2,700 in prize money and $2,700 from the Growing Up Giving program, which is a youth philanthropy initiative. Linda Kehres-Schmidt, Executive Director of the Emporia Community Foundation expressed her appreciation, stating, “We are overwhelmed by the incredible generosity of our community and are deeply grateful for everyone who supported Match Day. Your kindness and donations make a significant impact and touch many lives, creating lasting change right here in our community. It’s a true honor to serve a community that cares so much.”
Since inception, twelve years ago, the Greater Emporia Area Match Day has raised over $4.6 million which went back into the seven counties served by the Emporia Community Foundation, including Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Lyon, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee.
“The nonprofit agencies play a vital role in our community and the donors who support them understand the important work being done all year long. Together, we are making a real difference that resonates far beyond this event,” Kehres-Schmidt said.
The 2025 Match Day totals are as follows: Arvonia Historic Preservation Society - $26,714.34; Camp Alexander - $28,919.36; Chase County Care & Compassion, Inc. (C4 Food Pantry) - $37,166.56; Chase County Historical Society and Museum – $25,544.86; Chase County Old School Development District – $19,065.70; Choose How You Respond Fund in Memory of Dr. Bryan Douglas - $17,073.90; Emporia Area Habitat for Humanity – $29,222.42; Emporia First Friday Art Walk - $11,012.67; Emporia Municipal Band - $7,662.21; Energize Lebo – $4,135.95; FEAS dba Flint Hills Animal Advocates - $12,238.60; Food for Students – $25,772.19; Friends of the Emporia Public Library - $10,119.42; Friends of the Lyon County History Center - $23,265.86; FUMC School Supply Project - $24,102.16; Good Way Gardens – $8,566.11; Hispanics of Today & Tomorrow – $6,094.98; Kansas Spanish Speakers - $19,085.17; Lyon County Crime Stoppers – $5,942.79; Lyon County Honor Flight (USD 252) – $40,572.68; Main Street Mommas - $16,584.10; Matfield Green Works - $7,577.18; Newman Regional Health Volunteers - $15,681.95; NLC Youth Association – $38,591.55; Pink Gravel - $7,462.99; Pioneer Bluffs – $105,665.12; Project Playscape - $12,167.70; Red Rocks - William Allen White Community Partnership $8,971.85; Southwick House - $19,017.31; Street Cats Club – $18,629.20; Strong City Preservation Alliance - $35,381.33; Team Schnak Strong – $120,881.37; The Baby Closet of Emporia, Kansas - $21,493.39; Vernon H. Buck VFW Post 7957 $10,806.63; Wade Barrett Memorial Fund - $8,418.08.
The matching sponsors who collectively gave $170,000 provided donors a chance to make an even greater impact with their gift. Kehres-Schmidt thanked the special group of donors by stating “Your overwhelming kindness, heartfelt support, and generous spirit are deeply appreciated and help make this event so successful. We are very grateful to each of you.”
The matching donors this year are: Clint Bowyer 79 Fund; Curtis McCreary Legacy Fund; ECF Fund for the Future; Emporia Masonic Lodge No. 12, A.F. & A.M.; Gilpin Family Fund; Jane and Bernard Reeble Endowed Fund; Merry and Charles Rayl; Patterson Family Foundation; Preston Family Trust; Trusler Foundation; Waddell Family Charitable Fund; and WS & EC Jones Testamentary Trust, Bank of America, N.A. Trustee.
The Match Day event is also made possible by the prize Brandon Escareno • Insured and event sponsors, as well as the Growing Up Giving donors. “We are fortunate to have such a caring and supportive community, and your contributions will not be forgotten,” said Kehres-Schmidt.
This year’s sponsors are: Anonymous Donor; Benjamin and Lesley Harbaugh; Paul Dean; Capitol Federal Foundation; Citizens State Bank; Community National Bank; DeDonder Family Farm; Dr. Brock & Mary Kretsinger; Farm Bureau Financial Services – Brian Filinger and Perry Ott; Floyd’s Inc.; IM Design Group, LLC.; Kaltenbacher Charitable Trust Fund; Kansas Premier Outfitters, LLC; Kientz & Penick CPAs, LLC; Lyon County State Bank; Malone Dental; Plumbing by Spellman, Inc.; Gary and Beverly Post; Nathan Dawes; RE/MAX EK Real Estate – Jeff Williams; Rich Porter; Rotary Club of Emporia; Sauder Custom Fabrication, Inc.; State Farm Insurance – Pete and Leslee Euler; Sweet Granada; Symmonds & Symmonds, LLC; Thomas Transfer & Storage Co., Inc.; Tiffany Cattle Co.; Tom and Mary Helen Bell; Tyler and Britney Hinrichs; UMB Bank; Pat and Janel Wiederholt; and Wright CPA Group.
To learn more about the work being done by the Emporia Community Foundation visit www. emporiacf.org . or call 620342-9304.
