Match Madness 2025 breaks local giving records

By NATE KING
Salina Post

The Greater Salina Community Foundation’s 14th annual Match Madness giving day is expected to raise more than $1 million in just one day, setting a new fundraising record for the event.

According to the Match Madness website, a total of more than $837,015.91 was donated through 3,213+ gifts, supporting 103 nonprofits, with an additional $300,000 in matching funds pushing the overall impact past the million-dollar mark. 

The $837,015.91 raised—and still growing—marks a record-breaking total for Match Madness, surpassing the $721,494.60 pledged in 2024.

The day-long fundraiser, held at the Salina Fieldhouse on March 13, provided both immediate financial support and long-term stability for local charities. Donations made during Match Madness go into each nonprofit’s permanent endowed fund at the foundation, ensuring ongoing financial growth. At the same time, every gift earns a matching grant of up to 50%, giving organizations instant access to additional funds for urgent needs.

An ever-growing day of ‘madness’

GSCF’s annual Match Madness event continues to grow, drawing both longtime supporters and new donors to contribute to local nonprofits.

GSCF President and Executive Director Jessica Martin said she was humbled by the community’s overwhelming support and participation.

“It’s just really humbling to think that we have that many people in our community that give at Match Madness every year, and then we still find a way to attract new donors,” Martin said. “Every year I always wonder, ‘Okay, are we going to hit a limit?’ But the community always rises to the occasion to give what they can and make it a great day for everybody.”

Throughout the day, donors and community members interested in learning more about nonprofits and area agencies contributed in person at the Fieldhouse, online, and by mail, taking part in a community-driven effort that has grown significantly over the past 14 years. Martin noted that final totals could increase as additional mailed-in donations are processed.

“Right now the leaderboard is showing $830,000, but we’re probably going to be closer to $850,000 when it’s all said and done,” Martin said. “We have employer matches to put in, and some other gifts that have come in the mail that we’re still adding. We also haven’t even put in the fifth-grade donations yet – that’s another $6,000!”

The new setup is a hit

This year’s Match Madness also had a more spacious setup, which received positive feedback from not only the nonprofits but attendees as well. The additional space allowed for better interaction, especially with students who participated in the giving process.

“We had tremendous positive feedback, not only from the nonprofits but from the teachers and the public,” Martin said. “Everybody had a full table, and they were able to bring so much more to share about their mission.”

Not only did nonprofits have more space, but the turf at the fieldhouse provided a more conversation-friendly environment. 

“The turf helped absorb alot of the noise, and people could actually hear the questions and comments from the fifth graders and donors,” Martin said.

Susan Hawksworth, director of the Smoky Hill Museum said she loved the new setup and appreciated having more room.

“The new big space was wonderful because we were able to, with the quieter noise and more space, have good conversations with people and the fifth graders who stopped by our booth,” Hawksworth said. “People didn’t skip us because we were already talking to someone—they were able to come and wait without feeling rushed.”

Match Madness has expanded significantly since its inception 14 years ago. Hawksworth talked about how the event has grown into a major area-wide community fundraiser not just specific to Salina. 

“It’s amazing how it’s grown from just a small little event downtown to the fieldhouse and all the charities and nonprofits from our area can be part of it. It has brought more people and more in terms of giving. People want to be a part of Salina and to move Salina forward in the future,” Hawksworth said. 

Local fifth graders give back

For the third year in a row, all Saline County fifth graders participated in Match Madness, each receiving $10 to donate to the endowed fund of their favorite nonprofit—an amount that will be matched up to 50% by the Foundation.

Before the event, students learned about how endowments work and the importance of charitable giving. Upon arriving at the Salina Fieldhouse, they had the opportunity to visit 10-15 nonprofit booths, learning firsthand about the impact of each organization in the community. After gathering information, students filled out donation forms and selected which nonprofit would receive their $10 contribution, which, with the Foundation’s match, could grow to $15.

Each student’s donation remains in that nonprofit’s permanent endowed fund, meaning their gift continues growing while generating grants for years to come.

This unique educational opportunity was made possible thanks to donations from the following contributors:

Anonymous
Mark & Jane Berkley
Taylor & Kelly Currie
Ken & Karen Ebert
Brad & Cassie Shields

“Changing how the fifth graders donated was really cool – they had paper money this year to give instead of just filling out a form. That way, nonprofits could say thank you face-to-face,” Martin said.

Community Collaboration 

Martin credited the event’s success to the Salina community’s dedication. More than 200+ volunteers played a crucial role in making Match Madness a success.

“This event can’t happen without volunteers. It can’t happen without the nonprofits. And it certainly can’t happen without the donors,” Martin said. “It’s the perfect example of what happens when a community comes together.”

As Match Madness 2025 comes to a close, Martin reflected on the community’s commitment to giving and her sincere appreciation to all those who attended. 

“The generosity here is truly something special,” she said. “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. If I could say just one thing to the Salina area it would be THANK YOU!”

Final totals will be confirmed in the coming week as the remaining donations are processed. With an estimated $1.1 million directed toward local nonprofits, Salina’s generosity continues to shine—demonstrating that every donation, big or small, plays a vital role in strengthening and uniting our community.

Leaderboard as of March 14 

Nonprofit | # Gifts | Total donations recieved 

Salina Symphony 93 $65,762.18

Salina Emergency Aid Food Bank 143 $46,326.77

Catholic Charities of Northern Kansas 76 $31,886.16

Rolling Hills Zoo 125 $30,670.14

Prairieland Market, Inc. 40 $19,282.41

Friends of the River Foundation 95 $19,010.68

Salina Rescue Mission 81 $18,916.20

Domestic Violence Association of Central Kansas (DVACK) 66 $17,453.09

Meals On Wheels (Salina) 65 $17,255.59

St. Mary’s Queen of the Universe Catholic Church 25 $16,870.27

Child Advocacy & Parenting Services (CAPS) 73 $16,164.35

Saint Francis Ministries 32 $13,585.37

Salina Shares 95 $12,447.66

Sunflower Adult Day Services, Inc. 33 $12,372.34

The Temple – Salina Innovation Foundation 40 $12,068.03

Women Helping Women Fund 74 $12,033.27

Stiefel Theatre – Performing Arts Foundation 40 $11,729.93

St. John’s Missionary Baptist Church 20 $11,465.32

Ashby House 55 $11,356.01

Sacred Heart Jr/Sr High School 41 $11,344.97

St. Mary’s Grade School 39 $10,622.90

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Salina 47 $10,352.55

Salina Animal Shelter 50 $10,047.56

Salina Public Library 65 $9,968.26

Salina Presbyterian Manor 20 $9,747.15

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Parish 25 $9,669.73

Salina Education Foundation 52 $9,225.42

Salina Family YMCA 35 $9,002.21

Cornerstone Classical School 22 $8,993.98

Salina Grace 44 $8,749.63

Brookville Community Foundation Legacy Fund 25 $8,702.56

The Salvation Army (Salina) 40 $8,561.75

Theatre Salina 52 $8,412.58

A Work in Progress 20 $8,298.59

AMBUCS – Salina AM Breakfast Bandits 32 $8,240.31

CKF Addiction Treatment 34 $8,044.74

Garage – Salina Educational Automotive Museum of America 31 $8,006.05

Salina Family Healthcare Center 19 $7,898.36

North Salina Community Development, Inc. 35 $7,894.35

The Land Institute 44 $7,340.97

Kansas State University Salina 20 $7,025.76

TeenTown Inc. dba The City 28 $6,942.14

Salina Heights Christian Church 10 $6,926.02

Love, Chloe Foundation 54 $6,851.69

Heartland Early Education 18 $6,765.97

Saline County 4-H Development Fund 51 $6,710.51

Kansas Music Educators Association (KMEA) 43 $6,668.52

KU School of Medicine – Salina 14 $6,431.06

Salina Child Care Association 24 $6,310.17

Salina Initiative for Restorative Justice (SIRJ) 34 $6,188.08

Central Kansas Mental Health Center 26 $6,042.52

Martin Luther King, Jr. Child Development Center 15 $5,803.54

Salina Area Technical College 25 $5,741.68

Salina Art Center 38 $5,735.31

KU School of Nursing- Salina Campus 12 $5,640.15

Salina Regional Health Foundation 17 $5,164.38

First Tee – Salina 43 $5,093.58

Kansas Wesleyan University 23 $5,013.95

Bethany Village 26 $4,990.63

Trinity United Methodist Church Foundation 30 $4,950.83

Smoky Hill Museum Friends Inc. 49 $4,908.07

Smoky Hill River Festival Legacy Fund 46 $4,708.98

Coronado Area Council Boy Scouts 22 $4,426.96

Saline County Sheriff’s Mounted Patrol & Rescue Squad 15 $4,398.15

Salina Area United Way 27 $4,386.51

Back to School Fair Fund (Saline County) 10 $4,077.97

Independent Connection Inc. 13 $4,038.11

First Presbyterian Church of Salina 10 $3,963.86

Packages for Warriors-Hearts of America, Inc 9 $3,855.00

Kansas Museums Association 20 $3,847.94

Boys & Girls Club of Salina 22 $3,822.65

OCCK, Inc./Access Foundation of Kansas, Inc. 31 $3,750.26

Saline County Department of Senior Services 16 $3,462.91

Child Care Aware of Kansas 16 $3,394.46

Salina Arts & Humanities 30 $3,324.14

Nature Conservancy of Kansas 11 $3,225.09

Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Salina 19 $3,211.41

Pregnancy Service Center 24 $3,190.45

Build A Pro Foundation 14 $2,849.16

At Stake Ministries 13 $2,526.60

American Red Cross of Greater Kansas 14 $2,518.90

Fund for Early Childhood Care, Education & Development 8 $2,423.67

Salina Youth Baseball Fund 11 $2,295.58

Trinity Lutheran Church 8 $2,282.85

Cerebral Palsy Research Foundation of Kansas 3 $2,200.00

Noon Network Ambucs 15 $2,028.12

Salina Area Young Life 13 $1,977.27

University United Methodist Church 9 $1,951.91

KIAAA 9 $1,940.44

Sunrise Presbyterian Church 17 $1,910.00

Church of the Cross – United Methodist 11 $1,649.36

Community Housing Development Corporation of Central Kansas 11 $1,642.31

Belmont Boulevard Christian Church 8 $1,625.42

Christ the King Lutheran Church 8 $1,389.30

YW Legacy Fund 5 $1,261.52

Nex-Generation Round Up for Youth, Inc. 7 $1,163.72

Webster Conference Center 6 $1,154.54

Smoky Hill Education Service Center 6 $1,035.00

Revive Community 7 $1,000.00

Bethany College 10 $982.23

The Harvester Foundation 6 $630.46

St. John’s Military School Historical Museum 7 $582.74

Kansas Youth Sports 3 $309.11