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Frequently Asked Questions by Prospective Donors
Frequently Asked Questions by Prospective Participating Agencies
What Is Matchstick?
The Matchstick endowment campaign was created to encourage agencies and those that support them to build permanent endowment funds. Matchstick provides a 1:3 matching of funds; $1 from the Community Foundation for every $3 donated to the agency endowment. The match is applied after an agency reaches its fundraising goal.
The program was launched with Phase One in 2006. Thanks to the generosity of local donors, Phases I-III generated nearly $450,000 in contributions and matching monies. Each agency’s endowment will generate annual support for its mission, in perpetuity.
By the end of 2009, over 12 local agencies have participated in at least one of the first four phases of Matchstick. Five agencies - Christole, Community Kitchen, Lotus Education and Arts Foundation, Monroe County United Ministries, and WFHB Radio - are involved with Phase V (2010).
Each of these organizations may have a distinct mission, but Matchstick helps them to reach a common goal: build a steady stream of revenue that helps to sustain and enhance the vital health and human services, education, recreation and fine arts programs that they offer.
What Agencies Are Saying...
“The opportunity to build our endowment through the Matchstick grant has generated numerous exciting outcomes for the Club: a whole host of new Club volunteers, a growing endowment, a renewed visibility in our community and greater hope for our kids.”
- Jeff Baldwin, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Club of Bloomington
“Participating in this initiative has really focused our Board's thinking about the future of the Lotus Foundation, and has energized our commitment to building a capital fund to support that vision. Congratulations to the Community Foundation for helping organizations across this region continue to invest in themselves and in Monroe County!”
– Deborah Klein, Development Director, Lotus Education and Arts Foundation
“In the world of shrinking funds, it is incredibly important to build an endowment that will reap operating funds each year. The Matchstick Program will help Community Kitchen build our endowment to ensure that there will always be a safe place where folks in need can get a warm, nutritious meal.”
- Vicki Pierce, Executive Director, Community Kitchen
How Can I Give?
All checks should be made payable and sent to the Community Foundation. Please note to which agency fund(s) you would like to direct your gift. For information on stock gifts or planned gifts, please contact the Community Foundation staff at 333-9016.
Gifts must be received by Dec. 31 of the challenge year in order to count toward the agency’s goal for matching.
THANK YOU to everyone who is strengthening the fabric of our community by supporting agency endowments. Your generosity makes a lasting difference!
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