Match Month: Planting Roots for the Future of Mitchell County

A society grows great when we plant trees in whose shade we shall never sit.

Each November, the Solomon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) invites the community to join in something extraordinary—an opportunity to invest not only in today, but in the generations to come. Match Month is more than a fundraising drive; it’s a legacy-building effort that has shaped the future of Mitchell County since 2016.

The Roots of Match Month

In March 2016, the Dane G. Hansen Foundation launched its visionary Match Month initiative, providing local community foundations the opportunity to maximize donations through matching funds. The goal was simple but profound: to create “mini Hansen Foundations” across northwest Kansas—strong, sustainable local foundations equipped to meet the needs of their communities both now and in the future.

The Hansen Foundation understood that no one knows a community better than the people who call it home. By offering matching grants for community impact and administrative funds, they empowered residents to invest in their own future—to plant seeds that would continue to grow and give for years to come.

Growing Together

Since its first campaign, SVCF’s Match Month has generated over $620,000 in local donations, which, when combined with matching funds, has resulted in a total impact of more than $1.5 million for Mitchell County. These funds have expanded SVCF’s unrestricted Community Impact Fund, enhancing the foundation’s capacity to make grants that strengthen local programs, address emerging needs, and foster long-term community vitality.

In 2023, the Patterson Family Foundation joined the effort, recognizing the powerful role Match Month plays in sustaining rural communities. Their partnership expanded the overall match pool and introduced a new level of collaboration that amplifies local generosity.

This Year's Challenge: $100,000 into $300,000

This November, SVCF embarks on its largest Match Month to date. Thanks to the combined generosity of the Dane G. Hansen Foundation and the Patterson Family Foundation, every dollar raised—up to $100,000—will be tripled. That means $100,000 in local giving will turn into $300,000 to support Mitchell County’s future.

Each contribution helps grow the foundation’s unrestricted funds, ensuring that SVCF can continue to respond to community needs, support nonprofit partners, and invest in meaningful projects that improve local quality of life. The funds raised also strengthen the foundation’s sustainability, enabling it to operate effectively and continue making an impact for years to come.

Every Gift Matters

One of the most meaningful aspects of Match Month is that everyone can take part. Whether it’s $10 or $10,000, every donation makes a difference. It’s an accessible, impactful way for anyone who cares about Mitchell County to give back and see their generosity multiplied.

Each year, SVCF welcomes new donors through Match Month—neighbors, young families, and former residents who want to invest in the place they call home. Together, these gifts build something lasting for generations to come.

Investing in the Future

When you give during Match Month, your donation does more than meet the moment—it multiplies. It creates a ripple effect that benefits every corner of Mitchell County. From local nonprofits and schools to community development initiatives, your gift plants a seed that will continue to grow and give back long after today.

As SVCF Executive Director Julia Rabe shared, the foundation’s work is grounded in a simple belief: “The truest measure of generosity is giving to something that will outlast us. When we give back to our community today, we’re planting seeds for a future we may never see—but one we deeply believe in.”

This November, every gift is a seed—each one helping to ensure that Mitchell County continues to thrive, not only for us, but for those who will come after.

Join the Movement

Help us turn $100,000 into $300,000 this November. 

All donations are tax-deductible and must be received during November to be eligible for the match. Gifts can be mailed to:

Solomon Valley Community Foundation102 S. Mill St., Suite 5Beloit, KS 67420

Or made online at https://solomonvalleycf.org.

For more information, contact Julia Rabe, SVCF Executive Director, at 785-833-6153 or via email at julia@solomonvalleycf.org.

Thank you for investing in the sustainability, impact, and future of the Solomon Valley Community Foundation. Together, we are planting seeds today for the generations of tomorrow.