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The 12th annual Greater Emporia Area Match Day, organized by the Emporia Community Foundation (ECF), has officially begun—and the day kicked off with a surge of early donors.
“It has already been a busy morning,” said Linda Kehres-Schmidt, ECF’s executive director. “Although we opened at nine, people started arriving before that.
We were still finishing decorations while donations were already coming in.”
How Match Day Works
During Match Day, contributions made to participating nonprofit organizations in the Emporia region receive a prorated match, supporting either their general operations or specific initiatives.
This year’s event includes 35 nonprofits from Lyon County and nearby areas, backed by a $170,000 matching pool.
Kehres-Schmidt added, “These nonprofits have spent the entire year preparing—connecting with donors, spreading awareness, and building excitement. Today represents the culmination of everything that began back in May when the participants were announced.”
Participating Nonprofits for 2024
This year’s participating organizations include:
- Arvonia Historic Preservation Society
- Camp Alexander
- Chase County Care & Compassion, Inc. (C4 Food Pantry)
- Chase County Historical Society and Museum
- Chase County Old School Development District
- Choose How You Respond Fund in Memory of Dr. Bryan Douglas
ECF Fund for the Future — donations are NOT matched
- Emporia Area Habitat for Humanity
- Emporia First Friday Art Walk
- Emporia Municipal Band
- Emporia Spanish Speakers
- Energize Lebo
- FEAS dba Flint Hills Animal Advocates
- Food For Students
- Friends of the Emporia Public Library
- Friends of the Lyon County History Center
- FUMC School Supply Project
- Good Way Gardens
- Hispanics of Today & Tomorrow
- Lyon County Crime Stoppers
- Lyon County Honor Flight
- Main Street Mommas
- Matfield Green Works
- Newman Regional Health Volunteers
- NLC Youth Association
- Pink Gravel Fund
- Pioneer Bluffs
- Project Playscape
- Red Rocks – William Allen White Community Partnership
- Southwick House
- Street Cats Club
- Strong City Preservation Alliance
- Team Schnak Strong Fund
- The Baby Closet of Emporia, KS
- Vernon H. Buck VFW Post 7957
- Wade Barrett Memorial Fund
Ways to Contribute
Donors have three main ways to participate throughout Match Day:
1. Online Donations
Available through the official Match Day website from midnight to 11:59 p.m. Monday.
2. In-Person Donations
The ECF office at 527 Commercial St., Suite B is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for walk-in contributions.
3. Drive-Thru Donations
A convenient drive-thru lane operates on the west side of the building. Vehicles enter from 5th Street heading north, where an ECF representative collects donations directly from each car.
Kehres-Schmidt emphasized the importance of flexibility:
“People are busy—they’re working, they have kids, they have tight schedules. We want to make giving as convenient as possible.”
Donation Options
ECF accepts a diverse range of contribution types, including:
- Cash
- Checks
- Grain
- Livestock
- IRA required minimum distributions
Wrap-Up Celebration & Results Announcement
A wrap-up celebration will take place at 6 p.m. Monday, but the official donation totals won’t be revealed until Dec. 2, when ECF presents the final check at the Flinthills Mall.
Above all, Kehres-Schmidt expressed gratitude to the matching pool donors, participating nonprofits, and the broader community for making Match Day a continued success.
Conclusion
The 12th annual Greater Emporia Area Match Day kicked off with impressive enthusiasm, reflecting the community’s strong commitment to supporting local nonprofits.
With convenient donation options and a significant matching pool, the event continues to be a major force in strengthening organizations across Lyon County and beyond.
FAQs
1. What is Match Day?
Match Day is an annual fundraising event where donations to participating nonprofits receive a prorated match to boost their impact.
2. How many nonprofits are participating this year?
A total of 35 nonprofit organizations from Emporia, Lyon County, and surrounding areas are involved.
3. When will the donation totals be announced?
Final totals will be revealed on December 2 during a presentation at the Flinthills Mall.