The Buhler Community Foundation reached a six-year, $300,000 match with little time to spare.
Foundation coordinator Lindsey Fields said the nonprofit found out on the last business day of 2017 that the goal for the 2012 to 2017 endowment match had been met. Eventually, with contributions postmarked Dec. 31, the foundation exceeded its goal.
“The fun part is giving out the grants and seeing it change the community,” Fields said.
The Kansas Health Foundation’s six-year, $300,000 match is split between an operating endowment that allows the foundation to be more self-sufficient and the Buhler Public Health Fund. The $300,000 was offered through 50 percent and 25 percent matches to one of four endowments.
Private funds during the match period totaled $701,338 to four endowments: $511,796.57 for the Fund for Buhler, $3,140 for the Buhler Public Health Fund, $94,041 to Sunshine Meadows Retirement Community Fund and $92,360.75 to the USD 313 Educational Fund.
A larger endowment allows the foundation to make a bigger impact on the community with heftier grants. In 2017, the foundation gave out over $10,000 in grants for the first time. Fields said 2018 grants, announced in the fall, will top that.
David Dick is the chairman of the Buhler Community Foundation Advisory Board and has been part of the nonprofit since it started in 2009.
“It’s just been a wonderful experience,” he said. “This isn't the end of the road. We look forward to being able to (continue to) build the endowment.”