We are collectively working to raise $200,000 to leverage the Patterson Family Foundation match opportunity for $100,000
Legacy leads “Great Give” effort to raise $200,000
Legacy Regional Community Foundation’s annual “Great Give” is back, presenting an incredible opportunity for local nonprofit organizations and the donors who champion them. Throughout the month of August, participating organizations are aiming to collectively raise $200,000 from the community to unlock a generous $100,000 matching gift from the Patterson Family Foundation.
This powerful 1:2 match means that community contributions combine for a massive regional impact. The 2026 Legacy’s “Great Give” leverages individual gifts in three distinct ways:
Immediate Impact: Direct funds for the selected organization to utilize right now.
Future Growth: Building and securing the organization’s long-term endowment.
Community Opportunity: Enhancing an unrestricted endowment for greater regional grant awards.
"Donors have different passions and care about different things," said Yazmin Wood, Legacy CEO. "Legacy connects the donor with organizations taking on impactful work and where there are critical needs in our communities."
The tangible impact of this event can be seen in how participating organizations utilized their 2025 gifts. Past donations directly funded vital philanthropic work across the region, including:
Community & Housing: Home construction, housing initiatives, and facility maintenance.
Operational & Client Support: Sourcing groceries and vouchers for food pantry clients, and supporting general operating budgets to continue serving those in need.
Youth & Education: Recruiting, screening, and matching adult mentors with youth on waitlists, and funding a $5,000 community scholarship budget.
Arts, Culture & Environment: Tree care, tulip planting, and infrastructure upkeep for historic landmarks; supplementing community programming events; and constructing the outdoor Patio project at the Winfield Public Library.
Infrastructure & Fundraising: Repairing hail damage on an outreach center roof and purchasing essential items to prepare for annual fundraising auctions.
This year, 19 local area organizations are participating in the match opportunity (click on the organization name to donate safely online now):
The Patterson Family Foundation is a family-led foundation established in 2007 by Neal and Jeanne Patterson. Rural communities hold a special place in the hearts of the Patterson Family Foundation, driven by the belief that rural residents deserve improved access to healthcare, education, and economic opportunity. By providing these matching funds, the Patterson Family Foundation aims to grow community foundations and build robust endowments for Kansas communities. Legacy Regional Community Foundation is proud to be selected for this generous award.
Donations eligible to count toward the matching goal will be accepted from August 1 through August 31, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Because contributions are accepted both virtually and in person, donors from all over the world can support regional nonprofits easily, safely, and securely.
Online: www.legacyregionalfoundation.org
In-Person: Legacy Office, 1216 Main, Winfield, KS
By Mail: PO Box 713, Winfield, KS 67156
For more information, please visit www.legacyregionalfoundation.org or contact Legacy at 620-221-7224 or admin@legacyregionalfoundation.org.
About Legacy Foundation: Incorporated in 1996, Legacy Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non-profit philanthropic organization regional in its focus. In 2025, the Foundation award over $2,318,877 in grants to benefit the region, in addition to managing Foundation assets of over $17.6 million. The mission of Legacy Regional Community Foundation, as a leader in area philanthropy, is to enable anyone to GIVE to needs and opportunities in our communities, to GROW resources to preserve regional wealth and to GRANT funds for collaborative impact. GIVE. GROW. GRANT. Learn more by visiting www.legacyregionalfoundation.org, find us on Facebook, or call 620-221-7224.
Below are highlights of the 2025 Great Give successes!
Cowley County, KS, October 14, 2025: Legacy Regional Community Foundation’s “Great Give” was a unique opportunity to grow area philanthropy and retain community wealth. The 21 participating funds were able to leverage the generous $100,000 in matching monies from Patterson Family Foundation to raise an additional $146,615.
This effort impacted the best of two ways of giving. Matching funds are growing endowments exponentially so that organizations can enrich people and programs for even greater impact for years to come, while the donor gifts are distributed now for operating needs.
“We are so proud of the fundraising efforts of our organizations and grateful for the thoughtful donors that value their work in our communities,” stated Legacy’s CEO Yazmin Wood. “The two most difficult concepts for which to raise money are operations and endowments because their impact is different than gifting to a specific program or activity, but without operating funds a nonprofit or charitable organization can’t exist to do the work. Likewise, a permanent endowment fund can be an important tool in creating that critical safety net and a reliable source of income for nonprofit organizations.”
The total impact is difficult to measure as endowed funds will continue to reap benefits into the future, however participating funds realized these monetary impacts as a result of Legacy’s 2025 Great Give.
Arkansas City Public Library - $2,079
Angels in the Attic - $1,584
Arkansas City Habitat for Humanity - $7,719
Bartlett Arboretum - $37,273
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cowley County - $1,999
CASA of Cowley County - $4,909
Camp Horizon - $3,803
Cowley County Historical Society Museum - $3,910
Eagle Nest Inc. - $3,607
Friends of Cowley County Extension - $5,153
Joseph’s Storehouse - $14,314
Kiwanis of Winfield - $1,584
Soroptimist International of Arkansas City - $5,435
South Kansas Symphony - $15,917
Vision Caldwell/S.H.A.R.E. - $10,360
William Newton Healthcare Foundation - $11,909
Winfield Arts & Humanities Council - $1,584
Winfield Community Food Pantry - $33,871
Winfield Community Theatre - $394
Winfield Habitat for Humanity - $11,577
Winfield Public Library - $17,634
The Patterson Family Foundation is a family-led foundation established in 2007 by Neal and Jeanne Patterson. Rural communities hold a special place in the hearts of the Patterson Family Foundation as they believe people living in rural places need improved access to health care, education and economic opportunity. As such, $50,000 in match funds were also added to Legacy's unrestricted grant endowment.
Because donations were accepted both virtually and in-person, people from all over the world will be able to give to our regional nonprofits in an easy, safe and fun way through Legacy’s online portal.
Visit www.legacyregionalfoundation.org or contact Legacy at 620-221-7224 for more information.
About Legacy Foundation: Incorporated in 1996, Legacy Foundation is a 501(c) 3 non-profit philanthropic organization regional in its focus. Legacy Regional Community Foundation is dedicated to building a stronger, more vibrant community by connecting donors with charitable causes. The Foundation manages a collection of funds and works to address community needs through grants and collaborative partnerships. In 2024, the Foundation award over $2,379,357 in grants to benefit the region, in addition to managing Foundation assets of over $11.7 million. Learn more by visiting www.legacyregionalfoundation.org, find us on Facebook, or call 620-221-7224.
