The Columbus Area Community Foundation (CACF) is hosting its annual Match Week November 9-13, 2026!
Match Week basics
It’s a powerful week where your generosity can have an even greater impact in supporting our community by amplifying your donations. CACF is offering over $50,000 in matching funds this year!
How we calculate match amounts
Each participating fund will receive 100% of the community donations made to it (less processing fees charged by Stripe for online donations). In addition, each fund will receive a prorated match out of CACF’s match pool that is proportionate to the fund’s share of all community donations during Match Week.
For example, if a fund receives 10% of community contributions during Match Week, it will also receive 10% of the match pool.
How you can give during Match Week
You can give during Match Week in person, online, or through the mail.
- In person. Bring your donation, along with a completed CACF Match Week 2026 donation form (downloads PDF) to Commerce Bank in Columbus, 137 W. Maple St. Deadline: November 13
- Online. Starting on Monday, November 9, we’ll feature all the funds participating in Match Week on our donations page. Deadline: November 13
- Through the mail. You can mail your check to CACF, PO Box 323, Columbus, KS 66725. Please include a completed CACF Match Week 2026 donation form (downloads PDF) so we know which funds you’d like your donation to benefit. So long as your gift is postmarked by Friday, November 13, it’ll count for Match Week! Deadline: November 13
If you pay by check, please make your check payable to Columbus Area Community Foundation. If you aren’t using a CACF Match Week 2026 donation form (downloads PDF) with your check, please write the fund name(s) you want to donate to on the memo line.
Funds participating in Match Week
This year, 26 charitable funds are participating in Match Week! With your gift, you can support one or more of the following:
Barbara L. Thomas Library Fund
The net income of this endowed fund provides financial support for the Columbus Public Library in Columbus, Kansas.
Charles & Jane Maxwell Scholarship
The net income from this endowed scholarship fund awards scholarships to graduates of CUHS.
City of Columbus Police Department Badge Tree Fund
This fund supports the purchase and distribution of Christmas gifts for children in need in the Columbus area through the City of Columbus Police Department’s Badge Tree project.
Class of 1986 Friendship Scholarship
This non-endowed scholarship fund honors the memory of members of the CUHS Class of 1986 who have passed away. It provides scholarships for seniors graduating from CUHS.
Columbus 4th of July Celebration Fund
This non-endowed fund supports the annual 4th of July celebration in Columbus, Kansas.
Columbus 100 Fund
This fund supports community initiatives and programs that support families coming together to lift up students, strengthen community pride, and ensure every child has access to meaningful experiences that help them grow. This fund supports the Columbus area but may provide grants throughout Cherokee County.
Columbus Cares Scholarship
The net income from this endowed scholarship fund provides financial assistance to graduates of CUHS who participate in or understand the importance of philanthropy and community service.
Columbus Community Emergency Fund
This fund supports charitable efforts that provide meaningful assistance to families facing unexpected hardship, including support for benefit dinners, medical emergencies, utility crises, and damage caused by fires. This fund serves Cherokee County with a primary focus on Columbus, Kansas.
Columbus Community Fields Turf Fund
This fund will support the purchase of turf, ongoing maintenance, improvements, and other needs at Bomber Field and Rockette Field.
Columbus Operating Fund
This non-endowed fund supports the general operations of the Columbus Area Community Foundation.
Columbus Sports Complex Fund
The Columbus Recreation Sports Complex Fund is a non-endowed field-of-interest fund supporting the Columbus Rec Commission, its projects, programs, and services.
Columbus Sports Hall of Fame Fund
This non-endowed fund continues the tradition and legacy of athletics in Columbus. Funds are used for awards for Columbus Sports Hall of Fame inductees and scholarships for male and female Columbus High School student-athletes.
Columbus Telephone Co. Technology Utilization Fund
This non-endowed fund supports the implementation and utilization of technology by nonprofit organizations in Columbus, Kansas.
Crossland Family Fund
The Crossland Family Fund supports improved recreational facilities in Columbus, Kansas, and provides scholarship opportunities for USD 493 graduating seniors.
Dorothy Tyler Jackson Memorial Scholarship
This non-endowed scholarship fund provides support to CUHS graduates majoring in Culinary Arts or Family and Consumer Science.
First Christian Church Fund
This fund supports the First Christian Church located in Columbus, KS.
Houser & Pearl Columbus Library Children’s Fund
This endowment solely supports children’s programming at the Columbus Public Library.
Marcia L. Smith Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship honors the memory of Marcia L. Smith, who was a beloved teacher for 33 years. She taught Special Education and later moved into Gifted Education, teaching in seven school districts.
Maureen Paulsen Memorial Scholarship
The net income from this endowed scholarship fund provides financial support for CUHS seniors planning on attending college.
Nontraditional Student Grant-in-Aid Fund
This non-endowed scholarship fund provides financial assistance to individuals whose education has been interrupted and who find it necessary to return to school to support themselves or their families.
Norma and Gene Dochow Vocational Scholarship
This fund provides financial support to students pursuing a post-secondary vocational degree.
Riverton Alumni Scholarship
The net income from this endowed scholarship fund provides financial support to qualifying graduating seniors of USD 404.
Sandra B. Houser Memorial Scholarship
This non-endowed scholarship fund provides two scholarships each year to graduating seniors of CUHS.
The Bill Hall Memorial Fund
The purpose of this fund is to support Galena area citizens by monetarily aiding public, civic and private projects.
Titan Ultimate Feet Fund (TUFF)
The TUFF supports the purchasing of athletic equipment, particularly athletic shoes, for CUHS student-athletes who qualify for free or reduced lunch or who are known to have other financial hardships that may limit their ability to participate in sports.
Veterans Memorial Fund
This non-endowed field of interest fund exists to provide a permanent memorial to Cherokee County, Kansas, veterans.
Even more SEK Match Week Events!
We aren’t the only ones hosting Match Week! Our friends at the Community Foundation of Southeast Kansas, Fort Scott Area Community Foundation, and Girard Area Community Foundation are each running their own Match Week events! You can find links to all four SEK Match Week pages at SEKMatchWeek.org.