Featured Match Day participant:
GREENFIELD PARKS AND RECREATION
Executive director: Ellen Kuker
Mission:
Greenfield Parks and Recreation is a steward of open space, greenways, trails and parklands in Greenfield.
Community offerings:
•“For me our local parks help me have that sense of community that so many other communities lack. Our parks are well taken care of, and that gives our community a sense of pride and me a sense of pride whenever I take my family to visit one of our parks. So for me, the Parks Department is community and a place where everyone can go to get active. I can’t imagine our community without our parks!” (Testimonial received from a 2013 Parks and Recreation general survey)
•“I live near the Riley Home & Museum and walk my dogs through the garden area frequently, as well as the Pennsy Trail. These amenities matter to me because they give me a healthy outlet for exercise and a safe area to walk my dog. The Parks has done a nice job of keeping all parks and facilities well cared for, easily accessible, safe and free; these are sometimes barriers for people to get out and get active, the Parks is removing these barriers.” (As taken from 2014 Parks Master Plan survey)
Match Day funding plans:
The grant Greenfield Parks and Recreation receives for immediate use will be applied toward its reforestation efforts in Riley Park. The Emerald Ash Borer insect has affected 20 trees this spring that will need to be removed. There are 126 ash trees in Riley Park alone. Now that the Emerald Ash Borer is in Riley Park, it is just a matter of time before the other ash trees are affected by this insect. All 126 ash trees in Riley Park are of significant size, so when all 126 trees are removed, it will change the landscape of the park. Reforestation is critical to maintaining the quality of the space in Riley Park.
The grant to grow the department’s endowment plays a key role in Greenfield Park and Recreation’s ability to carry out its mission for generations to come. Because the principal of the endowment remains untouched for all time, the fund provides an ongoing stream of revenue to support the organization’s day-to-day operations and services now and far into the future.
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Match Day, sponsored by the Hancock County Community Foundation, is a day-long fundraising event benefiting 12 local nonprofits. Between now and July 24 (Match Day), we’ll feature these nonprofits and highlight their offerings in the community.
Donations made on Match Day, July 24, will be matched two ways:
1) Every community gift received during the 24-hour period will be matched by funds from a community foundation pool of $80,000, which will go toward the organizations’ immediate needs. How much of that pool is received is proportional to how much the organization raises on Match Day.
2) All community gifts will also be endowed and matched 50 cents on the dollar, up to $7,500 per organization, from a $90,000 grant pool from the Lilly Endowment. This means each organization’s goal is to raise $15,000 in order to receive the entire $7,500 match.
All Match Day contributions must be made on July 24 in order to be counted as part of the campaign. Individuals may make online contributions at giveHCgrowHC.org. They can make a gift by cash, check (dated July 24) or credit card at the foundation office or by phone. Gifts via mail will be accepted only if postmarked July 24.
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The Hancock County Community Foundation works with individuals, families and organizations to create or grow existing permanent funds called endowments. These funds generate income that is distributed in the form of grants and scholarships to enrich and enhance life in Hancock County, as well as support the donor’s favorite charitable causes, both at home and afar, forever. The foundation has granted more than $10 million since its inception in 1992.
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