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.