On October 1, the JC Breakfast Optimists had as their guest speaker Christine Benne. Christine is the Director of Military Relations and Affiliate and the point of contact for Match Day with the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation (GMCF). The Greater Geary Community Foundation is a part of the Manhattan Foundation.
Match Day is scheduled for October 21 from 7:00 AM until 5:00 PM at the Municipal Auditorium at 700 N. Jefferson Street in Junction City. On that day, opportunities for nonprofit agencies with funds at the Greater Geary Community Foundation will match donations made to participating endowment funds. Matching funds between $25-$7,500 are available to provide a 50% match up to $7,500 per participating organization.
Christine stated that “donors may come to the event and donate or make an online gift to one or several of the participating organizations.
The money earned by each non-profit group is an outright grant and may be used as they wish. Some may choose to establish their endowment, or they may choose to use it for day-to-day expenses. Gifts can be made by cash, check, or online using a credit card. Cash and check gifts should be made in person at the event, or mailed and postmarked on or before October 21, 2025, with a completed donation form, which is available on line.”
Christine also said that “when donating by check, one check must be made payable to GGCF. A separate form will be used to indicate which nonprofit(s) will be used.
The matching funds are made possible by matching donors including R2B4 Bramlage Family Foundation, Central Charities Foundation, Crosby Family and the Hoover-Koken Foundation.”
The JC Breakfast Optimist Club has been involved with Match Day since 2021. The money used by the club goes to 16 different youth organizations; the Lawrence Long Memorial Scholarship; the JC Community Band Scholarship; support of a Junior Optimist Club each at Junction City High School and St. Xavier’s Catholic Schools; support of the Magdalene Project and the club’s own Project: Lift The Burden, which assists USD 475 family’s with their child’s unpaid meals account.