Ohio Town Raises $887K for 30 Local Charities in One Day

The Community Foundation of Shelby County just celebrated its biggest Match Day yet, distributing $887,430 to 30 local nonprofits serving everything from animal rescue to affordable housing.

Match Day works like magic for local giving. Residents donate to their favorite charities, and a pool of matching funds doubles their impact. This year, eight generous donors contributed $150,000 to the matching pool, turning community donations into nearly $900,000 for causes that matter.

The event marked 10 years of Match Day giving, though organizers moved it from December to March this year. Despite the date change, supporters showed up in force. Many donors gave to multiple organizations, spreading their generosity across the community.

The money will fund critical services across Shelby County. Mercy Mission House received $54,192 for its work supporting families in crisis. The animal rescue foundation got $44,565 to care for homeless pets. Big Brothers Big Sisters secured $21,505 to mentor local kids.

The Ripple Effect

This kind of community giving creates waves that reach every corner of Shelby County. When 30 organizations get funded in one day, it means seniors get hot meals, kids get tutors, families find housing, and animals find homes. The foundation manages $80 million across 280 charitable funds, proving that small town generosity adds up to massive impact over time.

Dave Ross led the matching donors for another year, joined by families like the Bensmans, the Frantzes, and the Sargeant Family Foundation. Their $150,000 investment in the matching pool inspired hundreds of community members to open their wallets. Foundation director Marian Spicer called it "an opportunity to come together for good."

Jordan Knepper, who manages donor relations, thanked everyone who gave generously despite the date confusion. The foundation accepted donations through March 4, giving people time to support multiple causes through online forms and credit card payments.

From youth programs to historic preservation, health foundations to church missions, the funded organizations represent the full spectrum of community needs. Sidney's Historic Theatre, the YMCA, Habitat for Humanity, and the public library foundation all walked away with funding to continue their work.

Small towns show us that generosity grows when you make giving easy, match donations generously, and celebrate the results together.