submitted Photo Participating in the distribution of Match Madness funds are, left to right: seated, Dena Filler, Shelly Bohl, Jenny Steckler, Callie Nermoe, Heather Ellis, Jessica Ackerman; middle, Barb Hankla, Leslie Coughlin, Staci Kenney, Wendy Keller, Vickie Phippins, Krystal Butgereit, Christal Halseth, Christy Miller, Connie Wilson, Carisa Ashley, Allison Gutknecht, Megan Indvik, Roger Reich, Bob Weigelt; and back, Perry Olson, Mike McCloud, Jason Zimmerman, Gerald Roise, Mike Zimmer, Tim Knutson, Jessica Lucy Biel, Stephen Smith, Shannon Stratton and Alyssa Reich.

The Minot Area Community Foundation (MACF) announced the first phase of its 25th Anniversary Match Madness campaign raised just over $170,000 for local nonprofit endowment funds between April 15 and May 16.

The Match Madness Endowment Fund Challenge was designed to build long-term sustainability for nonprofits in the Minot region. Each nonprofit that raised at least $5,000 from outside donors during the challenge received a $5,000 matching gift from MACF into its endowment fund.

“We are thrilled with the incredible community response to phase one of Match Madness,” said Jason Zimmerman, president of MACF, in a news release “These gifts will provide a lasting impact for our nonprofits, strengthening their ability to serve our region well into the future.”

Twelve organizations successfully met the challenge and received the $5,000 match: Dakota Hope Clinic, Domestic Violence Crisis Center, Local Motives, Magic City Discovery Center, Men’s Winter Refuge, Minot Catholic School Foundation, Minot Commission on Aging, Northern Plains Children’s Advocacy Center, Prairie Grit Adaptive Sports, Souris Valley United Way, The Difference – A Holistic Approach and The Lord’s Cupboard.

Additionally, for those organizations that did not meet the $5,000 fundraising threshold, MACF made a surprise decision to still match all dollars raised on a dollar-for-dollar basis. These organizations include: F5 Project, Greater Minot Zoological Society, Minot Area Council of the Arts and Minot Public School Foundation.

In total, participating organizations raised $106,844, and MACF provided an additional $64,189 in matching funds, bringing the grand total raised for nonprofit endowment funds during Phase One to $171,034, MACF announced.

“This effort was about more than just matching dollars. It was about building a culture of long-term giving,” Zimmerman added. “Thanks to our generous donors, the impact of these gifts will be felt for generations.”