The Greenwood Preservation Society (GWPS) announced recently that, through a grant process, it has been selected by the Emporia Community Foundation (ECF) as one of 35 organizations to be part of its Match Day program. Donations will assist in raising funds to finish restoration of the original rolled steel windows on Eureka’s Memorial Hall building.
“The opportunity is unique,” said GWPS president Marilyn Brink. “Funds donated between October 3 and November 13 will be matched, bringing more money to the project.”
The ECF raised over $175,000 in matching funds from 13 individuals, trusts and foundations. These funds will be pro-rated and divided among the participating organizations.
The match is determined on a percentage basis.
The percentage is figured by taking the amount an organization receives divided by the total amount raised that day. That percentage then determines how much of the match money an organization receives. 100% of each gift plus the match amount will be passed on to the GWPS.
“The more money we receive, the higher percentage of the funds we bring back to our community,” said Brink.
In addition, the ECF is a section 501 (c)3 nonprofit and donations may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes.
Eureka’s Memorial Hall was built as an entertainment venue in 1924 as a tribute to World War I veterans and has served the community since. A new roof was completed in 2021. At this time, the project’s highest priority is to repair and preserve the original steel-framed windows that are leaking moisture and air and causing interior damage.
The north side and a section on the front of the building have recently been restored with funds from a Heritage Trust Fund grant from the Kansas State Historical Society. The windows are a main architectural feature of the building with nearly 1,900 individual panes. Through the years, the windows have allowed for natural light and middle transoms allowed for airflow.
Approximately, $155,000 in private funding is needed to complete the project.
Utilizing matching funds from the Emporia Community Foundation and tools such as the Kansas State Historic tax credits will leverage private dollars and help to complete the project more quickly.
To receive matching funds, checks must be written to the Emporia Community Foundation and may be delivered to the City Offices or dropped in the “water bill payment” box at Memorial Hall.
For additional information, see the featured insert in this week’s edition.
photo) (Courtesy
