Couple’s Matching Gift for Local Nonprofit’s 50th Anniversary Sparks $50,000 Fundraising Challenge

Each dollar donated will be doubled

A March 1 Business After Hours event marking the 50th anniversary of the Boys & Girls Club of Decatur featured a special announcement of a $25,000 commitment to the club made by Decatur residents Lucy Lindsay Smith and her husband, Bob.

In celebration of the club reaching its 50-year milestone of making great futures possible for area youth, the couple will match each dollar given to the Boys & Girls Club of Decatur, up to $25,000. Their donation paved the way to creating the Boys & Girls Club 50th Anniversary Matching Challenge to raise $50,000 for the nonprofit organization.

“This means that each dollar you give to Boys & Girls Club is matched, dollar for dollar,” says Shamika Madison, the club’s executive director and CEO. “It’s a great way for donors to double their impact and for the Club to reach the challenge’s $50,000 funding goal!

Since 1972, the Boys & Girls Club of Decatur has served youth ages 6 through 18 from disadvantaged economic and social communities in the Macon County area. Currently, their afterschool and summer programs serve more than 1,200 youth each year.

“This challenge is a changemaker for our organization,” Madison says. “We are incredibly thankful to the Smiths for creating this challenge – and for their willingness to provide these matching funds inspiring other donors to give.

“The Smiths’ vital financial support, made through a grant from their donor-advised fund at The Community Foundation of Macon County, will help us in making great futures possible for the next generation of children and teens who walk through our doors.”

Donors who wish to make a gift to the challenge through a grant from a donor-advised fund they established at the Community Foundation of Macon County should call CFMC at 217.429.3000. Donations may also be made by calling the Boys & Girls Club of Decatur at 217.422.9605 or by sending a check to Boys & Girls Club of Decatur, 859 N. Jasper St., Decatur, IL 62521.