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Why Companies Have Matching Gift Programs: A Complete Guide

More and more companies are offering corporate matching gift programs in order to prioritize corporate social responsibility or CSR. Through these initiatives, businesses agree to match employee donations to a wide range of nonprofits. And with the matches, companies and their teams are able to double, or sometimes even triple, the initial donation impact.

As a company, it’s important to consider the impact that implementing a CSR program can have on your image, your employees, and your contributions to society. If you haven’t already established such a program, hopefully these reasons can drive you in that direction.

And as a nonprofit, understanding the purpose and benefits behind these programs should allow your team to better utilize the offerings and set your organization up for ultimate corporate fundraising success.

There are many reasons for companies to offer a matching gift program. These include (but are not limited to) the following:

Reason #1: Matching Gifts Creates a Positive Company Brand
Reason #2: Matching Gifts Encourages Employees to Give
Reason #3: Matching Gifts Reduces Employee Turnover
Reason #4: Matching Gifts Democratizes the Giving Process
Reason #5: Matching Gifts Increases Employee Engagement
Reason #6: Matching Gifts Attracts Talent
Reason #7: Matching Gifts Provides Tax Benefits
Bonus: Resources for Creating Matching Gift Programs

In this article, we’ll address each of these key motivators for companies matching employee donations. Plus, we’ll share countless resources for employers looking to implement the matching programs today.

Keep in mind that as a nonprofit professional, it’s your job to get the word out about these programs to your donors to maximize usage. If you’re looking for a way to increase your matching gift revenue, consider investing in matching gift software! We’ll cover more about how to make the most of corporate matching gift programs⁠—and how 360MatchPro by Double the Donation can help⁠—below.

Reason #1: Matching Gifts Creates a Positive Company Brand

What is the biggest misconception people have about branding? Brands are logos, and logos are brands. However, the way people perceive a company and its products goes much deeper than a simple graphic.

Instead, your brand is influenced by previous interactions, advertising, and what people have read, know, and assume about the company. And a business’s philanthropic efforts can play a significant role!

For example, many consumers’ buying decisions are heavily influenced by how a company brands itself as a leader in philanthropy. In fact, research reports that over 77% of consumers are particularly motivated to purchase from companies that aim to make the world a better place. In other words, people feel good doing business with charitable-focused businesses, which makes them want to continue supporting the companies’ efforts. That’s why businesses offer matching gifts and engage in other CSR initiatives like corporate matching grants and volunteer programs.

We often mention companies like Google for their robust spirit of philanthropy. Consumers trust Google because it has a reputation for doing good, including its generous matching gift and volunteer grant programs. In the business world, trust means everything.

Reason #2: Matching Gifts Encourages Employees to Give

Matching gift programs encourage employees to give. Oftentimes, businesses want to support the community that supports them. That way, their local consumer base will take pride in advocating for them. By creating well-designed programs, companies convey their desire to give back to the community.

Charitable employees are drawn to businesses that offer these programs (71% of employees state that it’s very important to work at a company that partakes in philanthropy), creating a well-rounded and generous work environment. Even if employees don’t already donate time and money to nonprofits, they’ll become much more aware of these opportunities.

In addition, a giving program that increases employees’ potential impact may also be the push an individual needs to donate or volunteer. Doubling, and even sometimes tripling, their employees’ contributions makes it much more appealing to donate and volunteer with local nonprofits. In fact, 84% of donors say they’re more likely to donate if a match is offered.

Generous employees also look good for overall company branding. Microsoft, for instance, can boast that its employees have raised over $1 billion dollars for charity since the inception of its giving program. While that can certainly be attributed to the employees involved, it also has a lot to do with the culture of generosity that the company has fostered.

Reason #3: Matching Gifts Reduces Employee Turnover

Having a matching gift program reduces employee turnover. When your company is contributing to the greater social good through CSR, this can greatly reduce your employee turnover rate. Why? Employees are more socially aware in this day in age and want to contribute to causes they’re passionate about—especially on a global scale.

If your company offers employees the ability to make an even bigger difference through matching gifts and other forms of corporate philanthropy, they will be more likely to engage with your company and remain loyal. In fact, one study found that a company engaging in socially valuable efforts can reduce staff turnover by approximately 50%.

This means your employee turnover rate will decrease, helping you retain awesome employees who continue to bring value to your company.

Reason #4: Matching Gifts Democratizes the Giving Process

Matching gift programs democratize the giving process.

You may be wondering why companies don’t just donate their entire giving budget to a few select charities. And some do⁠—but this often limits the overall benefits offered by strategic corporate giving participation.

For one, matching employee donations can forgo difficult screening processes for charities. Companies don’t want to donate money to charities that are inefficient or otherwise have a bad name. Matching employee donations puts the research responsibilities on the employee rather than the company.

It also avoids debates about which nonprofits should receive funds by democratizing the process. In other words, the employees have a say in how their company spends its giving budget.

In short, matching gifts is a simpler way of enacting corporate donations, allowing corporate giving revenue to be more evenly distributed to a wider range of nonprofit recipients. When an employee shows their employer which causes they care about, companies know how to allocate their giving budget.

Reason #5: Matching Gifts Increases Employee Engagement

Matching gift programs boost employee engagement. Employees who are engaged with their company feel a stronger connection to their employer’s values, mission, and vision. In fact, more than 54% of employees who are proud of their company’s contributions to society report being fully engaged in their job, compared to an industry average of only 15%. This means companies that encourage employee giving and volunteerism are more likely to keep their employees engaged and give back to the community at the same time.

For example, matching gift programs show employees that the company not only encourages charitable giving but is committed to making the donations go further, as well. In addition, companies that offer paid time off for employees to volunteer or participate in fundraising events also boost engagement. Employees get to experience an enjoyable and rewarding team-building event, and the company enhances its reputation in the public eye.

Reason #6: Matching Gifts Attracts Talent

Matching gift programs attract talented employees to the company. Companies that offer CSR programs, especially matching gifts and volunteer grants, are more likely to attract top talent. This is because a large portion of the workforce, namely Millennials, want their companies to offer them a sense of purpose and pride. More and more job seekers are looking into a company’s CSR efforts prior to accepting a position.

To demonstrate this idea, previously cited corporate giving research indicates that 77% of employees reported a sense of purpose as part of the reason they selected their current employer, while nearly 2/3 of Gen Z and Millenial employees won’t take a job at a company with poor CSR practices.

Offering CSR programs—especially those with a global reach—gives companies the ability to attract this group of talented employees and keep them as part of their company for the long term.

Reason #7: Matching Gifts Provides Tax Benefits

Companies participating in corporate philanthropy also see significant impacts in terms of tax benefits⁠—and matching gift programs allow employers to reap even greater benefits.

According to the IRS, corporations are typically eligible to request up to 10% of their annual revenue in tax deductions from charitable giving. However, one of the major exceptions to the 10% rule is matching gifts. Companies matching employee donations that go above and beyond 10% of their yearly income can continue to deduct matches from their overall taxable dollars.

As the company reduces its taxable income, they decrease the amount of money it’ll pay in taxes for the year⁠—thus providing additional funds that can be reinvested into its business, social impact efforts, and more.

Bonus: Resources for Creating Matching Gift Programs

If your company⁠—or a corporate partner⁠—is looking to implement a new matching gift program or grow an existing philanthropic effort, check out these resources below to help jumpstart planning!

For Companies Launching New Matching Gift Programs

Looking to create a brand new matching gift program? Start educating your team with the below resources:

Matching Gift Basics: While this article is geared toward nonprofits, it includes a solid overview of different aspects of matching gift programs. Dive in with the basics of matching gift program guidelines, examples, best practices, and more.
How to Start a Matching Gift Program. Follow this step-by-step guide to walk through the process of launching a corporate matching gift program⁠—from setting your budget to promoting your new initiative to team members.
Matching Gift Policy Template. When you roll out a matching gift program, it’s important to create and communicate guidelines for employee participation. The easiest way to do so is by drafting a matching gift policy document, and we’ve created an easy template to help you do so.

For Companies Creating Volunteer Grant Programs

Volunteer grant programs can offer many of the same benefits for companies that matching employee donations do. Want to encourage volunteerism within your company? Here are some great resources to jumpstart your efforts:

Volunteer Grant Basics: While this article is also written for a nonprofit audience, it provides readers with a comprehensive overview of corporate volunteer grant programs. For companies looking to roll out these initiatives, this can be an excellent place to begin.
Top Volunteer Grant Companies: Interested in what other companies are doing in terms of volunteer grant offerings? We highlight some of the top companies that provide generous grant initiatives. Find out what makes them stand out and implement those ideas in your own programs!

For Companies Implementing or Elevating Employee Giving Programs

Looking for some examples of how you can implement, promote, and organize your employee giving programs? Check out these resources:

Matching Gift Software Vendors: The Comprehensive List: Whether you’re launching a new employee giving program or bringing an existing program to the next level, corporate giving software can help! Be sure to check out these leading vendors that have worked with countless companies to design their employee giving systems.
Matching Gift Auto-Submission + CSR Platforms | What to Know. Amplify the impacts of your corporate matching program by enabling match auto-submission! Explore this guide to discover the benefits of streamlined employee participation and see how your company can get started with this new feature.

For Companies Looking to Be Inspired by Standout Programs

Want to research some of the best examples of employee giving programs? We’ve spotlighted these top companies with outstanding employee giving programs and an overview of their matching gifts policies.

Each employer has a unique component to its match programs that causes them to stand out among its peers. Get inspired by standout programs⁠—maybe one day, your business will be among them!

Walt Disney Corporation: Disney matches donations to most nonprofits at a 1:1 ratio with a generous maximum of $25,000.
Microsoft: Microsoft matches up to $15,000 at a 1:1 ratio to most nonprofits, and the company also boasts some of the highest rates of employee matching gift participation.
Merck & Co.: Merck & Co. matches up to $30,000 per employee per year at a 1:1 ratio to most nonprofits.
Coca-Cola Company: Coca-Cola (or Coke) matches employee donations at a 2:1 ratio⁠—essentially tripling the value of individual contributions up to $20,000 per year.
Innovative Discovery: Innovative Discovery makes the matching gift process quick and easy for its employees to partake by enabling auto-submission by utilizing Selflessly’s innovative corporate giving software. Eligible individuals can now submit their corporate match requests straight from their favorite nonprofits’ websites!
Checkr: Checkr has also established matching gift auto-submission functionality for employees through its CSR platform, Millie. Plus, the company offers no minimum donation amount for participation.

How Matching Gift Databases Help Nonprofits

Nonprofits benefit from matching gifts because they receive an additional donation for the work of soliciting one, allowing them to elevate their revenue potential with ease. However, many organizations continue to underutilize this fundraising opportunity.

That’s because, unfortunately, nonprofits often lack the time, resources, and staff needed to identify and follow up with matching gift opportunities on a manual basis. Luckily, that’s where a comprehensive matching gift database and automation solution like Double the Donation comes in handy.

Double the Donation offers the world’s leading matching gift database, holding data on more than 20,000 companies representing more than 26 million match-eligible individuals. Pulling from Double the Donation’s database, the automation platform, 360MatchPro, identifies match-eligible donors and reminds them to complete the match process through automated emails.

Here’s how it works:

An individual donates to your nonprofit.
360MatchPro scans the information provided on the donation form (e.g., email domain, employer details, etc.) to determine the individual’s eligibility for a donation match.
Based on the individual’s eligibility, the platform triggers customizable emails to them, outlining relevant next steps they can take to submit a match request.

Because the platform automatically identifies and encourages donors to pursue eligible opportunities, your organization will drive more matches to completion. This leaves your team more time to focus on top matching gift opportunities and serving your mission.

It’s important to understand the matching gift process and its impact, whether you work for a nonprofit or a corporation. As a company, you can boost your corporate image while supporting your communities and the greater good. As a nonprofit, you can bring in the extra funding you need to serve your mission with little to no added effort.

Looking for even more information about matching gifts? Check out the additional resources below:

How CSR Impacts Businesses: A Guide For Corporations. Dive deeper into the benefits of overall social responsibility for companies with this research-filled guide.
The Workplace Giving Guide for Corporate Changemakers. Workplace giving⁠—which encompasses matching gifts and volunteer grants⁠—is a key form of CSR. Learn more about how to drive impact from these programs here.
Corporate Social Responsibility: The Definitive Guide. Find out more about why businesses implement giving programs with this guide on CSR.

Double the Donation Joins the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Ecosystem with 360MatchPro Flow

March 4, 2020/in Learning Center, Company Updates /by Adam Weinger

Double the Donation is proud to announce a new connector to the Microsoft Dynamics 356 Nonprofit Accelerator. The Nonprofit Accelerator, announced at the initial Microsoft CXO Summit in April 2018 and initially released in November 2018 at the NetHope Global Summit, transforms Dynamics 365 into a one-stop solution for nonprofit success. The Common Data Model for Nonprofits connects the core Dynamics 365 Nonprofit Accelerator with solutions built on top of it to power all facets of nonprofit operations.

“Nonprofits using the Microsoft Dynamics 365 platform are actively looking for ways to maximize their fundraising through innovative solutions, and 360MatchPro by Double the Donation is one such solution,” said Erin Burchfield, Director of Microsoft Philanthropies, Strategic Partnerships, Tech for Social Impact. “We’re excited to welcome the 360MatchPro integrated solution into the Microsoft ecosystem for forward-thinking nonprofits.”

Double the Donation has expanded the capabilities of nonprofits using Microsoft Dynamics 365 with workflows to help nonprofits manage their matching gift efforts and drive new matching gift opportunities to completion. These contributions to Microsoft Dynamics 365 come as Double the Donation continues to expand its integrations ecosystem across the nonprofit and education spaces.

“As a provider of solutions that integrate with dozens of other platforms in a variety of sectors, we understand the value of a common data model for busy nonprofit professionals,” said Adam Weinger, President of Double the Donation. “Our goal is to make matching gifts as easy as possible to integrate into every nonprofit’s greater fundraising efforts. Our contributions to Microsoft Dynamics 365 functionality are the next big step in achieving that goal for the organizations that rely on our solutions and Microsoft’s.”

With the newly released flow within Power Automate, Double the Donation has enabled a seamless data flow between nonprofits’ data center, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and their matching gifts automation hub, 360MatchPro. This connection combines the matching gift-maximizing operations of 360MatchPro with the valuable data housed in Microsoft Dynamics 365.

Activate in Seconds and Start Raising More from Matching Gifts!

Integrating 360MatchPro with Microsoft Dynamics 365 is quick and easy, thanks to intuitive API key plug in. Nonprofits can get up and running in a matter of minutes and start raising more from matching gifts without worrying about complicated IT work.

Easily integrate into the Microsoft Dynamics 365 ecosystem with API key plugin.

The combined workflow is simple: When new gifts are registered in Microsoft Dynamics 365, those gifts are instantly registered in 360MatchPro. The system then goes to work to identify matching gift opportunities and drive those matches to completion. This process happens automatically, so organizations can allocate their time and focus to the causes that matter most.

Let 360MatchPro automatically drive matches to completion with custom email outreach and up-to-the-minute matching gift data.

Nonprofit organizations can set up automated emails to eligible donors to encourage gift matching and increase their organization’s fundraising revenue by double or even triple the amount of donors’ initial contributions. The process is easy, requires minimal effort from the nonprofit, and supports corporate philanthropy efforts. And when donors feel empowered by increasing their donation’s impact with a matching gift, they’re more likely to contribute a larger gift.

Looking to learn more? Check out our in-depth integration guide to get started!

Drive More Matching Gifts to Completion with 360MatchPro!

The 360MatchPro flow integration with the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Ecosystem empowers nonprofits to identify match eligible donors, encourage them to initiate a match with their employer, and drive those matches to completion. The 360MatchPro integration also features:

Identify more matching gift revenue opportunities: 360MatchPro enables you to automatically collect matching gift eligibility from donors using email domains, within donation forms, on confirmation screens, or by email. The more matching gift opportunities 360MatchPro discovers and shares with donors, the more matching gift requests your donors will successfully submit.
Drive more matches to completion, from form submission to corporate payment: Direct donors immediately to their matching gift forms after the donation process is complete. Then, provide the right information to the right donors at the right time with custom emails based on match eligibility. Target follow-ups drive more completed submissions than ever before, bringing exponentially more matching gift checks from companies through your door.
Reallocate your time from routine follow-up to your top opportunities: Your time is valuable, so why spend it chasing small dollar-value matching gifts? Let 360MatchPro automate your matching gift outreach while flagging your highest-value opportunities, allowing your team to personalize follow-ups to the most valuable match-eligible donations. Rest easy knowing that 360MatchPro can handle the rest.

This image shows the features of 360MatcPro along with graph that represents increasing donations.

360MatchPro increases your fundraising revenue while allowing you to focus on what matters most for your nonprofit.

Nonprofits interested in seeing how the integration works can request a demo today for a step-by-step explanation of the process from the team at Double the Donation.

About Microsoft: Microsoft Tech for Social Impact provides affordable, relevant and innovative solutions to empower every nonprofit and humanitarian organization to accelerate social good. Get started with your cloud solution today: https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/nonprofits/

About Double the Donation: Automate your matching gift fundraising with the industry-leading solution from Double the Donation. The 360MatchPro platform provides nonprofits with tools to identify match-eligible donors, drive matches to completion, and gain actionable insights. 360MatchPro integrates directly into donation forms, CRMs, social fundraising software, and other nonprofit technology solutions to capture employment information and follow up appropriately with donors about matching gifts. To learn more about Double the Donation, visit https://doublethedonation.com and request a demo at https://360matchpro.com/demo-request/.

Awesome #GivingTuesday Advice From 30+ Nonprofit Experts

September 29, 2015/in Lists and Rankings, Learning Center /by Adam Weinger

#GivingTuesday might not be until December, but because planning and preparation are key to any successful campaign, we think the best time to start thinking about how to take advantage of this fundraising opportunity is now!

Double the Donation’s team has compiled advice from over 30 experts on how nonprofit organizations can make #GivingTuesday a hit.

Good luck!

Start Planning Now!

Far and away, the most common piece of advice was to start planning as soon as possible. Getting a head start on promotions, social media trends, marketing materials, and getting in touch with donors (individuals, foundations, corporations, etc.) is going to be the key to a successful campaign!

Lynne D. Filderman, Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer at America’s Charities says: “#GivingTuesday is a movement to inspire generosity; not just another website where you list your charity profile or an event that replaces your existing year-end campaign. The hype from #GivingTuesday should be used to draw attention to your organization’s story and impact. It’s an opportunity to reach new donors and find new ways to excite existing supporters. Whether you choose to integrate #GivingTuesday into your year-end fundraising campaign or as a stand-alone awareness day event, your success will be determined by how focused your message is, how clear your call-to-action is, how active you are in promoting your initiative, and how well you plan – starting now.”

Gretchen Barry, Director of Marketing and Communications at NonprofitEasy says: Don’t have a #GivingTuesday plan? Don’t stress. Many organizations dread #GivingTuesday, mostly because they haven’t created a plan or set any objectives. Here are three tips to jump-start your strategy.

Tip #1: There are many ways to tap into the #GivingTuesday machine so if you don’t already have a plan, no worries! Break out a flip chart, grab a few of your most creative thinkers, determine your #GivingTuesday objective (it’s okay to start small), and spend 30 minutes on a quick brainstorming session.

Tip #2: Communication is the key to success. Once your plan is in place, pull a short list of your most active volunteers, board members and donors and start making personal calls asking them for help in spreading the word. Then, send them a follow-up email thanking them for their help – very important!

Tip #3: Make the call to action clear and ensure that it’s easy for people to connect with your organization on #GivingTuesday. For example, hold an open house and encourage the community to drop by and learn more about your mission. If you don’t have the budget for an open house, hold a virtual open house through social media and invite community leaders and your volunteers to share stories about your mission and ways that people can help. Make a list of volunteer opportunities and post one through social media every hour or two throughout the day.

Bonus Tip: Don’t forget to review your results. Document what worked and what didn’t work and then pat yourself on the back because you’re already on your way to a plan for next year’s #GivingTuesday.

Howard Lake, Publisher at UK Fundraising says:

“Create some images showing your nonprofit’s involvement with #GivingTuesday and invite your supporters to share them – with a link to your site. Don’t forget a call to action on the image.”
“Plan ahead – invite your corporate supporters to match donations made on #GivingTuesday, either in total or, more likely, up to a certain amount.”
“Invite a medium or major donor (or business donor?) to give out one hundred $10 or £10 notes to supporters who promise to use them to raise at least triple the amount in time for #GivingTuesday.”
“Stuck for ideas for #GivingTuesday? Ask your supporters now, and choose the best.”
“Change the thank you page on your online donation platform, if you can, so that it shows a #GivingTuesday message, which donors are invited to share. For example, ‘I gave to [nonprofit] to help [children, animals, the environment] on #GivingTuesday. You can, too: [link].'”

Dan Fonseca of FrontStream says: “#GivingTuesday is a growing charitable movement that takes place during the holiday season. For one day, (the Tuesday after Black Friday) we’re reminded that giving back and aiding important causes is just as (if not more) important as super savings deals. Back in 2012, FirstGiving’s #GivingTuesday donation grand total was $159,102.96. In 2013, we announced that $438,018.50 was raised in a single day. In that year alone, #GivingTuesday’s momentum grew almost four fold. And in 2014 it grew even more substantially. Of course, this is all thanks to our partnering nonprofits. We’re just here to help facilitate what these nonprofits do best. We’re excited to see what 2015 brings!

If we had any word of advice, it’d be to start planning for your #GivingTuesday campaign early, we’re talking months of planning in advance. Take advantage of the buzz and momentum of this fantastic charitable movement. Learn what successful organizations did in the past and think about how you can take what you’ve learned and apply it to your organization. Think about donation incentives and how to motivate your supporters. Do you know what motivates them?”

Blue Hovatter, Founder of Community Funded says: “The best thing you can do to make your #GivingTuesday a success is put together a solid plan of attack and pre-promote the event. Make sure you have a plan for how you are going to reach out to your network and make sure the event has plenty of pre-promotion. Get everyone on your team ready to go and make sure your community is aware and ready to take action.”

Dan Quirk, Marketing Specialist at SalsaLabs says: “Test and analyze several different donation landing page designs and layouts in advance, so that you are using your highest performing (converting) page on #GivingTuesday.”

Julia Campbell, Founder of JC Social Marketing says: “The key to success in a #GivingTuesday campaign is planning ahead. Plan for the day as you would a big in-person fundraising event, with tasks, deadlines and responsibilities. Do not leave the promotion of your campaign up to one person – get a group involved and form a #GivingTuesday committee! Encourage donors, volunteers, board members, staff, and community members to spread the word about your campaign online via the social media channel they like best. Create an example Social Media Kit with graphics and sample tweets and posts to make it super easy for people to share the info. Don’t forget to thank people afterward and follow up with everyone who participates to let them know the results, and create momentum for next year!”

Amy DeVita, Founder of Top Nonprofits says: “#GivingTuesday (Dec. 1, 2015) is an ingenious way for any-sized organization to gain greater awareness, by leveraging a national campaign that appeals to the growing number of people who are fundamentally turned off by “Black Friday” and “Cyber Monday” – basically a counter to consumerism for the sake of consumerism. Prepare and strategize…in advance!

Look at December 1, 2015 as the harvest date and plant seeds and pathways for your donors to connect with you for the months leading up to it. But first have a plan. Will you find a matching donor? Will you solicit time donations in addition to monetary donations? Think about where you want to end up—and make a map that will get you there; don’t just spin around aimlessly.

Start now, maybe with regular posts on Facebook that give a look at the difference your group is making and include the hashtag #GivingTuesday. Use the hashtag in your Tweets—start making your organization discoverable to those searching for #GivingTuesday—now or months from now.”

Craig Van Korlaar, Founder of TopNonprofits says: “As Benjamin Franklin said, ‘By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.’

I think that it’s important to remember that any successful #GivingTuesday campaign is first, and foremost, a campaign. And all great campaigns require advance planning and strategy. Stating objectives and determining an audience; identifying campaign success KPIs are all important. While a nonprofit organization that works with an agency can certainly call on its team to create a campaign, to the hundreds of thousands of nonprofits relying on their own in-house staff, creating a campaign may seem daunting.

Fortunately, there are free tools that one can utilize to produce a robust and documented strategy, including robust campaign planning documents and editorial calendars.”

Hesha Patel, Director of Marketing for JK Group says: “The key to a successful giving campaign is proper planning and communications. Non-profits should work with their corporate partners in devising a multi-touch communication plan that not only talks about the logistic of the campaign but also what the cause aims to achieve. That will drive employee participation.”

At Double the Donation we provide employee matching gift tools to nonprofits. We know we’re months away from #GivingTuesday but as part of our company’s #Giving Tuesday offer we’ll be giving away our service for free for the two weeks before and after #GivingTuesday.

Learn more about how our #GivingTuesday offer works by clicking here.

Don’t Treat #GivingTuesday as a One-Day Event

Several experts agree that while #GivingTuesday IS a one-day event, you shouldn’t treat it as such. This is a great opportunity to work on donor cultivation for the long-term.

Ken Berger, President and CEO of Charity Navigator says: “We are a strong supporter of #GivingTuesday and its ability to inspire new acts of generosity. But December 2nd should just be the stepping stone on the path of cultivating new donors. Charities that have excelled at leveraging #GivingTuesday are the ones that feed their donors’ demand for data on their impact. These charities engage in ongoing communications with their new #GivingTuesday supporters to inform them about the results of their charitable programs and services. We believe and have seen that the more transparent charities are about their performance, the more donors will respect, value, and support their efforts.”

Sarah Ford, Associate Marketing Manager for America’s Charities says: “While #GivingTuesday culminates on December 1, 2015, it is by no means a one-day event. It is a movement to encourage giving and celebrate philanthropy. Whether it’s through workplace giving, volunteering, cause marketing, matching gifts, charity fairs, donating items to charity, or simply telling the world about your company’s cause work and impact, there are several ways to leverage your company’s social responsibility initiatives with #GivingTuesday. Be creative and don’t be afraid to reach out to industry experts for advice.”

Megan Keane, Membership Director at NTEN says: “Remember, #GivingTuesday goes beyond a single day of giving – a successful campaign is part of a larger donor cultivation and fundraising strategy. At NTEN, our #GivingTuesday participation was one piece of our annual giving campaign that followed our month-long Member Appreciation Month. We encouraged supporters to extend the spirit of thanks by giving back to the NTEN community, and #GivingTuesday was a way of showcasing our community through being a part of a larger movement.”

Keep Employees Engaged (Advice for Companies)

Corporate giving programs wouldn’t be successful without employees with a big heart and the passion to make a difference. #GivingTuesday isn’t any different!

Ryan Scott, CEO of Causecast says: “The number one thing people forget? A great employee giving and volunteering campaign comes down to being able to tap into both employee passion and expertise. Everything you do has to be authentic, meaningful and relevant, or your impact will be next to zero. No one will want to play with you next year if you don’t engage their hearts and minds. So ask your employees what they love, what they care about, and then build a campaign that captures and delivers upon that spirit.”

Chris Jarvis, Senior Partner, and Corey Diamond, Partner, from RealizedWorth say: “The paradigm is shifting – clearly, companies that facilitate giving without engaging their staff are missing a large part of the equation. Matching gift programs, Dollar for Doer initiatives and working with employees to choose the causes to support are revolutionizing how a company gives to not-for-profits. Companies now want to see how many hands touch the dollar bill before it goes out the door.”

Dustin Joost, Lead Sales and Digital Marketing Manager at YourCause says: “Like many CSR programs, #GivingTuesday is an event that can help build a sense of community within a company. Have your executive leaders kick it off by recording short video snippets of why #GivingTuesday is important to them and how they plan on making an impact. Release these videos are few days before the big day and encourage others to submit video snippets of what they did for #GivingTuesday. It’s a great way to encourage engagement and the videos can be used next year to tell a story and further drive participation.”

Partner Up with Corporations and Foundations

An important part of nonprofit success is the partnerships an organization can forge with both local and national businesses. These experts advise building relationships around #GivingTuesday can make for a successful campaign, and even beyond!

Donna Callejon, Chief Business Officer of Global Giving says: “Nonprofits should be in touch with their corporate and foundation funders to see if there is a campaign or program they can join as part of #GivingTuesday.”

Mark Feinberg, Co-Founder and CEO of Uruut says: “#GivingTuesday provides an incredible opportunity for businesses and foundations of all sizes, individuals of all age groups and backgrounds to come together to support causes they care deeply about. I hope we can use the energy and success of #GivingTuesday and move us even closer to a “Giving Everyday” framework. We continue to make great progress in this regard but there is even more we can do.”

Lori Forte Harnick, General Manager of Microsoft Citizenship and Public Affairs says: “Nonprofits can maximize fundraising during #GivingTuesday by working with corporations with similar philanthropy goals. Through the Microsoft YouthSpark initiative, we’re partnering with a full range of youth-serving nonprofits to empower young people with technology tools and education and help them fulfill their dreams.”

Adam Weinger, President of Double the Donation says: “It’s important for nonprofits to leverage matching gifts or general corporate support into positive PR for both you and the corporation to ensure future collaboration, and therefore, a stronger nonprofit-corporate relationship. If you receive a donation from a corporation think about how your organization can publicly acknowledge the support through your website, social media, or press releases.”

Engage and Thank Your Donors: Before, During, and After #GivingTuesday

Keeping your donors and constituents engaged and acknowledging their support before #GivingTuesday will make it easier to make a direct ask for the event. Your donors should know how grateful you are for their past support before you make an ask, while you’re making the ask, and especially after you make the ask.

Bill Tedesco, CEO of DonorSearch says: “After #GivingTuesday, evaluate your list of new donors to determine if any of them could be prospects for a larger gift in the future. Performing prospect research on new donors is a great way to identify donors that have given large donations to other nonprofits. Once you identify these donors, have a member of your team reach out to personally thank them for their donation.”

Karrie Hungerford, Co-Founder & CEO of GivingTrax says: “A great way to increase overall contributions is to engage local businesses to offer public match challenges or increased employee matching gifts. You can provide value back to businesses by using social media to create awareness of their contribution and support of your organization.

Tweet the matching gift offer and post to social media channels multiple times before and during #GivingTuesday. Be sure to tag the business sponsors’ handle and include applicable hashtags for your area. An example of this would be the following tweet: ‘Kudos to @donor for giving @your-organization’s-handle on #GivingTuesday a #matchinggift of $5,000. Give at: [link to giving page]’. Be sure to use short codes to a donation landing page for the event or include a way to donate within the post.”

Randy Hawthorne, Executive Director/Publisher of Nonprofit Hub says: “Thank all of your donors in early November as part of a Thanksgiving campaign so that you’ve had contact before you make an ask at the end of the month.”

Alexandra Saavedra, Marketing Programs Manager of Greater Giving says: “Share your results on social media after the fact and let people know how you did (perhaps a ‘thank you’ video on YouTube).”

Claire Axelrad, Principal at Clairification says: “If you’re a nonprofit that’s already swamped with fundraising initiatives at this busy time of year, perhaps there’s another alternative that won’t interfere with your current schedule or risk confusing your donors by multiple, overlapping asks for donations. Personally, I like using the day for gratitude. Why does the giving have to be on the donor’s end? Why not consider it a day to give back to your donors?

There’s all sorts of things you could do. Think of it as one big giant opportunity to honor your donors! Here are a few ideas for starters:

How about a thankathon? It’s a great way to involve volunteers because, inevitably, it’s a feel-good experience for everyone involved. It’s more fun to do it as a group – with refreshments of course! But it’s okay to dole out the names and have folks do it from their home or office. Leaving messages on voicemail is fine. If you get someone on the phone, most supporters are pleasantly surprised to be receiving a call that’s purely a thank you, and this pleasant feeling is passed along to the caller. For volunteers who’ve been afraid to pick up the phone to call donors requesting support, this is a terrific way to get their feet wet. Just make sure to arm them with a script in advance.
How about a greeting card or e-greeting? Time it to land in your donor’s mailbox on Giving Tuesday. I can imagine a message like: It’s Giving Tuesday; And Just So Rare; It’s Our “Won’t Lose Day”; Because You Care! Then add a little personal note letting your donor know how much their support means to you. Maybe put it on a card with a photo that visually shows what their giving accomplishes. And don’t be afraid to be corny or schmaltzy.
How about a token gift? Could you get a local retailer to offer a coupon for a cup of coffee? An ice cream? A pizza slice? A hamburger?

You may have something you can give your donors that costs you next-to-nothing. It could be free parking or VIP seating at an upcoming event. A discount at your on-site café. This year Jewish Family and Children’s Services of San Francisco did a combination of “give and get” for #GivingTuesday, offering those who give on December 1st a free glass of champagne if they’ll be attending their upcoming Gala.

So, if you’re one of those nonprofits who’ve rejected the notion of #GivingTuesday out of fears it might cannibalize your other fundraising efforts or burn out your staff and/or volunteers, I urge you to consider some giving alternatives. We don’t thank our supporters nearly enough, so why not have a day dedicated to donor love?”

Use #GivingTuesday as a Platform to Share Success Stories and Outcomes to Supporters – Be Transparent

These experts agree that #GivingTuesday is a great opportunity to show your donors and supporters what you do with the donations you receive throughout the year. Telling great stories and using high-impacting numbers and figures is the best way to keep your constituents in the know and excited about continuing to give to your cause.

Rafi Norberg, President of Nexus Marketing says: “#GivingTuesday is more than just an online donation drive, it’s an opportunity to improve your organization’s online authority. After #GivingTuesday is over, write a blog entry thanking your supporters and letting them know how their donations will be used. After you publish the post, share it via social media, the #GivingTuesday website, and your newsletter.”

Lindsay J.K. Nichols, Senior Director of Marketing & Communications at GuideStar says: “Nonprofits can use #GivingTuesday to signal to people that give wisely (as in they give with their heads as well as their hearts – the only way to go!) that your organization “gets it.” Create a quick tip sheet of the ways people can give to your nonprofit – with their money, their time, their online/social media support, etc. – and use the #GivingTuesday hashtag to help spread the word among the ready and waiting (huge) audience that supports the campaign. Make sure you talk about your outcomes, not just your outputs, when asking for donations – remember no stories without data, and no data without stories!”

Use #GivingTuesday to Encourage Millennial Giving

Millennials are the driving force behind today’s nonprofit success. Individuals between the ages of 18 and 35 are shaping the way organizations are run, whether through engagement, employment, or simply donations (be it money or time). Get them involved and motivated to support your cause!

Megan Reile, Sales & Marketing Director at 360Alumni says: “#GivingTuesday is a fantastic opportunity for individuals and corporations to raise non-profit support. Following Cyber Monday, which is a consumption-driven whirlwind, #GivingTuesday is a chance to give back to non-profits worldwide, and remember the true spirit of the holidays. #GivingTuesday is especially impactful in engaging Millennials, those born after 1979. According to Achieve’s Millennial Impact report, 87% of millennials donated to a non-profit in 2013, and 55% of millennials were influenced to take the job they currently have after discussing cause work with their interviewer. Millennials want to give back, so why not utilize the cause to encourage them? And using corporate matching programs gives these individuals the emotional satisfaction in knowing that their dollar went even farther, often doubled. What better motivation for action?”

Listen to What Others are Doing to Make #GivingTuesday Successful

It’s always beneficial to see how others perceive a successful campaign. Take advantage of the abundance of resources out there, including webinars and radio segments, to hear ideas you may not otherwise have thought of.

Tony Martignetti, Host of Tony Martignetti Nonprofit Radio says: “Leverage all of the webinars and radio segments on #GivingTuesday. The #GivingTuesday team maintains a large library at http://www.givingtuesday.org/watch/ and there are also radio segments such as this one of Giving Tuesday early adopters sharing their best ideas: http://tony.ma/1bWl976.”

Think Outside the “Giving” Box

#GivingTuesday doesn’t only have to be about monetary donations. Thinking outside the box can help people think creatively in terms of how they give to your organization.

Shari Ilsen, Director of Engagement at VolunteerMatch says: “Why limit the ways in which your community can support you for #GivingTuesday? Instead, think outside the “giving” box and encourage people to get creative by giving time to volunteer, by activating their social networks to run social media campaigns, and sending in their own stories of how your organization has helped and inspired them. In addition to increased awareness, you’ll get even more committed folks who will connect with your nonprofit emotionally and be even more likely to donate in the future!”

Asha Curran, Director, 92Y Center for Innovation & Social Impact (the creator of #GivingTuesday) says: “At 92Y – which will celebrate its 140th anniversary next year – #GivingTuesday grew out of looking at our core beliefs in community and philanthropy and imagining how social media might catapult them well beyond our walls. The result has been a global movement around giving that exceeded all of our expectations. This kind of experimentation is critical for the nonprofit sector; it makes for better, more effective campaigns, and it can also help transform an organization’s thinking. Think of #GivingTuesday as an opportunity to try new things or collaborate with new partners.”

Be Transparent and Direct with Pitches

Your supporters want to know where the money they’re donating is going. Being direct and transparent will increase the likelihood of donations and ongoing support from individuals who fully support your mission.

Jen Boynton, Editor in Chief, and Mary Mazzoni, Senior Editor, of Triple Pundit say: “Create urgency with your pitch and make a specific ask – let funders know where their money will go.”

Peter Lowy, Founder of MassNonprofit.org says: “Tangible projects work best rather than raising money for ‘general operating expenses.’ Choose a project based on need and what is most likely to excite your donors and get new donors on board. Determine a fundraising goal and have a big announcement explaining your participation in #GivingTuesday.”

On the Contrary…

Not everyone thinks a successful #GivingTuesday campaign is the best way to increase support for your nonprofit organization.

Joe Garecht, President of Garecht Fundraising Associates: “If you want to raise more money for your non-profit on a consistent basis, avoid gimmicks like #GivingTuesday, and focus on building long-term relationships with your donors. You’ll find more donors, who will give more, on a more consistent basis. Avoid the #GivingTuesday rat race!”

We hope these bits of expert advice can help your nonprofit make this year’s #GivingTuesday the best one yet!

Suggested Next Steps:

Join the official #GivingTuesday Community
Learn about Double the Donation’s Giving Tuesday Matching Gift Offer
Check out our immersive webinar on creating compelling Giving Tuesday campaigns!

Matching Gift Participation Rates

May 9, 2015/in Learning Center /by Adam Weinger

Has your organization ever taken a look at which companies are consistently providing matching gift donations to your organization?

If you have, you may notice that a disproportionate number of matching gifts come from a select few companies.

Survey Results | Participation Varies Widely by Company:

The Chronicle of Philanthropy released a report entitled “How America’s Biggest Companies Give” which was compiled from their Corporate Giving Survey.

Employee Matching Gift Participation Rates

Key Insights on Matching Gift Participation Rates:

Insight #1: 65% of Microsoft employees request a match from the company compared to less than 15% for Xerox, Dell, and Verizon. This is a direct result of Microsoft being one of the best at communicating matching gift information to employees.

Insight #2: Pfizer leads companies in the pharmaceutical industry with over 30% of employees participating in the company’s matching gift program.

Insight #3: Matching gift programs are widely utilized by employees in the financial services sector. American Express leads the pack with 70% of employees requesting the company match at least one charitable donation.

Insight #4: Based on this sample of companies, the consumer goods sector has the lowest employee participation rates. Of the companies that provided data, Johnson & Johnson leads the sector with 25% of employees having one or more donations matched by the company.

Impact on your Organization’s Matching Gift Revenue: Home Depot vs. Coca-Cola:

For instance, both Home Depot (~13K Atlanta employees) and Coca-Cola (~5K Atlanta employees) are headquartered in Atlanta and offer similar matching gift programs.

One would expect Atlanta based nonprofit organizations to receive a significant number of matching gift donations from each of these companies. Unfortunately that doesn’t appear to be the case. The majority of nonprofits we’ve spoken to self-report far more matching donations from Coca-Cola compared to Home Depot each year. **

So what causes this discrepancy?

Organizations typically explain this phenomenon by talking about the number of employees each company has in the area. While it’s true that a company with a major presence in a city is more likely to provide a larger number of matching gifts, there’s an even more important factor.

How well a company internally promotes matching gifts dictates how likely an employee is to know about the program and submit matching gift requests.

We know it doesn’t take a genius to come up with the above statement, but it’s true. So many employees at companies with matching gift programs have no idea their employer offers a program. If an employee / donor lacks knowledge of their company program, there’s no way they’ll submit a matching gift request.

Closing the Gap:

Although your organization can’t change how widely companies promote matching gifts to their entire employee base, you can greatly influence the percentage of your donors who submit matching gift requests.

If you raise awareness and make it easy for your donors / their spouses to submit matching gifts, you can increase matching revenue.

We recommend nonprofits promote matching gifts in three locations:

If you effectively promote employee matching gifts to your donors, you can overcome low participation rates.

Data Sources:
*Based upon a publicly available survey of companies which was conducted by The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
**Based on our conversations with membership and development managers at select Atlanta organizations.

Learn how to use social media to promote matching gifts today.

Social Media: 12 Matching Gift Posts to Schedule Today

January 18, 2013/in Learning Center, Marketing Strategies /by Adam Weinger

Social media – we all use it in one way or another. Whether we’re connecting with friends or catching up on the latest breaking news, social media has become an integral part of the daily routines of many.

But are you maximizing the impact of your social media platforms for your fundraising efforts, specifically in regards to matching gift programs?

Remember: With corporate matching gift programs, your organization is able to collect two donations for the price of soliciting one. Through these programs, employers pledge to match the donations made by their employees to nonprofit organizations such as yours, effectively doubling the impact of the original gift. These programs present a huge opportunity to increase your fundraising revenue,and you want to capitalize on them whenever possible.

Promoting corporate matching gift options using Twitter, Facebook, and the like is a quick, easy and cost-effective way (read: free) to reach your digitally savvy masses.

Social media is incredibly efficient, as you’re able to schedule posts in advance and on a recurring basis. This means you don’t have to remember to continue posting– the networks will do it for you! This paired with the extensive network available to you through these platforms makes social media an opportunity to use to the fullest.

We’re going to examine marketing matching gifts on social media through the following:

Sample Matching Gift Posts for Twitter
Sample Matching Gift Posts for Facebook

However, before you begin posting about matching gifts on social media– which will inevitably bring forth donors interested in the programs– ensure your internal matching gifts processes are comprehensive.

The Best Way to Market Matching Gifts

Once you begin posting about matching gifts on social media, there’s a decent chance you’ll have a few interested donors inquiring about their eligibility. The easiest way to push donors in the right direction and get them started with the matching gift process is by simply directing them to a comprehensive matching gift tool!

For example, Double the Donation’s 360MatchPro is the perfect tool for nonprofits looking to build their matching gifts solicitation processes. Embed this comprehensive, searchable database directly on your donation form and website, and then link to it in your social media posts. Then, when donors see your posts and are interested, they know exactly where to look to search for their own eligibility!

Additionally, this automated matching gifts tool allows for the immediate searching of a donor’s eligibility upon making a donation. Once an eligible donor is identified, the software sends automated marketing communications to inform the donor of matching gift opportunities.

Matching gift software provides you with an easy way to manage the influx of interest generated by social media posting. Now, let’s check out the following 12 sample posts to inspire your Twitter and Facebook-based matching gift marketing.

Sample Matching Gift Posts for Twitter

Because of Twitter’s 280-character limitation, be concise and to-the-point in your communications. Further, include a quick link to your organization’s giving page, website, or dedicated matching gift page so interested donors can access it on-the-fly via tweet

Here are some example matching gift tweets:

1. Did you know your gift can be doubled, tripled & even quadrupled? Your employer might offer matching gift programs.

2. Did you donate to us this year? There’s still time to submit a matching gift request from your employer!

3. It’s February – do you love us? We love you, too! Click here to see if your company will double your donations: <insert URL>

4. Ever wonder if your employer matches donations? Search our database to learn more about your employer at <insert URL>.

5. Last year, we raised $X from corporate matching gift programs – help make 20XX a better year!

6. Did you know that tons of organizations offer matching gift opportunities? Check to see if yours does.

7. It takes just a few minutes to submit corporate employee matching gift forms… have you submitted yours?

Additionally, with retweets, donors can also easily share the word about your organization’s offering. The platform was made with efficiency in mind—so if you want to simply and quickly inform your donors, Twitter is a great place.

However, to educate donors about matching gifts through more in-depth communications, consider using Facebook.

Sample Matching Gift Posts for Facebook

Facebook doesn’t present the challenge of character limitations as Twitter does, but that doesn’t mean you can ramble on. The following examples balance offering more in-depth information with catering to the shorter attention span associated with the internet.

Here are some example matching gift posts for Facebook:

1. We sincerely appreciate all donations to <Your Organization’s Name>! Did you know that your generosity has the potential to be doubled, tripled, or even quadrupled? Check to see if your employer offers a matching gift program!

2. What do Microsoft, Bank of America, IBM, and Verizon all have in common? Each one matches donations made by their employees’ to nonprofit organizations. This means that if you donate, or have donated to <Your Organization’s Name>, and work for one of these four companies, the company will double your donation. Many major employers offer similar programs. Search <insert URL> to find out if your employer offers something like this, as well as to access program guidelines, how-to instructions, and relevant forms.

3. A huge thanks to all of our donors, and a double thanks to those who submit matching fund requests from their employers! Does your employer offer a program like this? Check today!

4. Help us <Your Organization’s Mission>. Ask your employer to match, double, or even triple your donation today! Check out your organization’s matching gift options here: <insert URL>

5. We like to brag that our donors are the best. Not only do they contribute to us, but they also take the extra step to see if their employer offers a matching gift program that may double the total donation to our organization! Have you checked to see if your company offers a matching gift option? Thanks for being a super donor if so! Check here to see if your company has a program like this: <insert URL>

Just as with Twitter, donors can easily share your Facebook posts with their friends and family. It’s a great way to get in front of new donors you might not reach otherwise!

If used correctly, social media can be a valuable resource in marketing matching gift opportunities. For more information on how to use social media to market matching gift programs, check out some additional social media ideas.

Check out these Seattle companies with matching gift programs that can enhance your nonprofit's fundraising strategy.

Companies with Matching Gift Programs in Seattle, Washington

January 15, 2013/in Lists and Rankings, Learning Center, Matching Gift Companies /by Adam Weinger

Corporate giving programs, specifically matching gifts, play a major role in nonprofit fundraising. Many nonprofits overlook these opportunities, lowering their potential revenue.

Double the Donation works with nonprofits across the country to enhance their fundraising strategies. This is done by pinpointing matching gift programs and corporate volunteer grant opportunities.

With a population of around 4.5 million including its metropolitan area, Seattle is home to some of the nation’s most philanthropic Fortune 500 companies. In fact, the city has become a leader in sustainable, green living. In response, many companies in the area took notice and instantly became champions of corporate social responsibility as well. Brush up on these employers in the Seattle area:

Starbucks
Microsoft
Wells Fargo
QuoteWizard
Boeing
Intermec Foundation
Liberty Mutual Group
Alaska Airlines

Donors who work for companies offering these programs can double, even triple their contributions to eligible nonprofits! All it takes is a little extra work on your end to encourage donors to complete the process.

If you’re ready to boost your nonprofit’s revenue, let’s take a look at some of the top companies in Seattle, Washington that offer matching gift programs.

Starbucks

Starbucks opened its first shop over 40 years ago in Seattle, Washington. Since then, Starbucks not only has become one of the world’s most recognizable brands, but it also offers a well-designed giving program.

Starbucks offers a matching gift program where the company matches donations anywhere from $20 to $1,500 per employee each year. Full-time, part-time, and retired employees are eligible.

For employees who prefer to donate their time rather than money, Starbucks offers a volunteer grant program, where they’ll write a check up to $1,000 depending on the number of hours volunteered.

Microsoft

As one of the most generous corporate philanthropists in not only Seattle but in the world, Microsoft offers a variety of employee giving programs.

Through its employee match program, the company doubles employee donations to almost all nonprofits. Microsoft has increased its matching gift maximum from an already impressive $12,000 to a tremendous $15,000.

To make things even better, Microsoft also has a volunteer grant program where the company donates $25 to organizations for every hour its employees volunteer—no minimum number of hours required! Additionally, the company provides each new employee with a small grant to allocate to a nonprofit of his or her choosing.

Wells Fargo

As a top Fortune 500 company, Wells Fargo & Company has a strong presence in Seattle and many other major US cities.

While Wells Fargo only matches donations to educational institutions, its $2,000 limit for each employee can still increase donors’ impact on causes that they care about. The minimum matched by Wells Fargo is $25, and they’ll match donations at a 1:1 ratio. In other words, eligible donations can be doubled!

Plus, Wells Fargo also offers a volunteer grant program, with no minimum number of hours required! Each year, Wells Fargo awards more than $500,000 in volunteer grants, making a major difference for eligible nonprofits.

QuoteWizard

While QuoteWizard has only a little over 100 employees, it’s a well-known company in Seattle. As a way of giving back to the Seattle community, it offers a matching gift program where donations are offered at a 3:1 match. In other words, eligible donations can be quadrupled!

The company matches donations anywhere from $25 to $10,000 to most nonprofits. Since its inception, the company has donated over $400,000 to nonprofit organizations and is an avid supporter of the Seattle community.

Boeing

Boeing, a well-known company in Seattle, offers a matching gift program for employees who give to charitable organizations. Even after moving its headquarters to Chicago, Boeing remains the largest private employer in the city.

The company will match gifts between $25 and $10,000. While charitable donations made by current employees can be matched at a 1:1 ratio, donations made by retired employees can be matched at a .5:1 ratio.

Boeing also provides grants to nonprofits where employees donate their time. The company provides a $10 grant for every 10 hours of volunteering, with a max of $10,000. To qualify, employees must volunteer at least 25 hours. Boeing also offers team volunteer grants, awarded to groups of employees who volunteer for nonprofits. The gift is scaled by the number of employees in the group.

Intermec Foundation

With a 5:1 match on donations from employees and directors, the Intermec Foundation offers one of the most generous matching gift programs in the corporate world, let alone Seattle.

The Intermec Foundation will provide up to $75,000 in matching funds per employee per year and up to $150,000 in matching funds per director per year.

For example, let’s say an Intermec Foundation employee donates $2,000 to an eligible nonprofit. Assuming the individual submits a match request, the Intermec Foundation will provide a matching gift of an additional $10,000, totaling $12,000. A program like this has the power to completely change a nonprofit’s growth trajectory!

Liberty Mutual Group

The Liberty Mutual Group provides matching funds to select types of organizations during Give with Liberty, the company’s annual giving campaign.

Through online pledging and payroll deduction, Liberty Mutual matches 50 cents on every dollar (i.e. a .5:1 ratio) that employees donate to a wide variety of social service nonprofits. Their payroll giving campaign is only a portion of the company’s matching gift program.

Plus, Liberty Mutual also offers volunteer grants for 3 employees annually. Each of these 3 selected employees receives $10,000 to donate to a nonprofit of their choosing. Nonprofit volunteers must register for this award, known as the Chairman’s Community Service Award.

Alaska Airlines

Alaska Airlines works with nonprofit groups in the areas of health and human services, arts and cultural programs, as well as education, environmental, and civic organizations.

They will match gifts with a minimum of $50 and a maximum of $4,000 at a 1:1 ratio. Like many organizations, their match request process is done electronically, which speeds up the process.

Alaska Air also gives organizations volunteer grants of $10 per hour for up to $1,000, after an employee volunteers at that organization for a minimum of 5 hours.

Learn more about Alaska Air’s matching gift program.

Matching Gift Database: How Double the Donation Can Help

As the most comprehensive source for all things corporate giving, Double the Donation’s database allows corporate employees to quickly check their match eligibility, submit matching gift requests, and submit volunteer grant requests to their employers.

With more than 20,000 companies that represent over 15 million match-eligible individuals, it’s the world’s leading matching gift database. A database like this can pinpoint major revenue opportunities for nonprofits!

Larger nonprofit organizations may benefit even more from 360MatchPro by Double the Donation, which goes above and beyond providing the necessary forms and guidelines. It recognizes match-eligible donors through email domain screening and will automatically follow up with these individuals until they complete the match process.

Think your organization may benefit from Double the Donation’s tools?

Get a demo of the #1 matching gift database!

Corporate philanthropy is a driving force in the nonprofit world. If your organization isn’t taking advantage of it, you may be missing out on major revenue opportunities.

A substantial amount of Seattle businesses offer these programs, so make sure to familiarize yourself with your donors’ employers. That way, you can boost your revenue and double (maybe even triple!) your donors’ impact. Don’t let these important opportunities slip through the cracks. Start researching your donors’ employers now!