Employee corporate matching programs are a great way to encourage employees to donate to charity. Not only do they provide a way for employees to easily donate to their favorite causes, but they also offer employers a way to show their commitment to social responsibility.
Employee corporate matching programs can be a boon for charities, but only if they are well-run and properly promoted.
Many donors are unaware of the potential for their employers to match their charitable gifts. As a fundraiser, you can play a critical role in educating your donors about this giving opportunity. Here’s what you need to know about employer corporate matching gift programs and how you can encourage your donors to take advantage of them.
What Are Employer Corporate Matching Gift Programs?
Employer corporate matching gift programs are philanthropic initiatives in which companies match their employees’ charitable contributions. For example, if an employee donates $100 to a nonprofit organization, the company will also donate $100 to that same organization. Employer corporate matching gift programs are often used by companies as a way to encourage employee charitable giving and to support the causes that their employees care about.
Not all employers offer corporate matching gift programs, but many do. According to Double the Donation, more than 18 million employees work for companies that offer some form of corporate matching gift program. And of those 18 million employees, only about 7% take advantage of the opportunity to have their gifts matched by their employer. That leaves a lot of potential for increased giving!
As a fundraiser, you can play a key role in increasing participation in employer corporate matching gift programs by educating your donors about these programs and helping them navigate the process of having their gifts matched by their employers. Below are some tips for doing just that.
1. Understand how employer matching gifts work.
The first step in getting your donors to give through employer matching gift programs is to understand how these programs work. Employer matching gift programs are a benefit offered by many companies that match employees’ charitable donations dollar for dollar, or sometimes even two-to-one or three-to-one. For example, if an employee donates $100 to a charity, their company will also donate $100 (or $200 or $300) to that same charity.
2. Send reminders throughout the year.
Don’t just send one email or newsletter blast about the employer corporate matching program gift opportunities. Send reminders throughout the year, and make sure to include information about how easy it is for donors to take advantage of the program.
3. Personalize your communications.
When you’re sending emails or other communications about employer corporate matching program gifts, make sure to personalize the message. Mention the donor’s name, and explain how their donation can make a difference.
4. Do your research and target your ask.
Not all employer matching gift programs are created equal. Some companies will only match gifts made to certain types of organizations, like 501(c)(3)s, while others have more restrictive eligibility requirements. That’s why it’s important to do your research and target your ask accordingly. The last thing you want is for your donor to make a gift that their company won’t match.
Use a tool like Double the Donation’s 360MatchPro tool to see if a specific company offers a matching gift program and, if so, what the eligibility requirements are.
5. Make it easy for your donors
Once you’ve determined which companies offer matching gift programs and which donors work for those companies, it’s time to make the ask! When asking your donors to take advantage of their employer’s matching gift program, be sure to make the process as easy as possible. The easier you can make it for them, the more likely they are to follow through.
One way to do this is by providing clear instructions and easily accessible forms on your website. You can also include links to these forms in your email communications with donors. If you have any questions about how best to do this, our team at Double the Donation is happy answer them!
6. Say thank you!
Last but not least, don’t forget to say thank you! Acknowledge that their gesture is appreciated and let them know how their donation is making an impact. A simple thank-you goes a long way in building relationships with donors and keeping them engaged in your mission long term.
Tips for Encouraging Donor Participation in Employer Corporate Matching Gift Programs
The best way to encourage donor participation in employer corporate matching gift programs is to educate your donors about these programs and make it as easy as possible for them to take advantage of them. Below are some specific tips for doing both of those things:
1. Educate your donors about employer corporate matching gift programs.
Many donors are unaware that their employers offer corporate matching gift programs. Make sure you include information about these programs on your website and in all correspondence with donors so that they are aware of this giving opportunity. You can also include information about employer corporate matching gift programs in emails, social media posts, and other marketing materials. When educating your donors about employer corporate matching gift programs, be sure to explain how these programs work and how easy it is for donors to have their gifts matched by their employers.
2. Provide donors with the resources they need to participate in employer corporate matching gift programs.
When you provide information about employer corporate matching gift programs, be sure to include links to resources that will make it easy for donors to determine if their employers offer these programs and how they can go about having their gifts matched by their employers. A few good resources to include are Double the Donation’s Search Tool and The Foundation Center’s Grantspace Knowledge Base. Including links like these will make it easy for donors to get the information they need without having to contact you directly.
3. Help donors navigate the process of having their gifts matched by their employer.
If a donor contacts you wanting information about how to have his or her gift matched by his or her employer, be prepared with the answers he or she will need. To start, find out the name of the donor ‘s employer and look up the company ‘s website. Once you ‘re on the company website, look for any mention of philanthropy, community relations, or employee Giving Programs. There should be detailed instructions on how employees can have their charitable gifts matched by the company. If you can’t find this information on the company website, try searching on Google or contacting the company directly. Be prepared with this information so that you can easily walk your donor through the process of taking advantage of his or her employer’s corporate matching gift program.
