How to Involve Matching Gift Donors in More Workplace Giving Programs

How to Involve Matching Gift Donors in More Workplace Giving Programs

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For nonprofits looking to maximize their fundraising efforts, engaging matching gift donors in more workplace giving programs can be a game-changer. After all, matching gift programs are just one piece of the puzzle. Many companies offer additional workplace giving opportunities, including volunteer grants, volunteer time off, and payroll deductions. Donors who participate in matching gifts can also be some of your best assets for these other programs, making them a prime audience for further engagement.

In this guide, we’ll explore how to involve matching gift donors in additional workplace giving programs. We’ll cover:

By diversifying the ways matching gift donors engage with your nonprofit, you can increase both the impact of their contributions and the sustainability of your funding model. Let’s dive in to find out how your team can encourage such involvement.

What Are Workplace Giving Programs?

Workplace giving refers to charitable donation programs offered by companies that enable their employees to contribute directly to nonprofits through their workplace. These programs are designed to make it easier for employees to give back to the causes they care about while benefiting from company-sponsored incentives, such as matching gifts or grant funding.

For schools, workplace giving presents a unique opportunity to increase fundraising efforts through established corporate channels. By tapping into these programs, schools can supplement traditional donation methods and cultivate stronger connections with their alumni, parents, donors, and corporate partners.

With the right approach, workplace giving can provide a steady stream of support, benefiting both the institution and its broader community.

Beyond Matching Gifts: Types of Workplace Giving Programs to Consider

Matching gifts are the most readily available form of workplace giving, with 65% of Fortune 500 companies and a wide range of smaller and mid-sized businesses offering the programs. However, they’re not the only kind of workplace giving you should be keeping an eye on.

Many companies offer multiple workplace giving programs, and matching gift donors are often prime candidates for involvement in these additional initiatives. Below, we explore the three key types of workplace giving programs that nonprofits should focus on to further engage matching gift donors.

Volunteer Grants

A volunteer grant is a contribution made by a company to a nonprofit based on the volunteer hours an employee contributes. For example, if an employee volunteers 20 hours at your nonprofit, their employer might provide a $200 grant to your organization. Volunteer grants enable donors to give not only financially but also with their time, providing a significant boost to your nonprofit’s efforts.

By engaging matching gift donors in volunteer grants, you can increase both the financial and time-based contributions your nonprofit receives. Since these donors are already familiar with giving through their company, they may be more likely to participate in volunteer grants.

Volunteer Time Off (VTO)

Some companies offer Volunteer Time Off (or VTO), which provides employees with paid time off specifically for volunteering. This is an excellent opportunity for matching gift donors to deepen their engagement with your organization by contributing their time and talents. Many companies allow employees to take one or two days per year for volunteer purposes, which could directly benefit your nonprofit if you make these opportunities available.

Matching gift donors who are already committed to supporting your cause may be more likely to take advantage of VTO programs, offering both their time and their skills to further your organization’s mission.

Payroll Giving

Finally, payroll giving programs enable employees to make direct donations from their paychecks to a nonprofit organization of their choice. These donations are often made automatically, requiring little effort from the donor. Payroll giving is an easy way for matching gift donors to contribute to your organization on a recurring basis, increasing your nonprofit’s revenue over time. Since these donations are deducted from their salary before taxes, they also offer tax benefits for employees.

Matching gift donors are often well-suited for payroll giving programs because they’re already familiar with giving through their employer. Adding payroll giving to your outreach efforts can significantly boost the involvement of these donors.

Why Matching Gift Donors Are Ideal for More Workplace Giving Programs

Matching gift donors are often the perfect candidates for involvement in additional workplace giving programs. Here’s why:

#1: They Are Already Engaged with the Company’s Giving Culture: These donors are already participating in their company’s matching gift program, demonstrating a commitment to giving back through their work. They’re likely to be open to other workplace giving opportunities such as volunteer grants, VTO, and payroll giving.

#2: They Have Potential for Increased Contributions: By involving these donors in more workplace giving programs, you’re increasing the potential for both their time and financial contributions. For example, a matching gift donor who also participates in payroll giving and volunteer grants could significantly boost your nonprofit’s funding and volunteer capacity.

#3: It’s Easier to Engage with a Known Donor Base: Matching gift donors are already part of your donor base, making them more accessible than new prospects. These donors already trust your organization and are more likely to continue their support through additional programs.

Tips to Involve Matching Gift Donors in Other Workplace Giving Programs

Now that we understand why matching gift donors are well-positioned for involvement in more workplace giving programs, let’s look at strategies for getting them engaged. Here are a few best practices that we recommend:

Create a Strategic Outreach Plan

A strategic outreach plan is essential for engaging matching gift donors in additional workplace giving programs. This should include clear messaging that educates donors on the various programs available, explains how they can participate, and highlights the benefits for both the donor and the nonprofit.

For optimal results, tailor your outreach based on the programs your donors’ companies offer, as well as their previous engagement with your organization.

Educate Donors About Additional Programs

Some matching gift donors may not be aware of the other workplace giving programs their company offers. For this reason, it’s essential to educate donors about these initiatives through targeted email campaigns, dedicated webpages, or in-person events. Provide clear instructions on how to get involved in these additional programs and explain how their participation will help your nonprofit grow.

Promote Other Giving Programs at the Right Time

Timing is critical when introducing donors to new workplace giving programs. For example, after a donor makes a matching gift, you can follow up with information about volunteer grants or payroll giving programs. Remind them of the available benefits and encourage them to take advantage of these opportunities as well to increase their impact on your mission.

Provide Exclusive Incentives for Participation

People love incentives, so consider offering rewards to matching gift donors who participate in additional workplace giving programs. For example, you could create a giving ladder that recognizes donors who participate in multiple programs. In that case, donors who volunteer for a certain number of hours or contribute through payroll giving could be rewarded with exclusive content, special recognition, or invitations to VIP events.

How to Track and Report on Multiple Workplace Giving Programs

Once you start involving matching gift donors in more workplace giving programs, it’s crucial to track and report these contributions effectively. After all, doing so ensures that your nonprofit doesn’t miss out on potential funding and that you can provide comprehensive recognition to donors who participate in several workplace giving initiatives.

As you implement workplace giving tracking and reporting, here are some key metrics to consider:

  1. Total Contributions from New Programs: Measure how much additional revenue is generated through payroll giving, volunteer grants, and VTO.
  2. Increased Donor Retention: Track whether donors who engage in multiple workplace giving programs are more likely to contribute again in the future.
  3. Volunteer Hours: Track the number of volunteer hours contributed by donors who participate in volunteer grant or VTO programs.
  4. Employer Participation: Measure the extent to which employers are matching donations, offering grants, or providing VTO for their employees’ charitable efforts.

These metrics will give you insight into the effectiveness of your engagement strategies and help you refine your approach to workplace giving. For optimal tracking, utilize a donor management system (or CRM) to monitor participation in matching gifts, volunteer grants, payroll giving, VTO, and other initiatives. This system will help you stay organized, report accurately to corporate partners, and provide updates to donors on the impact of their contributions.

Leveraging Technology to Streamline Workplace Giving Programs

The right technology can play a significant role in simplifying the management of workplace giving programs. Tools like Double the Donation can integrate with your donor management system or fundraising platform to streamline the process of tracking matching gifts, volunteer grants, and payroll giving. These resources collect employment information from supporters, automatically identify workplace giving opportunities, and send reminders to donors, making it easier to manage multiple programs at once.

With innovative tools in your toolkit, you can ensure that matching gift donors have a seamless experience, participate in more workplace giving programs, increase engagement, and maximize your nonprofit’s impact.

Wrapping Up & Next Steps

Involving matching gift donors in more workplace giving programs is an effective way to increase their engagement and enhance the impact of your nonprofit. By promoting volunteer grants, payroll giving, and VTO opportunities, you can significantly boost the financial and volunteer support your organization receives.

Remember to track these contributions, educate your donors, and leverage technology to streamline the process. With the right strategies in place, you can turn matching gift donors into long-term, multi-faceted supporters.

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