High-Ratio Matching Gifts: Companies that 3x and 4x Donations
Identifying high-ratio matching gifts is one of the most effective ways for your nonprofit to maximize its revenue without asking your current supporters to reach deeper into their own pockets. When a donor contributes to your cause, their employer might be willing to match that gift at a rate far higher than the standard dollar-for-dollar. But to tailor your outreach and promote these standout opportunities to your audience, it’s important that you know where to look.
In this guide, we’ll cover:
- The basics of matching gift ratios
- Companies with year-round high-ratio matching gift programs
- High-ratio matching gifts in special circumstances
- How fundraising software identifies high-ratio opportunities
By understanding which companies offer these generous multiples, your organization can ensure it doesn’t leave any money on the table.
Let’s get started!
Getting Started: What Are Matching Gift Ratios?
A matching gift ratio is the specific multiplier a company uses to determine how much it will donate for each employee’s gift. While a 1:1 ratio is the most common (meaning the company matches an employee’s donation dollar for dollar), many corporations go much further.
In this case, a 2:1 ratio effectively triples employee donations (i.e., a $100 gift results in a $200 match, totaling $300 in value), while a 3:1 ratio quadruples the donation amount ($100 donation → $300 match → $400 value).
According to Double the Donation’s matching gift statistics:
- 91% of companies match at a 1:1 ratio
- 4% match at a lower rate, such as .5:1
- 5% of companies match at a higher rate, like 2:1 or 3:1
By understanding the math behind these ratios, your development team can better communicate the accurate value of workplace giving involvement. And when you uncover these opportunities, you’ll see that even a small increase in ratio can have a massive impact on your year-end totals.
Companies With Year-Round High-Ratio Matching Gift Programs
Many companies maintain a high match ratio (i.e., 2:1 or 3:1), tripling or quadrupling employee donations throughout the year. These programs are gold mines for nonprofits because they provide a consistent stream of amplified revenue.
By identifying donors who work for companies with these generous multipliers, you can focus your stewardship on the supporters with the highest potential impact.
| Company Name | Match Ratio | Maximum COMPANY CONTRIBUTION |
|---|---|---|
| Coca-Cola | 2:1 | $20,000 |
| Johnson & Johnson | 2:1 | $40,000 |
| Soros Fund Management | 2:1 | $300,000 |
| W.W. Grainger | 3:1 | $7,500 |
| American International Group | 2:1 | $20,000 |
| Gates Foundation | 3:1 | $30,000 |
| Capital Group | 2:1 | $5,000 |
| Ford Foundation | 3:1 | $30,000 |
| Pew Charitable Trusts | 2:1 | $20,000 |
| W.K. Kellogg Foundation | 2:1 | $100,000 |
| David and Lucile Packard Foundation | 3:1 | $30,000 |
| Charles Stewart Mott Foundation | 3:1 | $12,000 |
| Annie E. Casey Foundation | 2:1 | $6,000 |
| Joyce Foundation | 2:1 | $3,000 |
| Robert Wood Johnson Foundation | 5:1 | $50,000 |
Coca-Cola (2:1 match ratio)
The Coca-Cola Company is well-known for its generous community-based philanthropy. They offer a 2:1 match ratio for employee donations, meaning they triple the employee’s gift. This program is available for up to $10,000 per employee annually, making it a highly accessible source of high-ratio funding.
Learn more about Coca-Cola’s matching gift program →
Johnson & Johnson (2:1 match ratio)
Johnson & Johnson provides a very generous 2:1 match for current employees. However, the company also extends its matching program to retirees at a 1:1 ratio. This program features a $20,000 annual cap per employee.
Learn more about Johnson & Johnson’s matching gift program →
Soros Fund Management (3:1 match ratio)
This investment firm offers a 3:1 match for its employees, with a staggering maximum annual corporate contribution of $300,000. (Note: High-finance firms often have high maximum match limits, which can result in five-figure checks for your organization!)
Learn more about Soros Fund Management’s matching gift program →
W.W. Grainger (3:1 match ratio)
W.W. Grainger stands out with a very generous 3:1 match ratio. For every $1 an employee gives, the company contributes $3, effectively quadrupling the impact of initial donations from many team members. Grainger employees can contribute up to $2,500, and the company will match their gifts with up to $7,500 in company funds.
Learn more about W.W. Grainger’s matching gift program →
American International Group (2:1 match ratio)
American International Group, or AIG, matches employee donations at a 2:1 ratio. The company has a long history of supporting community-based organizations and educational institutions, providing a substantial boost of up to $10,000 per employee each year.
Learn more about American International Group’s matching gift program →
Gates Foundation (3:1 match ratio)
The Gates Foundation (formerly the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) is an industry leader in giving. They offer a 3:1 match for their employees with an annual contribution cap of $30,000. Given the foundation’s focus on global health and education, it is a primary target for nonprofits working in those areas.
Learn more about the Gates Foundation’s matching gift program →
Capital Group (2:1 match ratio)
Capital Group offers a 2:1 match for donations made by both full-time and part-time employees. They provide an annual maximum match of $5,000 per employee, which is significant support for local nonprofits.
Learn more about the Capital Group’s matching gift program →
Ford Foundation (3:1 match ratio)
As one of the wealthiest foundations in the world, the Ford Foundation provides a 3:1 match for its staff. This reflects their deep commitment to social justice and offers up to $30,000 in matching funds per year.
Learn more about the Ford Foundation’s matching gift program →
Pew Charitable Trusts (2:1 match ratio)
The Pew Charitable Trusts match employee donations at a 2:1 ratio. They support a wide variety of causes, with a generous annual match cap of $20,000 per team member.
Learn more about Pew Charitable Trusts’ matching gift program →
W.K. Kellogg Foundation (2:1 match ratio)
The Kellogg Foundation matches employee gifts 2:1. The organization is particularly focused on funding causes that support children and families, providing up to $100,000 in annual matching gifts.
Learn more about the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s matching gift program →
David and Lucile Packard Foundation (3:1 match ratio)
The Packard Foundation offers a 3:1 match, making it one of the most generous foundation-based employee matching gift programs available, with an annual maximum of $30,000 per individual.
Learn more about the David and Lucile Packard Foundation’s matching gift program →
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation (3:1 match ratio)
The Mott Foundation is another leader with a 3:1 ratio. This team emphasizes education and environmental sustainability with an annual match limit of $12,000 per employee.
Learn more about Charles Stewart Mott Foundation’s matching gift program →
Annie E. Casey Foundation (2:1 match ratio)
This foundation matches employee gifts at a 2:1 ratio, providing up to $6,000 per year in support to nonprofits focused on child welfare, poverty alleviation, and beyond.
Learn more about Annie E. Casey Foundation’s matching gift program →
Joyce Foundation (2:1 match ratio)
The Joyce Foundation matches employee donations at a 2:1 ratio, with a focus on causes in the Great Lakes region and on social policy issues, and with a maximum annual match of $3,000.
Learn more about the Joyce Foundation’s matching gift program →
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (5:1 match ratio)
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation is a rare organization that offers a standout 5:1 match, with an incredible annual maximum of $50,000 per employee. This foundation boasts the highest matching gift ratio to date!
Learn more about the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s matching gift program →
Quick Tip:
When communicating with donors at companies like these, don’t just ask them to check if they have a match. Specifically mention that their company is known for “tripling” or “quadrupling” employees’ impact. This specific language creates increased urgency and excitement around the match opportunity.
Companies with High-Ratio Matching Gifts in Special Circumstances
Not every company offers a high ratio every day of the year. Some corporations use high-ratio matches to incentivize specific behaviors, such as supporting mission-aligned causes or serving on a nonprofit’s board. Others increase their ratios during high-traffic fundraising periods, including Giving Tuesday or other company-wide initiatives.
Check out a few examples of companies that offer 2:1 or 3:1 match ratios when employee gifts meet specific conditions!
| Company Name | Special Ratio | Circumstances REQUIRED TO UNLOCK ELEVATED Match |
|---|---|---|
| Avon | 2:1 | Applies to the first $500 donated; subsequent funds are matched at 1:1 up to $15,000. |
| General Mills | 2:1 | Reserved for organizations focused on food sustainability. |
| American Express | 2:1 | Applies to the first $1,000 when the employee serves on a board or volunteers 50+ hours. |
| FM Global | 2:1 | High-ratio matching is limited to donations to educational institutions. |
| Caterpillar | 2:1 | Offered as a special promotional match ratio during Giving Tuesday. |
| PNC Financial | Up to 4:1 | The match ratio is determined by the employee’s specific title and level within the company. |
| Nike | 2:1 | For sport-related causes or organizations supporting the Black Community Commitment. |
| Blue Shield of California | 2:1 | Available during specific quarterly campaigns or for employees in leadership roles. |
| Murphy Oil Corporation | 2:1 | High-ratio matching is available only for donations to educational institutions. |
| The Standard | 2:1 | Applicable for donations made through the company’s designated online giving portal. |
| Adobe | 2:1 | Promotional ratio offered during specific time periods, like Giving Tuesday. |
| John Wiley & Sons | 3:1 | Applies to the first $500 of an employee’s contribution. |
Avon
Avon offers a 2:1 match for the first $500 an employee donates. After the initial amount, the ratio drops to 1:1, up to a maximum match of $15,000 per year.
Learn more about Avon’s matching gift program →
General Mills
General Mills provides a 2:1 match specifically for organizations focused on food sustainability, up to $1,000 each year.
Learn more about General Mills’ matching gift program →
American Express
American Express uses a 2:1 ratio to reward deep engagement. The first $1,000 of an employee’s donations are matched 2:1 if that employee serves on a nonprofit board or volunteers more than 50 hours in a year. The company provides a total maximum match of $8,000 per employee.
Learn more about American Express’s matching gift program →
FM Global
FM Global offers a 2:1 match specifically to educational institutions. Up to $10,000 in matching funds is available annually for these donors, making them priority prospects for schools and universities.
Learn more about FM Global’s matching gift program →
Caterpillar
Caterpillar is known for its special Giving Tuesday promotions. In the past, the company has offered 2:1 matches on this global day of giving, with an annual maximum of $2,000, creating a strong incentive for their employees to donate.
Learn more about Caterpillar’s matching gift program →
PNC Financial
PNC Financial can offer up to a 4:1 match, though the exact ratio is based on an employee’s title or position. With a maximum match of $2,500, these high-multiplier gifts are often reserved for leadership roles.
Learn more about PNC Financial’s matching gift program →
Nike
Nike offers a 2:1 match for sport-related organizations and those supporting the Black Community Commitment. This program allows for a maximum match of $10,000 per year, aligning corporate giving with brand advocacy.
Learn more about Nike’s matching gift program →
Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California runs quarterly employee giving campaigns through which donations are matched at a 2:1 rate. The company offers an annual maximum match of $2,500, and timing your appeals to eligible employees within these specific windows can lead to significant spikes in both revenue and engagement.
Learn more about Blue Shield of California’s matching gift program →
Murphy Oil Corporation
Murphy Oil Corporation also offers a 2:1 match specifically for educational institutions. The company provides a generous maximum match of $12,500 per year for eligible schools.
Learn more about Murphy Oil Corporation’s matching gift program →
The Standard
The Standard provides a 2:1 match for donations made through the company’s online giving portal, Benevity. Full-time, part-time, and retired employees can have their gifts matched up to $5,000 on an annual basis.
Learn more about The Standard’s matching gift program →
Adobe
Adobe has been known to increase its match to 2:1 during specific time periods, including Giving Tuesday. The company’s matching program provides up to $10,000 in matching funds per employee each year.
Learn more about Adobe’s matching gift program →
John Wiley & Sons
John Wiley & Sons offers a 3:1 match on the first $500 an employee gives. This program has an annual maximum match of $5,000, providing an excellent incentive for early-year contributions.
Learn more about John Wiley & Sons’ matching gift program →
Identifying High-Ratio Opportunities with Fundraising Software
Manually searching for each donor’s employer, not to mention its specific matching gift ratio, is impossible for most fundraising teams. This is where the right software becomes indispensable. A high-quality database tool can automate the process by identifying match-eligible donors as they give and providing them with the exact forms, guidelines, and instructions they need to submit a request post-transaction.
By integrating these tools into your existing tech stack, you ensure that your nonprofit is always prepared to capitalize on high-ratio opportunities. You no longer have to wait for a donor to mention where they work; the software does all the heavy lifting for you.
Did you know? A matching gift automation tool like Double the Donation can increase matching gift revenue for nonprofits by more than 20% to 50%. Just think of the extra mission work you can accomplish with those extra funds!
Wrapping Up: Do Your Donors Work for These Generous Employers?
High-ratio matching gifts represent one of the greatest “hidden” opportunities in the world of fundraising. By focusing your outreach on donors who work for these generous employers, you can significantly increase your impact with minimal extra effort.
Plus, as we look to the future of corporate gift matching, many companies continue to expand and grow their matching gift initiatives. That means we can expect more and more employers to offer increasingly generous matching gift ratios!
Just remember that the key to success lies in donor awareness. Most supporters want to help your cause as much as possible, but they often don’t know that their employer is willing to triple or quadruple their contribution. Using a robust fundraising tool to identify and educate your audience is the best way to ensure your organization thrives.
Do you know if your donors work for these high-ratio matching gift companies? Use a comprehensive matching gift database like Double the Donation to find out!
