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Surprising Matching Gift Facts Every Nonprofit Should Know

Surprising Matching Gift Facts Every Nonprofit Should Know

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Matching gifts are one of the most underutilized revenue streams in fundraising. Every year, billions of dollars in matching gift funds go unclaimed because donors are unaware of these opportunities or don’t understand how to access the funds. With a little education and effort, and these surprising matching gift facts in your pocket, your organization can unlock hidden revenue and strengthen relationships with both donors and corporate partners.

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most interesting matching gift facts you should know. These include the following:

  1. Matching Gifts Can Be Part of Broader Workplace Giving Programs
  2. Higher Match Rates Are a Key Differentiator for Companies
  3. Most Matching Gift Programs Are Open-Choice Programs
  4. Top Peer-to-Peer Fundraisers Promote Matching Gifts
  5. Matching Gifts Often Extend to Part-Time Employees and Retirees
  6. Matching Gifts Can Increase Initial Generosity
  7. Retroactive Matching Gifts Can Be a Missed Opportunity
  8. Consistent Outreach Creates Long-Term Growth
  9. Corporate Matching Is a Gateway to Stronger Partnerships
  10. Matching Gifts Are a Valuable Tool for Donor Stewardship

When equipped with the right knowledge, these fun facts will help your organization maximize its revenue, engage more donors, and make the most of corporate philanthropy. Let’s dive in!

1. Matching Gifts Can Be Part of Broader Workplace Giving Programs

Matching gifts are often offered in conjunction with other workplace giving programs, allowing employees to be eligible for multiple forms of corporate philanthropy. Many companies not only match monetary donations but also provide additional support through volunteer grants and payroll giving. This means your supporters can get involved through their employer in multiple ways.

How You Can Leverage This Fact

By promoting all available workplace giving opportunities, not just matching gifts, you can maximize the revenue generated from each donor. Here are several ways to make the most of this:

  • Educating donors about volunteer grants: Encourage donors to log their volunteer hours, which may be eligible for a company match through dollars-for-doers programs. Many companies offer volunteer grant programs, where they donate money based on the number of hours an employee volunteers for the organization. These grants can significantly enhance your fundraising.
  • Promoting payroll giving: Many companies offer payroll giving programs, allowing employees to make regular donations directly from their paycheck. These donations can often be matched by the company, creating a reliable and ongoing revenue stream for your organization. Payroll giving also helps you maintain a consistent flow of donations, which is essential for long-term sustainability.

2. Higher Match Rates Are a Key Differentiator for Companies

As companies increasingly compete to attract and retain talent, higher match rates are becoming a significant differentiator. Companies are offering more generous match ratios, with some programs offering 2:1 or even 3:1 matches, compared to the standard 1:1 ratio.

Examples of such companies include the Chicago Community Trust and Illinois Tool Works.

How You Can Leverage This Fact

  • Target donors working at companies with higher match rates: Many mid-sized and even large companies offer more generous match ratios, but these opportunities are often overlooked. By identifying employees working for companies with these enhanced benefits, you can potentially double or triple donations.
  • Incorporate matching gifts into fundraising campaigns: By promoting higher match rates, you can motivate donors to increase their gift sizes or encourage additional donations from employees of these companies. For example, if a donor knows their $50 donation can be doubled, they might be more inclined to contribute a larger amount.

3. Most Matching Gift Programs Are Open-Choice Programs

A key fact that many organizations miss is that most matching gift programs are open-choice programs, meaning employees can choose which organization they wish to support, without restrictions based on the company’s causes or focus. This flexibility allows employees to submit matching gift requests for any organization they care about.

How You Can Leverage This Fact

  • Promote your organization in open-choice programs: Encourage donors to request a match from their company, even if that company’s matching program isn’t aligned with your cause. This opens the door to more potential matches and doesn’t require a formal relationship with the company.
  • Educate donors about open-choice programs: Ensure that your donors are aware they can submit matching gift requests for any organization they care about, even if it’s not one highlighted by their company’s internal initiatives. Many companies offer broad flexibility in their matching gift programs, so it’s important to educate donors on this to increase participation.

4. Top Peer-to-Peer Fundraisers Promote Matching Gifts

100% of the P2P Top 30 organizations promote matching gifts in some way. These platforms understand that matching gifts can significantly boost campaign totals and increase donor motivation.

How You Can Leverage This Fact

  • Incorporate matching gift opportunities into peer-to-peer campaigns: Ensure that all fundraisers are aware of matching gift programs and encourage them to promote these opportunities in their own campaigns. Peer-to-peer fundraisers are often highly motivated to reach their goals, and when matching gifts are promoted, they are more likely to encourage their networks to take action.
  • Provide tools and templates for fundraisers: Create easy-to-use templates that fundraisers can share with their supporters, clearly outlining how matching gifts work and how donors can request them. Fundraisers will appreciate having resources that help them raise more funds and engage their networks.

5. Matching Gifts Often Extend to Part-Time Employees and Retirees

Many donors don’t realize that matching gift programs are not limited to full-time employees. The truth is that many part-time employees and even retirees can also be eligible for matching gifts through some companies.

For example, Starbucks and The Sherwin-Williams Company extend their matching gift programs to these often-overlooked groups.

How You Can Leverage This Fact

  • Reach out to part-time employees and retirees: Create targeted campaigns or inclusive, clarifying messaging for part-time workers and retirees, informing them that they, too, can have their donations matched.
  • Provide clear instructions for part-time employees and retirees, ensuring they understand the matching gift process and how to submit requests. This can often be a new revenue stream that organizations miss out on because part-time and retired employees are not typically included in outreach efforts.

6. Matching Gifts Can Increase Initial Generosity

One of the most significant benefits of matching gifts is that they can amplify the initial generosity of donors. In fact, studies show that one in three donors will increase their donation size if they know their gift will be matched. Talk about a conversion booster!

How You Can Leverage This Fact

  • Highlight the matching gift opportunity in donation appeals: Promoting matching gifts can encourage larger initial donations. Donors may choose to give more if they know their donation will be matched.
  • Emphasize the impact of matching gifts: Show how a donor’s gift will be doubled or tripled when matched by their employer. This increases their emotional connection to the cause and motivates them to give more.

7. Retroactive Matching Gifts Can Be a Missed Opportunity

Some companies offer retroactive matching gifts, allowing donors to submit requests for gifts made up to 12 months ago. Nonprofits often miss out on this opportunity by focusing only on current donations.

How You Can Leverage This Fact

  • Reach out to past donors and remind them of retroactive matching gift opportunities. Especially during year-end campaigns, this is an effective way to re-engage donors and ensure their continued involvement.
  • Provide clear instructions for submitting retroactive requests. Remind donors that they can still have past donations matched if their company allows retroactive gifts.

8. Consistent Outreach Creates Long-Term Growth

While one-time matching gift campaigns can provide short-term boosts, consistent outreach is key to long-term growth. By maintaining regular communication, you can keep matching gifts at the forefront of donors’ minds throughout the year.

How You Can Leverage This Fact

  • Create a year-round strategy: Don’t limit outreach to specific campaigns. Use regular reminders to keep matching gifts in front of your donors throughout the year.
  • Highlight matching gift success stories regularly: Share how matching gifts have made a tangible difference, which will encourage repeat participation.

9. Corporate Matching Is a Gateway to Stronger Partnerships

Matching gifts are more than just a way to increase revenue; they can also help build deeper relationships with corporate partners. Many companies that offer matching gifts also provide additional support in the form of sponsorships, volunteerism, or in-kind donations. By engaging with companies that offer matching gift programs, nonprofits can establish lasting partnerships that extend beyond financial support.

How You Can Leverage This Fact

  • Engage corporate partners early: When communicating with companies about matching gifts, seize the opportunity to broaden the conversation to other forms of collaboration, such as event sponsorship or volunteer programs.

  • Develop long-term partnerships: Companies offering matching gifts may also be interested in long-term relationships with your organization, including providing ongoing support through their employees or participating in other philanthropic efforts.

10. Matching Gifts Are a Valuable Tool for Donor Stewardship

Matching gifts can serve as a powerful tool not only for increasing donations but also for strengthening donor stewardship. When donors know their gifts will be matched, they feel more valued and appreciated, which deepens their connection to the cause. This sense of increased impact can lead to greater donor loyalty and a stronger long-term relationship.

How You Can Leverage This Fact

  • Recognize the impact of matching gifts: Publicly thank donors for both their personal donation and the corporate match. This reinforces their contribution and helps them feel a sense of connection to the mission.

  • Encourage repeat participation by showing donors the tangible results of their matching gifts, such as the number of people helped, the programs supported, or the benefits to the community. The more donors see the impact of their giving, the more likely they are to continue their support.

Wrapping Up & Next Steps

Matching gifts are a powerful tool for increasing revenue and strengthening donor relationships. By leveraging these surprising facts, such as workplace giving and retroactive matching gifts, you can unlock hidden revenue and create a sustainable, engaged donor base.

Start applying these strategies today to boost your matching gift revenue and maximize your fundraising efforts!

Raise more with matching gift automation software

The Psychology Behind Matching Gifts Why Donors Give More

The Psychology Behind Matching Gifts: Why Donors Give More

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Matching gifts are more than just a smart fundraising tactic. They’re a key motivator that can significantly increase donor engagement and generosity. When individuals know their gifts will be matched by their employers, they feel empowered, validated, and even excited about giving.

But what is it about matching gifts that makes people give more? In this post, we’ll dive into the psychology behind matching gifts, exploring the emotional and cognitive triggers that make this strategy so effective.

From the power of social proof to the satisfaction of doubling your impact, we’ll uncover the reasons donors are more likely to say “yes” when matching opportunities are on the table. And we’ll do so by walking through the following:

  • Understanding Matching Gifts
  • How Matching Increases Gift Conversion Rates
  • Why Matching Drives Larger Donations
  • How Matching Encourages Ongoing Engagement
  • Using Psychology to Heighten Matched Giving: Top Tips

Ready to supercharge your fundraising efforts with the right matching gift ideas and strategies? Read on to find out how you can do so.

Understanding Matching Gifts

Matching gifts are one of the most powerful, and often underutilized, forms of corporate philanthropy. At their core, employee matching gift programs are a way for companies to support the charitable giving of their staff by doubling (or sometimes even tripling) the donations they make to eligible nonprofits.

Understanding the psychology behind matching gifts

Here’s how it works: when an employee donates to a nonprofit, they can submit a request to their employer to match the gift. If the nonprofit qualifies under the company’s guidelines, the employer sends an additional donation (typically dollar for dollar) to the same organization. Some companies even match donations made by spouses or retirees!

For nonprofits, matching gifts represent a huge opportunity to maximize fundraising without asking donors to give more. According to Double the Donation research, an estimated $4–$7 billion in matching gift funds go unclaimed each year. That’s often because donors are unaware of their employers’ programs or how to initiate the match.

How Matching Increases Gift Conversion Rates

Matching gifts don’t just boost donation totals. They also significantly increase conversion rates on fundraising appeals. When donors know an employer or a sponsor will match their gift, they’re more likely to take action, give generously, and complete their donations without fail.

At its core, matching gifts tap into a powerful psychological principle: impact amplification. When a donor sees that their $50 donation will become $100, the perceived value of their gift instantly doubles without requiring them to give more. This sense of increased impact makes the decision to donate more compelling and urgent.

Matching campaigns also introduce a sense of social proof and credibility. Donors often feel more confident contributing to a cause that has the backing of reputable companies like theirs, reinforcing the idea that their support is part of something bigger.

But don’t just take our word for it: the data backs this up, too. In fact, the aforementioned matching gift studies have shown that:

  • 84% of survey participants indicate that they’re more likely to donate if a match is offered.
  • Donation response rates increase by 71% when a matching gift is mentioned.

Understanding the psychology behind matching gifts: statistics

This means that simply highlighting a matching opportunity on your donation page, email appeal, or social media post can lead to a significant uptick in both participation and revenue. By making matching gifts a visible part of your fundraising message, you not only raise more but also convert more supporters into committed donors.

Why Matching Drives Larger Donations

Next up, one of the most compelling benefits of matching gift programs is their ability to encourage donors to give more than they originally planned. When donors know their contributions will be matched by their employers, they’re often inspired to increase the size of their gifts to maximize their impact.

Why? Matching gifts create a simple, persuasive value proposition: the more you give, the more is matched. For example, if a donor considers giving $50 but realizes that a $100 donation will result in a $200 total impact, they’re more likely to stretch their giving to the higher amount. This dynamic taps into a sense of generosity, urgency, and effectiveness, making people feel that their increased contributions are more meaningful and efficient.

Not to mention, a donor may recognize the availability of a matching gift so long as they reach their employer’s minimum threshold. For example, let’s say a donor was initially planning to give $20 but established that their company will match gifts of $25 or more. In many scenarios, the individual would increase their initial gift size⁠—or even follow up with an additional gift⁠—in order to hit the minimum amount.

The result? Research consistently shows that matching gift offers lead to higher average donation amounts:

  • 1 in 3 donors indicate they’d give a larger gift if matching is applied to their donation.
  • Mentioning matching gifts in fundraising appeals increases the average donation amount by 51%.

Understanding the psychology behind matching gifts: statistics

Psychologically, matching provides positive reinforcement. Donors experience a greater sense of satisfaction knowing their generosity is being amplified and that they’re helping the organization in a bigger way without having to bear the full financial burden alone.

How Matching Encourages Ongoing Engagement

Matching gifts don’t just boost one-time donations—they also help build and grow long-term supporter relationships. By showing donors that their gifts are valued and amplified, matching gift programs can turn casual contributors into committed, repeat donors.

When a donor sees their employer stepping up to match their gift, it sends a powerful message: your support matters, and you’re not doing this alone. This reinforces a sense of community and shared purpose, which is a key driver of ongoing engagement. Donors feel more connected, not just to your organization but to a broader network of people and companies working toward the same goal.

This connection can lead to stronger emotional ties and increased loyalty. Donors who participate in matching gift programs are often more responsive to future appeals, especially when they see that your organization made it easy for them to multiply their impact the first time.

Matching gifts are also a great tool for reactivating lapsed donors. A compelling match offer can reignite interest by providing an added incentive to give again.

Power your matching gift program with the right software

Using Psychology to Heighten Matched Giving: Top Tips

Successful fundraising isn’t just about asking for donations (or matches). It’s about understanding the motivations behind why people give.

By applying basic principles of psychology, nonprofits like yours can craft more compelling appeals that resonate emotionally, build trust, and ultimately lead to higher and more frequent contributions⁠ and matches.

Here’s how you can do so:

1. Leverage social proof.

Social proof is a psychological phenomenon that taps into our natural tendency to follow the behavior of others, especially in moments of uncertainty. In order to incorporate social proof into your matching gift strategy, we recommend:

  • Featuring recent donor names (with permission) or anonymous tags like “A donor in Chicago just gave $50 that was matched by the Home Depot!”
  • Including testimonials from donors who used matching programs: “I was thrilled to see that my company doubled my gift for a cause I care about!”
  • Implementing counters or progress bars that show how many donors have given or how much has been matched so far.

In other words, when donors see that people like them are supporting your cause and taking advantage of matching gift opportunities, they’re more likely to do the same.

2. Mention matching before donors give.

For the best results, you’ll want to lead with matching gift language in your appeals and donation pages before donors give rather than first introducing the idea after the transaction.

Here’s how you can do so effectively:

  • Include clear match offers in subject lines and headlines: “Your Gift, Doubled!”
  • Make matching language visible above your donation form—not buried in a post-donation follow-up.
  • Use bold, action-oriented phrases like “Double Your Impact Instantly” or “Activate a 2X Match Now.”
  • Implement matching gift upsells to encourage larger, match-eligible donations as donors give.

All in all, supporters are more likely to give when they know ahead of time that their donations will be matched. Presenting the match opportunity prior to the donation decision increases motivation and urgency, ultimately driving more qualifying gifts.

3. Focus on increased impact.

Matching gifts can go a long way in increasing the impact of donations. For the best results, try framing matching in terms of the greater outcomes it makes possible.

Here’s how you can do so:

  • Replace generic appeals with mission-driven language: “Your $50 becomes $100—enough to feed a family for two weeks.”
  • Reinforce impact with concrete goals: “We need just 25 more matched gifts to fund an entire classroom.”
  • Use visuals or infographics to illustrate the multiplier effect of matching gifts.

Rather than just saying a gift is doubled, demonstrate to donors what their increased impact accomplishes. This engages their emotions and makes the giving experience more rewarding.

4. Celebrate successful matches.

Matching gifts, like donations, shouldn’t be a one-time thing. Ideally, each time your match-eligible supporters contribute to your cause, you’ll want them to complete the match request process.

Therefore, thank donors enthusiastically⁠, and highlight the collective achievement of match milestones to communicate impact and celebrate matching gift success. This includes:

  • Sending personalized thank-you emails that mention the match: “Thanks to your generosity, and your company’s match, your $100 just became $200!”
  • Posting public match updates on social media or in newsletters: “Together, we raised more than $25K from matched donations—thank you!”
  • Organizing shoutouts or honor rolls for matched donors (with permission), reinforcing social proof and gratitude.

All in all, acknowledging and celebrating successful matching gifts reinforces positive feelings and increases the likelihood of future giving. It also signals transparency and appreciation, keeping donors involved in giving and matching for the time to come.

Final Thoughts & Further Reading

Understanding the psychology behind matching gifts can help nonprofits not only increase revenue but also build deeper, more meaningful connections with donors. By tapping into human instincts like reciprocity, social influence, and urgency, you can inspire supporters to act and to give more generously.

When matching gifts are positioned effectively, they don’t just boost donations. They increase donor satisfaction and long-term engagement. Ready to harness the power of psychology in your next campaign? Matching gifts may be your smartest play yet.

To learn more about corporate gift-matching and beyond, we strongly encourage you to check out the following resources:

Raise more with matching gift automation software

How Nonprofits Use Automation to Capture More Matching Gifts

How Nonprofits Use Automation to Capture More Matching Gifts

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Matching gifts are one of the most powerful ways to increase fundraising revenue, yet many organizations leave this money on the table due to outdated, manual processes. The result? Every year, an estimated $4 to $7 billion in matching gift funds go unclaimed simply because donors don’t realize their employers offer them, or nonprofits lack the tools to follow up. 

That’s where automation comes in. Nonprofits of all sizes are now turning to technology to streamline the matching gift process: from identifying match-eligible donors to automating follow-ups and tracking outcomes.

In this post, we’ll explore how automation is helping nonprofits close the gap and unlock more of this untapped funding potential. Specifically, we’ll cover:

  • What is matching gift automation?
  • Benefits of using automation for matching gifts
  • How nonprofits are using matching gift automation in practice
  • 3 leading organizations raising more with automation
  • Choosing the right matching gift automation tool

Whether you’re part of a large development team or a one-person shop, smart automation can help you maximize every donation⁠, not to mention strengthen relationships with your supporters.

By the end of this post, you should have a clearer understanding of how automation works, why it matters, and how your organization can start capturing more matching gifts with less manual effort. Let’s dive in.

What is matching gift automation?

Matching gift automation can be generally defined as the use of technology to streamline and simplify the process of identifying, tracking, and securing employer matching gifts.

Traditionally, nonprofits have relied on largely manual matching gift methods, like asking donors to check with their HR departments or sending generic follow-up emails to encourage match submissions. These approaches are often time-consuming and ineffective, especially when donor data is incomplete or organizations lack the capacity to keep in touch consistently.

With automation, that process becomes much easier and more efficient. Matching gift automation tools can integrate directly with a nonprofit’s donation forms, CRMs, or other tools to identify and follow up with donors who work for companies with matching gift programs. Once a donation is made, these tools can:

  • Instantly notify donors if they are likely match-eligible
  • Provide direct links to their employer’s matching gift request forms
  • Send automated follow-up emails with personalized instructions
  • Track the status of match requests and completed matches

Some of the most widely used platforms—like Double the Donation and HEPdata—offer features that make it nearly effortless for nonprofits to capture more matching gift revenue while improving the donor experience.

Benefits of using automation for matching gifts

Matching gift automation offers numerous benefits to the organizations that adopt it. Here are some of the key advantages nonprofits tend to see when they get started with automation:

Increased Fundraising Revenue

The most obvious—and impactful—benefit is increased revenue. Automation helps identify more match-eligible donors in real time and nudges them to take action with timely reminders and direct links to their employer’s matching gift forms. When the process is this easy, more donors follow through, resulting in more matching gift dollars.

Time Savings for Staff

Without automation, staff may spend hours manually checking eligibility, sending follow-up emails, and tracking gift statuses. Automation eliminates much of that work, freeing up your team to focus on higher-level strategies like donor stewardship and campaign planning.

Better Donor Experience

Donors are more likely to complete a match when the process is simple and convenient. Matching gift automation tools can display company-specific instructions immediately after a donation is made, and follow up with helpful, personalized emails, making it easy for supporters to take the next step.

Real-Time Insights and Tracking

With automation platforms, nonprofits gain access to dashboards and reports that show how many donors are match-eligible, which companies are matching, and the status of each submission. These insights help organizations refine their strategy and report on matching gift impact more effectively.

How nonprofits are using matching gift automation in practice

As you can see, matching gift automation goes beyond just saving time. It actively drives more revenue by helping nonprofits engage donors more effectively at every stage of the donation process.

Here’s how organizations are putting automation into action with matching gifts:

Identifying Match-Eligible Gifts

One of the most powerful aspects of automation is real-time identification. As donors fill out an online donation form, matching gift software can detect where they work, usually through a simple employer search field or some form of email domain screening.

The system then instantly checks the donor’s employer against a database of known matching gift companies and determines whether the individual qualifies for a matching gift. That immediate insight then helps organizations personalize follow-up messaging and avoid missing out on valuable matches.

Triggering Post-Donation Follow-Ups

After the gift is made, automation tools can kick in to send timely, personalized emails to match-eligible donors. These configurable email follow-ups often include:

  • Confirmation of employer match eligibility
  • Direct links to the donor’s company’s submission portal or forms
  • Step-by-step instructions to complete the match
  • Gentle reminders over the days or weeks following the donation

Because these messages are triggered automatically, nonprofits can engage each eligible donor in real time⁠, all without lifting a finger.

Empowering Matching Gift Auto-Submissions

Some automation platforms (i.e., Double the Donation) go a step further by enabling auto-submission. This feature allows donors to complete the matching gift process directly from the nonprofit’s donation page, without having to navigate away or fill out additional forms later.

In terms of matching gift automation, auto-submission is a game-changer. For donors whose employers are enrolled in supported platforms, the entire process can take just a few clicks. This removes friction and makes it far more likely that the match will be submitted and approved.

Power your matching gift program with the right software

3 leading organizations raising more with automation

Many organizations are already seeing significant returns from adopting matching gift automation. From major universities to veteran organizations and community radio stations, here’s how three nonprofit causes are using tools like Double the Donation to raise more with less effort:

University of Delaware

The University of Delaware needed a way to reduce the administrative burden of managing matching gifts while still maximizing the revenue potential. Before automation, the team spent significant time manually identifying match-eligible donors, sending reminder emails, and processing submissions.

Since implementing Double the Donation, the university has automated much of this workflow, and the results have been transformational.

“The most valuable aspect of Double the Donation is the time and effort that we save by having DTD send emails automatically. DTD eliminates the manual processes for mailings and emails to donors, enables us to anticipate incoming matching gifts more accurately, and lets us track the matching gifts we have received.”

Now, the team can focus more on donor engagement and strategic planning while letting automation handle the repetitive, time-consuming tasks. Better yet, they have real-time visibility into expected and received matches, allowing for more accurate forecasting.

How University of Delaware is seeing success with matching gift automation

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund

For the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, matching gifts were a promising but underutilized revenue stream. The organization needed a solution that could both encourage donors to submit matches and make the process easier for them.

After adopting Double the Donation, they quickly saw the power of an integrated, user-friendly platform.

“Double the Donation has been a great resource for our organization! Integrating their platform was seamless, and the entire process was incredibly user-friendly. The tools and automated emails they provide have significantly boosted our matching gift revenue, making it much easier for donors to maximize their impact.”

By embedding the matching gift experience directly into the donation process and following up with helpful, automated reminders, the organization saw a noticeable increase in match completions. Automation didn’t just raise more money—it improved the donor experience and deepened engagement.

How Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is seeing success with matching gift automation

WMNF

WMNF, a community radio station in Florida, needed a solution that was easy to implement and would provide immediate value. Like many smaller nonprofits, the team didn’t have time to manually track donor employment information or send personalized match reminders.

That’s why automation was a perfect fit.

“Very easy set up and user interface. Sales and onboarding staff were very pleasant and helpful to work with. You get website widgets, integration with your donation checkout form, marketing materials, and email auto responders instructing and encouraging donors through the process. Great automated solution for nonprofits.”

WMNF now uses Double the Donation’s website plugin and automated email follow-ups to guide donors through the matching gift process. With automation fully integrated into their donation forms, they’re capturing more corporate gift opportunities without burdening their small team.

Looking for even more matching gift success stories? Check out Double the Donation’s case study compilation here.

Choosing the right matching gift automation tool

When it comes to unlocking matching gift revenue, automation is a powerful ally—but not all tools are created equal. Choosing the right matching gift automation platform can make the difference between a streamlined, revenue-boosting process and a system that creates more work than it saves.

Here are a few key factors to consider when evaluating your options:

Ease of Integration

The best automation tools plug seamlessly into your existing systems—whether you’re using a donation form, CRM, or peer-to-peer fundraising platform (or a combination of all three). Look for tools that offer easy, no-code integrations so your team isn’t stuck in a long implementation process.

Currently, Double the Donation stands out in this area, offering the industry’s most extensive list of integrations with over 90 fundraising platforms and CRMs. This broad compatibility ensures a smoother setup and less back-and-forth with your tech team.

User Experience—for Donors and Staff

Automation should simplify the matching gift process for everyone involved. That means intuitive donation form widgets, personalized follow-up emails, and user-friendly dashboards for your team.

Double the Donation’s interface is modern, clean, and designed with both the donor and fundraiser in mind. Donors receive employer-specific instructions immediately after giving, while staff can easily track match-eligible gifts and submission statuses in one place.

HEPdata also offers employer search and matching gift functionality, but the user experience tends to be less intuitive and often requires more manual intervention.

Customer Support and Onboarding

No matter how powerful a tool is, responsive support and onboarding can make or break the experience. For the best results, you’ll want a partner who understands the nonprofit space and is committed to your success.

Many organizations report positive experiences with Double the Donation’s onboarding team, highlighting their helpful, hands-on approach to setup and training. Their team also provides a robust library of marketing templates and other resources to help you promote matching gifts effectively year-round.

Scalability and Reporting

As your program grows, your tool should grow with you. Look for platforms that offer detailed analytics, custom reporting, and scalable workflows that support a growing donor base.

With customizable dashboards and real-time tracking, Double the Donation makes it easy to see which gifts are eligible, submitted, or matched—so you can report on ROI and optimize your outreach over time.

While there are a few tools in the market, Double the Donation consistently stands out as the top choice for nonprofits looking to increase matching gift revenue with minimal effort. Its deep integrations, donor-friendly experience, and cutting-edge features make it a favorite among fundraising professionals like yourself.

So take time to evaluate your needs, and don’t be afraid to ask for a demo to see various platforms in action. With the right tools in place, you’ll be well on your way to capturing more matching gifts and maximizing the value of every donation.

Wrapping up & additional matching gift automation resources

Matching gifts represent a massive opportunity for nonprofits. However, without automation, they’re easy to overlook. By integrating smart tools into their fundraising workflows, organizations can identify more eligible donors, simplify the match process, and boost revenue with minimal extra effort.

Whether you’re just getting started or looking to improve your current approach, adopting automation can transform how your nonprofit captures matching gifts. Now is the time to modernize your strategy and make sure no match goes unclaimed.

Ready to learn more about matching gift automation and beyond? Check out these additional recommended resources:

Raise more with matching gift automation software