Top Companies That Match Donations: How Nonprofits Can Maximize Opportunities

Matching gift programs are a valuable way for nonprofits to increase fundraising revenue with minimal effort. Companies in all industries, locations, and of all sizes offer these programs in an effort to engage employees and make an impact on their community. As a nonprofit, understanding how these programs work and how to identify supporters that work for these companies can significantly boost your fundraising potential. In this guide, we’ll provide practical advice for nonprofits to take full advantage of these opportunities.

What Are Matching Gifts?

A matching gift is a philanthropic program offered by many companies, where the employer matches an employee’s donation to an eligible nonprofit. These programs can vary in terms of eligibility, matching gift amounts, and types of donations that qualify, but no matter what form they come in, they offer value to nonprofits. Nonprofits can claim this revenue by reaching out to employees of companies with matching gift programs and encouraging them to request matches for their donations.

Why Companies Offer Matching Gifts

Companies offer matching gift programs for several reasons. For starters, it’s an effective way to encourage employee engagement, enhance corporate social responsibility (CSR), and improve employee morale. These programs also allow businesses to align their values with charitable causes, creating a positive public image and fostering a culture of giving within the organization. Given those benefits, these programs are only expected to continue growing!

Industries with the Most Generous Matching Gift Programs

Companies in various industries offer matching gifts, demonstrating their wide appeal. Curious who some of the leaders are? Here’s an overview of the top industries that frequently offer matching gift programs:

Technology: Major players in the tech industry, such as Google, Microsoft, and Apple, offer some of the most generous matching gift programs.
Financial Services: Companies like JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, and Fidelity are known for their robust matching gift programs.
Healthcare: Hospitals and healthcare providers like Merck, Pfizer, and Johnson & Johnson provide matching gifts to support their employees’ charitable contributions.
Retail: Large retailers, including Walmart and Target, have matching gift programs to support causes that matter to their employees. Often, both full and part-time employees qualify.
Energy: Energy companies such as ExxonMobil and Chevron also provide matching gifts to boost charitable donations.

These are just a few examples of companies in different sectors that offer matching gift programs. Understanding where the most generous opportunities lie can help nonprofits strategically target their outreach efforts.

How to Identify Companies That Match Donations

Identifying companies with matching gift programs can be a research-intensive task. However, there are several ways nonprofits can streamline the process:

Leverage a Matching Gift Database: Platforms like Double the Donation’s matching gift database are great resources for identifying companies that match donations. These databases allow nonprofits to search for eligible companies and learn about their matching gift policies.
Reach Out to Donors: Ask your existing donors if their employers match donations. This can be an effective way to identify potential matches, especially if you already have a strong donor base. They’ll be able to ask their HR department or reference any benefit materials to help determine their own eligibility!
Check Corporate Websites: Many companies list their matching gift programs and guidelines on their websites in an effort to showcase their generosity. That means you can find matching gift information through a simple web search! It’s a good idea to keep a list of companies you’re targeting and check their websites regularly for updates.

How Nonprofits Can Maximize Matching Gift Opportunities

Maximizing matching gift opportunities requires strategic planning and outreach. While many companies offer matching gift programs, donors often don’t realize that they qualify. That means that revenue opportunities can easily be overlooked. To avoid that pitfall, here are a few key tactics nonprofits can use to ensure they’re taking full advantage of matching gift programs:

Promote Matching Gifts: Educate your donors about matching gift opportunities by including information on your website, in email campaigns, and on social media. Highlight the importance of checking with employers to see if matching gifts are available.
Make It Easy to Take Action: Simplify the matching gift process for your donors. Provide clear instructions on how they can submit their donations for matching and include links to relevant resources from their employer. Using a matching gift database significantly helps with this since it can connect each of your donors to their company-specific next steps.
Follow Up with Donors: After receiving a donation, follow up with donors to remind them to submit their matching gift request. Providing a personalized email or a friendly reminder can significantly increase the number of matches you receive.

Additional Benefits of Matching Gifts

Matching gifts benefits stretch far beyond just the initial match for both companies and donors. These programs can also:

Strengthen Relationships with Donors: By offering matching gift opportunities, nonprofits show their donors that they care about maximizing the impact of their contributions.
Increase Employee Engagement: Companies that offer matching gifts often see increased employee participation in charitable activities and greater satisfaction in the workplace.
Boost Corporate Partnerships: Matching gifts can lead to stronger relationships between nonprofits and corporations, potentially opening the door to additional sponsorships and partnerships.

How to Use a Matching Gift Database

Using a matching gift database, such as the one available through Double the Donation, is one of the most effective ways to identify matching gift opportunities. These databases are continually updated with the latest information about matching gift policies, eligibility, and donation guidelines. Nonprofits can use these databases to search for companies that match donations, determine how much they are willing to match, and learn about submission procedures.

Conclusion

Matching gift programs are a powerful tool for increasing fundraising efforts and strengthening relationships with donors. The ROI provided by matching gifts helps fundraising teams achieve their goals. By understanding how these programs work and actively seeking out companies that match donations, nonprofits can significantly boost their revenue and engagement. Be sure to leverage matching gift databases and consistently promote matching gift opportunities to maximize their potential.