Nonprofit leaders are constantly searching for ways to scale their impact without exhausting their existing donor base. One of the most effective ways to accomplish this is by leveraging fundraising matches. When a donor knows their contribution will go twice as far, they are significantly more likely to give.

To effectively grow your organization, you must move beyond occasional match opportunities and toward a comprehensive strategy. This deep dive will answer common questions, providing the definitions, research, and tactical advice needed to master every form of matching gift available to your nonprofit today.

Primary Types of Fundraising Matches to Consider

What’s the difference between a corporate matching gift and a challenge grant?

A corporate matching gift is a year-round program in which a company matches employee donations to eligible nonprofits. This is a passive but highly reliable stream of income that depends on the donor’s employment status.

Conversely, a challenge grant (or matching challenge) is generally a time-bound incentive provided by a specific individual or foundation. In this scenario, a donor might pledge fifty thousand dollars to your organization, but only on the condition that you raise an equal amount from other sources within a specific timeframe.

While corporate matches focus on individual employee engagement, challenge grants focus on collective community action. Both serve as powerful fundraising matches that appeal to different segments of your audience.

Fundraising Match Types: A Quick Comparison Chart

Further reading: 3 Types of Matching Gifts to Help You Double the Love and the Giving

What are volunteer grants, and how does a nonprofit collect them?

Beyond traditional corporate matching gifts, many companies also offer volunteer grants. These initiatives involve a company contributing a monetary donation to a nonprofit in recognition of the time an employee volunteers.

For example, a company might contribute $20 for every hour an employee spends tutoring at a local after-school program. Rather than the nonprofit applying for the grant itself, the individual employee is typically required to complete a brief form and submit it to their company. Once the company reviews the request, it makes a qualifying donation to the nonprofit!

What is the average match ratio for corporate matching programs?

The most common match ratio is one-to-one, meaning the company matches the employee’s gift dollar for dollar. However, some particularly generous programs offer ratios as high as 2:1 or even 3:1, serving as significant incentives for donors to contribute.

How does peer-to-peer matching support grassroots fundraising?

Peer-to-peer fundraising is a high-growth area for many nonprofits, and adding a matching component can take it to the next level. In this model, a board member or local leader may pledge to match the first $500 raised by a specific team. This touch decentralizes the process and gives your most passionate supporters a powerful tool to increase conversion rates within their own social circles.

Beyond local leaders, these campaigns can also offer a dual layer of corporate support. Individual donors who give via a friend’s campaign are often eligible for their own companies’ matching gift programs. Additionally, some employers even offer unique fundraising matches that double the total amount employees collect from their peers.

Strategic Advantages of Donation Matching Programs

Do fundraising matches actually increase individual donations?

The presence of a match not only increases the total amount raised but also fundamentally changes how people interact with your brand. The psychological impact of “free money” for a cause is a significant driver of action.

Double the Donation research shows that the mere mention of a match (regardless of its source or structure) can increase response rates by more than 71%. Additionally, average gift sizes increase by 51% when a match is offered. This suggests that donors are not only more likely to give, but also more likely to give more, because they perceive greater value in their contributions.

How do fundraising matches impact donor retention?

Matches tend to improve donor retention because donors feel a greater sense of accomplishment. When they see their gift doubled, they perceive the nonprofit as efficient and well-supported, which builds trust and long-term loyalty. This positive reinforcement makes it increasingly likely that they will return to give again in subsequent years, especially if they know their employer will continue to match those gifts.

Why are challenge matches so effective for creating urgency?

While corporate matches provide stability, challenge matches tend to offer excitement. These are high-stakes, high-visibility opportunities often perfect for year-end appeals. The psychology behind a challenge match is rooted in social proof and giving urgency. When a donor sees a ticking clock and a specific goal, they feel that their own contribution is the missing piece of the puzzle. This sense of agency transforms a request for money into an invitation to help the organization cross a tangible finish line.

How do fundraising matches improve major donor stewardship?

A challenge match provides a unique stewardship opportunity for major donors. It allows them to see their gift work harder by encouraging others to give alongside them. For a major gift officer, proposing a challenge match is a great way to re-engage a long-term supporter who wants to see their contribution have a multiplying effect on the community.

Additionally, many major donors qualify for corporate matching gift programs, too. While most companies implement maximum thresholds (often $10,000 to $25,000), some offer caps as high as $100,000 per employee each year. When major donors partake in employee gift-matching, they make a significant splash with their doubled contributions!

What is the financial impact of unclaimed corporate matching gifts?

An estimated $4 to $7 billion in employee matching gift funds go unclaimed each year, largely due to a lack of awareness among donors. When a nonprofit identifies these opportunities, it can bridge the funding gap and secure revenue that would otherwise be left on the table by corporate social responsibility departments.

Smart Resources and Solutions for Scaling Match Revenue

How do we identify which donors are eligible for a corporate match?

Innovative fundraising software can perform email domain screening or provide a dedicated search tool to identify a donor’s employer. This allows your nonprofit to flag eligible donors and send targeted follow-up outreach.

Does my donation form need a specific search tool to capture matching gifts?

While not strictly required, having a company search widget significantly increases the likelihood of capturing a match. By integrating a search tool directly into your donation form, you allow donors to find their employer’s matching policy while they are already in the mindset of giving. This eliminates the added friction of post-donation follow-ups.

What resources exist to help donors find their employer’s policies?

Specialized fundraising tools maintain extensive databases of corporate matching gift policies. These tools can be embedded on a nonprofit website to give donors instant access to their company-specific guidelines and forms. This takes the guesswork out of the process for the donor and ensures that the nonprofit receives the correct documentation.

How can we automate the matching gift process (and why does it matter)?

The biggest hurdle to growing match revenue is the administrative burden. The 2026 Nonprofit Corporate Engagement report indicates that over 35% of nonprofits cite limited staff capacity as the single greatest barrier. Automated fundraising platforms can scan donor data in real time and trigger personalized reminders to the donor to complete necessary forms without manual effort.

What tech solutions exist to help grow every type of fundraising match?

To maximize revenue, you need a multifaceted approach. For workplace giving matches and volunteer grants, the industry standard is Double the Donation. For high-impact challenge matches, the landscape is shifting toward integrated modern fundraising solutions that manage time-bound goals alongside standard giving pages.

Fundraising Match Best Practices & Expert Tips for Success

How can my nonprofit market available fundraising matches to donors?

To bridge the knowledge gap, promote these opportunities at every touchpoint. Start by featuring match information on your website. Use email newsletters for success stories, and leverage social media for real-time progress updates. Include matching gift information in direct mail for those who prefer physical correspondence, and use SMS for high-urgency reminders leading up to deadlines.

When is the best time to launch a matching challenge campaign?

Matching challenges are most effective during high-volume giving periods, such as Giving Tuesday or the final week of December. However, a successful match challenge can be organized at any time of year as long as you have a generous funder ready to back the campaign.

Can we apply fundraising matches to memberships or event tickets?

In many cases, the tax-deductible portion of a membership or event ticket is eligible. While the value of a meal or t-shirt typically cannot be matched, the remaining donation amount often qualifies. Provide donors with a clear breakdown of the deductible amount in their receipt so they can report it to their employer accurately.

How should we thank a donor who initiates a match vs. the company that fulfills it?

When a corporate match is fulfilled, thank the employee first, as they were the catalyst. Send a notification letting them know the company followed through. For the company or major donor providing the matching funds, focus on the collective impact of their contribution and consider public acknowledgment of their support.

---

Conclusion

Mastering various fundraising matches is a requirement for any nonprofit that wants to remain competitive. By distinguishing among corporate matches, challenge grants, and other programs, you can create a diverse strategy that addresses both long-term sustainability and short-term growth.

The data is clear: donors want to see their impact multiplied, and providing them with the tools to do so is the most direct path to increasing your revenue.

Interested in driving more revenue through fundraising matches? Get started with the leading matching gift platform today.