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

Increase Your Fundraising Revenue with Matching Gifts

Did you know there’s an easy way to increase fundraising revenue while also boosting the likelihood your prospects will donate? Matching gifts achieve both.

Data shows prospective donors are 84% more likely to make a gift when they know it will be matched by their employer or another entity. Plus, one in three donors say they would give more if a match was available.

People enjoy making a big impact—and they like it even more when it requires little or no additional investment.

For nonprofits, matching gifts significantly increase revenue without increasing solicitations. Employers benefit as well: social initiatives strengthen affinity among the company, employees, and customers. In fact, 75% of workers value corporate cultures supporting philanthropy and volunteerism. Corporate social responsibility initiatives can positively impact corporate revenue too.

Three Types of Matching Gifts and How HEPdata Can Help

1. Corporate Employee Matches

When people refer to “matching gifts,” they typically mean corporate employee matches. In these programs, when an employee donates to a charity, their employer donates an equivalent amount.

About 65% of companies offer matching gift programs, and approximately 15% of donors are eligible. Each company’s matching policies vary. Matches typically range from 1:1 to 3:1. Some companies also match gifts from retirees or donor-advised funds.

How Employee Matches Work

An employee donates to a charity, submits a form to their employer, and after verification, the company sends the matched donation to the charity.

Examples of Employee Matching Gift Programs

  • Soros Fund Management: 3:1 match up to $100,000.
  • IBM: 1:1 match up to $10,000.
  • General Electric: 1:1 match up to $10,000, plus volunteer programs.
  • Johnson & Johnson: 2:1 match for employees (up to $10,000), 1:1 for retirees.

Benefits of Employee Matching Gift Programs

  • Donors double their impact without additional costs.
  • Organizations significantly increase donation amounts.
  • Companies support various charitable causes important to their employees.

Barriers to Matching Gifts and How HEPdata Can Help

Despite their ease, up to $10 billion in matching gift revenue goes unclaimed each year, primarily due to lack of awareness or follow-up. HEPdata provides a comprehensive matching gift database and tools to ensure accurate and updated matching gift information, automates donor follow-ups, and streamlines the matching process.

2. Volunteer Matching Gifts & Grants

Volunteer matching and grants reward employees’ donated time with corporate financial contributions. Policies and rewards vary widely by company.

How Volunteer Matches Work

Employees track volunteer hours, submit them to their employer, and the company sends a matched donation based on hours volunteered.

Examples of Volunteer Grant Programs

  • ConocoPhillips: $500 grant per 20 volunteer hours (up to two grants per year).
  • Bank of America: $500 grant per 50 volunteer hours (up to two per year).
  • Principal Financial Group: “Dollars for Doers” matches volunteer hours with mini-grants.

Benefits of Volunteer Matching Gift Programs

  • Employees contribute financially and through time, amplifying their impact.
  • Nonprofits receive increased funds and valuable volunteer hours.
  • Companies strengthen relationships with communities and enhance corporate culture.

3. Challenge Grant Matching Gifts

Unlike employee matches, challenge grants proactively encourage donations. These grants come from individuals, foundations, or corporations and motivate others to contribute by matching new donations during specific fundraising campaigns.

How Challenge Grants Work

Donors pledge a match, and the nonprofit promotes it publicly to inspire additional giving. Donations made during the challenge period are matched according to pre-established criteria.

Benefits of Challenge Grants

  • Motivate new and existing donors to give more.
  • Increase visibility and urgency around campaigns.
  • Maximize total fundraising impact beyond original grants.
  • Enhance donor engagement and community involvement.

Make Matching Gifts Part of Your Fundraising Strategy with HEPdata

Matching gifts are essential for maximizing fundraising potential. HEPdata’s comprehensive matching gift solutions remove the guesswork, enabling organizations to effectively identify eligible donors, streamline the matching process, automate follow-ups, and ultimately secure more matching funds. With over $10 billion left unclaimed annually, implementing a robust matching gift strategy with HEPdata can substantially boost your organization’s fundraising outcomes.