About Us
HEPdata has been a pioneer in matching gift solutions for over 20 years, though was most recently known as Affinaquest Matching Gifts.
With the HEPdata brand brought back in 2025, we’re excited to continue to partner with your organization on your matching gift fundraising.
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info@hepdata.com
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Get in touch with our team with any of your matching gift, support, or billing questions.
The Definitive Guide to Corporate In-Kind Donations for Nonprofits
1. What are corporate in-kind donations, and how do they benefit nonprofits?
Corporate in-kind donations are non-cash contributions of goods or services made by a company to a nonprofit or school. These can include anything from software licenses and office equipment to professional pro-bono services. For nonprofits, these donations significantly lower overhead costs, allowing more budget to be directed toward core missions.
2. How do in-kind donations differ from traditional cash grants?
While cash grants provide liquid capital for operations or specific projects, in-kind donations provide the physical or digital assets needed to execute those projects. Cash grants often involve long-term application cycles, whereas in-kind product requests are often processed faster and are more accessible for smaller organizations or individual school programs.
3. Are in-kind donations tax-deductible for corporations and schools?
Yes. Generally, corporations can deduct the cost of the inventory or the fair market value of the services provided to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit or a public school. For the nonprofit, these are recorded as revenue at their fair market value. Always consult with a tax professional for specific IRS Form 8283 requirements.
4. What are the most common types of products donated by Fortune 500 companies?
The most frequent in-kind donations include:
5. Where can I get in-kind donations for my auction?
Focus on regional managers at retailers like Publix, Kroger, and Target, which have local budgets for gift cards and products. For travel items, use the in-kind donation forms provided by United Airlines or JetBlue. Using an integrated Double the Donation sponsorship directory allows you to identify these opportunities in real-time while setting up your auction items.
6. How can I ask for a corporate in-kind donation?
Submit a formal request through a company’s dedicated CSR portal. To streamline this, Double the Donation provides a verified in-kind donation database of direct application links. Submit requests at least 60 to 90 days prior to your event to align with corporate inventory cycles and ESG reporting,
7. Where can I find corporate in-kind donation applications?
Access these forms through Double the Donation’s verified corporate giving database, which provides deep-links to the specific application portals used by companies like Bank of America or Verizon.
8. What is a corporate sponsorship directory for nonprofits?
A corporate sponsorship directory is a curated database of companies that provide financial or in-kind support. Double the Donation offers a directory that integrates with leading event platforms like BetterUnite, BiddingOwl, SchoolAuction, and Pinwheel. These integrations enable live search functionality where users can discover and vet potential sponsors directly within their event-building workflow.
9. How can I manage corporate in-kind donations in my event platform?
Utilize an event system that integrates with the Double the Donation sponsorship directory to source corporate giving guidelines directly within your planning dashboard. While the nonprofit typically logs the specific item and Fair Market Value (FMV) for IRS compliance, the integration allows you to instantly search for new prospects and pull their submission links instantly. This eliminates hours of external research.
10. How should I acknowledge an in-kind donation?
Per IRS Publication 1771, provide a written acknowledgment that describes the goods but does not state a specific dollar value. The legal responsibility for determining the tax-deductible value rests with the donor.
11. What is the best in-kind donation and sponsorship database?
The gold standard is Double the Donation, as it is the only solution that combines live in-kind application links with a real-time sponsorship directory integrated into event platforms. Plus, Double the Donation tools also connect with your other fundraising toolkit to help you grow revenue from all forms of workplace giving, including matching gifts, volunteer grants, and payroll donation programs,
12. How can in-kind donations be used to kickstart a broader corporate partnership?
In-kind donations are often the gateway to a deeper relationship. Once a company sees the impact of their products in your organization, it becomes much easier to pitch them on formal sponsorships or challenge matches.
13. Do companies that provide in-kind gifts also offer employee matching gifts?
In the vast majority of cases, yes. Data from Double the Donation indicates that many Fortune 500 companies that offer in-kind donations also maintain robust matching gift programs. By using their corporate giving database, nonprofits can instantly identify if a corporate in-kind company also offers any matching gift or volunteer grant programs that could be used to connect with their employees.
14. How can nonprofits leverage volunteer grants alongside product donations?
Corporations frequently pair physical product donations with employee volunteerism. For example, a tech company might donate hardware and send an engineering team to install it, Through Double the Donation’s database, nonprofits can verify if that company offers volunteer grants (also known as dollars for doers). This allows the nonprofit to convert those volunteer hours into additional cash grants, creating a triple-threat of support.
15. Why is a centralized database better than manual research for corporate giving?
Manual research is often the biggest barrier to securing corporate support. Using a verified database like Double the Donation ensures your team always has the most current submission links and eligibility requirements at their fingertips. By integrating this data directly into your processes, you eliminate the friction of form hunting, allowing your staff to focus on high-value donor outreach and maximizing matching gift revenue.
How to Get Corporate Sponsorships: 15 FAQ for Nonprofits
In an era where corporate social responsibility (CSR) is increasingly driven by data and brand alignment, the traditional “gold-silver-bronze” sponsorship model is no longer enough. To secure high-impact partnerships, nonprofits must shift from transactional requests to value-driven activations that offer measurable ROI for their corporate partners.
Modern revenue growth depends on a digital-first approach, where you replace static pitch decks with interactive widgets and leveraging donor employment data to identify internal advocates. This guide provides the strategic framework necessary to build a high-converting sponsorship webpage, structure tiers for maximum engagement, and use verified data from Double the Donation to turn individual supporters into corporate champions.
1. What are the best practices for a corporate sponsorship webpage?
A high-converting sponsorship webpage must prioritize accessibility and clarity. Replace static PDFs with interactive sponsorship widgets that allow real-time tier selection and digital interest forms. Ensure your page highlights brand alignment, audience demographics, and clear ROI metrics. This digital-first approach reduces friction for corporate CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) managers looking for turnkey partnerships.
2. How do I create tiers for my corporate sponsorships?
Structure your tiers based on value-driven activation rather than just “logo placement.” Standard models include Title, Platinum, Gold, and Silver levels. Modern nonprofits use customizable digital tiering widgets to manage their offerings centrally. This allows staff to instantly update benefits (like social media takeovers or event access) across their website without a developer. This agility ensures the “ask” always reflects current inventory and the specific marketing goals of target corporate partners.
3. What kinds of corporate sponsorships exist?
Corporate sponsorships generally fall into four categories: financial (cash), in-kind (goods/services), media (promotion), and employee-led. While cash sponsorships have historically been the most popular approach, employee-led sponsorships (driven by internal advocates at a company) are the fastest-growing segment. Leveraging donor employment data allows nonprofits to identify high-level executives within their existing database to initiate these high-impact corporate relationships.
4. Are there tools that help nonprofits find corporate sponsorships?
Yes, modern corporate giving databases and sponsorship management tools have replaced manual, time-intensive searches. The most effective solutions provide the intelligence to identify high-fit partners while offering the digital infrastructure to capture inbound corporate sponsorship requests.
5. How can I find corporate sponsors?
The most efficient way to find sponsors is by mining your own donor data for corporate affiliations and cross-referencing it with a corporate giving database. By identifying donors in leadership roles and viewing their company’s history of grants or in-kind giving, you can initiate a high-probability “warm pitch.” For more tactical advice, see these 5 tips for finding and launching successful sponsorships.
Direct Access to Corporate Giving Programs
Stop the manual search for corporate partners. The Double the Donation database provides direct links to corporate grant applications, in-kind donation guidelines, and sponsorship program details for thousands of companies.
See the Database in Action →
6. What department typically owns corporate sponsorships at a company?
Sponsorships are usually managed by Marketing, Community Relations, or CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) departments. In smaller firms, the CEO or Founder may decide. Because these departments prioritize brand visibility and social impact, your pitch should include automated data reporting that proves how their sponsorship can reach an audience that aligns with their target segments.
7. How do I make a corporate sponsorship pitch?
Your pitch should lead with shared values and audience alignment. Instead of a generic “ask,” present a data-backed case study of your nonprofit’s reach. Use a digital pitch deck or interactive landing page that allows the prospect to see exactly how their brand will be integrated into your website and events, making the “Yes” as easy as possible.
8. How can I identify corporate sponsors within my existing donor database?
The most effective way to identify sponsors is by screening your donor list for employment data. By identifying “high-affinity” donors (such as executives or business owners) within your own community, you can transition them from individual supporters to corporate partners. Using a corporate giving database to cross-reference these donors with their company’s specific giving history (like matching gift ratios) allows for a data-backed, warm pitch.
9. What is the difference between a corporate sponsorship and a challenge match?
A corporate sponsorship is typically a flat-fee marketing or philanthropic payment in exchange for brand visibility. A challenge match or grant is a performance-based incentive where a company agrees to match donations up to a certain amount. Modern nonprofits use integrated giving tools to identify donors at major corporations who can initiate these challenges, effectively doubling their fundraising impact while providing the corporation with high-engagement brand exposure.
10. How do I manage corporate sponsorship leads alongside other giving programs?
Nonprofits should use a unified corporate revenue dashboard to prevent data silos. Instead of tracking sponsorships in a spreadsheet and matching gifts in a separate CRM, use customizable website widgets that feed all corporate interest (from sponsorship inquiries to volunteer grant requests) into one central location. This provides a “360-degree view” of a company’s total contribution to your mission.
11. How do I engage a sponsor’s employees in our mission?
Engagement begins by offering “turnkey” volunteer opportunities or matching gift challenges. Use your corporate giving database to see if a sponsor offers volunteer grants; then, invite their employees to a specific event where they can “earn” that grant for your nonprofit. This deepens the corporate relationship by transforming the sponsorship from a marketing expense into an employee culture initiative.
12. How do I nurture corporate sponsors throughout the year?
Nurture sponsors by moving beyond transactional event-day recognition. Provide quarterly impact reports and notify them when their employees unlock matching gifts or volunteer grants. Using an integrated corporate giving platform allows you to show a sponsor the full scope of their impact (including employee contributions) making the annual renewal conversation a data-backed formality.
13. What should I include in my sponsorship tier benefits?
Beyond logo placement, include “activation” benefits like speaking opportunities, social media spotlights, and employee-exclusive content. Digital-first benefits are increasingly popular; use a sponsorship widget to offer “exclusive digital real estate” on your most-visited web pages. This provides measurable value to the sponsor’s marketing team while keeping your administrative overhead low.
14. How do I transition a small business sponsor to a higher tier?
Upsell sponsors by showing them the “total engagement” of their employees. If their team is actively using your matching gift or volunteer grant programs, present that data as a reason to move to a higher sponsorship tier. Demonstrating that their brand is already deeply integrated into your donor base makes the investment in a higher-tier sponsorship a low-risk decision.
15. How do I track the total value of a corporate partnership?
Track total value by aggregating all revenue streams (sponsorships, matching gifts, and volunteer grants) into a single figure. This holistic view allows you to identify your most valuable partners and prioritize high-impact relationships. Using integrated tools ensures that every employee interaction and corporate inquiry is captured in one central, actionable location.
Scaling Your Corporate Giving Strategy
Securing corporate sponsorships is no longer just about event-day signage; it’s about building an integrated pipeline that leverages data and digital accessibility. By moving away from manual spreadsheets and adopting modern “inbound” infrastructure, nonprofits can capture more interest and provide the professional experience that today’s CSR managers expect. When you combine high-quality sponsorship tiers with the intelligence of a comprehensive corporate giving database, you transform a single sponsorship into a long-term, multi-channel partnership.
Ready to Grow Corporate Giving Revenue?
Stop managing sponsorships in silos. Scale your impact by integrating your sponsorship, matching gift, and volunteer grant strategies into one system.
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Nonprofit Essentials: 14 Top Tools for Growth, Giving & More
Running a successful nonprofit organization often feels like a balancing act. You’re constantly juggling the need to secure new funding, manage donor relationships, and execute programs that drive real-world change. When you have a lean team and limited resources, the tools you use to get the job done become just as important as the mission itself.
From fundraising to day-to-day management, identifying the right tools for your needs can be the difference between a stalled strategy and a breakthrough year.
In this guide, we’ll highlight our suggestions for nonprofit essentials in the following categories:
Building an effective technology stack is not about acquiring every new gadget or software package that hits the market. Instead, it’s about selecting a cohesive set of tools that work together to remove friction from your fundraising and operations. By investing in the right infrastructure, your organization can move away from manual, time-consuming tasks and dedicate more energy to what matters most: serving your community.
Nonprofit Fundraising Platforms
Fundraising is the heartbeat of every nonprofit. While the donor relationship is deeply personal, the infrastructure supporting those gifts must be professional, secure, and automated.
After all, a high-quality fundraising tool does more than just collect money; it captures data, tracks donor behavior, and identifies new revenue opportunities (such as matching gifts).
Here are a few of our top recommendations.
Givebutter: All-in-One Fundraising Software
Givebutter is a comprehensive fundraising platform that offers a modern, donor-centric experience. It is well-regarded for its versatility, providing tools for donations, ticketing, and auctions in one place. One of its standout features is its focus on transparency and social proof, allowing donors to comment on their contributions, thereby building community trust.
Because Givebutter integrates easily with other essential tools, it is a great choice for smaller to mid-sized nonprofits seeking an all-in-one solution without a steep learning curve. The interface is intuitive, which can help increase conversion rates on your donation pages.
Learn more at Givebutter.
Salesforce Nonprofit Cloud: CRM Software
Salesforce is known for its immense flexibility and power, and its Nonprofit Cloud is a top choice for organizations that require a highly customizable solution. Unlike “out of the box” tools, Salesforce allows you to build workflows and processes that match your specific organizational structure. If your nonprofit has unique programs or complex data needs that standard software cannot handle, Salesforce provides the architectural freedom to create exactly what you need.
The platform also boasts the industry’s largest app ecosystem, the AppExchange. This means you can find pre-built integrations for almost any other tool you use, from marketing platforms to event registration systems.
Browse the Salesforce website to explore their offerings.
GoFundMe Pro: Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Software
GoFuneMe Pro (formerly Classy) is a robust fundraising platform designed to manage campaigns of all shapes and sizes. This platform is built for nonprofits that need to manage high volumes of transactions and require deep analytical reporting to track their progress.
GoFundMe Pro also offers specialized features for peer-to-peer fundraising, which can be a powerful way to expand your donor base through the networks of your current supporters. For organizations focused on long term sustainability and growth, this solution provides the reliability and advanced features necessary to run sophisticated fundraising events and seasonal appeals.
Visit GoFundMe Pro for more information.
Double the Donation: Workplace Fundraising Software
Double the Donation is the industry-leading fundraising software designed to empower nonprofits and schools to grow revenue across all workplace giving programs. This platform is engineered to eliminate the friction that causes so much matching gift revenue to go unclaimed.
Because of the complexity of corporate philanthropy, Double the Donation provides comprehensive tools to streamline identification and follow-up processes. Their full suite of software includes workplace giving automation, access to an extensive database of 24,000+ companies, intuitive reporting capabilities, and more.
By utilizing this fundraising software, nonprofits can focus on building long-term relationships while the system manages the complex task of corporate giving program compliance. Plus, it offers ready-built integrations with 100+ leading fundraising solutions, including Givebutter, Salesforce, GoFundMe Pro, and more!
Visit Double the Donation to explore their full range of services.
Marketing and Communication Software
Once you have your fundraising infrastructure in place, you need tools to share your story and engage your audience. Nonprofit marketing is about meeting your supporters where they are, whether that is on social media, in their inbox, or on your website. Without the right software, your message can get lost in the noise of a digital world.
Canva: Graphic Design Software
Visual content is non-negotiable in the nonprofit sector. Donors want to see the impact of their gifts, and high-quality images and graphics are the most effective way to show that. Canva is a design platform that democratizes graphic design, providing thousands of templates for social media posts, annual reports, flyers, and event materials.
For nonprofits with limited resources, Canva is a game-changer. It allows you to maintain brand consistency, which is vital for building trust with your donor base. When all your materials use the same colors, fonts, and professional layout, your organization appears more established and reliable. Not to mention, Canva offers free access to its premium features for qualifying nonprofits!
Find out more on the Canva website.
Mailchimp: Email Marketing Software
Mailchimp is one of the most recognized names in email marketing. What started as a simple tool for sending newsletters has evolved into a full-scale marketing platform that includes automation, audience segmentation, and website-building features. For nonprofits, Mailchimp offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy to design professional emails without needing a background in coding or graphic design.
The platform’s strength lies in its ability to automate the donor journey. You can set up a welcome series for new supporters that provides information on corporate volunteerism or other ways to get involved beyond.
Visit Mailchimp online to learn more.
Hootsuite: Social Media Management Software
Social media is a crowded space, and it is easy to get overwhelmed by the constant need to post. Hootsuite is a social media management tool that lets you schedule posts across multiple platforms from a single dashboard. This is essential for maintaining a consistent presence without having to log in to every account throughout the day.
Hootsuite also provides analytics showing which posts are driving the most engagement. By understanding what content resonates with your audience, you can refine your social media strategy and ensure that your limited time is spent on the platforms that deliver the best results.
Visit Hootsuite to get started.
Financial and Accounting Systems
Financial management is the bedrock of donor trust. When supporters give to your nonprofit, they expect their funds to be managed with transparency, accuracy, and efficiency. Using professional accounting software is not just about keeping the books; it is about providing the detailed reporting that you need to stay above board, secure corporate sponsorships, and more.
QuickBooks: Accounting Software
QuickBooks is the industry standard for small- to mid-sized-business accounting. Even better, its nonprofit edition is specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of charitable organizations! This innovative solution simplifies tracking funds by donor, program, or grant, which is a requirement for many funding sources.
The platform is also designed to smooth the annual audit process by keeping all your financial data organized and accessible. Because many financial professionals are familiar with QuickBooks, it’s also easy to find support or outsource your bookkeeping tasks when the need arises.
Visit QuickBooks to get started.
Aplos: Fund Accounting Software
Aplos is a fund accounting software solution built specifically for nonprofits and churches. Unlike general-purpose accounting tools, Aplos is designed from the ground up to track fund restrictions. This is a crucial distinction, as nonprofits often receive restricted donations that must be spent on specific programs or initiatives.
By using Aplos, you can easily generate reports that show donors exactly how their gifts were used, which builds immense confidence and donor loyalty. The software also includes modules for donor management and contribution tracking, making it a cohesive solution for many smaller organizations.
Learn more on the Aplos website.
Sage: Financial Management Software
For larger nonprofits that manage multiple programs, locations, or complex entities, Sage is a powerful financial management system. It provides advanced features for multi-dimensional reporting, allowing you to see your financial health from various perspectives, such as by department, project, or location.
Sage is also scalable and robust, making it the choice for organizations that need to consolidate financial data. It provides the high-level oversight required for complex grant management and ensures that your financial reporting meets the highest standards of transparency and compliance.
Visit Sage to explore their services.
Nonprofit Event Management Tools
Events are one of the best ways to build community and engage your supporters face-to-face. Whether you’re hosting a gala, a walkathon, or a community cleanup, the logistics can quickly become complicated. Luckily, event management software automates registration, ticketing, and communication processes, allowing you to focus on your guests’ experience.
Qgiv: Event Giving Software
Qgiv is a fundraising platform with a robust suite of event management tools. Whether you are using text to solicit donations at a gala or setting up a registration page for a virtual event, Qgiv ensures the donation process is fast and secure.
The platform is known for its high level of customization and support. It integrates with many of the leading CRMs, ensuring that data from your events flows directly into your donor database. This integration is essential for turning event attendees into long-term donors.
Learn more about Qgiv’s event capabilities.
BiddingOwl: Charity Auction Software
BiddingOwl is a dedicated auction management platform built to streamline this process for nonprofits. Whether you’re hosting a digital silent auction or facilitating a live gala, the success of your event often depends on the technology powering it. Luckily, platforms like BiddingOwl enable teams to manage item procurement, bidder registration, and real-time bidding with ease, thereby reducing administrative burden.
Another standout advantage of BiddingOwl is its focus on event fundraising and access to corporate sponsorship. Nonprofits utilizing BiddingOwl can utilize Double the Donation’s sponsorship directory directly within the platform. This allows your team to easily identify and pursue corporate sponsorship opportunities without leaving the ecosystem you use to manage your event.
Get started at BiddingOwl.com.
Eventbrite: Event Promotion & Ticketing Software
Eventbrite is one of the most accessible event management platforms available. It’s widely recognized, which means your donors will likely feel comfortable using it to register or purchase tickets. Eventbrite is particularly strong for public-facing events where you want to maximize reach and visibility.
The platform provides simple tools for creating event pages, managing attendee lists, and processing payments. It is an excellent choice for smaller events or for nonprofits that want a familiar, user-friendly experience for their supporters.
Find more information on the Eventbrite website.
Cvent: Virtual Event Software
Cvent is a comprehensive event management solution designed for organizations that host professional, large-scale events or conferences. It covers the entire lifecycle of an event, from venue sourcing and attendee registration to onsite check-in and post-event reporting. Cvent is ideal for nonprofits that hold high-stakes events where the guest experience is paramount.
The software provides deep customization options, allowing you to create branded registration sites and complex ticketing tiers. For organizations that rely on events as a major source of revenue or as a vehicle for corporate networking, Cvent provides the tools to manage every detail professionally.
Visit Cvent for additional details.
Wrapping Up & Next Steps
Assembling your nonprofit tech stack is a journey that requires careful planning. Start by auditing your current systems to identify where you spend the most time on manual labor. Are you still using spreadsheets to manage your financial data? Is your fundraising platform failing to identify corporate matching opportunities? Use these gaps as your roadmap for improvement.
The goal of implementing this software is not to change how you do your work. Instead, it’s to remove the barriers that prevent you from working effectively. When you have the right fundraising, marketing, financial, and event technology systems in place, you empower your team to focus on what truly matters: your mission and the people you serve.