The Matching Gift Strategy You Want Might Not Be The One You Need

Almost weekly, I get told by fundraising and nonprofit organizations, “I want to do what (insert organization name) is doing to raise more matching gift funds.”

The belief is that if they work with the same vendor and use the same data and technology, their results will be the same. The truth is, maybe they will be, maybe they won’t.

Why?

The general rule is that 10% of donors are matching gift eligible, so the common assumption is that 10% of your fundraising revenue should come from matching gifts. But think of all the other variables that make your organization different from the one you admire. Things like location, demographics, how you engage your constituents, fundraising campaigns, and even your mission all play into your potential for matching gift revenue.

This common assumption has formed the entire basis for HEPdata’s Matching Gift Solution set. Instead of a one-size-fits-all approach, we’ve developed a customizable solution tailored to your organization’s unique needs.

What platforms are you using?

The fundraising tools you use—digital engagement, peer-to-peer, day of giving, calling software, and general online donation platforms—all play a massive part in your ability to reach fundraising goals. Making matching gifts part of every fundraising conversation ensures maximum exposure and integration into your donation processes.

HEPData Matching Gift Solutions offer an easy-to-use platform that identifies matching-gift-eligible donors, tracks their donations, and automatically follows up until paperwork is complete. Implementing HEPdata can free up significant staff hours and provide a reliable, consistent revenue stream. Most organizations see a 53% increase in matching gift revenue in the first year.

How does your data look?

Employment data isn’t always readily available or easy to maintain, yet knowing a donor’s employer is critical for matching gift identification. HEPdata helps by screening constituent data to identify eligible matching gift donors proactively.

For example, consider an organization with 10,000 constituents. Typically, around 10% are matching gift eligible. Initially, you’d identify about 1,000 opportunities. With additional employer screenings provided by HEPdata, you can uncover even more eligible donors, significantly boosting your matching gift revenue.

Matching gifts require timely attention

Corporate matching programs often include deadlines. If an employee donation isn’t matched within a set period (usually one year), the opportunity expires. HEPdata ensures timely follow-ups to prevent missed revenue.

Customize donor engagement to build loyalty

84% of donors say they’re more likely to give when a match is available. HEPdata allows complete customization of branding, messaging, and timing, enabling tailored donor communication strategies that maximize responses and build loyalty.

The bottom line

Proactively managing matching gifts can significantly boost fundraising outcomes, but success requires tailored solutions. HEPdata provides comprehensive tools to make matching gifts a cornerstone of your fundraising strategy, helping your organization achieve—and exceed—your fundraising goals.

To learn more about HEPdata’s Matching Gift Solutions and see how we can help your organization grow matching gift revenue, contact us today.

5 Tips to Get Matching Gift Paperwork Across the Finish Line

You’ve completed your fundraiser, raised loads of money, and with the help of pending matching gift donations, the numbers are looking good. All you need is for donors to complete their matching gift paperwork. Easier said than done, right?

With an infinite number of day-to-day tasks to manage and the constant need to develop new fundraising efforts, it can be hard to find the time to track and manage past donations. Matching gifts can literally double a donation, providing additional revenue without asking for more from your donors. Losing those funds can put a big dent in revenue projections if paperwork never crosses the finish line.

In our work with over 1,000 colleges, universities, and nonprofits across the country, we wanted to share five best practices to help you make the most of your matching gift opportunities.

1. Assign a Team Member for Follow-Up

A dedicated team member responsible for managing matching gift donations can help ensure this revenue doesn’t fall through the cracks. Using monthly status reports for pending donations can help keep the team informed and updated.

2. Keep Tabs on Matching Gift Opportunities

The more you track each matching gift status, the better off you will be. Knowing where each matching gift opportunity is in the process ensures funds do not go unclaimed. With Auto Match from HEPdata Matching Gift Solutions, all matching gift opportunities are automatically identified and tracked, allowing you to monitor the status of each with ease.

3. Create a Follow-Up Protocol and Stick to It

Attention spans have never been shorter, with many receiving hundreds of emails a day. Don’t be discouraged if emails go unnoticed; be tenacious and create a follow-up strategy. We recommend reaching out immediately after the gift is received, then following up on a set cadence until it’s complete. HEPdata’s Auto Match allows you to create personalized, automated follow-up emails to stick to your plan with minimal effort.

4. Educate Donors With Thank You Notes

Donors don’t always understand that they can make a donation and their matching gift funds don’t reach your organization until months later. Once a matching donation is complete, send a thank you email that includes the date of their donation and the date you received the matching gift donation. Let them know you appreciate their dedication to your cause, patience with the process, and are grateful for their support.

5. Tell People How Long It Will Take

Most forms are online and can be submitted quickly with minimal effort.

Are you ready to optimize matching gifts? Request a demo to see how your organization can use HEPdata to identify, automate, and maximize matching gifts.

What are Matching Gifts

Thousands of companies across the country have programs where they match their employees’ donations to eligible charitable organizations. Typically, an employer will match a donation dollar for dollar, but in some cases, organizations may even match a donation up to triple the original amount.

For higher education institutions and nonprofit organizations, matching gifts are a vital revenue stream and a critical component of their fundraising. Matching gifts are essentially free money for the organization and allow donors to give at least twice as much by simply completing the necessary paperwork in a matter of minutes.

As any fundraising organization knows, driving donations is hard work. Once you’ve spent the time and resources to secure a gift, matching gifts present an opportunity to double its value.

Billions in Unclaimed Donations

It is estimated that up to $10 billion in matching gift revenue goes unclaimed every year. Roughly 8-15% of an organization’s donors are matching gift eligible, and surprisingly, a whopping 80% of matching gift eligible donors do not know their company will match their gift.

Generous Corporate Giving Programs

With thousands of corporations offering matching gift programs, including 65% of Fortune 500 companies, there are millions of people who are eligible. Corporate giving programs and guidelines are always changing, which is why a dedicated team at HEPdata tracks the policies of over 23,000 companies.

An Underutilized Revenue Stream

With so many donors unaware of their employer’s matching gift policy, the responsibility of identifying these opportunities, notifying the donor, and ensuring paperwork is complete falls squarely on the shoulders of an organization. For anonymous donations, additional research and outreach are involved to convert an opportunity. The process is time-consuming, complicated to manage, and requires daily attention.

Donations with a Deadline

Many corporate matching gift policies come with a deadline. If an employee donation is not matched by a corporation within one year, it is no longer eligible for a matching gift.

Giving That Grows Donor Loyalty

84% of donors say they’re more likely to give if a match is offered. Once they’ve completed a matching gift, they know how easy it is to complete. As donor loyalty increases, matching gift revenue grows as well.

Solutions That Simplify and Scale Matching Gift Strategy

HEPdata’s Matching Gift Solutions offer a simple, easy-to-use platform that identifies matching gift eligible donors, tracks their donations, and automatically follows up until the necessary paperwork is complete. Implementing a proven matching gift management strategy with AffinityX2 frees up countless staff hours and creates a reliable, constant revenue stream. Most organizations see a 53% increase in matching gift revenue in the first year.

One of the tools in the AffinityX2 suite of matching gift solutions is Match Lookup. It includes eMatch Donor Link, which allows your donors to search their employer before, during, and after a gift to see if their company will match. This tool will help you configure the look and feel, place it on your web pages, and give you access to metrics to ensure you’re maximizing the tool.

To learn more about AffinityX2 and the Auto Match and Match Lookup tools, request a demo with the HEPdata team.