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.