Corporate Matching Gifts: How to Double Your Donation
Many people do not realize that their employer might match their charitable donations. Corporate matching gift programs can double, or sometimes even triple, the impact of a gift to a nonprofit like ours. Yet a large share of eligible matching funds goes unclaimed every year, simply because donors do not know about the programs or do not take the time to apply.
What is a matching gift?
A matching gift program is a type of corporate giving in which a company matches donations its employees make to eligible nonprofits. If you give one hundred dollars and your employer has a one-to-one match, the nonprofit receives two hundred dollars.
Some companies also have volunteer grant programs, sometimes called dollars for doers, in which the company donates money to nonprofits where employees volunteer a certain number of hours.
How to find out if your employer matches
- Check with your human resources department or employee benefits portal.
- Search your company's intranet or employee handbook for "matching gifts" or "charitable giving."
- Ask colleagues who may have used the program.
Many large employers have matching programs, and some smaller companies do as well.
How to request a match
The process varies by company but usually involves:
- Making your donation to the nonprofit.
- Submitting a matching gift request through your employer's system, often online.
- Providing information about the nonprofit, such as its name, address and EIN.
- The nonprofit confirming your donation.
- The employer sending the matching funds.
For the Green and White Youth Association, you will need our legal name, Green and White Youth Association, Inc., and our EIN, 23-2270974.
Eligibility
Matching programs often have rules about which nonprofits are eligible. Most include 501(c)(3) public charities, though some exclude certain types of organizations. Many programs also have minimum and maximum gift amounts and deadlines for submitting requests, often by the end of the year in which the gift was made.
Volunteer grants
If you volunteer with our association, check whether your employer offers volunteer grants. Some companies donate a set amount for every hour employees volunteer, or provide a grant once an employee reaches a certain number of hours.
Why it matters
For a small nonprofit, matching gifts can make a significant difference. A matched gift can help fund equipment, scholarships or field improvements that would otherwise be out of reach. It also costs donors nothing extra.
Retirees and spouses
Some companies extend matching gift programs to retirees and spouses of employees. If you or your spouse are retired from a company with a matching program, ask whether you are eligible.
A simple step with a big impact
Taking a few minutes to request a matching gift is one of the easiest ways to increase your impact. If you have made a gift to our association and your employer offers matching, we encourage you to submit a request. If you need any information from us to complete the process, please contact us.