Why Promote Matching Gifts?

Matching gifts have the potential to significantly boost your fundraising efforts. Here’s why promoting matching gifts should be an integral part of your strategy:

• Amplify Donations: Matching gifts can double or triple the impact of individual donations, making it easier to reach fundraising goals.
• Engage Donors: Encouraging donors to seek matching gifts fosters engagement and shows them that their support is valued.
• Expand Donor Base: Corporate matching programs extend your reach, allowing you to connect with donors who might not have otherwise discovered your organization.
• Leverage Corporate Giving: Many companies have philanthropic initiatives and are willing to support causes their employees care about through matching gifts.
• Sustainability: Matching gifts provide a sustainable source of funding, helping your organization plan for the future.

1. Understand Matching Gift Programs

Start by familiarizing yourself with the concept of matching gift programs. These are initiatives by companies to match their employees’ charitable contributions. Research which companies offer such programs and the specific guidelines and limitations they may have.

2. Educate Your Supporters

Donors often aren’t aware of matching gift opportunities. Educate your supporters about the potential to double their donations through their employers’ matching gift programs. Use various channels, including your website, email newsletters, and social media, to spread the word.

3. Promote Matching Gifts on Your Website

Create a dedicated page on your website that explains matching gifts, how they work, and which companies participate. Include a searchable database of companies to make it easy for donors to see if their employers offer matching gifts.

4. Include Matching Gift Information in Donor Communications

In all your donor communications, from thank-you letters to fundraising appeals, remind donors to check if their gift can be matched by their employer. Provide clear instructions on how to initiate the matching process.

5. Leverage Social Media

Use your social media channels to promote matching gifts. Share success stories of donors who have effectively used matching gifts, and post reminders about checking eligibility with employers.

6. Host Matching Gift Drives

Organize matching gift drives as part of your fundraising campaigns. Highlight the impact of matching gifts by showing how much more your organization can achieve with their support.

7. Simplify the Process

Make it easy for donors to submit matching gift requests to their employers. Provide templates, forms, or links to company-specific matching gift pages.

8. Express Gratitude

When a donor’s gift is matched, express your gratitude both to the donor and their employer. Show how their combined support is making a difference.

9. Track and Measure Impact

Track and measure the impact of matching gifts on your fundraising efforts. Monitor the increase in donations and the companies that are most generous.

10. Collaborate with Companies

Consider reaching out to local companies and corporations to explore potential partnerships or to promote your cause to their employees.

Promoting matching gifts is a win-win strategy that benefits both your organization and your donors. By subscribing to our mailing list and joining our social channels, you’ll gain access to a wealth of information, tips, and resources on how to effectively promote matching gifts. Together, we can harness the power of matching gifts to create lasting impacts and advance the causes that matter most to you. Join us today and become part of our dedicated team of volunteers committed to fundraising and helping you achieve your goals.