Updates

Gift Matching for Nonprofits: Boosting Your Fundraising Through Corporate Partnerships

Gift Matching for Nonprofits: Boosting Your Fundraising Through Corporate Partnerships

How were your fundraising efforts this year? Did you reach your targets? What if you could have doubled your results? Imagine the impact it would have on your mission. If you want to start turbo-charging your nonprofit fundraising, now’s the time to learn more about the amazing, largely untapped potential of corporate gift matching. 

With a donation matching program, every donation is doubled, or even tripled, without asking your donors for more! 

Corporate matching for nonprofits doesn't just multiply your funding, it also stimulates donor participation. This extra push might get them to contribute more often. Corporate philanthropy lends credibility and visibility to your cause, and businesses love bragging about impactful organizations they support.

For companies, corporate donations are a key link in building relationships with the community and boosting morale among employees. By investing in causes their employees are passionate about, it shows they’re invested in more than just the balance sheet; it's about creating lasting change. It gives you the opportunity to drive nonprofit growth without needing to reinvent the wheel. Through effective matching gift strategies, you can increase fundraising results significantly with little extra work.

Why should you implement these programs? First, because of the wonderfully high value they add to your fundraising efforts. By maximizing nonprofit donations through gift matching, you raise more money without asking for bigger individual contributions. Second, they provide another layer to incentivize donors, as donors are more likely to give when they know their dollars are doubled.

Gift matching is considered one of the most effective solutions to create meaningful, long-lasting partnerships between corporations and nonprofits, while substantially amplifying nonprofit fundraising efforts. In this post, we’ll show you how to execute a gift matching program. 

How Gift Matching Programs Work

Want to supercharge your nonprofit fundraising without begging your donors to reach deeper into their pockets? That's where the magic of matching gift programs shines bright. They take donations from your supporters and multiply them by two, sometimes by three.

If you’re wondering how this strategy benefits nonprofit organizations and corporate donors, we’ll break it down for you step by step in this guide.

Gift Matching Mechanics 

So, how does corporate matching actually work? It’s easier than you imagine! When an employee gives to a nonprofit, their company will match the donation; dollar for dollar. That's like saying, “Hey, we see you’re supporting a cause you care about, and we want in on that.” This system of gift matching by corporations gives nonprofits the power to take donations and grow them without having to ask for more.

Here's how it works: A donor makes a gift to your organization. They fill out a matching gift request for their company via an online portal or a paper form, as some companies still like to keep it old school. The company then verifies the donation and matches the gift, usually doubling it. In some instances, companies can do a 2:1 or 3:1 match of that $100 donation and turn it into $200 or $300-voilà!

Not all companies are alike when it comes to the corporate donation matching process. Some specify rules about who qualifies for a match; often, it’s only full-time employees, although sometimes their generosity extends to retirees and part-time workers as well. The amount they're willing to match also varies. One company may cap their match at $1,000 per employee, while another company is willing to go substantially higher. It’s all contingent on the matching gift strategies of the company.

Matching Gifts: Understanding Corporate and Donor Involvement 

Now that you have the gist of how these programs work, let's look at who's involved and how each player contributes to the success of nonprofit matching gift programs. Most donors have no idea that matching gift programs exist. So, it's your job to make them aware of this amazing opportunity.

A well-timed reminder about employer contributions can inspire someone to donate, knowing their gift will be matched by their company. But what drives donor engagement is the excitement tied to the idea that their $100 can suddenly turn into $200.

From the business side of corporate gift matching systems; companies show empathy and commitment to causes their employees are concerned about. By implementing a matching program, companies cultivate goodwill, boost morale, and inspire the community. A matching gift program gives the company a voice, saying, “We care about what you care about,” enhancing employee satisfaction while elevating its reputation in the public eye.

Don't forget this includes you, the nonprofit, playing an important role in the process as well. You bear the responsibility to make the process of matching donations for nonprofits as hassle-free as possible. Educate your donors, maintain an updated record of companies offering corporate partnerships in fundraising, and provide step-by-step instructions on how to submit a matching request. The easier it is, the more successful it will be.

Pro tip: include a section, “Does Your Employer Match Donations?” on your donation page. You’ll be surprised how many donors don't know that matching gift programs exist.

Maximizing Gift Matching Impact 

So, why is this strategy so important? By using employer contributions, you don’t need to ask your donors to give more; rather, you’re looking to make their donation go further. That’s the beauty of corporate donation matching; it doesn’t feel like a big ask, but it has a huge impact on your fundraising efforts. Here’s the best part: the benefits extend beyond your nonprofit. Companies also benefit significantly from nonprofit matching-gift programs, too; making it a win-win for everybody.

It’s a boon to the company's credibility, positioning it as a socially responsible business, helping an organization reach out and connect with its employees and the community. Those employees who feel their employer supports their philanthropic interests are much more likely to be loyal to the company. Corporate matching in fundraising is all about creating deeper connections between donors, companies, and nonprofits. 

Executing a Matching Gift Programs 

Implementing matching gift programs is an easy way for corporations to show support for nonprofit causes. In executing a matching gift program, nonprofits get a much-needed boost to their fundraising efforts, companies get to support important causes, and donors feel great about their increased impact. 

So, if you haven't been levering the systems of corporate gift matching, then it’s time to get at it. With the right strategy, you'll maximize gift matching potential and build stronger, long-lasting relationships with your donors and corporate sponsors. Keep your fundraising game strong by making every dollar count - twice!

Steps to Implement a Successful Gift Matching Program

Are you ready to amplify your nonprofit fundraising efforts while strengthening your relationships with corporate partners? Done correctly, matching gifts can light a fire of passion in donors, tap corporate generosity, and bring the most significant impact to your nonprofit organization.

But where do you start? Let's dive in to see how to execute a successful gift matching program for nonprofits and create longstanding corporate relationships.

Step-by-Step Guide to Setting Up a Gift Matching Program 

The first piece of the puzzle is identifying potential corporate partners. Many companies, in particular those with significant corporate philanthropy programs, may already have a gift matching program in place. Others may not, but may be willing to listen to the benefits. 

Start by researching businesses that align with your nonprofit mission, or have employees who are passionate about your cause. These may be businesses in your neighborhood or parent companies that traditionally have given back to charities.

Outreach should be personalized. Rather than sending blanket messages, tailor your pitch to show how a corporate gift matching partnership shares its values and helps its brand. The connection needs meaning. Mention causes their employees identify with, and how the company's contribution may create a measurable impact.

After piquing the company's interest in the program, it’s time to shape the partnership by setting clear-cut guidelines on how the process of corporate matching of donations takes place. For instance, will the corporation be matching the donations 1:1 or in a higher ratio? Will they match all the employee donations or only those donations that exceed a certain amount? Such definitions avoid confusion down the line and ensure both parties know how the program will work. 

You need to make the process seamless for donors to engage in employer gift matching partnerships. When donors aren’t aware of how to go about requesting a match, they’ll often leave the opportunity behind. Make your instructions clear on your website, and spread the word through email campaigns, and at fundraising events.

What donors want is something simple, a step-by-step guide to how they can find out if their employer has a matching gift program and how to apply for it. Another smart move is adding a corporate gift matching feature to your donation platform. It’s as simple as focusing on implementing a “Check if your employer matches donations” button on your site, enabling donors to search through a database for their company. The easier you make it for donors, the better your chances of doubling your fundraising success.

When the gift-matching program is in place, don't let it sit quietly in the background. Promote it!

Utilize every available communication channel: emails, social media, and even event announcements. Let your donors know that by accessing their employer's gift matching program, they can double their donations. Let them know how powerful the matching gifts are, and keep the buzz going. People love knowing their contributions make a difference, and seeing their donations matched offers another layer of motivation to give.

Last but not least, get into the practice of tracking your nonprofit matching gift programs: Which companies tend to give more than others? Which donors are repeatedly bringing in match requests? This approach helps your organization tailor its matching strategy to secure more corporate partners.

How to Create and Maintain Gift Matching Partnerships 

Building corporate partnerships isn’t just about getting that first deal signed, sealed, and delivered. Rather, it’s about building relationships that keep delivering value in the long run for both your nonprofit and the corporate partner. The development of successful partnerships requires regular communication and clarification of goals from both ends.

Approach the process by first recognizing that corporate gift matching programs benefit businesses as much as they do nonprofits. Businesses like to be thought of as socially responsible and engaged with their communities. Employees will be more loyal and satisfied when they see that their company reinforces their own charitable efforts. So, keep in mind when you're structuring the relationship, it's not just about asking for funds; it's about creating mutual value.

When a company agrees to a partnership with your nonprofit, that doesn't mean it has to end there. Forward the corporate partner stories, data, and photos showing the tangible impact resulting from their support. It keeps the partnership going, rather than having it fade away, giving your nonprofit more opportunities for corporate sponsorships to bolster your matching program. By keeping them in the loop, companies may consider increasing their matching ratio or making direct donations.

It's also important to involve the company's employees with your nonprofit organization. Most love showcasing their philanthropy inside the organization. Whether it's volunteering opportunities, events, or fundraisers, encouraging employee involvement creates greater depth in the connection between the company and your cause.

On the administrative side, you want to make the nonprofit administration process of gift matching as seamless and painless as possible. Keep a master list of all companies participating in your various gift matching programs and outline a simple process through which donors can submit their matching gift requests. Work with each corporate partner to validate donations and execute matching in a timely manner.

Automation is your friend here. Many nonprofits use donor management software to keep tabs on matching gifts, amplify communication, and manage donors. Eliminate errors by investing in technology that makes the corporate matching donation process easier,  saving your team time and effort managing the program.

Donor incentives might be one of the best ways to keep donors active and build engagement. Publicly acknowledge donors and plan special events just for them. These little incentives help a great deal in fostering donor engagement, bringing them back for more. 

Ultimately, it doesn't boil down to the dollars and cents; building strong corporate partnerships means designing a long-term relationship that feeds your mission for years to come. By implementing a clearly organized gift matching program and keeping positive relations with donors and corporate sponsors, your nonprofit can create a ripple effect with its impact, maximizing donations and strengthening the organization's presence in the community. 

The best part is, when done correctly, many of these corporate partnerships lead to bigger opportunities, from additional sponsorships to event collaborations, even employee-led fundraising campaigns. When you invest in an employer gift-matching partnership aligned with the goals of your nonprofit, the possibilities are endless.

Promoting Gift Matching Programs to Donors

Effective gift matching promotion has the potential to revolutionize your fundraising by unlocking additional donations with relatively minimal effort. So, let's dive in and explore how to actively promote your gift matching programs and leverage this great opportunity to its fullest.

Driving success for any gift matching program means making your donors aware of it. You can’t expect them to act upon something they don’t know about. Here are some tried and tested methods to maximize donor awareness.

Email Campaigns

Launch a drip-email campaign and explain the gift matching process in simple steps. Include a clear call to action, such as “Check if your employer offers gift matching and double your donation!”

A pro tip here: segment your list and personalize emails by donation history or recent interactions with your nonprofit to enhance engagement. Add testimonials or stories of other donors whose gifts were successfully matched. That makes the whole idea of engaging donors with matching gifts more real.

Non-profit Organisation's Dedicated Websites Pages

Your website should have a specific gift matching page. The page should do more than merely explain what gift matching is; it should make it easy for donors to check if their employer participates in the matching program. For example, some organizations use tools like corporate gift matching databases that allow visitors to search for their employer in seconds.

Your site should include FAQs related to gift matching, clear instructions on how to submit a match request, and deadlines they should be aware of. The goal is to make this process as easy and frictionless as possible. If donors find the instructions confusing or hard to follow, they simply won't bother to submit a request.

Place a clear, visible link to this page in your navigation menu and mention it during your online donation process. The more touch points you have on your website, the better.

Social Media Strategies

Social media is another avenue for the effective dissemination of information on gift matching with donors. Mention it on your Instagram, Tik Tok, X, Facebook and LinkedIn pages and include a call to action for donors.

Share a story about a donor who doubled their generosity through your gift matching program. Everyone loves to see real-life results, and it makes getting involved that much more relatable to your target audience. 

Create fun, short videos explaining how gift matching works and why it's so important to your organization and mission. Visual content does better on most platforms compared to text-based posts.

Consider running paid social media ads to match non-donors who haven’t converted through their employer's matching gifts program. These strategies are cost-effective ways to extend your reach.

Personalised Donor Communications

Personalization is the name of the game in donor outreach. Mass emails and social media work great for general awareness, but nothing speaks louder than one-on-one communication. A personalized email or quick call to major donors who give on a regular basis can do wonders.

When reaching out, let them know you noticed they work for a company that offers gift matching, and ask if they'd be interested in doubling their impact. When done right, this personalized approach lets your donors know you value their support and you're invested in helping them make the most of their contribution. It's not pushy; it's just showing them a way to further their involvement in a cause they already care about.

Clear Instructions on Matching Gifts

Provide explicit directions on the donor side on how to proceed with matching gifts. Every company's process for matching gifts is unique, but some general guidance like filling out a form, providing a receipt, and submitting it to HR can help eliminate potential hurdles.

Consider breaking down strategies for gift matching communications into manageable, actionable steps in an easily understandable way. For example, “1. Donate Now! 2. Check if your employer will match your donation. 3. Check your donation receipt.” You could even design an infographic or flowchart displaying the steps visually. This helps donors feel more confident about the process, and they’re more likely to follow through on the request..

Donor Engagement Best Practices 

Now that you’ve promoted the program, it’s time to get the donors involved. It's all about creating urgency and offering easy-to-follow instructions.

Emphasize Implications

In your marketing and communication, emphasize gift matching increases the impact of their donation. Let your donors know that the process takes only a few minutes, and they could potentially double or even triple their contribution. Back this up through real examples, figures, or storytelling to show what those extra funds can do for your cause.

For example, “Your $100 donation could double to $200 with gift matching and feed twice as many families in need.” The more specific you can be on the impact their donation has, the more donors will be motivated to act on your request to apply for a gift match with their employer. 

Make Sharing Easy 

Encourage donors to spread the word about gift matching by creating shareable content that donors can easily pass on to friends or colleagues. If you have corporate partners, ask them to communicate gift matching to their employees. By sharing your gift matching content, your donors multiply their impact, leading to a snowball effect, bringing in matched donation after matched donation. 

Send Reminders 

Sometimes, donors need it to be spelled out for them. An email after a donation reminding them to check if their employer offers gift matching, moves the needle. Make it as simple as possible: include a direct link from your nonprofit website where they can find instructions and tools to check donation matching eligibility. Timing is everything. Don't let too much time pass after the donation before reaching out. Send the ask before the first gift fades from their memory.

Top Corporate Gift Matching Programs for Nonprofits

If you deal with nonprofit fundraising, you know just how integral corporate philanthropy is, and few strategies hit harder than gift-matching programs. Let's break down a few of the best corporate matching programs, and what they offer.

Some companies excel in corporate matching gift programs. These companies show remarkable commitment to corporate matching and extremely impressive matching benefits for their employees. 

Microsoft

Microsoft has one of the most generous corporate donation matching programs in the world. They match dollar-for-dollar, up to $15,000 annually per employee. Huge! But wait, there's more: Microsoft even goes as far as to extend its gift matching program to donations from its retirees. This amplifies the nonprofits' fundraising potential, leading to big donation boosts, and their employee base is very engaged in giving back. 

Google

Equally impressive, Google's program matches up to $10,000 per employee per year. Google has been one of the leaders in corporate philanthropy in the tech space, and their approach is comprehensive. They support a large variety of nonprofit causes, from education to environmental. This means that, big or small, if your mission aligns, you have a good chance of engaging their workforce.

Google pays close attention to employee welfare, which extends to matching gifts. They make it pretty easy for their employees to give, meaning more nonprofits benefit from their generosity.

Apple 

Apple matches donations at a 1:1 ratio, up to $10,000 per employee annually. What makes Apple stand out, however, is how the company gives volunteer engagement equal interest. Employees who volunteer their time can have their hours matched through an equivalent monetary donation to the nonprofit of their choice. It’s a win-win for the nonprofits and Apple employees.

Bank of America

BOA offers a very generous gift-matching program, with a limit of $5,000 per employee annually, and is deeply committed to the community. Employees receive 1:1 matching of their donations, and as with Apple, volunteer hours provided by their employees are rewarded with matching contributions. 

For nonprofits specializing in community development, education, and financial literacy, Bank of America is a highly desirable corporate partner. Bank of America's corporate philanthropy goes beyond just matching gifts, to community grants and partnerships for broader support.

Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson maintains one of the most flexible gift matching programs, offering to match employee donations up to $10,000 per year at a 2:1 ratio for current employees and a 1:1 match for retirees. 

That means that if an employee donation, for example, is $1,000, Johnson & Johnson may contribute an additional $2,000, that’s three times the donation. Talk about maximizing impact! Since their program applies to a wide variety of nonprofit causes, it’s easily one of the best companies with respect to its flexibility and generosity in gift matching.

Key Corporate Partners and Their Matching Gift Policies

The details of each of the corporate gift matching policies are key. Let's break down some important details on these top corporate matching programs, including the matching ratio, eligibility for employees, and annual contribution limits.

Microsoft Gift Matching Policy

  • Matching Ratio: 1:1
  • Annual Limit: $15,000 per employee
  • Eligible Donors: Current employees and retirees

Microsoft's program is ideal for nonprofits focusing on technology, education, or community development. They've streamlined their process to make it easy for employees to participate, increasing the likelihood of employee participation in matching gifts.

Google Gift Matching Policy

  • Matching Ratio 1:1
  • Annual Limit: $10,000 per employee
  • Eligible Donors: All full-time employees.

The company makes it painless for nonprofits to receive funds since Google has an extremely simple and efficient corporate process for donation matching. Google highly encourages its employees to donate, and with such a high annual limit per employee, nonprofits can see large returns on their donations.

Apple Gift Matching Policy

  • Matching Ratio: 1:1
  • Annual Limit: $10,000 per employee
  • Eligible Donors: Current working staff

The Apple Volunteer hours matching program extends their services, making them an excellent partner for any nonprofit organization that thrives on volunteer hours. This is a highly effective corporate matching donation strategy, and Apple truly empowers its employees to contribute both time and money.

Bank of America Gift Matching Policy

  • Matching Ratio: 1:1
  • Annual Limit: $5,000 per employee
  • Eligible Donors: Current employees and retirees

Bank of America is another huge player within the corporate donation programs space. This one is particularly good for nonprofits focused on community service, as they offer extra incentives for employee volunteerism.

Johnson & Johnson Gift Matching Policy

  • Matching Ratio: 2:1 for employees, 1:1 for retirees
  • Annual Limit: $10,000 per employee
  • Eligible Donors: Current staff and retirees

What makes Johnson & Johnson stand out is its generous matching ratio and 

nonprofits can triple their donations with this program. It’s also available to current staff and retirees, deepening the donation pool.

Advanced Strategies for Maximizing Gift Matching Programs 

So, how do you squeeze the most out of these gift match programs? The right tool set, strategies, and personal touch will skyrocket your fundraising results.

Let's see how you can make your gift matching programs as efficient as possible. It's not just about the match, it's about creating a system where every matching gift is captured and processed smoothly.

Tracking Systems for Donations: Your Secret Weapon

A stellar donation tracking system is the crux of any successful gift matching strategy. But why? Deep knowledge of when, where, and how much your donors give informs you as to whether their donations are eligible for matching. The best nonprofit fundraising tool will flag donations that can be matched, automatically send reminders to donors, and track the matching process from start to finish.

Imagine, if your software could track when a donor's company offers corporate gift matching, how much easier your admin would be. You could instantly communicate with the donor, providing them with all the information they need, and voilà, you’ve just doubled your donation. You can maximize your efficiency using donation tracking systems, and never let any opportunities for matched gifts get away from you.

Personalized Donor Communications: The Key to Engagement

Here’s the thing: most donors either don’t know if their employers have such gift matching policies or simply forget to follow through with it. That’s where personalization in donor communication comes into the picture. Easily segment your donors using your donor management software and send messages specific to them. Remind them to submit their matching requests to their employer for consideration.

For example, “Hi [Name], your donation to [Nonprofit] could be doubled through your employer's gift matching program. It only takes a few minutes to submit a match request, and your impact could be twice as big!” This message attracts attention; it's an action-driven message. 

Analyzing Donors: Know Your Audience

Donor data analysis will take your gift matching efforts to the next level. It shows you patterns in your donor database behavior, such as which donors are likely to work for companies with corporate matching programs. Personalized outreach strategies can be ideated and set in motion against the exact segment of donors with this data.

Success lies in understanding your audience, maybe certain donors respond to email, some to social media, others to direct mail. With the right data, you can tailor the approach to meet them where they are. This not only increases donor engagement, but also increases the likelihood of capturing matched donations.

Tapping into Technology and Corporate Relationships

The next tier in your gift matching program is really about building meaningful, long-term corporate relationships. Companies want to be seen as good corporate citizens, and many have good corporate donation matching policies for nonprofits. So, how do you get them on board?

Building Long-Term Corporate Partnerships

The key to long-lasting corporate partnerships is all about managing the relationship. It's not a deal where a company matches a donation and you move on. No, you need to nurture that relationship for the long haul. Keep your corporate partners regularly updated about the impact of their donations. Give them detailed impact reports, invite them to events, and offer ways to involve their employees in volunteering.

When it becomes apparent that the program makes a difference, companies will continue participating in matching gifts with your organization and may even seek additional ways to support your organization. Corporate philanthropy goes both ways; you get donations, and they get positive PR and the satisfaction of knowing they support a good cause.

Donor Targeting Using Technology

Don’t underestimate the impact technology has in helping you target the right donors about gift matching. Advanced tracking and nonprofit fundraising tools tell you which donors are eligible for matching, track their progress, and send reminders at critical times as a way to keep involvement going.

You can even automate this process to make it effortless. For example, when a donation takes place, the system can automatically check if the employer of that particular donor offers a corporate matching program and send an email to the donor with instructions on how to apply. This software eliminates most of your manual work and ensures no matching opportunities fall through the cracks.

Personalised Engagement over Corporate Channels

You want to make sure you’re engaging directly with the corporate partners through personalized communication channels. While e-mail is great, sometimes you can get even more traction out of building personal relationships with company representatives. 

When corporations feel like they’re involved with your cause, they’re more likely to promote the gift matching opportunity to their employees, which means more matches for your nonprofit.

Collaborate on nonprofit marketing campaigns that highlight how corporate partnerships elevate employee engagement and further community impact. It's not only good for you but also great for the company's internal culture and employer reputation.

It's all about being proactive in respect of your gift matching programs. You can capture more matching opportunities, and develop better relationships with your donors and corporate partners using donor management software. Track contributions through donation tracking systems, and personalize outreach through analysis of donor data.

The key is streamlining your processes, nurturing those corporate relationships with tender loving care, and always keeping your donors in the loop with clear, segregated messages. The more you farm the relationship, the more your gift matching programs grow.

The Benefits of Gift Matching for Donors and Corporations (400)

Why Gift Matching is a Win-Win for Donors and Corporations

Gift matching provides donors with several benefits. Imagine that you donate money to a cause and your employer steps in and matches the gift. Not only do you double the impact that your contribution makes, but the added funds from the match can subsequently give a boost to your donor tax deductions, creating even greater value.

The advantage of increased tax benefit from gift matching makes you feel like a super contributor. It maximizes impact without reaching for your wallet. So, next time you donate, check with your company if they have a matching program and watch your contribution grow!

The benefits are just as enticing for companies: when companies go for corporate matching of gifts, they’re not simply giving money away; it’s investing in the business. 

Every matched donation contributes to the organization’s corporate social responsibility (CSR), showing the world they can and will make a difference.

Incentives for Donors and Corporate Participants

Now, let's talk about the tangible benefits for corporations. Matching donation programs encourage corporations to form a culture of giving with employee volunteerism. Matching gift programs are also one strategic avenue through which a company can enhance the impact of its corporate social responsibility programs. 

It sends an unambiguous message to stakeholders showing that the company is committed and sincere in its philanthropic mission. It adds value to their public image, which will eventually help them recruit and retain talented professionals who wish to work with socially responsible employers.

In a nutshell, gift matching is a potent tool. Donors can extend the size of their contribution and enjoy additional tax benefits, while corporations can improve their credentials on CSR audits, enhance employee morale, and solidify their status as good corporate citizens. It's a win-win that turns every donation into a double-impact opportunity.

Best Gift Matching Software for Nonprofits

The right gift matching software can make-or-break your gift matching strategy. Equipped with the right tools, it’s easy to handle, track, and promote a gift matching program, avoiding the paperwork jungle. From automated donation tracking to smooth integrations with your nonprofit CRM, this software saves time and amplifies results. 

With so many fundraising platforms providing gift matching solutions, you want one that will make your life easier, not more difficult. The best gift matching software will integrate into your current systems, track donations automatically, and keep your donors engaged with smart communication tools. Whether you;re an emerging small nonprofit or an enterprise-level organization, these tools will help organizations like yours maximize the impact of every matched gift.

Let's break down some of the best options out there for making your gift matching program a breeze to manage!

PayBee - Leading the Way 

Consider making PayBee your top priority for the best gifting match software. It’s designed for easy integration with automated donation tracking, event management, and CRM in one convenient platform. 

Corporate matches are easier through PayBee, allowing real-time analysis for every match and contribution. PayBee integrates easily with most nonprofit CRMs and social media platforms, making tracking donations and communicating with donors easy.

PayBee's customization flexibility supports nonprofits in creating a donor experience from start to finish. Its focus on making donation management less stressful is why so many organizations trust it as their go-to platform when it comes to managing their gift matching strategy.

Donorbox – Easy and Affordable

Another good alternative for smaller nonprofits is Donorbox. It gets your gift matching programs up and running fast and integrates with the popular CRM tool for nonprofits, allowing your team to track donations and match them automatically.

Intuitive and user-friendly, Donorbox doesn't require a steep learning curve, which is good for teams that want to start managing their gift matching without too much setup time. Create custom Donorbox donation pages in a few minutes and run them on your site, with integration to your gift-matching back-end for easy donation tracking. If you're going for simple yet efficient, then Donorbox is a top choice.

Givebutter – Engaging and Flexible

Givebutterhas a sleek and modern design, perfect if you’re looking to make your donor interactions a bit more engaging and fun. This peer-to-peer fundraising software offers real-time tracking and robust integrations with tools to make matching gifts easy, painless, and hassle-free for the donor, the corporate partner, and your nonprofit.

Overcoming Common Challenges in Gift Matching Programs 

First and foremost, let's get a big one out of the way: building donor awareness. Most donors are simply unaware of the fact that their contributions can potentially be doubled through a matching gift program. 

So, how can you get the word out? Time to get creative with donor outreach! First things first: construct email campaigns with content that spells out exactly what gift matching is and why it's awesome. 

Create social media posts featuring success stories on the impact a matched gift can make on the donor's contribution to the cause. Making it super clear and exciting makes donors more likely to jump onboard if they know what is in it for them.

Now, let's talk about corporate donors. Does identifying companies eager to dive into corporate matching donation programs feel like finding a needle in a haystack? Narrow down the list of companies that best reflect your mission and create a prospectus showing just why this partnership will be a mutually advantageous situation for all parties. 

Explain how this partnership raises their corporate social responsibility and employee engagement. Indicate that their support isn’t just a tax write-off but a means to an end, making a real difference to the corporate brand and its public image.

Then, of course, there's the administrative side of it. Sometimes managing gift matching feels like juggling flaming torches. But here's the trick: invest in good donor management software. Find tools that automatically track and report on matched gifts, saving you time while keeping the fundraising drive running smoothly toward achieving your fundraising targets. It means fewer headaches for your team and more time devoted to what truly matters: your mission.

Addressing Challenges of Donor Awareness and Corporate Participation

Corporate engagement challenges and increasing donor awareness go hand in hand. You need to drum up excitement around your gift matching program. Use your official communication channels to share stories and statistics on the impact of matched donations. Show your donors and corporate partners exactly how their contributions are helping your nonprofit achieve its goals.

Keep corporate partners motivated and on board with playing their part in helping the organization achieve its mission. The more they can see the difference they’re making, the more likely they’ll stick around longer and continue supporting your cause.

While overcoming the challenges of gift matching programs might seem a bit tricky, it’s definitely doable with the right strategy and software.

Fire up donor awareness, convert more corporate partnerships, and streamline administrative processes. Combine a little creativity with the right tools and these obstacles will turn into opportunities; sending your fundraising results to the next level. Keep pushing forward, and watch those matched gifts roll in!

The Future of Gift Matching for Nonprofits

There you have it! If you’re not on the gift-matching bandwagon yet, then it's about time your nonprofit jumped aboard. Gift matching is so much more than a fundraising tactic; it’s truly a game-changing strategy that takes your nonprofit to the next level of success, moving you toward achieving your mission. 

Building corporate gift-matching partnerships opens a world of opportunities for boosting donations and supercharging donor engagement. When corporations get involved in your gift-matching program, they aren’t just cutting checks for matched donations. They’re increasing their corporate social responsibility, leaving a mark on the community and your cause. It’s a wonderful opportunity for nonprofits to create the most value out of each dollar donated. 

Gift matching strategies can fuel your nonprofit growth and set the stage for a strong future of fundraising success.

So, don't stand around waiting, get out there and make it happen with gift-matching strategies. Dive into corporate donations, use gift matching to the fullest extent, and make it a cornerstone of your fundraising strategy. 

The future of nonprofit fundraising has arrived, and gift matching is a key player in your success. Make it work to your advantage and watch your impact soar. Make a change today and let gift matching be one of the foundational components of your nonprofit fundraising strategy!

Start Fundraising

I am a...

Looking for...

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.
Tags
Charity Fundraising
Fundraising
Paybee

Paybee is the leader in nonprofit fundraising events with tools for virtual, hybrid and in-person events.