Why Collect Employment Info From Auction & Event Attendees

Why Collect Employment Info From Auction & Event Attendees

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When planning an upcoming fundraising event or auction, nonprofits often focus on the big picture. Ticket sales, sponsorships, and donor engagement. However, one powerful data point is often overlooked: and that is collecting employment info from auction attendees.

Knowing where your attendees work can unlock a host of strategic benefits, from identifying potential corporate sponsors to qualifying for workplace giving programs. In a world where relationships drive philanthropy, collecting employment data at events is more than just a nice-to-have. It’s a strategic move that can directly impact your organization’s fundraising success. And we’ll show you how.

Table of Contents

In this post, we’ll explore why collecting employment information is so valuable, how your organization can put it to good use, and the best ways to gather it without disrupting the event experience.

Whether you’re new to this tactic or looking to refine your approach, these insights will help you make the most of every attendee connection. Let’s dive in!

Why collect employment info from auction & event attendees

Collecting employment information at your nonprofit’s events might seem like a small detail, but it can have a significant impact on your overall results.

Here are three compelling reasons to make it part of your event strategy.

Employment information allows you to…

Uncover workplace giving opportunities.

Many companies offer workplace giving programs, including donation matching and volunteer grants. By knowing where your attendees work, you can identify which donors might be eligible for these programs. This opens the door to doubling—or even tripling—the impact of a single gift.

Without employment info, these opportunities are often missed entirely.

Tailor your communications.

Employment data helps you send more relevant and personalized messages. For example, if you know someone works for a company with a history of corporate social responsibility, you can highlight sponsorship opportunities or invite them to a company-focused volunteer day.

Personalized communication increases engagement and shows donors that you understand and value their unique connections.

Estimate wealth level.

While job titles and employers don’t provide a complete financial picture, they can offer some helpful context. Employment information can help you identify major gift prospects or prioritize follow-up with attendees who may have greater capacity to give.

Combined with other data points, this insight supports smarter donor segmentation and stewardship planning.

Collect Employment Info From Auction & Event Attendees Using Double the Donation

What to do with the information once you’ve gathered it

Collecting employment information from attendees is just the first step—the real value comes from how you use it.

Here are five strategic ways to put that data to work for your nonprofit:

Remind donors about matching gift opportunities.

Once you know where your attendees work, you can proactively follow up with tailored reminders about matching gift programs. Many donors are unaware that their employers will match charitable contributions, sometimes dollar for dollar.

A quick email or mention in a thank-you message can encourage donors to take advantage of this benefit, doubling their impact at no additional cost to them.

Encourage volunteers to look into volunteer incentives.

Some companies offer financial donations in exchange for employee volunteer hours, often called “volunteer grants.” If an attendee volunteers or expresses interest in doing so, you can follow up with information about their employer’s program and how to get started.

It’s a win-win: more volunteer engagement and additional funds for your mission.

Leverage employee connections for warm introductions.

Employment data can help you identify potential inroads to corporate sponsors, grantmakers, or CSR teams. If someone at your event works for a company you’re targeting, consider asking them for a warm introduction or insight into the organization’s giving priorities.

Personal connections often open doors that cold outreach cannot, allowing your team to get that extra step ahead.

Empower supporters to advocate for deeper partnerships.

Your attendees can be your best advocates. If you know where someone works, you can equip them with talking points or materials to introduce your nonprofit to their employer.

Whether it’s sponsorship, employee engagement, or event partnerships, an insider can help you cut through red tape and get your foot directly in the door.

Identify key corporate decision-makers.

Some of your event attendees may already be decision-makers at their companies! Fortunately, employment information, especially job titles, can help you identify who holds influence within a business. An attendee who works in HR, community relations, or a leadership role might be a direct path to partnership discussions.

By segmenting your contacts based on their roles, you can prioritize outreach where it’s most likely to yield results.

Best practices for collecting employment information effectively

To make the most of your employment data, it’s important to gather it in a way that’s seamless, respectful, and strategic. Here are four best practices to help you collect this valuable information without disrupting the supporter experience:

Solicit company information as attendees register.

The event registration process is a natural point to ask for employment details. Include a simple, optional field such as “Employer Name” on your sign-up form. Since attendees are already sharing information like names and email addresses, this extra step feels easy and unobtrusive, especially when positioned as part of the standard registration flow.

Add an optional employment field on all donation forms.

Many event attendees will choose to give above and beyond any base registration fees or ticket costs. Since that’s the case, it’s a good idea to collect employment information on your donation forms as well.

This ensures you capture employment info from supporters year-round, too, not just during special events.

Send follow-up reminders to collect employment info.

Not everyone will fill out every field during registration or giving, so it’s important that you follow up. A post-event thank-you email is a great time to ask supporters to share their employer for matching gift eligibility or volunteer grant potential. You can even include a direct link to their request form to make it easy!

Explain the value behind the ask.

People are more likely to share personal information when they understand why it matters. For the best results, include a short explanation near the employment question or in your follow-up messaging.

For example, a blurb like this: “Knowing where you work helps us uncover opportunities for matching gifts, sponsorships, and volunteer support. What company do you work for?” helps build trust and encourages honest responses.

Wrapping up & additional event-planning resources

Collecting employment information from event attendees can open doors to corporate partnerships, matching gift opportunities, and a deeper understanding of your supporter base. By integrating employment info collection into your event check-in or registration process, you lay the groundwork for smarter fundraising and more meaningful engagement.

In today’s competitive nonprofit landscape, every advantage counts—and employment data might just be your secret weapon.

Ready to learn more about corporate giving, employment information, and nonprofit events? Check out these recommended resources:

Collect Employment Info From Auction & Event Attendees Using Double the Donation