The American Cancer Society (also known as ACS) is renowned for its efforts in cancer research, patient support, and advocacy. However, one of the lesser-known secrets to its fundraising success lies in its effective use of matching gifts. By doubling—and in some cases tripling—donor contributions through corporate matching gift programs, ACS has been able to significantly increase its fundraising results.
In this post, we’ll take a closer look at how the American Cancer Society harnessed the power of matching gifts to double donations—and see what other nonprofits can learn from their approach. Specifically, we’ll cover:
Double the Donation sat down with the American Cancer Society to discuss the organization’s matching gift strategy. Interested in learning more about how they brought about standout matching gift success? Feel free to watch a brief snippet from the webinar here—or skip below to access a recording of the full, on-demand event.
Let’s begin!
American Cancer Society: Organizational Overview
The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Founded in 1913, ACS has become one of the most influential nonprofits in the fight against cancer, funding groundbreaking research, providing support for patients and survivors, and advocating for cancer prevention and early detection.
Today, the American Cancer Society’s ongoing efforts are powered by volunteers, donors, and corporate partners alike, with matching gift programs playing a critical role in increasing the impact of donations. All in all, this ensures that the organization can continue making strides toward a cancer-free future with the right resources in tow.
How the American Cancer Society Secured Internal Buy-In for Matching Gifts
In a recent conversation with key stakeholders—including volunteers and paid staff alike—the American Cancer Society discovered a gap in knowledge that’s proven to be hindering the organization’s matching gift fundraising success.
When internal teams lack awareness around the programs, they’re not taking the steps to rally individual supporters to get involved. That means matching gifts are slipping through the cracks, and teams aren’t prepared to stop it from happening.
Ensure team-wide knowledge. They got started by determining exactly how familiar their audience is with the idea of matching gifts. Once they had a baseline for knowledge, they made a plan to increase awareness across staff and volunteers.
Seek input from their stakeholders. Project leaders asked around to see what kinds of materials their team would find most valuable. As the organization’s fundraising staff are the ones who will be distributing the resources, it made sense to gather their opinions from the start.
Equip its fundraising team with matching gift materials. A nonprofit’s fundraising team plays a hands-on role in driving donor support. ACS made sure its team was ready to encourage matching gifts by providing staff and volunteers with helpful resources ahead of time.
Remember this: The more an internal team is prepared to proactively pursue matching gifts, the more effective a response it can expect.
P.S. Double the Donation’s Matching Gift Academy is free for current clients to learn from—and it contains a wealth of resources for organizations to supercharge their internal knowledge.
American Cancer Society’s External Matching Gift Resources
In order to combat the lack of matching gift awareness the organization was seeing, the ACS team took time to create donor-facing materials that provided educational context surrounding the programs.
These resources include—but are not limited to—the following:
A matching gift Q&A resource, complete with common inquiries and the appropriate responses.
An explainer doc that demonstrates how an individual will submit a matching gift to their employer.
A brief video that overviews the matching gift opportunity and visualizes how an individual will get involved.
Once the team had its matching gift materials created, it was time to share them with its network, both internally and externally. This allowed team members and supporters to grow their knowledge of the programs and ultimately participate on the organization’s behalf.
Not to mention, to further simplify the matching gift experience, the ACS features Double the Donation’s search tool in both its marketing materials and its video overview.
Get More Insights From the On-Demand Event Replay
We covered many of the most essential insights from the ACS matching gifts presentation in this overview. Still, there’s more to learn!
To hear the full conversation between our team and the American Cancer Society, get the webinar replay by filling out the form below.
Wrapping Up & Additional Resources
The American Cancer Society’s ability to double donations through matching gifts highlights the transformative power of this fundraising tool. By making it easy for donors to access matching gift opportunities, ACS has maximized the impact of each contribution.
Today, nonprofits of all shapes and sizes can learn from the American Cancer Society’s strategy to amplify their own fundraising efforts and make a greater difference. Matching gifts not only increase funds but also strengthen donor relationships, providing a win-win opportunity for the causes they serve.
Keep learning! Read our recommended resources to continue growing your knowledge on all things matching gifts:
Corporate matching gifts are an invaluable revenue opportunity for nonprofits and schools. However, many organizations struggle to capture them due to low levels of awareness among their donors. With effective promotions, you can solve the issue and benefit greatly from the funds.
In this blog, we’ll cover one standout example, familiarizing your team with the ins and outs of Save the Children’s matching gift strategy.
Double the Donation works with leading organizations to help them finetune their matching gift strategies and raise more through the programs. Save the Children is one example of a cause we support, and they joined a webinar to discuss how our tools are supporting their fundraising and matching gift efforts.
In this post, we’ll summarize the event and examine how Save the Children engages supporters in a meaningful way. Here’s a quick overview of the presentation:
Let’s begin!
What to Know About Save the Children
Save the Children is a global leader in children’s advocacy, known for its impactful programs in education, health, and emergency response. For over 100 years, Save the Children has been dedicated to literally saving the world’s children by providing education, a healthy start to life, and protection from harm.
Today, the organization operates in more than 100 countries across the world. However, its success isn’t just due to the breadth of its services. It’s also driven by a powerful approach to fundraising, including a well-crafted matching gift strategy.
Save the Children’s Matching Gift Page Overhaul
As of 2023, Save the Children had been receiving support from matching gift programs—but the team knew it could be doing more. In order to kick off its promotional strategy, Save the Children decided to revamp its Workplace Giving and Matching Gifts information page.
The Organization’s Former Matching Gifts Page
Save the Children’s matching gift strategy was doing a lot well even before its complete overhaul. Here are a few practices the organization implemented in creating the Match Page:
Clearly explain the matching gift process. Most donors lack knowledge about matching gifts. Simplify involvement by providing the basic information an individual should know.
Embed a database tool. If you invest in a tool like Double the Donation, place a database search tool on the page. Donors simply type their company name to receive employer-specific guidelines and request forms!
Answer FAQs. Be proactive about providing the information you think your donors will need right on the page. This can reduce the volume of inquiries your team will need to answer later, too.
The Organization’s New Matching Gifts Page
From there, the team also conducted the following steps to reorganize the page with the goal of bringing about better matching gift results. With a few additional tweaks and adjustments, the page is more successful than ever:
Simplified the information included. The goal was to be comprehensive and educational without overwhelming the visitor with too much text.
Incorporated clickable content section links. This assisted with navigation, making it easy to find the most relevant information for each user.
Restructured the page to focus on matching gifts first. With a goal of increasing visibility, the team placed Double the Donation’s 360MatchPro widget higher—and more prominently—on the page.
Visually demonstrated the simplicity of the matching gift process. Using diagrams and other graphic elements, the organization was able to better illustrate and communicate the matching gift experience for donors.
The results? Save the Children saw increased site traffic and page views during a four-month period as compared to the same period the year prior. And the growth was substantial, too. According to the organization, their team saw a 966% increase in site traffic and a 903% increase in page views!
This increase in site traffic has directly resulted in more donors participating in matching gifts as well. Since their matching gift page now provides simplified, engaging information, donors are more easily able to navigate their matching gift programs.
Save the Children’s Text Message Campaign Strategy
Once you’ve created a matching gift page on your website, you’ll want to take steps to direct traffic to the resource. One thing that Save the Children did to spread matching gift awareness was employ a mass marketing text campaign around the holiday giving season.
Within this campaign, a first text message went out before Giving Tuesday, with a second text message following soon after. Both texts contained brief information about matching gifts along with a direct link to the organization’s matching gifts page, where recipients were encouraged to learn more.
The first agency text message went to the entire text mailing list, which is around ~60,000 contacts who had engaged with Save the Children in the last year. This text saw an above-average click-through rate of 2.7%—with more than 1.5K unique clicks—and also brought in an estimated $2.7k in revenue even before matches were accounted for.
Meanwhile, the second message went out to a smaller segment—those who gave via a recent Giving Tuesday push—but had a significant impact as well. Deployed to ~3.2k subscribers, it saw a click-through rate of 2.6% (which is a 162% increase from other mass marketing texts).
All in all, Save the Children’s matching gift strategy encompassed a range of promotional tactics—from text messaging to paid advertising space and beyond. But one thing that all of its efforts had in common was the use of its Matching Gift page as a central linking target. Because the page provides comprehensive information that answers donors’ questions while also giving them insight into their company’s specific matching gift program guidelines, it makes getting involved easier than ever!
How Double the Donation’s Tools Helped Save the Children’s Matching Gift Strategy
As a 360MatchPro client, Save the Children utilizes Double the Donation’s automation platform to make matching gifts easier for their donors and fundraising staff alike. In discussing the organization’s matching gift page overhaul and subsequent text campaign, one thing the Save the Children team emphasizes is its use of the matching gift database tool.
“I’ll just say, from our standpoint of Save the Children, it’s been so helpful to have that 360MatchPro search tool embedded on the landing page. It makes it really easy when we go to deploy visibility tactics to let people know it’s really easy to track if your employer can match your gift or not.”
Ariana Romanelli, Save the Children US
Here’s how it works:
An individual begins typing the name of their employer in the company search tool.
As they type, the solution automatically populates suggested companies. This makes it easy to select the appropriate employer without worrying about typos or misnomers.
When the individual selects a listing, they’re met with tailored insights regarding the company’s matching gift program (as well as other workplace giving initiatives available) in real-time. This includes minimum and maximum donation amounts, match ratios, qualifying employees and nonprofits, and submission deadlines.
The individual is encouraged to submit a matching gift by following the provided instructions and submitting the provided forms.
Save the Children has also implemented Double the Donation’s matching gift database directly within its online giving form, too. This allows users to access matching gift insights at the point of donation and even receive tailored guidelines and forms via email after contributing.
Learn More: Get the Full Webinar Replay
We’ve summarized the most essential insights from our recent presentation here. But for the full look at Save the Children’s matching gift strategy, we recommend viewing the full webinar replay.
Interested in hearing the complete conversation between a lead associate of corporate partnerships at Save the Children and Double the Donation’s own marketing team manager? Register to receive a copy of the presentation sent directly to your inbox.
Save the Children’s matching gift strategy serves as a valuable example for nonprofits looking to elevate their fundraising impact. By implementing clear communications, leveraging technology, and promoting programs at multiple opportunities, they’ve found a winning formula for multiplying donations.
Now, organizations like yours can draw inspiration from their approach to maximize your own matching gift potential. When executed well, matching gifts don’t just boost the bottom line. They deepen supporters’ connection to the cause, ensuring each contribution goes further in creating lasting change for children in need.
Begin by auditing your current matching gift marketing efforts. Do you have a dedicated matching gifts page on your site? If not, that’s likely where you’ll want to get started. If so, you’ll want to evaluate the existing resource and determine how exactly you’re sending traffic to the page. Then, see what changes you can implement to bring your strategy to new heights.
Keep learning! Read our recommended resources to continue growing your knowledge on all things matching gifts:
https://doublethedonation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/DTD_A-Look-at-Save-the-Childrens-Winning-Matching-Gift-Strategy_Feature-1.png6001600Adam Weingerhttps://doublethedonation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-dtd.svgAdam Weinger2024-10-21 19:03:332024-10-25 12:47:00A Look at Save the Children’s Winning Matching Gift Strategy
Volunteer incentive programs are a powerful tool for nonprofits aiming to boost community engagement and maximize their impact. These programs, which involve companies rewarding employees for their volunteer time and efforts, can take many forms. And they can range from volunteer grants (or Dollars for Doers) to paid volunteer time off and more.
For nonprofits, understanding and leveraging these programs can mean more volunteers, increased funding, and stronger relationships with corporate partners. In this guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of volunteer incentive programs—and practical strategies for making the most of them.
Specifically, we’ll answer the following questions:
Ready to make the most of available corporate volunteer incentives for your nonprofit team? Let’s dive in.
What are Employee Volunteer Incentive Programs?
Employee Volunteer Incentive Programs, also known as corporate volunteer programs or employee volunteer incentive initiatives, are structured efforts by companies to encourage and reward their employees for participating in volunteer activities.
These programs are designed to promote corporate social responsibility, enhance employee engagement, and support community involvement.
What are the most popular types of Employee Volunteer Incentives?
Volunteer incentives are not a one-size-fits-all experience. In fact, there are a number of ways for companies to participate in corporate volunteerism and incentivize their employees to do so as well.
As a nonprofit or school, some of the programs you’re most likely to come across include:
Volunteer Grants
Companies offer monetary donations to nonprofits based on the number of volunteer hours employees contribute. For example, a company might donate $25 for every hour an employee volunteers.
Paid Volunteer Time Off (VTO)
Companies provide employees with paid time off specifically for volunteering during the regular work day. This is above and beyond any other paid time off and can range from a few hours to several days per year.
Team Volunteering Events
Companies organize group volunteering activities that encourage employees to participate together, fostering teamwork and camaraderie while supporting a charitable cause.
The more familiar you are with popular employee volunteer incentives, the better you’ll be able to market the opportunities to your audience.
What benefits do Volunteer Incentive Programs offer?
Volunteer incentive programs are a particularly valuable form of corporate philanthropy, and the impact extends from the companies offering the programs to the organizations receiving support and beyond. Let’s take a look at the key benefits for each party involved.
For Nonprofits
Increased Volunteer Participation: Volunteer incentive programs encourage more employees to donate their time, providing nonprofits with a steady stream of supporters ready to get involved.
Additional Funding: Programs like volunteer grants or dollars for doers translate volunteer hours into financial support for nonprofit organizations, providing a greater volunteer program ROI.
Enhanced Visibility: Participating in corporate giving programs can raise the profile of nonprofits, attracting more volunteers and donors who may otherwise have no familiarity with your cause.
For Companies
Employee Engagement: Encouraging volunteerism boosts employee morale, satisfaction, and retention by aligning work with personal values and passions.
Corporate Reputation: Companies that actively support volunteerism improve their public image and demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility.
Team Building: Group volunteer activities strengthen relationships among employees and build a positive corporate culture.
For Employees
Personal Fulfillment: Volunteering allows employees to give back to their communities, fostering a sense of accomplishment and purpose.
Skill Development: Employees can develop new skills and gain experiences that may be beneficial in their personal and professional lives.
Recognition and Rewards: Employees receive acknowledgment and rewards for their volunteer contributions, enhancing job satisfaction.
What are some companies with standout Volunteer Incentive Programs?
Many companies have implemented exemplary Volunteer Incentive Programs that encourage and support their employees’ volunteer efforts. In doing so, these businesses demonstrate the positive impact of well-structured Volunteer Incentive Programs, not only supporting their employees’ philanthropic efforts but also strengthening their communities.
Familiarizing yourself with these initiatives can go a long way in allowing your team to target the programs effectively. Here are some key examples you should know:
Chipotle Mexican Grill
Chipotle encourages employee volunteerism through its “Chipotle Community Roots” program, which offers paid time off for volunteering and supports team volunteer events. While it can vary greatly, the company’s primary focus is on initiatives that promote food sustainability, education, and environmental preservation.
Employees are also encouraged to participate in other forms of philanthropy, including through the company’s CLMA-designated matching gift program (complete with seamless matching gift auto-submission functionality!).
Gene B. Glick Company
Gene B. Glick Company fosters employee volunteerism through its corporate social responsibility efforts, particularly focusing on local community engagement and social services. Employees are offered up to 8 hours of paid time off to volunteer with various nonprofit organizations each year.
The CLMA-designated company also offers a standout matching gift program, with exclusive auto-submission streamlining the process for employees to get involved.
EY
EY (Ernst & Young) encourages employee volunteerism through its EY Ripples CSR program, which leverages employees’ skills to address global challenges. Employees are offered paid time off to volunteer, focusing on education, supporting entrepreneurs, and accelerating environmental sustainability.
This also encapsulates EY Connect Days, or quarterly days of service in which 22,000+ EY employees volunteer with nonprofit causes in 20 countries across the globe.
Siemens
Siemens promotes volunteerism through its Corporate Citizenship program, which includes paid volunteer time off for employees. The company encourages employees to engage in community service, particularly in areas related to education, technology, and sustainability. The company also offers team volunteer grants to amplify the impact of employee volunteerism.
IBM
IBM’s volunteer program, Corporate Service Corps, is dubbed “a Peace Corps for the corporate world,” sending teams of employees to work with nonprofits and government organizations on critical societal challenges. Employees can also participate in the On Demand Community, where they access resources (including up to 8 hours of volunteer time off) to donate their specialized skills in local communities.
As another incentive, IBM offers volunteer grants for employees, enhancing the impact of their time with grants worth $10 per hour after the first 10 hours are recorded, up to a maximum grant amount of $500.
Infobip
Infobip supports employee volunteerism through its volunteer incentive program Bippers4Community. This corporate social responsibility initiative encourages employees to contribute their time and skills to community service projects, promoting a culture of giving back by providing opportunities for employees to participate in company-organized volunteer events. This includes both BipUp Skills, an online volunteering program, and BipUp Teams, the onsite volunteering component.
Cisco
Cisco supports employee volunteerism through its WeAreCisco program, which includes up to 80 hours of paid time off for volunteering and volunteer grants worth $10 for every hour an employee volunteers. The company encourages employees to participate in volunteer activities that align with their passions, providing a platform to make a positive impact on their communities.
Toyota
Toyota’s volunteer incentive program, Toyota4Good, offers employees paid time off to volunteer and supports matching gifts for nonprofit donations. Toyota encourages employees to engage in volunteer activities that align with its focus on education, environmental sustainability, and community improvement. And employees are encouraged to request volunteer grants for their time, with two tiers of grants available after 50 and 100 hours.
Intel
Intel’s global corporate volunteer program, Intel Involved, encourages employees to contribute their time, technology expertise, and other skills to nonprofits in need of their services. This includes its volunteer grant program, through which employees can request generous company funding on behalf of the organizations they support.
Over the last decade, Intel employees (and retirees!) have donated more than 10 million hours in their communities!
Bank of America
Bank of America writes that “We support our employees’ volunteer efforts through programs such as a robust volunteer platform, volunteer grants directed to nonprofit organizations where employees volunteer regularly, matching gifts which double the impact of employee giving and additional employee giving opportunities.” This volunteer incentive program is deeply engrained in the company’s culture, offering 2 hours of VTO each week as well as volunteer grants worth $500 or $1,000.
Google
Google’s annual month-long volunteer program, GoogleServe, provides a chance for “Googlers” across the world to give back by partnering with nonprofit causes. This project has been ongoing for over a decade, and most recently saw more than 25,000 Google team members from 40 countries participating with nearly 1,000 organizations.
Not to mention, all Google employees are encouraged to request up to 20 hours of paid time off to partake in volunteer activities each year. And hours spent outside the VTO program qualify for volunteer grants equal to $10 for every hour!
How can nonprofits maximize the impact of Volunteer Incentive Programs?
Volunteer Incentive Programs can be a game-changer for nonprofits by boosting volunteer engagement, securing additional funding, and strengthening community ties. To fully leverage these programs, nonprofits need to adopt strategic approaches that enhance the overall effectiveness and impact of their volunteer efforts.
Here’s how organizations like yours can do so:
1. Promote Volunteer Incentive Programs to Volunteers
Unfortunately, many individuals who qualify for volunteer incentive programs through their employers will have no awareness of the initiatives in the first place. If their companies don’t sufficiently promote the programs to their workforce, it’s up to your team to spread the word.
To increase awareness and boost participation, market corporate volunteer incentives in your volunteer newsletters, email correspondence, text messages, phone calls, and more. And don’t forget about your nonprofit’s website, either. In fact, we recommend embedding a volunteer incentives database directly into your Volunteers page to make it as easy as possible for individuals to locate program information and get involved.
2. Create Meaningful Volunteer Opportunities
Design volunteer opportunities that align with the values and goals of your corporate partners and their employees to get more volunteers on board.
You’ll want to offer a diverse range of opportunities through which corporate volunteers can get involved. From short-term projects to ongoing commitments, plan to cater to different interests, schedules, and incentives. Check out these recommended ideas to get started!
3. Implement Efficient Tracking and Reporting Systems
Most companies establish some sort of time-tracking requirements in order to pay out volunteer incentives such as dollars for doers grants or VTO hours. Implementing an intuitive volunteer tracking system, backed by reliable tools and software can go a long way in ensuring individuals have the resources they need to complete their requests.
4. Recognize and Reward Volunteers
Individuals participating in their employers’ volunteer incentive programs are going above and beyond for your cause. Therefore, it’s a good idea to regularly thank, recognize, and reward them for their support.
Share success stories and testimonials (including photographic evidence!) on how volunteer contributions have made a tangible difference in your mission. This can include in your newsletters, website, social media pages, and more.
Keep in mind that public acknowledgments can also function as a marketing tool—leveraging social proof and encouraging others to get involved in the same way.
5. Leverage Technology for Uncover Opportunities
Since many volunteers won’t know if they qualify for volunteer incentive programs, it’s a good idea to make the discovery process as simple as possible. In other words, you’ll want to provide them with a volunteer incentives database like Double the Donation’s industry-leading solution. This way, all supporters have to do is type the name of their employer, and they’ll be met with company-specific insights regarding their eligibility for volunteer grants, VTO, and more. Plus, they’ll receive direct links to request forms and instructions for getting started.
Even better, the database search tool can be embedded in your nonprofit website, volunteers’ page, or registration forms, thanks to our seamless VMS integrations, making it easier than ever for interested volunteers to access.
Wrapping up & additional resources
Volunteer incentive programs offer a win-win scenario for nonprofits, volunteers, and corporate partners alike. By effectively leveraging these programs, organizations like yours can enhance their volunteer engagement, secure additional funding, and build stronger, more productive partnerships.
With these elements in place, your team can harness the full potential of volunteer incentive programs and make a lasting difference in your community.
Interested in learning more about corporate volunteerism and how your organization can benefit? Check out the following resources to grow your knowledge:
Corporate volunteerism refers to the practice of businesses encouraging employees to volunteer their time and skills to charitable causes. This can take a number of forms, including company-wide volunteer days, paid time off for volunteer activities, skills-based volunteering, and volunteer grant programs.
For nonprofits and schools, corporate volunteerism is a vital tool that can significantly enhance their capacity to achieve their missions. How? Corporate volunteer programs provide these organizations with increased manpower, diverse skill sets, enhanced visibility, and even the potential for financial support and long-term corporate partnerships.
Meanwhile, the companies offering the programs see increased employee engagement and enhanced CSR. However, for each group to reap the rewards of these programs, it’s essential that the efforts are marketed well. And that’s where this guide comes in!
Corporate volunteerism provides nonprofits, schools, and similar fundraising groups with easy access to skilled volunteers and other invaluable resources. Understanding the types of programs available to your organization and its supporters through their employers allows you to better target lucrative opportunities, deepen engagement with volunteers, and achieve your goals overall.
We recommend familiarizing yourself (and the rest of your team) with the following types of corporate volunteer initiatives:
Individual Volunteer Grants
Volunteer grants, also known as “Dollars for Doers,” are corporate programs where companies offer monetary donations to nonprofits where their employees volunteer. Typically, an employee must spend a set number of hours at the nonprofit for the organization to qualify for a grant, which may be paid out as a lump sum or based on a predetermined hourly rate.
Benefit for nonprofits: This program incentivizes volunteerism and rewards nonprofits with additional financial support!
Team Volunteer Grants
Similar to individual volunteer grants, team volunteer grants provide funding for the organizations at which their employees volunteer. The difference, however, is that team volunteer grants are awarded when a group of employees from the same company volunteer together. Team grants are generally larger in amount, too, providing lucrative funding when groups of employees get involved.
Benefit for nonprofits: This program incentivizes group volunteering among corporate staff and provides generous financial support.
Paid Volunteer Time Off
Paid volunteer time off (or VTO for short) is a corporate benefit where companies provide their employees with a set number of hours they can spend volunteering for nonprofits or community service activities. In other words, employees are encouraged to engage in volunteer work during regular work hours without sacrificing their regular pay.
Benefit for nonprofits: This program provides a powerful incentive for volunteer recruitment, engagement, retention, and more.
Skills-Based Volunteerism
Skills-based volunteerism involves employees offering their professional skills and expertise to nonprofits rather than general volunteer work. For example, a marketing professional might help a nonprofit develop a communications strategy, or an accountant might assist with financial planning.
Benefit for nonprofits: This program allows nonprofits to benefit from specialized knowledge that can significantly advance their mission.
Company-Sponsored Volunteer Days
Company-sponsored volunteer days are organized events where companies designate a day for their employees to volunteer as a group at a specific nonprofit, school, or community project. The company often arranges the logistics, and employees participate during work hours, incentivizing involvement with a free day out of the office!
Benefit for nonprofits: This program empowers organizations to rally corporate employees in group activities, allowing significant progress to be made on large-scale projects in a short amount of time.
Identifying Corporate Volunteer Programs in Your Network
Before you can market corporate volunteerism to your audience, it’s a good idea to uncover the best opportunities in your network. We recommend following these practical tips to do so:
Before you can market corporate volunteerism to your audience, it’s a good idea to uncover the best opportunities in your network. We recommend following these practical tips to do so:
1. Collecting Employment Information From Supporters:
Start by gathering employment details from your donors, volunteers, and other supporters. This can be done through surveys, event registration forms, or during volunteer sign-ups.
Knowing where your supporters work allows you to explore potential corporate volunteer programs they have access to, which could benefit your organization.
2. Researching Employers with Well-Known Volunteer Programs:
Once you have a list of where your supporters are employed, research whether these companies offer volunteer programs. Many large corporations, like Disney, Microsoft, Google, and thousands of others, have established volunteer programs.
Plus, there’s a significant overlap between companies offering matching gifts and those offering volunteer programs. If you already know of businesses in your network that match employee donations, it’s worth investigating whether they also offer volunteer grants or other volunteer opportunities.
Leveraging this database can help you quickly identify which companies have programs your organization could benefit from!
4. Conducting Manual Research:
Sometimes, a simple online search can yield valuable information. Try searching for a specific company’s name along with keywords like “volunteering” or “volunteer programs” (e.g., “Home Depot + Volunteering”).
While it will be a more time-intensive approach, this idea can help you discover details about a company’s volunteer initiatives, including opportunities they offer to their employees.
5. Encouraging Supporters to Check with Their Employers:
Lastly, be sure to motivate your supporters to inquire about volunteer programs within their workplaces. Many employees might not be aware that their companies offer volunteer grants or paid volunteer time off. By encouraging them to ask, you can uncover opportunities that might have been overlooked.
Marketing Corporate Volunteerism to Supporters
Marketing corporate volunteerism to individual supporters involves educating and motivating them to participate in and promote these opportunities within their workplaces. Here’s how you might approach this:
Educate Supporters on Corporate Volunteerism:
Start by informing your supporters about what corporate volunteerism is and how it works. Use newsletters, emails, and social media posts to explain the various types of corporate volunteer programs, such as paid volunteer time off, volunteer grants, and team volunteer days.
You’ll also want to include a section about corporate volunteer incentives on your Volunteers page—and embed a company search tool so supporters can easily uncover their available programming.
Communicate the Impact of Corporate Volunteerism:
Share stories and testimonials that demonstrate the positive impact corporate volunteerism has had on your organization. Show how previous corporate volunteer efforts have helped achieve specific goals, whether it’s through completing a project, raising funds, or expanding your programs. This helps supporters see the tangible outcomes of their potential involvement.
Encourage Inquiries at Work:
For those who don’t find corporate volunteer information in your database widget, encourage them to check in with their employers about any available programs.
Many employees may not be aware of the opportunities available to them, so you’ll want to provide them with language they can use to approach their managers or HR leaders about the programs, making it easier for them to initiate the conversation and drive impact for your team.
Regularly communicate the volunteer opportunities available at your organization that are suitable for corporate teams or individuals looking to volunteer through their workplace programs. Highlight any upcoming events or projects where corporate volunteers could make a significant difference and make sure these opportunities are well-advertised through your existing channels.
Offer Recognition:
Recognize and celebrate individual supporters and companies that engage their companies in corporate volunteerism. You can even publicly acknowledge their efforts through newsletters, social media, or at events.
Recognition not only makes the individual feel valued but also serves as an example to other supporters who might be inspired to take similar actions.
Leverage Peer Influence:
Encourage supporters who have successfully engaged their employers in corporate volunteerism to share their experiences with others. Peer recommendations can be very persuasive, so consider featuring these stories in your communications to inspire others to take similar steps. You can even encourage eligible volunteers to organize team events with their colleagues to support your cause!
Marketing Volunteerism to Corporate Partners
Marketing corporate volunteerism to corporate partners—both new and existing—requires a strategic approach that highlights mutual benefits, aligns with their corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals , and fosters long-term relationships.
Here’s how you can effectively market these opportunities to companies.
Understand Corporate Goals and CSR Objectives:
Before reaching out to corporate partners, research their CSR goals, values, and past volunteer initiatives. Tailor your pitch to show how partnering with your organization can help them achieve these objectives.
Emphasize how corporate volunteerism aligns with their brand, enhances employee engagement, and contributes to community impact. If possible, provide data that demonstrates how other companies have benefited from similar partnerships with your organization in the past.
Develop Tailored Volunteer Packages:
Create customizable volunteer opportunities that align with the company’s needs and interests. Offer a range of options, from one-day events to ongoing projects, and include both skills-based and general volunteer opportunities. Tailoring these packages makes it easier for companies to see how they can get involved in a way that suits them and their teams.
Highlight the Impact of Volunteerism:
Quantify and communicate the impact of corporate volunteerism on your organization. Provide reports that show how corporate volunteers have contributed to your mission, including metrics like the number of hours volunteered, projects completed, and the overall community impact. Why? Companies are more likely to invest in programs where they can see measurable outcomes.
Recognize Corporate Support:
Publicly recognize and celebrate the contributions of your corporate partners. This can include awards, mentions in your annual report, shout-outs on social media, or hosting a special recognition event. Acknowledging their efforts not only strengthens your relationship but also encourages continued contributions.
Facilitate Employee Engagement:
Make it easy for companies to involve their employees in volunteer opportunities. To do so, you can provide them with promotional materials, sign-up sheets, and detailed information on how to participate. Offer flexibility in scheduling and types of volunteer work to accommodate different levels of employee engagement and interest, too!
5 Organizations Marketing Corporate Volunteerism Well
As you look to revamp your own team’s corporate volunteerism marketing strategy, it’s a good idea to solicit inspiration from other organizations’ efforts. For this reason, we’ve selected a few nonprofits with standout promotional strategies to consider.
The NFED, or National Foundation for Ectodermal Dysplasias, is a nonprofit devoted to research, education, and support for those affected by ectodermal dysplasias. In order to supercharge their efforts, the organization promotes Dollars for Doers (also known as volunteer grants) as a key way for supporters to enhance their impact.
Take a look at this snippet of the blog post below:
Here’s what this marketing example does well:
Defines the importance of corporate social responsibility
Mentions and links to a matching gifts page for additional information
Encourages volunteers to look into volunteer grant opportunities through their employers
Emphasizes the value and doubled impact of matching gift and volunteer grant programs
United Way of the National Capital Area is a branch of the United Way organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. This nonprofit understands the value that volunteerism can offer its cause, and it promotes Volunteer Time Off as a key way to recruit, engage, and retain supporters.
Take a look at this snippet of the blog post below:
Here’s what this marketing example does well:
Uses research to demonstrate the prevalence and widespread availability of Volunteer Time Off programs
Highlights the benefits for companies, their employees, and the organization itself
Provides powerful insights into where VTO programs can be found, including by sector and geographic location
Showcases top opportunities for companies offering volunteer time off for their employees
LLS, or the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, is a medical research-based nonprofit dedicated to leading the fight against blood cancers. The organization receives generous support from a wide range of volunteers, and the team provides a number of resources, including a corporate database search tool from Double the Donation, to streamline and increase participation in volunteer incentive programming.
Take a look at the landing page below:
Here’s what this marketing example does well:
Offers an embedded company search tool for volunteers to quickly locate program details, instructions, and forms
Provides a step-by-step walkthrough of the volunteer grant process
Shares important information volunteers may need to complete their volunteer grant applications
Highlights an easy way for supporters to get in touch with additional questions or inquiries
Habitat for Humanity is a largely volunteer-based organization dedicated to ensuring every person has a place to live. As a result, the team does a lot to promote corporate volunteer incentives.
Take a look at these resources below:
Here’s what this marketing example does well:
Uses multiple communication channels to promote corporate volunteer programs to their audience
Highlights both volunteer grants and volunteer time off programs, demonstrating a range of opportunities in which individuals can participate
Speaks directly to companies that are considering implementing corporate volunteer programs
Actively drives engagement with a call to action button leading users to a volunteer sign-up page
Florida State Parks is a nonprofit organization that works with local governments, park users, researchers, and more to ensure maintenance and upkeep of more than 175 award-winning state parks, trails, and historic sites across the state. A big part of its mission involves empowering volunteers to play a role, and it often leverages corporate volunteer opportunities as a way to do so.
Take a look at the landing page below:
Here’s what this marketing example does well:
Highlights recent companies and teams that support the parks with corporate volunteer programs
Provides contact information for companies or individuals interested in organizing a company-sponsored volunteer event
Enlists photos of real corporate volunteer teams to leverage social proof
Provides examples of various types of volunteer projects companies could host to get involved
Bottom line: Spreading the word about corporate volunteerism is essential, and an organization’s website is one of the best opportunities to do so.
Wrapping Up & Next Steps
Successfully marketing corporate volunteerism requires a thoughtful and strategic approach that highlights the benefits for your organization, its supporters, their employers, and your community as a whole.
By effectively communicating about available initiatives, you can build a stronger, more engaged volunteer base that’s increasingly incentivized to give back to your cause. And you might even get some extra funding out of it all!
Ready to learn more about marketing corporate volunteerism? Check out our recommended resources and further reading:
In today’s business landscape, corporate social responsibility (or CSR) is more than just a buzzword—it’s a crucial aspect of how companies operate and influence the world. Leading CSR companies are recognizing the importance of giving back to their communities, investing in sustainable practices, and driving positive change. This commitment not only enhances their brand reputation but also attracts conscious consumers and employees who value ethical practices.
In this post, we’ll highlight nine exemplary companies that are setting the standard in CSR. From innovative environmental initiatives to impactful social programs, these businesses are making a significant difference in their industries.
What is CSR?
Corporate Social Responsibility is a business model that helps companies be socially accountable—to themselves, their stakeholders, and the public. By practicing CSR, companies can be conscious of the impact they have on all aspects of society, including the environment, the economy, and beyond.
Critical aspects of CSR include:
Philanthropic Responsibility: Businesses engage in activities that benefit society. This can involve community development programs, charitable donations, volunteer efforts, and supporting social causes like education, health, and equality.
Ethical Responsibility: Organizations operate in a fair and ethical manner. This involves treating employees fairly, ensuring product safety, and conducting business with integrity.
Legal Responsibility: Businesses comply with all relevant laws and legal regulations, ensuring they operate safely and fairly on a consistent basis.
Economic Responsibility: Companies adopt practices that ensure fair trade, ethical labor practices, and transparent business operations. They strive to create economic value while also producing value for society.
All in all, CSR initiatives help companies build a positive brand image, foster customer loyalty, attract and retain employees, and ultimately contribute to long-term business success.
What defines the best CSR companies?
The best CSR companies are defined by key characteristics that demonstrate their commitment to philanthropic, ethical, economic, and legal responsibilities. These companies go beyond mere compliance with legal requirements and actively seek to make a positive impact.
Wondering if your company meets the criteria? Looking for leading businesses to seek support for your nonprofit? No matter your intent, here are the defining attributes of the best CSR companies to consider:
They have a well-defined CSR vision and strategy that aligns with their core business values and goals, and their CSR initiatives are integrated into their overall business operations. This information should be available online, in employee-facing materials, and more.
They invest in community development and social programs that address local and global challenges such as education, healthcare, poverty alleviation, disaster relief, and more.
They prioritize employee welfare and active involvement in CSR activities such as giving and volunteerism.
They collaborate with nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and other businesses to amplify their impact.
They maintain transparency in their CSR efforts by regularly reporting on their progress and outcomes.
They demonstrate a long-term commitment to CSR by continuously evaluating and improving their initiatives with measurable goals and plans for achieving tangible results.
By embodying these characteristics, the best CSR companies create value not only for their business but also for society and the environment, setting a powerful example for others to follow.
And we’ve compiled a list of companies by which to be inspired below!
How does the CLMA designation reflect CSR efforts?
One of the greatest indicators of a company’s CSR efforts is its devotion to matching employee gifts. As a result, the CLMA designation, which is awarded to Certified Leaders in Matching Automation, reflects a company’s commitment to ongoing philanthropy and corporate social responsibility.
This certificate directly reflects a company’s devotion to CSR by showcasing its dedication to facilitating seamless and accessible support for a wide range of nonprofit causes. Top companies that hold this designation exemplify the integration of automated processes to foster a culture of giving and social responsibility.
Why does this matter for nonprofits and other fundraisers?
Understanding the offerings of top CSR companies and other CLMA-certified employers is essential for nonprofits, schools, and fundraisers for several reasons. First, familiarity with companies offering standout matching gift programs allows organizations to effectively double or even triple the donations received, significantly boosting fundraising efforts.
These companies can also be significant suppliers of grants, sponsorships, volunteer services, and more, making them valuable targets for establishing lucrative long-term partnerships.
Top Companies with Standout CSR Strategies & More
Familiarity with top CSR companies can help nonprofits and schools identify partners committed to the greater good. At the same time, understanding the successes of leading examples can provide invaluable insights and ideas for improving a business or organization’s own practices and initiatives.
Read on to explore our selection of standout CSR initiatives and see which elements you can adopt in your efforts.
Top CSR Company #1: Chipotle
Company Overview:
Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. is a renowned fast-casual restaurant chain headquartered in Newport Beach, California. It is best known for its focus on serving high-quality, sustainably sourced ingredients in its customizable burritos, bowls, and tacos.
Chipotle currently operates over 2,800 restaurants across the world, with more than 120,000 employees, and continues to expand its global footprint.
CSR Focus:
Chipotle’s CSR efforts primarily revolve around sustainability (including responsible sourcing and healthy living) and employee giving. The company places a strong emphasis on food with integrity, as well as giving to a variety of nonprofit causes its team members support.
What Makes This Company’s Programming Stand Out:
By integrating sustainability and giving into its core business model and engaging with stakeholders transparently, Chipotle sets a benchmark in the restaurant industry for socially conscious practices. This commitment not only enhances its brand reputation but also contributes positively to the communities it serves.
In doing so, Chipotle Mexican Grill has become a CLMA-certified leader in the matching gift industry. By partnering with Double the Donation-integrated corporate giving solution, Chipotle has implemented matching gift auto-submission functionality, making the request process seamless and accessible for its staff. This efficient system not only simplifies the donation matching process but also significantly boosts CSR by growing the amount of corporate funding paid out through successful matches and more.
Top CSR Company #2: Danone
Company Overview:
Danone is a multinational food-products corporation headquartered in Paris, France, with nearly 90,000 employees worldwide. It operates in four main business segments: Essential Dairy and Plant-Based Products, Waters, Early Life Nutrition, and Advanced Medical Nutrition.
Globally, Danone is known for its dairy and plant-based products, including brands like Activia, Evian, and Alpro.
CSR Focus:
Danone’s CSR efforts are centered around sustainability, nutrition, and social innovation. The company aims to promote healthier eating habits, support the communities in which its staff live and work, and reduce its environmental impact across operations.
What Makes This Company’s Programming Stand Out:
Danone actively engages its employees in promoting sustainable practices through philanthropy, volunteerism, and other initiatives.
As a result, the food company is also CLMA-certified for its exemplary matching gift program. With the help of Double the Donation, Danone has integrated matching gift auto-submission into its CSR initiatives, providing an effortless experience for employees looking to double their charitable contributions. This streamlined approach enhances Danone’s CSR efforts by maximizing the impact of corporate funding through successful donation matches.
Top CSR Company #3: BerlinRosen
Company Overview:
BerlinRosen is a leading strategic communications firm based in New York City, specializing in PR, media relations, and digital strategy. With over 400 employees across New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Amsterdam, and more, the firm serves nonprofits, advocacy organizations, progressive campaigns, and corporate entities.
CSR Focus:
BerlinRosen’s CSR efforts are centered around social justice, environmental sustainability, and community empowerment through effective communication strategies. The firm leverages its expertise in public relations to amplify voices and advocate for positive social change.
What Makes This Company’s Programming Stand Out:
BerlinRosen distinguishes itself by actively supporting organizations that drive meaningful community impact. This includes offering pro-bono services to nonprofits, advocacy groups, and more.
BerlinRosen is also recognized as a CLMA-certified employer due to its outstanding matching gift program. By collaborating with Double the Donation, BerlinRosen has implemented a user-friendly matching gift auto-submission system, simplifying the process for its employees.
Overall, the company’s commitment to supporting employee philanthropy—as well as its dedication to communication as a tool for social good—sets it apart as a leader in CSR within the public relations industry and beyond.
Top CSR Company #4: Creative Circle
Company Overview:
With more than 18,000 employees, Creative Circle is a specialized staffing agency headquartered in Los Angeles, California. This company focuses on connecting creative professionals with businesses in various industries, such as advertising, marketing, and design.
CSR Focus:
Creative Circle’s CSR efforts are centered around promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the creative industry, supporting creative professionals, and fostering inclusive workplaces.
What Makes This Company’s Programming Stand Out:
Creative Circle stands out for its commitment to CSR, supporting philanthropic initiatives that advance equality and equity in the creative sector.
As a CLMA-certified company, Creative Circle has implemented a robust matching gift program. Partnering with Double the Donation, Creative Circle offers a seamless matching gift auto-submission process, which makes it easy for employees to participate in corporate philanthropy. This innovative approach drives more revenue through the programs, focusing on facilitating employee generosity and reflecting its dedication to social responsibility and community engagement.
Top CSR Company #5: Toyota Connected
Company Overview:
A subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation, Toyota Connected focuses on developing data-driven mobility solutions and connected vehicle technologies to enhance customer experiences and drive innovation in the automotive industry.
CSR Focus:
Toyota Connected’s CSR efforts revolve around sustainable mobility, environmental stewardship, and leveraging technology for social good. The company aims to create smarter, safer, and more sustainable transportation solutions for all.
What Makes This Company’s Programming Stand Out:
By integrating data-driven insights and technology with sustainability goals, Toyota Connected demonstrates leadership in CSR by driving positive social, environmental, and economic impacts through its innovative initiatives.
The company is also a pioneer in matching gifts, establishing a CLMA-certified program designed to provide its employees with a seamless and hassle-free matching experience that boosts their impact for their favorite causes (like yours!).
Top CSR Company #6: Teachable
Company Overview:
With over 1,500 employees worldwide, Teachable is an online platform that empowers individuals and organizations to create and sell online courses. This company’s efforts ultimately provide tools and resources to facilitate online learning and entrepreneurship.
CSR Focus:
Teachable’s CSR efforts center on educational equity, supporting online educators, and empowering diverse voices in online learning and digital entrepreneurship.
What Makes This Company’s Programming Stand Out:
Teachable, which stands out for its commitment to democratizing education and empowering educators from diverse backgrounds, is also CLMA-certified for its exemplary matching gift program. In collaboration with Double the Donation, Teachable offers a hassle-free matching gift auto-submission process, making it simple and straightforward for employees to enhance their charitable donations. This streamlined system amplifies Teachable’s CSR efforts by maximizing the corporate funding distributed through successful matches.
Overall, Teachable’s focus on facilitating employee generosity and supporting various causes demonstrates its strong commitment to social responsibility and community impact.
Top CSR Company #7: Microsoft
Company Overview:
Microsoft Corporation is a global technology company headquartered in Redmond, Washington. With more than 220,000 employees across the world, Microsoft is known for its software products, cloud computing services, and hardware devices.
CSR Focus:
Microsoft’s CSR efforts focus on digital inclusion, environmental sustainability, and leveraging technology for social impact. The company aims to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more through its technology and initiatives.
What Makes This Company’s Programming Stand Out:
Matching gifts up to $15,000 per employee on an annual basis, Microsoft devotes significant resources to its corporate matching gift program. Plus, it offers each team member a full week’s worth of paid VTO and supplies volunteer grants equal to $25 for each hour an employee spends volunteering with nonprofit causes.
Microsoft also stands out for its comprehensive approach to CSR, integrating sustainability into its core business strategy and promoting ethical AI and data privacy practices. The company leads initiatives to address global challenges such as environmental sustainability, accessibility, and humanitarian crises, too. Plus, it offers free and reduced technology services for nonprofits and schools!
Top CSR Company #8: Google
Company Overview:
Google LLC is a multinational technology company (with an employee count greater than 180,000 worldwide) that specializes in Internet-related services and products. This includes search engines, cloud computing, software, hardware, and more.
CSR Focus:
Google’s CSR efforts encompass environmental sustainability, digital literacy, and empowering businesses and individuals through technology. The company strives to make a positive impact on the world through innovation and responsible business practices.
What Makes This Company’s Programming Stand Out:
Google stands out for its commitment to sustainability and philanthropy, exemplified by its matching gift program, volunteer grant initiative, VTO offering, and more. Each year, employees can request up to $10,000 in matching gifts, $10 for each hour they volunteer, and 8 hours of volunteer time off.
The company also supplies free advertising credits to registered nonprofits, providing access to its paid advertising platform, and empowering nonprofit teams to promote their efforts, at no cost.
Top CSR Company #9: Disney
Company Overview:
The Walt Disney Company is a global entertainment conglomerate headquartered in Burbank, California, known for its iconic film studios, theme parks, media networks, and consumer products. Inclusive of its subsidiaries, which include ABC, Hulu, Marvel, and more, Disney employs more than 225,000 people worldwide.
CSR Focus:
Disney’s CSR efforts focus on environmental stewardship, community engagement, and promoting creativity and innovation through entertainment and education.
What Makes This Company’s Programming Stand Out:
Disney matches gifts up to $25,000 per employee, encouraging its full-time and part-time employees to double their charitable donations to the organizations they care about. At the same time, the company promotes volunteerism through its EARs to You grant program (worth up to $2,000 each) and by offering up to 8 hours of paid VTO each year.
The company also stands out for its commitment to environmental conservation, exemplified by its goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and zero waste across its operations. By integrating CSR into its business practices and entertainment offerings, Disney not only entertains audiences but also contributes to societal progress and environmental preservation on a global scale.
Final Thoughts & Next Steps
In an era where CSR is no longer an option but a necessity, the companies highlighted in this post stand out as true leaders, setting benchmarks for others to follow. Their commitment to philanthropy partnerships, volunteerism, and beyond not only enhances their brand reputation but also drives meaningful change in the world.
For businesses, emulating these strategies can lead to improved stakeholder relationships, enhanced employee engagement, and increased consumer loyalty. For nonprofits, forming partnerships with these companies and others like them will allow you to unlock funding, leverage new resources, and foster long-term innovation.
Interested in learning more about CSR and how it can impact businesses and organizations like yours? Check out these additional resources:
https://doublethedonation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/DTD_Best-CSR-Companies-These-9-Businesses-Are-Making-an-Impact_Feature.jpg6001600Adam Weingerhttps://doublethedonation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-dtd.svgAdam Weinger2024-07-19 17:36:472024-08-02 11:59:49Best CSR Companies | These 9 Businesses Are Making an Impact
In today’s fast-paced corporate landscape, striking a balance between professional responsibilities and personal growth can be challenging for employees. However, an increasing number of companies are recognizing the importance of community engagement. As a result, more employers are offering Paid Volunteer Time Off programs as part of their staff compensation packages. In order to get better acquainted with the idea, we’ll highlight some top VTO companies below.
(Interested in a particular employer? Click on the ‘company name’ to skip to that section!)
If you’re looking for a refresher on volunteer time off—and how to make the most of the programs for your organization—check out our complete VTO guide here.
Otherwise, we’ve provided a quick summary of the benefits before jumping into the compilation of VTO companies below.
BENEFITS OF VTO FOR EMPLOYEES
The opportunity to give back to their communities, develop new skills, and support causes they are passionate about through volunteerism without missing out on a portion of a regular paycheck
BENEFITS OF VTO FOR NONPROFITS
Access to skilled volunteers who are motivated to make a meaningful impact, thus expanding their capacity, tapping into specialized expertise, and accomplishing more with limited resources
BENEFITS OF VTO FOR COMPANIES
Enhanced reputation as a socially responsible employer, strengthened corporate culture with heightened staff engagement, loyalty, and retention, leading to positive business outcomes
Read up on these programs to explore top companies offering paid volunteer time off for their employees. Then, see if your supporters qualify for the benefit! 🠟
Sector: Media & Technology Location: San Francisco, CA and worldwide Employee count: ~2,000 VTO cap: 40 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔
AppDynamics, a leader in application performance management, believes in giving back to the community. Their VTO program reflects this value by allowing employees to take paid time off (up to a full week each year) to engage in volunteer activities with the charitable organizations of their choice.
By providing this opportunity, AppDynamics fosters a culture of social responsibility and actively encourages its employees to contribute to the betterment of society on a local and global scale.
Sector: Healthcare Location: Chicago, IL and nationwide Employee count: ~190,000 VTO cap: 15 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔ (Can vary based on location)
Blue Cross Blue Shield, a network of independently owned health insurance companies across the U.S., demonstrates its commitment to improving health, going above and beyond medical care to include community well-being. Through their generous VTO program, employees are granted paid time off (equal to 15 hours, or nearly two full days of work) to volunteer for various philanthropy initiatives.
In investing in employee volunteerism, Blue Cross Blue Shield strengthens its ties to its community while supporting healthcare access for underserved populations and reinforcing its mission to promote health and wellness for all.
Sector: Media & Technology Location: San Jose, CA and nationwide Employee count: ~84,900 VTO cap: 80 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔
At Cisco Systems, technology is not just about innovation. It’s also about making a positive impact on society. That’s why the company’s VTO program empowers employees to spend up to two weeks each year volunteering with nonprofit causes.
As it encourages employees to give back through incentivized volunteerism, Cisco cultivates a culture of collaboration and social responsibility. Through their VTO program, employees can also leverage their skills and expertise to support the communities in which they live and work, ultimately aligning with the company’s vision of technology as a force for good.
Sector: Public Location: Redwood City, CA Employee count: ~4,800 VTO cap: 20 – 416 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Payroll Deductions ✔
The County of San Mateo in Redwood City, California also values community engagement and aims to incentivize philanthropy among its staff. Through its VTO program, employees are granted paid time off to volunteer for local initiatives, with the number of hours each team member receives ranging from 20 to 416 annually.
By supporting employee volunteerism, the County further strengthens its ties with the community and fosters a sense of civic pride and responsibility among its workforce.
Sector: Professional Services Location: London, England and worldwide Employee count: ~455,000 VTO cap: 8 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔
Deloitte, a global leader in consulting and professional services, recognizes the importance of giving back to the communities it serves. It aims to increase its philanthropy efforts by offering paid volunteer time off, with team members encouraged to spend a full day each year supporting nonprofit causes.
Whether it’s providing pro bono consulting services to nonprofit organizations, participating in skills-based volunteering initiatives, or organizing fundraising events, Deloitte’s employees are empowered to make a positive impact beyond the office building.
Sector: Energy & Power Location: Houston, TX and nationwide Employee count: ~2,900 VTO cap: 8 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔
EOG Resources, a leading energy company, believes in giving back to the communities where it operates. Through its VTO program, employees are provided with paid time off to volunteer for causes like environmental stewardship, community development, or disaster relief.
By supporting employee volunteerism with paid time off, EOG Resources demonstrates its commitment to corporate citizenship and sustainable development. Plus, it fosters a culture of giving and philanthropy among its workforce.
Sector: Energy & Power Location: Andover, MA and worldwide Employee count: ~6,500 VTO cap: 8 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Sustainability Projects ✔
Enel, a global energy company, is committed to sustainability and social responsibility. Enel employees have the opportunity to contribute to positive change in the world by spending one day each year out of the office, giving back to their communities.
Through its VTO program, employees are encouraged to use paid time off to volunteer for a range of environmental conservation and other philanthropic efforts. By investing in employee volunteerism, Enel strengthens its reputation as a responsible corporate citizen and aligns its business objectives with the needs of society and the planet.
Sector: Financial Services Location: Lakewood, CO and nationwide Employee count: ~4,100 VTO cap: 16 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔
FirstBank, a leading financial institution, believes in giving back to the communities it serves. Through its VTO program, employees are provided with paid time off to volunteer for charitable organizations and community projects two days out of the year.
Whether it’s serving meals at homeless shelters, tutoring students in underserved neighborhoods, or participating in financial literacy workshops, each employee has the opportunity to make a meaningful difference without losing out on any pay.
Sector: Media & Technology Location: Seattle, WA and worldwide Employee count: ~1,700 VTO cap: 8 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔
As a global leader in visual communication, Getty Images is committed to making a positive impact on society and engaging its workforce to do the same. Through its VTO program, employees are provided with paid time off to volunteer for causes, from arts and culture and education to humanitarian relief efforts.
In order to do so, Getty Images employees have the opportunity to leverage their skills and expertise to drive positive change for their nonprofit partners.
Sector: Financial Services Location: Fort Worth, TX and nationwide Employee count: ~8,800 VTO cap: 32 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Volunteer Grants ✔
GM Financial, the financial services arm of General Motors, believes in giving back to the communities it serves through volunteerism and other philanthropy programs. Through its VTO program, employees are provided with up to four days of paid time off for charitable volunteer initiatives.
By supporting employee volunteerism, GM Financial strengthens its corporate social responsibility efforts and supplies its workforce with the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the world.
Sector: Toy & Entertainment Location: Pawtucket, RI and worldwide Employee count: ~5,600 VTO cap: 48 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔
Hasbro is committed to making a positive impact on the world through a generous VTO program, providing employees with paid volunteer time off to devote to giving back. Corporate employees are granted four hours worth of time off each month, equating to six full days on an annual basis they can spend performing volunteer activities with a wide range of causes.
Sector: Food & Beverage Location: White Plains, NY and worldwide Employee count: ~8,500 VTO cap: 36 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Volunteer Grants ✔
Heineken, a global brewing company committed to corporate social responsibility and sustainability, believes in raising a glass to community service and volunteerism. Through its company volunteer program, employees are provided with a total of 36 hours of paid time off each year to spend volunteering for causes they are passionate about.
Sector: Healthcare Location: Louisville, KY and nationwide Employee count: ~67,700 VTO cap: 8 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔
Leading health and well-being company, Humana, believes in giving back to the communities it serves, and it encourages its staff to do so as well. Every year, Humana employees are provided with paid time off (equal to one full day of work) to spend volunteering with the charitable organizations of their choice!
Sector: Media & Technology Location: Denver, CO and nationwide Employee count: ~815 VTO cap: 8 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Nonprofit Partnerships ✔
Ibotta, a leading mobile rewards platform, has also developed a VTO program designed to empower employees to spend time volunteering with nonprofit causes. Team members receive 8 hours of paid time off each year, providing them with the opportunity to make a positive difference in the world around them.
While the causes supported can range greatly, Ibotta staff have engaged with tons of organizations centered on hunger relief, education, and environmental sustainability.
Sector: Financial Services Location: Mountain View, CA and worldwide Employee count: ~18,200 VTO cap: 32 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔
Intuit, a leading financial software company, believes in giving back to the communities it serves. Through its VTO program, employees are provided with paid time off to volunteer for charitable organizations and community projects. Whether it’s providing tax assistance to low-income individuals, mentoring small business owners, or participating in environmental conservation efforts, Intuit employees have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the world.
By supporting employee volunteerism, Intuit strengthens its corporate social responsibility efforts and reinforces its commitment to building stronger, more prosperous communities.
Sector: Healthcare Location: New Brunswick, NJ and worldwide Employee count: ~141,700 VTO cap: 40 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔
Johnson & Johnson, a global healthcare company, is committed to improving the health and well-being of people around the world through its pharmaceutical products and beyond. One key facet of its employee giving initiatives is a generous VTO program. Through the program, employees are able to use dedicated paid time off (up to a full week each year) to volunteer with the causes of their choice.
By supporting employee volunteerism in this way, Johnson & Johnson strengthens its commitment to the company’s founding principles of caring for the communities it serves.
Sector: Professional Services Location: New York, NY and worldwide Employee count: ~219,200 VTO cap: 40 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔
KPMG, one of the world’s leading professional services firms, offers a standout VTO program designed to empower its employees to give back to the communities they serve. With paid volunteer time off, employees are encouraged to partake in volunteer projects during standard working hours (without losing out on any pay) for up to 5 days each year.
Sector: Home Improvement Location: Mooresville, NC and worldwide Employee count: ~300,000 VTO cap: 8 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Community Grants ✔
Lowe’s, a leading home improvement retailer, is committed to giving back to the communities it serves. Through its VTO program, more than 300,000 employees across the globe are provided with a day’s worth of paid time off specifically for volunteerism. Whether it’s building homes for families in need, renovating schools and community centers, or participating in disaster relief efforts, Lowe’s employees have the opportunity to develop and leverage new skills, make a meaningful difference, and contribute to the well-being of communities across the country.
Sector: Media & Technology Location: Redmond, WA and worldwide Employee count: ~221,000 VTO cap: 24 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔ Microsoft Ad Grants ✔
As a leading technology company, Microsoft believes in using its resources to make a positive impact on society. That includes its labor!
Through its VTO program, Microsoft employees are encouraged to participate in dedicated technology and innovation projects to use their skills and expertise for good (for up to three working days a year).
Sector: Information Location: New York, NY and worldwide Employee count: ~44,000 VTO cap: 24 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Volunteer Grants ✔
Nielsen is a global measurement and data analytics company, and it’s committed to making a positive impact on society through corporate philanthropy programs like paid volunteer time off and more. Each team member receives 24 hours of VTO annually, which employees can use to participate in fundraising events, community service initiatives, and other nonprofit activities.
Sector: Healthcare Location: Plainsboro, NJ and worldwide Employee count: ~6,400 VTO cap: 80 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔
Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company committed to driving change and improving the lives of people with chronic diseases. One way that it aims to do so is by engaging its employees in volunteer activities (such as hosting educational workshops, participating in fundraising events, or working at free medical clinics).
The company also boasts one of the highest annual limits, offering each employee up to two weeks of paid time to spend participating in nonprofit volunteer activities.
Sector: Fashion & Apparel Location: Ventura, CA and worldwide Employee count: ~3,000 VTO cap: 18 hours per year* Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔
Patagonia, a leading outdoor apparel company, is committed to environmental conservation and corporate activism. By offering paid volunteer time off for its employees, the business encourages philanthropy and enhances its impact on the planet.
Plus, in addition to the standard 18 hours of VTO each year, an employee can choose to spend up to two months volunteering with the environmental organization of their choice.
Sector: Financial Services Location: Pittsburgh, PA and worldwide Employee count: ~56,400 VTO cap: 40 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔
PNC Financial Services is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States. It’s also a leader in corporate philanthropy and wholeheartedly believes in giving back to the communities it serves. For example, employees are provided with paid time off to spend volunteering with nonprofit organizations through the company’s VTO program. This empowers individual team members to get involved in social good, with a generous annual limit allowing for a full week of volunteer-related activities outside the office.
Sector: Professional Services Location: New York, NY and worldwide Employee count: ~328,000 VTO cap: 40 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔
PwC is another of the world’s leading professional services firms. This company, as a way of committing to making a positive impact on society, also offers a generous VTO program in which employees are welcome to spend a full week’s time supporting the nonprofits of their choice. This often includes providing pro bono consulting services but can encompass a wide range of volunteer-focused activities.
Sector: Media & Technology Location: San Francisco, CA and worldwide Employee count: ~79,400 VTO cap: 56 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔
As a global leader in customer relationship management software, Salesforce believes in the power and potential of using its technology for good. Through its VTO program, employees are empowered to use dedicated paid time off (up to 56 hours annually) to volunteer for their favorite causes.
Sector: Financial Services Location: Wakefield, MA and nationwide Employee count: ~325 VTO cap: 16 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts (with auto-submission enabled) ✔
Sentinel Group, also referred to as Sentinel Benefits and Financial Group, is a leader in risk management and security solutions. As a tangible way to give back to the communities it serves, the company has developed a generous VTO program, where employees are provided with paid time off (equal to two days annually) to volunteer with qualifying nonprofit groups.
Sector: Media & Technology Location: Santa Clara, CA and worldwide Employee count: ~22,700 VTO cap: 20 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔
ServiceNow, a leading provider of digital workflow solutions, believes in using its technology to drive positive change. Through its VTO program, employees are encouraged to use paid time off to volunteer for causes they are passionate about, such as education, environmental sustainability, or social justice.
Whether it’s developing software solutions for nonprofit organizations, organizing volunteer events, or participating in service projects, ServiceNow employees have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.
Sector: Media & Technology Location: Saint Paul, MN and worldwide Employee count: ~303,000 VTO cap: 16 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Team Volunteer Grants ✔
Siemens, the global technology powerhouse, commits to engaging its employees by supplying 16 hours worth of paid volunteer time off every year for team members to support nonprofit causes. That’s in addition to the other giving programs the company established, which include matching employee donations and offering team-wide volunteer grants, too!
Sector: Financial Services Location: New York, NY and worldwide Employee count: ~40,000 VTO cap: 16 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔
S&P Global, a leading provider of financial market intelligence, engages its employee base in volunteerism (and other giving programs) by incentivizing their involvement. One such program offers paid VTO, or volunteer time off, where employees are given the opportunity to spend two days working with various organizations or projects on an annual basis.
Sector: Fashion & Apparel Location: New York, NY and worldwide Employee count: ~17,300 VTO cap: 8 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔
Tapestry is a leading house of modern luxury and lifestyle brands. The company is committed to making a positive impact on society in a number of ways, which include matching employee donations and offering paid time off for nonprofit volunteering. Specifically, through its VTO program, employees across Kate Spade, Coach, and Stuart Weitzman are gifted paid time off to volunteer for and make a positive impact on causes they are passionate about.
Sector: Healthcare Location: Cambridge, MA and worldwide Employee count: ~47,300 VTO cap: 16 hours per year* Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔
Takeda Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharmaceutical company committed to making the world a better place through strategic philanthropy, innovation, and more. Through its VTO program, the company’s employees are gifted paid time off to volunteer. The program provides two days of paid time off per year, though Takeda has been known to expand the program to offer up to five days in the event of a humanitarian crisis.
Sector: Information Location: Toronto, Canada and worldwide Employee count: ~15,600 VTO cap: 16 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔
Thomson Reuters, a leading provider of business information services, believes in giving back through corporate volunteerism. In order to engage its employee base, the company provides an additional 16 hours of paid time off to volunteer for charitable projects.
Whether it’s providing pro bono legal services to low-income individuals, mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds, or participating in environmental conservation efforts, employees have the opportunity to build stronger, more resilient communities.
Sector: Fashion & Apparel Location: Stratham, NH and nationwide Employee count: ~50,000 VTO cap: 40 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Volunteer Grants ✔
Timberland, along with other subsidiaries of VF Corporation like North Face, JanSport, Dickies, and more, is a global outdoor lifestyle brand committed to environmental conservation and social responsibility. Through its VTO program, employees are encouraged to use paid time off (a full week’s worth!) to participate in volunteer activities.
By supporting employee volunteerism, Timberland strengthens its commitment to corporate citizenship and reinforces its mission to inspire and equip people to step outside, work together, and make a difference in the world.
Sector: Higher Education Location: Tucson, AZ Employee count: ~1,600 VTO cap: 8 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Scholarship Funds ✔ Research and Innovation ✔
The University of Arizona is a leading public research university. It’s also an institution that’s committed to serving the greater community and fostering social responsibility among its employees. One way that it does so is through its VTO program!
As a way to incentivize volunteerism among university faculty and staff, team members are encouraged to spend 8 hours of paid time off volunteering with nonprofit. In the end, the University strengthens its commitment to excellence and innovation, both on campus and beyond.
Sector: Media & Technology Location: New York, NY and worldwide Employee count: ~35,300 VTO cap: 40 hours per year Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔
Warner Media, formerly Warner Bros. Discovery, is a leading global media and entertainment company devoted to driving positive change in society through various philanthropy efforts. One example of this is its VTO program, where employees are encouraged to use 40 hours of dedicated paid time off to volunteer for causes related to arts and culture, education, social justice, and beyond.
Wrapping Up
Corporate social responsibility continues to grow in terms of demand and execution alike, which means more companies participating than ever before. Volunteerism is one of the top ways for corporate employees to get involved, and paid volunteer programs from VTO companies like these offer a unique incentive for engagement.
Just remember: the companies selected above represent only a fraction of available opportunities. Encourage your volunteers, donors, and other supporters to look into their employers’ programming to see what possibilities lie in your network.
Interested in delving deeper into corporate volunteerism and other forms of workplace giving incentives? Check out the additional resources below:
Free Download: The Ultimate Guide to Matching Gifts. Unlock your full fundraising potential with matching gifts! This downloadable resource shares invaluable insights and tips to help navigate the world of matching gifts with ease.
Maximizing Impact With Corporate Volunteer Grant Programs. Volunteer grant programs provide charitable funds in response to employee volunteerism. Learn to identify opportunities, enhance engagement, and maximize financial support here.
Navigating Corporate Philanthropy | A Nonprofit Playbook. Gain a deeper understanding of corporate giving in this guide. From establishing partnerships to securing vital funding, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed.
https://doublethedonation.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/DTD_Top-VTO-Companies-15-Volunteer-Time-Off-Programs-to-Know_Feature.png7502000Adam Weingerhttps://doublethedonation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-dtd.svgAdam Weinger2024-05-07 00:16:242024-09-30 18:07:17Top Volunteer Time Off Companies | 35 Programs to Know
You likely have a number of matchable donations in your CRM at any given time. If you’re looking to revamp your strategy, you might wonder if gifts made last week, month, or quarter remain eligible for the giving programs. Fear not—many contributions from the past year (give or take) should still qualify for company matching. Now, you’re just waiting for your donors to complete their matching gift requests!
The problem is that many donors remain unaware of the matching gift opportunity entirely. When an individual has no idea their employer matches, they won’t take the necessary steps to request associated funding and secure additional revenue for your nonprofit.
That’s why educating your teamand your donors about the importance of matching gift requests is essential. And we’ve provided this expert guide to help you do so!
In this blog post, we’ll cover the following key topics:
A matching gift request is a submission made by a donor to their employer as part of the company’s matching gift program. The request aims to secure a corporate match for the individual’s donation to a nonprofit cause, making it an essential part of the matching gift process.
The Matching Gift Fundraising Process
A donor contributes to a nonprofit.
The donor determines if their gift qualifies for an employer match.
The donor completes a matching gift request from their employer.
The employer reviews the matching gift request and verifies the initial donation with the organization.
The employer approves the matching gift request and disburses match funding to the organization.
Though the request itself can vary from one company to the next, these forms generally source information on the employee, the recipient organization, and transaction details.
How Do Donors Complete Matching Gift Requests?
The actual task of submitting a matching gift request is going to fall on each individual donor. However, it helps to ensure your fundraising team is familiar with the process and prepared to assist donors in completing it.
Here’s how it generally works:
Step 1: A donor receives a link to their matching gift form.
After a donor contributes to a nonprofit, the organization should take proactive steps to encourage the individual to complete the matching gift request process. This might mean promoting matching gifts from the confirmation screen or in a separate email follow-up (as pictured below).
For the best results, the reminder should include an acknowledgment of the donor’s initial donation along with a direct link to their company forms.
Step 2: The donor logs into their company’s giving portal.
After the donor receives a link to their employer’s matching gift form, they should navigate to the company’s giving portal or corporate philanthropy platform. This site will generally house a range of corporate giving information, including the forms required for employees to complete their matching gift requests.
Once on the page, they’ll log in using credentials provided by their employer. Most online portals have contact information for the company’s program administrator, should a donor have difficulty accessing the platform on their own.
Step 3: The donor initiates a matching gift request.
Within the company’s giving portal (or externally, for companies that don’t use them), a donor should locate the option to initiate a matching gift request.
This may be presented as a specific form or an online application within the portal.
Step 4: The donor provides donation details on the online form.
The donor should now follow the instructions provided by the portal to complete their matching gift request form properly. They should expect to supply information about…
Themselves (i.e., employee ID number, corporate email address)
The organization they supported (there will typically be some kind of search field or dropdown menu from which to choose)
Their recent transaction details (gift format, amount, date, etc.)
Once approved, the company makes its own donation to the nonprofit, effectively doubling (or, in some cases, tripling) the impact of the original gift.
What to Know About Matching Gift Request Deadlines ⌛
Matching gift requests are not generally required to be submitted immediately following the initial giving transaction. However, nearly all companies establish some sort of deadline by which employee matching gift requests must be completed.
The dates themselves vary, generally coinciding with the calendar year (e.g., December of the year in which the donation was made; the end of the calendar year plus a grace period into the following one) or a set amount of time post-donation.
Top tip:Encouraging timely submissions from donors is integral to an optimized strategy. The more time passes after an individual’s donation, the less likely they are to complete the match. Not to mention, the sooner your nonprofit receives the extra funds, the sooner it can put those funds to good use.
See How Matching Gift Automation Can Help
Get a sneak peek of the industry-leading matching gift automation solution, 360MatchPro.
Familiarize yourself with the following types of program deadlines. Plus, review leading matching gift company guidelines to see when their employees’ matching gift requests are due!
Deadline #1: A Set Number of Days or Months Post-Donation
The first type of deadline is based on the amount of time elapsed since the individual completed their initial donation. While most companies offer flexible submission windows for matching gift requests, deadlines can range from 30 days to an entire year post-transaction.
Fannie Mae
Fannie Mae currently matches part-time and full-time employee donations up to $5,000. Unfortunately, some donors miss out on this funding opportunity, largely due to a lack of program awareness, which results in missed matching gift requests.
Match request deadline: Fannie Mae donors must submit their matching gift requests within 30 days of their donation date or by December 31st of each year (whichever is sooner).
Altria offers a generous matching gift program (up to $30,000 per employee per year) along with sizable volunteer grants (up to $500 after 25 hours of volunteering).
Match request deadline: Altria’s program administrator must receive all matching gift requests within 90 days of the donations being made.
Apple offers a generous matching gift program for full-time and part-time employees. Each year, team members are encouraged to request between $1 and $10,000 in matches from qualifying gifts!
Match request deadline: Employees should be sure to submit their matching gift requests swiftly, as Apple requires gifts to be registered within one month of the transaction date.
Microsoft matches between $1 and $15,000 per team member per year. Plus, employees can earn grants for their favorite organizations worth $25 for each hour they spend volunteering.
Match request deadline: Employees are welcome to request matching gifts for any qualifying donations made in the past 12 months!
Fast food corporation YUM Brands, including employees at Pizza Hut, KFC, and Taco Bell restaurants, matches gifts at a dollar-for-dollar rate up to $1,000 per associate per year.
Match request deadline: All YUM Brands employees should complete their matching gift requests within six months of their initial donations.
The other main type of matching gift request deadline is one that aligns with the calendar year (running from January 1st to December 31st). That means tons of companies set their deadlines at December 31st.
Here are a few examples:
AVON
AVON matches employee donations up to $15,000 per year. And the first $500 donated is matched at a 2:1 rate, thus tripling the initial donation value.
Match request deadline: AVON employees should mark their calendars! While the deadline indeed falls in December of each year, team members are required to complete their requests prior to December 11th rather than the standard 31st.
Freeport-McMoRan matches donations of up to $40,000 to a wide range of nonprofits. While the first $1,000 donated is matched at a 2:1 rate (thus tripling each initial dollar’s value), donations above $1,000 are matched dollar-for-dollar.
Match request deadline: While Freeport-McMoRan encourages employees to submit matching donation requests at the time of the initial donation, employees can submit matches until Dec. 31st of the year following the date of the donation.
SAP America gives charitably through the SAP Together Program. Within this initiative, SAP employees are incentivized to donate to nonprofits to unlock matching gifts for their favorite organizations.
Match request deadline: Matching gifts must be requested of the company by December 31st of the year in which the initial donation is made. However, donors should be encouraged to submit their matches as soon as possible due to a company-wide annual limit.
The last group of companies establishes their matching gift deadlines according to the calendar year as well. But they also tack on an additional month or so.
Boeing
Boeing offers a monetary match, a volunteer grant match, and a fundraising match. And while full-time and part-time employees qualify to have their gifts matched dollar-for-dollar, retirees of the company are eligible to request a 0.5:1 match.
Match request deadline: Boeing employees (or retirees) participating in any matching gift program must submit their matching gift requests by January 31st of the year following the one in which the initial contribution/volunteerism/event took place.
Each year, Verizon matches employee donations of up to $5,000 to the educational institutions of their choice. Meanwhile, all other nonprofits qualify for up to $1,000 in match funding, along with $750 grants for organizations with which employees volunteer.
Match request deadline: Matching gift requests must be entered into the electronic matching gift system before January 31st of the year following the date of the donation.
Adobe matches donations of up to $10,000 per employee per year. Additionally, employees can submit volunteer or “dollars for doers” grant requests worth $250 for every 10 hours they volunteer.
Match request deadline: All matching gift requests must be submitted by January 31st of the year following the one in which the gift was made, regardless of the donation date.
Coca-Cola generously matches employee gifts at a 2:1 ratio. That means for every $1 an employee contributes, Coke gives $2 up to a maximum corporate contribution of $20,000.
Match request deadline: All employee matching gift requests should be completed and returned to The Coca-Cola Company by February 28th of the following year.
Bank of America (including the investment management and wealth management division, Merrill Lynch) matches employee donations to nearly all nonprofit causes. Each year, team members can request between $24 and $5,000 worth of matches for personal donations of equal amounts.
Match request deadline: Employees must complete an application and have the recipient organization verify the gift. This information must be received by January 31st of the year following the date of the donation.
Fun fact: General Electric was the first company to implement an employee matching gift program in 1954. Today, it matches millions of dollars worth of gifts to approved charities around the world. Each team full or part-time team member is encouraged to request between $25 and $5,000 per year!
Match request deadline: General Electric offers one of the most extended matching gift program deadlines, with employees being able to request matches until April 15th(tax day!) of the year after their gifts were made.
Unfortunately, matching gift deadlines mean little if your organization isn’t informing donors about matching gifts first. After all, the vast majority of match-eligible employees (approximately 78%) have no idea their company even matches gifts.
How will a donor know to submit a request on time if they don’t know to submit one in the first place?
Luckily, marketing matching gifts to your donors is easier than ever (check out our free downloadable resource for more tips and tricks!). Proper software can help screen for match-eligible transactions, inform donors of their eligibility, and supply individuals with actionable information to initiate the process, too.
As the fundraising sector’s top matching gift tool, 360MatchPro identifies matching gift opportunities and triggers personalized marketing emails. It also integrates with nearly all of the leading fundraising solutions, allowing it to supercharge the donation process and make implementation and management quick and easy.
Watch the following 60-second overview video to learn more:
Streamlining Matching Gift Requests With Auto-Submission
Traditionally, an employee wanting to file a matching gift request had to determine their eligibility for a match before identifying and completing the correct forms for their employer. Then, as outlined above, the matching gift request process typically requires an individual to log into a separate portal. There, they supply donation data and submit their matching gift form.
But today, the matching gift request process is being transformed. And it’s beginning with a shift toward 360MatchPro’s groundbreaking auto-submission functionality! Now, companies that enable this option through their CSR platforms empower employees with a one-click request opportunity directly from their favorite organizations’ giving pages.
When requesting a match is as simple as selecting a checkbox on a confirmation screen, more donors will be inclined to do it—which is why auto-submission is such an invaluable tool.
Wrapping Up
Effectively navigating the world of matching gift requests can seem like a daunting task. But armed with the right knowledge and resources, donors can maximize the impact of their contributions to nonprofits like yours.
Keep in mind that as the fundraising organization, it’s your responsibility to ensure your audience is informed and encouraged to participate. And that means recognizing the potential for matching gifts and taking proactive steps to supply donors with company forms and guidelines.
Interested in learning more about effective matching gift fundraising practices? Check out these additional recommended resources:
Corporate Matching Gift Forms | The Ultimate Guide. From understanding the process to maximizing your submissions, this resource equips you with the knowledge to navigate and optimize matching gifts for your nonprofit.
Consider the following scenario: You’re listening to your regularly scheduled radio show when it’s interrupted for the station’s annual pledge drive. You hear the on-air host making an appeal—“Fundraising is an essential part of what we do at Public Broadcasting Station, and it’s the most efficient way to source funds needed to supply our listeners with educational, inspirational, and entertaining content. Not to mention, thousands of employers offer matching gifts for public media like us, meaning your contributions can go twice as far for your favorite programs.”
Pledge drives and other revenue-generation efforts are crucial for obtaining sustainable funding and delivering high-quality content to widespread communities. Incorporating matching gift opportunities into your media organization’s outreach can go a long way!
In this post, we’ll explore how nonprofits in the media sector can leverage matching gifts to amplify their impact, enhance donor engagement, and ultimately boost their broadcasts. We’ll cover the following topics below:
The Basics of Matching Gifts for Public Media Groups
Matching gifts for public media groups is a category of philanthropy in which companies match donations to the public broadcasting services their employees financially support. This makes it an essential form of workplace giving for these organizations, empowering donors to double or even triple the value of their gifts without reaching back into their own wallets.
All a donor generally has to do is complete a brief online request form for their employer to review and disburse match funding to your cause.
The benefits of matching gifts for public media organizations are significant and widespread. Successful donation-matching ensures that public media outlets, such as radio programs and television networks, are more sustainably funded to better serve the community’s needs and interests. Meanwhile, donors feel more deeply connected to the broadcasts they play a direct role in supporting through financial donations and matching gifts!
Match More Gifts With Double the Donation
Get a sneak peek of the industry-leading matching gift automation solution, 360MatchPro.
5 Companies to Know That Match Gifts to Public Media
Over 65% of Fortune 500 companies provide donation matches to the nonprofits their employees support. Check out the examples below to explore top programs that actively match gifts to public broadcasting organizations like yours!
Warner Bros. Discovery
Minimum donation amount: $10 Maximum donation amount: $1,000 Match ratio: 1:1 Eligible employees: Part-time, full-time Eligible nonprofits: Many nonprofits, including public media
Warner Bros. Discovery is a prime example of an employer engaging its workforce through collaborative philanthropy. The company offers two generous giving programs in which its staff are encouraged to donate their money and time to qualifying nonprofits: matching gifts and volunteer grants, respectively.
Each year, full-time and part-time employees have the chance to request up to a combined $1,000 in matches and grants for their favorite causes—of which your public media organization may be included.
The Walt Disney Company (incl. Hulu, Marvel Entertainment, ABC)
Minimum donation amount: $25 Maximum donation amount: $25,000 Match ratio: 1:1 Eligible employees: Part-time, full-time Eligible nonprofits: Most nonprofits, including public media
The Walt Disney Company is another leading corporation known for maximizing employee participation in philanthropy. With a lofty maximum threshold of $25,000, current team members are encouraged to give generously to their favorite nonprofit causes—and to have those gifts matched, dollar-for-dollar.
Disney’s matching gift program is also inclusive of its subsidiaries, too, meaning Hulu, Marvel Entertainment, and ABC employees are welcome to participate.
Minimum donation amount: $10-$50 Maximum donation amount: $1,000-$2,000 Match ratio: 1:1 Eligible employees: Full-time, select retirees Eligible nonprofits: Most nonprofits, including public media
Sony Corporation, encompassing subsidiaries such as Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sony Corporation of America, and Sony Electronics, operates a few generous matching gift programs that your team might want to take advantage of. These efforts aim to support employees’ charitable giving and reinforce the company’s commitment to social responsibility
Keep in mind that the eligibility criteria and submission processes vary across Sony’s different entities, so it’s important to select the correct employer from the database search tool!
Minimum donation amount: None Maximum donation amount: $1,000 Match ratio: 1:1 Eligible employees: Full-time Eligible nonprofits: Most nonprofits, including public media
Fox Corporation is dedicated to engaging its employees and supporting the communities it serves through its matching gift program. As part of the initiative, the program matches the gifts its current full-time employees make to a wide range of nonprofits. And your public media organization is likely included!
By empowering its employees to give back and amplifying their charitable efforts, Fox Corporation reinforces its commitment to doing good, creating positive change in its staffs’ communities around the world.
Minimum donation amount: None Maximum donation amount: $10,000 Match ratio: 1:1 Eligible employees: Part-time, full-time, board members Eligible nonprofits: Most nonprofits, including public media
In addition to its standout Google Ad Grants program, one of the primary ways Google participates in philanthropy is by matching employees’ charitable gifts. With its matching gift program, the company doubles donations to thousands of nonprofits, effectively multiplying the impact of team members’ contributions.
Then, going a step further, Google also offers an additional $10,000 match limit for donations going to disaster or international relief! Not to mention, matching funds that employees raise through peer-to-peer fundraising events like runs, walks, and rides.
Tips & Tricks for Spreading the Word About Matching Gifts
Implementing a well-thought-out matching gift fundraising plan is an integral step in bridging the knowledge and funding gaps many organizations see. The following tips and tricks will empower public broadcasters like you to maximize donations, build stronger relationships with individual and corporate donors, and reach fundraising goals more effectively and efficiently than ever before.
1. Incorporate matching gift info in pledge drives and on-air appeals.
Public media stations often heavily rely on annual pledge drives to generate the funding needed to power their operations. Thus, you’ll want to heavily promote matching gifts throughout such efforts.
For this strategy, we recommend incorporating information about matching gift programs directly into your on-air appeals. As you introduce your campaign and make the ask of your viewers and listeners, mentioning the opportunity for gifts to be doubled can go a long way. In fact, matching gift research indicates that 84% of donors would be more likely to give if a match is offered, while 1 in 3 say they’d give a larger amount.
Top tip: Kickstart your efforts using our free matching gift appeal script below!
2. Leverage and enhance supporter loyalty with matching gifts.
Matching gifts not only increase the financial impact of one-time individual gifts but also serve as a powerful tool for building supporter loyalty. When donors see that their contributions are going twice as far, they feel double the sense of connection and pride in their support of the organization. And it makes them want to stay involved in the long run, ultimately lengthening and improving the donor journey.
For public media groups, this is essential—as nonprofit broadcast services are often powered by a group of committed, long-term supporters. Additionally, highlighting matching gift opportunities demonstrates the station’s dedication to stewarding its financial assets responsibly, further strengthening the bond between the station and its donors.
3. Offer unique incentives for matching gift participation by donors.
One way to encourage donors to take advantage of matching gift opportunities is by rewarding them for doing so. Offer unique incentives for match-eligible donors who ultimately take the steps to request a match from their employer on your behalf. These might include:
Branded apparel (such as t-shirts, hats, and hoodies)
Other branded merchandise (pens, stickers, mugs, etc.)
Not to mention, as a less tangible incentive, let your audience know that participating in matching gifts will allow your team to reach its fundraising goals sooner. You may even be able to wrap up your pledge drive and return to viewers’ and listeners’ regularly scheduled programming early.
4. Integrate a matching gift solution into your fundraising toolkit.
To streamline the process of capturing matching gifts for public media organizations like yours, it’s essential that teams integrate an automation solution into their software toolkits. Luckily, Double the Donation’s 360MatchPro integrates with the leading public media fundraising platforms to ensure quick and easy implementation.
Once equipped with a matching gift solution, your organization will be set to automatically identify matching gift opportunities, educate donors about the process, and facilitate the submission of matching gift requests. The tool simplifies the administrative burden on broadcast staff and even ensures that no matchable gifts slip through the cracks.
Match More Gifts With Double the Donation
Get a sneak peek of the industry-leading matching gift automation solution, 360MatchPro.
Sample Scripts | Marketing Matching Gifts to Your Public Media Audience
Kick off your organization’s matching gift promotional efforts with these customizable scripts and templates. Remember: educating your audience about the matching gift opportunity increases the likelihood that donors request their matches.
On-Air Pledge Drive Script: Template #1
“Good [morning/afternoon/evening], [viewers/listeners]! As we embark on our annual pledge drive, I want to start with a pop quiz: What do companies like Disney, Google, and SONY Corporation (along with thousands of others) have in common?
If you said that they all match employees’ donations to nonprofit groups like ours, you’d be correct. That means your donation to [Public Media Organization] could be matchable, stretching twice as far for your favorite broadcast programs.
To check if your employer participates in matching gifts, head to our Match Page at [URL] to search for your company. Then, make your pledge online or by calling now at [station phone number]. Thank you for all your support, and let’s make this pledge drive one for the books!”
Phonathon Script: Template #2
“Good [Morning/Afternoon/Evening], [Recipient]! My name is [Name], and I’m calling on behalf of [Public Media Organization]. We’re reaching out to our valued supporters like you today to share an exciting opportunity to support our station.
Did you know that your donations to [Public Media Organization] may be eligible for a match from your employer? That’s right! Thousands of companies match team members’ gifts, doubling or sometimes tripling the value of each dollar an employee donates.
If you provide the name of your employer, I can do a quick search of our company database to see if you qualify for a match! Then, I’ll walk you through the process of giving and completing the request process to maximize your support for our organization.
Your generosity is instrumental in helping us deliver enriching content to our community, and we deeply appreciate your dedication to [Public Media Organization]!”
Email: Template #3
Subject: Double your support for public media like [Public Media Organization]
Dear [Recipient],
I hope this email finds you well. As a valued supporter of the [Public Media Organization] family, we wanted to see if you were familiar with corporate matching gift opportunities. If not, here’s a brief overview:
Tons of businesses double or even triple their employees’ contributions to causes like ours. This means every dollar you give could be matched by your employer, effectively doubling the impact of your support for our programming and community initiatives.
Interested? Here’s how you can participate:
Visit our donation page at [URL] to make your contribution.
Check if your employer offers a matching gift program on our website search tool: [URL]
If eligible, submit a matching gift request to double your impact on our community.
Your ongoing generosity plays a crucial role in sustaining our mission to produce and supply informative, entertaining, and enriching content. Thank you for considering this opportunity to maximize your support for [Public Media Organization]!
Warm regards,
[Name]
[Title/Position]
[Public Media Organization]
Tweet: Template #4
Exciting news—your support for [Public Media Organization] might be able to make an even bigger impact! Thanks to corporate matching gift programs, thousands of donors’ gifts are matchable by their employers. See if your company matches by using the search tool here: [URL]
Top tip:Make the most of the resources available to you! 360MatchPro users are encouraged to leverage the platform’s library of pre-written emails and pre-made graphic design templates to scale up their matching gift marketing efforts with ease.
Final Thoughts
Harnessing the power of matching gifts presents an invaluable opportunity for public media organizations. When integrated into a fundraising strategy effectively, broadcasters are equipped to amplify impact, engage supporters, and ultimately elevate programming. And this opportunity is only expected to grow. That means now’s your chance to ramp up your efforts, invest in technology, and drive more matching gifts to completion.
Watch the video below to see how Maine Public has boosted matching gifts at their organization by leveraging 360MatchPro!
Interested in more tips and tricks to drive matching gifts for public media groups like yours? Keep reading these additional recommended resources:
40+ Matching Gift Companies: Find Your Match Today. Grow your matching gift fundraising by familiarizing yourself with more top employers offering matching gift programs. Overview guidelines from Apple, General Electric, Google, and others.
Grow Fundraising Revenue: Access 360MatchPro Case Studies. Get inspired by other organizations that have seen great success with matching gifts—including radio stations and television networks. See how Double the Donation’s automation helps!
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Organizations dedicated to fostering positive social change often struggle to maximize their impact with tight budgets and limited resources. Fortunately, matching gifts for civic and community organizations present a powerful opportunity for individuals to double or even triple their generosity at no added cost. In doing so, these programs allow nonprofits to grow their revenue and tap into one of the most prominent sources of corporate philanthropy funding.
In this guide, we aim to overview everything your team needs to know to navigate the opportunity effectively.
Despite significant potential, many civic and community fundraisers have yet to harness the full power of matching gifts. By implementing the strategies and insights below, you can set your team up for double the success in no time.
Let’s dive in!
Gift-Matching for Civic and Community Groups 101: The Basics
Matching gifts for civic and community organizations, such as advocacy groups, youth development initiatives, civic engagement programs, and more, offer donors an enticing chance to double their support for the social causes they care about.
These match funds, supplied by donors’ employers, effectively double (or sometimes even triple) the impact of each dollar gifted. Here’s a breakdown of the process:
An individual makes a financial contribution to the civic or community organization of their choice.
The donor determines if their employer matches team member donations. If so, the individual accesses eligibility criteria (incl. donation thresholds, ratios, causes, and deadlines) and submission forms.
The donor completes the donation match request process outlined by their employer, generally by filling out a brief online form.
The nonprofit verifies the initial donation with the donor’s employer.
The donor’s employer reviews and approves the matching gift request and contributes match funding to the organization in question.
Overall, matching gifts provide significant value to civic and community organizations. These programs can be powerful tools for mobilizing resources, building nonprofit capacity, and driving collective action among individuals and corporations alike.
Match More Gifts With Double the Donation
Get a sneak peek of the industry-leading matching gift automation solution, 360MatchPro.
5 Community-Focused Companies That Match Employee Gifts
Thousands of employers match gifts to all sorts of nonprofit causes—of which civic and community organizations are generally included. However, these five programs stand out as excellent examples of companies to keep in mind as you uncover match-eligible donors in your community.
Baxter International
Baxter International is a leading healthcare company employing over 60,000 team members across the globe. In order to support the communities where its employees live and work (and encourage individual staff to do the same), Baxter offers a generous giving program, matching between $25 and $5,000 in donations per person each year.
By empowering its employees to give back and amplifying their charitable efforts, the company strengthens its corporate culture of social responsibility and fosters positive change in communities around the world.
Airbnb, a vacation property rental company, also matches its employees’ gifts to eligible nonprofits. Fortunately, this includes civic and community organizations.
With a minimum donation of $25, full-time and part-time Airbnb team members are eligible to get up to $1,000 worth of donations matched with company funds in a single year. That means more dollars flowing into civic and community engagement efforts, empowering individual donors to make a greater impact on the causes that matter most to them.
Checkr is a corporate employee background screening tool that focuses on fair chance hiring practices. In addition to its mission of transforming hiring for a fairer future, the company pledges to donate at least 1% of its employees’ time, product, equity, and profits each year to philanthropic causes.
One way Checkr supports philanthropy is through its matching gift program! Checkr is committed to rallying its employees to give back by encouraging participation and streamlining the engagement process. In fact, it was one of the first companies to offer Double the Donation’s groundbreaking auto-submission functionality through an integration with its CSR portal!
United Parcel Service, or UPS, demonstrates its commitment to corporate social responsibility through its generous matching gift program. The program aims to support its employees’ philanthropic efforts by matching eligible employee donations to a wide range of nonprofit organizations, including civic and community groups. However, gifts must be contributed directly through the company’s giving portal to qualify for a match.
In addition to its matching gift program, UPS also offers volunteer grants for the organizations with which its employees volunteer. When an employee with 1+ years of service spends 50 hours volunteering, the company contributes a $250 grant to the nonprofit.
Comcast, a multinational telecommunications and media conglomerate with more than 186,000 employees, boasts a top matching gift program designed to empower its employees to make a difference. To incentivize giving back within their communities, Comcast offers a generous company match to many nonprofit organizations, including those in the civic and community sectors.
Note: Comcast employees must donate to their favorite nonprofits directly through the company’s corporate giving platform in order to qualify for matching gifts. Employees with questions are encouraged to contact comcastnbcuniversalsupport@cybergrants.com.
Tips for Driving Civic Engagement With Matching Gifts
A well-thought-out fundraising plan enables an organization to amplify its efforts, effectively engage supporters, and make a greater difference in the communities it serves. To begin building a strategy for your team, check out the following expert-recommended practices.
1. Educate your team and your donors about matching gift opportunities.
One primary cause of unclaimed matching gifts is a lack of knowledge about existing programs. To begin bridging the awareness and subsequent funding gaps, we recommend actively promoting the opportunity to your donors and fundraising team alike.
By educating your internal team about matching gifts, you empower them to be your greatest advocates to your donors. Take time to review common matching gift programs (and how to locate additional company guidelines), eligibility requirements, submission processes, match tracking and verification, and more.
At the same time, it is essential to educate donors about matching gift opportunities. An estimated 78% of match-eligible individuals have no idea if their companies match gifts! When donors are provided with clear information about matching gift programs and how they can take advantage of them, though, they’re generally happy to do so. And that means more awareness = more matching gifts completed!
2. Encourage ineligible donors to advocate for matching to their employers.
While not all supporters will qualify for matching gifts at the time of giving, it’s important to remember that even ineligible donors can play a crucial role in your organization’s strategy. And a big part of that is by advocating for new matching gift program development on your behalf.
Companies match gifts largely as an employee engagement opportunity. When an employee pitches the idea of a matching gift program to their boss, the boss is often inclined to consider the proposal positively. The donor may even get their initial gift matched after all!
Top tip: The less intensive your ask, the more likely a donor is to complete the intended action. Provide interested individuals with a customizable template designed to assist in pitching a new matching gift program to one’s employer.
3. Use impact-driven language to communicate matching gift value.
Effective communication is essential for conveying the positive impact of matching gifts to donors—not to mention inspiring them to take action and get involved. Using impact-driven language emphasizes the programs’ tangible benefits and highlights the specific impact they can have on your organization’s mission. For example, if you typically inform donors that a $100 donation will feed a family of four for a week, you can frame a matching gift opportunity as empowering your team to feed two families for the cost of one.
When possible, emphasize real-world outcomes and achievements made possible through matching gifts for your organization in the past, too! This could mean sharing success stories, testimonials, metrics, and more.
4. Automate the matching gift fundraising experience.
Identifying and following up on matching gifts is an extremely valuable fundraising practice. However, doing so manually can involve a number of time-consuming and resource-intensive activities.
Fortunately, automating the matching gift fundraising experience streamlines the process for donors and maximizes efficiency for your organization’s internal team. By implementing an automated matching gift solution like 360MatchPro, you’ll reduce administrative burden and ensure no matching gift opportunity falls by the wayside.
Plus, when you integrate 360MatchPro into your existing software ecosystem, you can incorporate matching gifts directly into the giving experience. Then, trigger tailored matching gift follow-ups that encourage donors to request their matches and provide company-specific guidelines and submission forms. The end result is a significant increase in matching gift participation, revenue, and more.
Match More Gifts With Double the Donation
Get a sneak peek of the industry-leading matching gift automation solution, 360MatchPro.
Free Customizable Templates to Grow Matching Donation Impact
Use the following matching gift outreach examples to inform your organization’s messaging. As you do so, consider how you can customize the templates to fit your nonprofit’s voice and branding to best connect with your audience.
Email Blast: Template #1
Subject: Double Your Impact for [Nonprofit or Initiative]: Matching Donation Opportunity Inside! 💰💰
Dear [Recipient],
As a valued supporter of [Nonprofit], we wanted to share an exciting opportunity that may enable you to DOUBLE your impact on our cause. That is with corporate matching gifts!
Did you know that tens of thousands of businesses—including over 65% of the Fortune 500—match employees’ donations to charitable causes as part of their social responsibility efforts? More than 26 million individuals work for companies that match… and you might be one of them.
To check if your employer offers a matching gift program, please
Click here to visit our matching gift page. [URL]
Type your company name in the search tool widget.
Review the provided guidelines to determine eligibility and access the online forms.
Then, make your donation using our online giving page (if you haven’t already) [URL] and follow the instructions to submit your matching gift request!
As always, your support is critical in helping us [description of mission or current initiatives]. With the power of matching donations, we can do even more to [describe the impact of donations on your organization’s work].
Warm regards,
[Name]
[Title/Position]
[Nonprofit]
LinkedIn Post: Template #2
Attention donors! 📣
Did you know that your generous gifts to [Nonprofit] could have double the impact?
With corporate matching gift programs, millions of donors’ employers provide generous donation matches to the organizations their staff cares about. This allows supporters like you to stretch their gifts and better support [description of mission or current initiatives].
Here’s how you can make a difference:
📲 Visit our donation page at [URL].
💸 Make your contribution and check if your employer offers a matching gift program.
📤 If eligible, submit a matching gift request to double your impact!
Together, we can [description of tangible donation impact] one (matched) donation at a time! 💙 #MatchingGifts #CommunityImpact #DoubleYourImpact
Facebook Post: Template #3
What do Comcast, Airbnb, and the United Parcel Service have in common?
They all offer generous philanthropy initiatives—which include matching gifts for civic and community organizations their employees support.
At [Nonprofit], we’re incredibly grateful for the support of these businesses and the 23,000+ other companies that match gifts for causes like ours. With their help, we amplify our efforts and create lasting change in our communities.
Does your employer participate? If you’ve never checked your eligibility for a match, now is the time to do so. Head to the Matching Gifts Page on our site here [URL] to learn more about the opportunity and see if your company matches!
Top tip:Keep in mind that triggering matching gift outreach has never been easier than with 360MatchPro! Current clients are provided with a number of pre-written emails to implement through the engagement process, along with customizable graphic design elements and Canva templates.
Wrapping Up
Pursuing an optimized matching gift strategy will bring your civic or community organization to new heights in fundraising, donor engagement, mission impact, and more.
By educating your organization inside and out, encouraging advocacy for new program development, and communicating the tangible value of matching gifts, you empower your team to tap into the resource effectively and efficiently. Then, invest in automation technology to streamline the process from start to finish.
Watch the video below to learn how Pi Beta Phi Foundation uses 360MatchPro to scale matching gift revenue.
Looking for more? Check out our other recommended resources below:
Become an Expert: 10 Quick Steps to Matching Gift Success. This free downloadable guide offers ten actionable steps to help civic and community organizations and other nonprofits master the art of matching gift success. Get started by implementing these tips!
How to Identify Corporate Partnerships [With 360MatchPro]. There’s more to corporate giving than matching gifts for civic and community organizations, too. But your matching gift software can help your team uncover the best prospects with which you can partner.
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Matching gifts play a large role in many nonprofits’ fundraising strategies. These opportunities aren’t just limited to the United States, either. Organizations in Canada—and worldwide—can benefit from corporate philanthropy, too. Specifically, Canadian companies that match gifts supply a powerful opportunity for Canadian charities to maximize funds and engagement alike.
In this guide, we’ve selected a few standout programs that your team should be aware of. Plus, we’ll share expert-proven tips and tricks for making the most of the initiatives. This includes:
To learn more about Canadian companies that match gifts and matching gift databases that cover the Canadian matching gift market, read on!
But before we jump in, let’s cover the basics of matching gifts.
The Basics of Matching Gifts Across Any Market
What are matching gifts?
Matching gifts are a unique and widespread form of corporate philanthropy in which companies match donations their employees make to eligible nonprofits. Matching donations are typically made at a 1:1 ratio, but some companies match at a higher rate, such as 2:1, 3:1, or even 4:1.
This type of giving is particularly valuable because it essentially supplies free money for your nonprofit. However, they’re often overlooked by donors due to a lack of program awareness and by nonprofits lacking the necessary staff, resources, or time to pursue the opportunity.
Who qualifies for matching gifts?
Companies that match gifts typically implement a program policy with specific eligibility guidelines. In order for a donor to qualify, their donation and the organization to which they gave must adhere to the pre-determined criteria.
While the criteria will vary from one company to the next, one overarching stipulation is that receiving organizations are generally required to be registered charities in the region in which they operate. In Canada, that means a nonprofit registered under the nation’s Income Tax Act by the Charities Directorate of the Canada Revenue Agency.
Meanwhile, American nonprofits should be registered with the Internal Revenue Service and have received 501(c)(3) status.
Top Canadian Matching Gift Companies
With the 9th largest economy in the world, Canada headquarters many well-known companies with generous employee giving benefits. In fact, Canadian corporations have a long history of philanthropy—which is great news for the nonprofits that call Canada home.
Take a look at the following Canadian companies that match gifts, and find out if your donors work for the generous employers below:
1. BCE Inc.
Minimum donation amount: $1
Maximum donation amount: $1,000
Match ratio: 1:1
Employee eligibility: Full-time, part-time
Nonprofit eligibility: Select organizations, including United Way, Canadian higher education institutions, and the Canadian Mental Health Association
BCE Inc., formerly known as Bell Canada Enterprises, offers a focused matching gift program benefitting a few specific organizations as well as colleges and universities within the country. The company also offers individual and team volunteer grants, where employees or retirees donate their time throughout the year to earn substantial grants for their favorite nonprofits.
Specifically, employees who volunteer at least 50 hours in a year can acquire a grant amount of $500. Meanwhile, teams are required to volunteer a combined 500 hours within a year-long period to qualify for a $2,500 grant!
Nonprofit eligibility: Charitable organizations in Canada, the U.S., and Honduras
Headquartered in Montreal, Gildan Activewear matches nonprofit donations from both full- and part-time employees. The matching gift program is open to organizations in Canada, the United States, and Honduras.
In addition to matching donations, the Canada-based company also supplies volunteer grants and multiplies select fundraising collections by employees, too!
Nonprofit eligibility: Educational institutions (K-12 included), arts and cultural organizations, civic and community organizations, environmental organizations, health and human services, and more
Green Shield Canada matches gifts of up to $1,000 per full-time employee on an annual basis. The company’s matching gift program is inclusive of most schools and nonprofit organizations, including a variety of institutions ranging from K-12 schools to arts and cultural organizations.
Nonprofit eligibility: Educational institutions (K-12 included), health and human services, arts and cultural organizations, civic and community organizations, environmental organizations, and more
The Royal Bank of Canada, also known as RBC, matches employee donations to nonprofit causes, and is inclusive of gifts made between $100 and $5,000 per year. A key perk of RBC’s matching gift program is that part-time employees and retirees alike are encouraged to participate with the standard 1:1 ratio.
Like many of these other organizations, RBC also offers dollars for doers grants for active volunteers! After volunteering for a minimum of 40 volunteer hours, the company will provide up to a $500 grant.
Nonprofit eligibility: Educational institutions (K-12 included), health and human services, arts and cultural organizations, civic and community organizations, environmental organizations, and more
TC Energy offers two main types of employee giving programs. The first is its standard matching gift program, where the company will match up to $1,000 annually to most nonprofits. The program is open to all employees and retirees.
The second program is TC Energy’s Dollars for Doers program. Through this initiative, the company matches its employees’ volunteer hours with monetary grants. It’s easy for employees to get involved in the program, too, as there is only a one-hour minimum for volunteer hours in a calendar year!
Nonprofit eligibility: Any CRA-registered charities
AstraZeneca is an international Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical company with a large corporate presence in Canada. The company, which participates generously in corporate philanthropy, also offers different employee giving programs across various markets.
In Canada, active AstraZeneca employees are encouraged to donate between $50 and $500 to the CRA-registered charity of their choice. After doing so, the company matches the gift to stretch its impact even further for the nonprofit cause!
AstraZeneca Canada offers multiple volunteer grant programs, too. Canadian employees or retirees who volunteer 40 hours with an organization can request a corresponding grant of $500. At the same time, the company provides $250 grants to organizations where employees serve as board members or coaches.
Nonprofit eligibility: Educational institutions (K-12 included), health and human services, arts and cultural organizations, civic and community organizations, environmental organizations, and more
Enbridge Inc., a Canadian multinational pipeline and energy company, is renowned for its robust and multi-faceted CSR initiatives. This includes a generous matching gift program and a volunteer grant program designed to empower its employees to make a difference in the communities they serve.
These programs and more not only foster a culture of philanthropy within the company but also strengthen Enbridge’s commitment to social impact across Canada and beyond.
Nonprofit eligibility: Eligible Canadian and international post-secondary educational institutions
Suncor Energy is dedicated to making meaningful contributions to society through its corporate philanthropy efforts. Through a targeted and impactful matching gift program, the company encourages its employees to give generously by matching their donations to eligible charitable causes and higher education institutions.
Nonprofit eligibility: Educational institutions (K-12 included), health and human services, arts and cultural organizations, civic and community organizations, environmental organizations, and more
Sun Life Financial is committed to giving back through a generous matching gift initiative, in which it empowers its employees to demonstrate their own philanthropy as well. When eligible full-time employees support nonprofit organizations of their choice, the company doubles their giving to produce an even greater impact.
One of the best things about this specific program? With no minimum donation amount required, employees can get involved with matching gifts to their favorite organizations with ease.
Nonprofit eligibility: Educational institutions (K-12 included), health and human services, arts and cultural organizations, civic and community organizations, environmental organizations, and more
Canadian Pacific Railway (or CP) is deeply committed to corporate citizenship and community engagement, as evidenced by its matching gift program. Through the program, the company encourages its employees to support charitable organizations by matching their donations at a rate of 50 cents to every dollar.
By fostering a culture of philanthropy and supporting causes that matter to its employees, the Canadian Pacific Railway demonstrates its ongoing commitment to social responsibility.
Nonprofit eligibility: Educational institutions (K-12 included), health and human services, arts and cultural organizations, civic and community organizations, environmental organizations, and more
Cenovus Energy, a Calgary, Alberta-based oil and natural gas company, aims to enact positive change in the communities in which it operates through its generous corporate philanthropy initiatives. Currently, these include a comprehensive matching gift program that empowers individual employees to request up to $25,000 per year for their favorite causes.
Nonprofit eligibility: Educational institutions (K-12 included), health and human services, arts and cultural organizations, civic and community organizations, environmental organizations, and more
Scotiabank Canada offers a robust matching gift program, through which the company empowers its employees to support charitable organizations by matching their donations. With no minimum donation amount required and a lofty maximum threshold, individual team members have the chance to make an even greater difference for the nonprofit missions they care about.
Nonprofit eligibility: Educational institutions (K-12 included), health and human services, arts and cultural organizations, civic and community organizations, environmental organizations, and more
Magna International offers a unique matching gift program through which groups of employees are encouraged to support nonprofit organizations in their communities. Specifically, teams of 10 or more employees should contribute a collective minimum donation of $500. Then, the company contributes its match up to $2,500!
By encouraging team-focused employee engagement in philanthropy and supporting causes aligned with its values, Magna builds its workplace culture and gives back at the same time.
Nonprofit eligibility: Educational institutions (K-12 included), health and human services, arts and cultural organizations, civic and community organizations, environmental organizations, and more
Brookfield Properties is a multinational corporation with a substantial Canadian employee base. Through its generous matching gift program, Brookfield Properties encourages its employees to donate time and funds to eligible nonprofit causes by supplying matching funds to the organizations they support.
Currently, full-time Canadian and U.S.-based employees (excluding the Chicago office) with a one-year minimum service are invited to take part in the program.
Nonprofit eligibility: Educational institutions (K-12 included), health and human services, arts and cultural organizations, civic and community organizations, environmental organizations, and more
Canadian fertilizer company Nutrien is dedicated to making a positive impact in communities through its comprehensive matching gift program and more. Through the match program, Nutrien empowers its employees to support charitable organizations with matching gifts worth up to $1.50 for every $1 initially donated.
Identifying Other Canadian Companies That Match Gifts
We covered fifteen standout Canadian matching gift companies above. But there are a ton of additional programs available from companies everywhere. In fact, there are so many companies that match gifts—based in Canada and otherwise—that it’s nearly impossible to keep track of each program’s guidelines on your own.
And that’s where a database solution comes in handy! With a matching gift database like Double the Donation, donors are automatically supplied with direct links to their companies’ match request portals along with program guidelines (minimums and maximums, eligible nonprofits and employees, match ratios, submission deadlines, etc.).
Alternatively, if a donor works for an unknown company (or your organization lacks a database tool), your team can encourage the individual to reach out to their HR department to learn more about any available giving programs.
How Double the Donation Can Help
360MatchPro by Double the Donation is a complete automation system that screens match-eligible donors and triggers tailored outreach accordingly. As a result, your staff saves time and maximizes its revenue.
With over 24,000 company listings, Double the Donation represents 26+ million match-eligible individuals worldwide. When it comes to Canadian companies that match gifts, recent analyses indicate that the tool remains the country’s most accurate and up-to-date source of matching gift information.
Check out these findings:
93-99% of individuals who work for Canadian companies that match gifts will find their employer in Double the Donation’s database.
$99,000 of $102,000 in matching gifts received by a global organization’s market in Canada were covered by Double the Donation’s database.
483,760 match-eligible Canadians were covered by Double the Donation’s database, while 4,124 were not.
All in all, Double the Donation’s database offers substantial coverage of the market, making it a great fit for Canadian-based organizations and their donors.
Meanwhile, additional benefits of 360MatchPro include:
More matching gift opportunities. By automatically flagging match-eligible gifts using emails, donation forms, and more, your organization increases the number of potential matches identified.
More matches driven to completion. Donors are presented with matching gift information or encouraged to supply employment data after giving. Then, automated outreach guides donors through the request process and ultimately drives more submissions to increase overall revenue.
More time to focus on top opportunities. Your team can primarily focus its efforts on tailoring follow-ups to your most valuable match-eligible donations. With everything else automated, you’ll have time to take an increasingly personalized approach with top-dollar donors.
360MatchPro essentially serves as your own matching gift team. Where you don’t have the staff, time, or resources necessary to perform matching gift outreach, the platform can step in and handle the rest!
Integrations & Customizations
If you’re thinking about investing in a matching gift database to supercharge your organization’s fundraising efforts, there are a few things to consider in your selection. As a Canadian-based organization, you’ll want to look for a solution that adequately covers the Canadian market and integrates with your existing tech stack for easy implementation and data management.
Fortunately, Double the Donation’s 360MatchPro does just that! Offering 100+ integrations with the leading Canadian and global fundraising tools, the software provides users with direct access to the industry’s most comprehensive database. These ready-built and simple-to-use integrations include:
CRMs
Peer-to-peer fundraising solutions
Online donation tools
CSR platforms
To get started, all you typically need to do is subscribe to Double the Donation’s tools. Then, activate 360MatchPro by entering your API keys into your fundraising platform.
Additionally, Double the Donation is designed to accommodate nonprofits operating in one or more geographic markets. For Canadian-based organizations, this means you can customize the database search results by adjusting the geographic regions that apply to your nonprofit.
360MatchPro will then tailor the matching gift search results and information your donors receive based on your selections.
Top tip: If your nonprofit’s tax status is based in Canada and you primarily have Canadian donors, it’s recommended that you only select Canada. However, if you’re registered as a nonprofit in multiple markets, such as the U.S. and Canada, or have a large number of donors in those markets, it’s recommended that you select both the U.S. and Canada.
Wrapping Up
Choosing the right matching gift database is essential. Make sure to look for a solution that’s designed to enhance your organization’s fundraising. That means seeking tools that specifically cater to Canadian organizations—and Canadian matching gift companies.
While we’ve listed some of the largest Canada-based employers and overviewed their matching gift opportunities, they aren’t the only businesses that offer such initiatives. Be sure to constantly research your donors’ employers and stay up-to-date on companies in your area. And remember: the right matching gift database can help!
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Keep learning! Check out these additional resources to continue exploring matching gifts for your organization:
Matching Gift Marketing Guide
After identifying match-eligible contributions, you’ll need to promote the matching gift opportunities to your donors.
Check out our free downloadable resource to get best practices and expert marketing strategies.
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Gene B. Glick Company
Infobip
Cisco
Toyota
What Makes This Company’s Programming Stand Out:
