Unlocking Corporate Grants Using Supporter Employment Data
Securing corporate grants can often feel like a daunting task, especially when it comes to identifying the right companies and contacts. However, many nonprofits overlook a powerful resource already within reach: corporate grants and employment data. By tapping into the employment information of your supporters, you can unlock a treasure trove of funding opportunities that are closer than you think.
Why? Companies are much more likely to fund organizations that resonate with their employees, whether through matching gift programs, CSR initiatives, or employee-nominated giving. These opportunities often start with a single connection: one of your donors, volunteers, or board members who works for a company eager to give back.
In this post, we’ll show you how to use corporate grants and employment data to identify and secure more funding opportunities than ever before.
1. Why Employment Data Matters for Corporate Grants
Many corporate giving programs, but especially grants, prioritize organizations with an internal advocate. This is usually an employee who donates, volunteers, or nominates the nonprofit in question. Therefore, if you can identify where your supporters work, you instantly gain visibility into which companies might be open to funding your mission.
Here’s why employment data is so valuable in this context:
- Workplace giving grants: Companies are more likely to fund causes that matter to their workforce, which is where workplace giving programs like matching gifts, volunteer grants, and more come in.
- Employee-nominated grants: Many companies accept nonprofit nominations from current employees, so knowing where your supporters work allows you to target them effectively.
- Broader connections to grant opportunities: Even beyond grants that are specifically “employee-nominated,” nonprofits can use employment information to locate existing connections to charitable businesses. When a company sees that a sizable segment of their employee base supports your cause, they may be more likely to shell out grant funds.
The bottom line? Knowing your supporters’ employers allows you to tap into otherwise hidden funding pipelines. But first, in order to do so effectively, you need a system for capturing that data.
2. How to Collect Supporter Employment Information
Collecting employment data doesn’t have to be intrusive or complicated. In fact, most donors are happy to share where they work, especially if you explain how that information can help you unlock more impact.
Start by integrating employment data fields at key touchpoints:
- Donation forms: Include an optional “Employer Name” field alongside standard fields such as name and email.
- Confirmation pages: Prompt donors to check if their employer has a giving program immediately after donating by providing their company name in a database search tool.
- Email follow-ups: Send a follow-up email asking supporters where they work, explaining how it can lead to increased funding.
- Event sign-ups or volunteer forms: Add a simple employer field here, too; these contacts are often highly engaged and ready to provide additional value.
In addition to collecting data manually, organizations can also use employer data enrichment strategies to uncover employment information for supporters who haven’t provided it directly. These services analyze an individual’s name, email, and other identifying details to match them with publicly available employment records, allowing you to fill in the existing gaps in your database and fueling your corporate grant search.
By combining direct collection with employer append tools, you can build a far more complete picture of your supporter base and proactively identify companies that may be a great fit for outreach.
3. How to Identify Corporate Grants
Once you begin collecting supporter employment information (either through your donation forms or volunteer sign-ups) you can begin identifying which companies offer corporate grants that align with your mission. But with thousands of companies potentially offering funding, it can be tough to know where to start.
Instead of cold outreach, we recommend strategic resources to focus your efforts:
- Look for curated corporate grant lists. Numerous nonprofit blogs and philanthropy platforms publish regularly updated roundups of companies with active grant programs. For example, check out this list of companies that give grants to nonprofits!
- Look at your supporters’ employers. At this point, you should know where some of your supporters work. Use this information to research whether their companies offer grants or sponsorships, and whether employees can nominate or advocate for your organization.
- Explore CSR or community investment pages. Visit the websites of companies in your network and look for terms like “Community Impact,” “Corporate Responsibility,” or “Giving Back.” These often lead to grant program guidelines, eligibility criteria, and deadlines.
- Track and document your outreach. Use a simple CRM or spreadsheet to track potential grantmakers, application timelines, contact information, and employee advocates within each company.
Once you’ve identified likely prospects, craft proposals that highlight your mission alignment, your existing relationships with their workforce, and the tangible impact of their support. You can also tap into professional grantwriting resources, whether that’s hiring a writer, attending a webinar, or downloading free templates, to strengthen your applications.
4. Using Employment Data to Strengthen Grant Requests
Employment data isn’t just about discovery; it’s also a powerful way to strengthen your actual grant applications. When applying for a corporate grant, having an internal advocate can dramatically increase your odds of success.
Here’s how your team can involve them for the best results:
- Ask the employee to nominate your nonprofit, if required by the grant.
- Include their name, role, and connection to your organization in the application.
- Invite them to provide a testimonial about why they support your mission.
- Ask them to share internal CSR contacts or program guidelines with your team.
From there, when reaching out to corporate contacts or applying for grants, mention the employee connection explicitly: “We are proud to have 14 donors and 3 volunteers from your company, including Jane Doe from your Marketing team. Their ongoing support makes a meaningful impact, and we would love to explore a deeper partnership.”
All in all, this type of outreach shows alignment, community relevance, and trust: three key factors for funders considering grant applications.
5. Building Long-Term Value with Corporate Partners
Unlocking a single grant is excellent, but turning that grant into a long-term partnership is even better. Luckily, employment data can help you build those bridges.
For example, consider using corporate employment connections as a starting point for ongoing engagement. You can…
- Send tailored impact reports to the employee advocate and CSR contact;
- Invite company reps to site visits, events, or webinars;
- Recognize the company publicly through social media, email, or donor walls;
- Offer corporate volunteering opportunities that align with their values;
- Bundle sponsorship, volunteering, and grant opportunities into custom partnership packages;
- And more.
In the best case scenario, you’re not just asking for money. You’re inviting a company to be part of your mission and vision in a real, tangible way.
By keeping the employee connected, reporting on outcomes, and providing continued value, you can turn a one-time grant into a multi-year relationship that benefits both sides of the party.
Wrapping Up & Next Steps
Supporter employment data is one of the most underutilized assets in nonprofit fundraising. By simply knowing where your supporters work, you unlock access to employee-driven and broader giving programs, increase your relevance with corporate funders, and make your grant requests more personal and powerful than ever before.
Luckily, you can start today by:
- Adding an “Employer” field to your donation and event forms
- Conducting an employer append to gather missing employment info
- Using that data to research and pursue grant opportunities backed by internal advocates
With complete data and a well-thought-out strategy in place, your nonprofit can open new funding pipelines, build stronger corporate partnerships, and expand your impact, one supporter at a time.
How Homeless Shelters Can Secure In-Kind Donations
Homeless shelters play a vital role in providing safety, comfort, and essential services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness. To fulfill their missions effectively, these organizations often rely on a combination of financial contributions and in-kind donations. In-kind donations refer to non-cash gifts such as goods, services, or expertise that directly support the shelter’s operations and the well-being of its residents.
Securing in-kind donations can be a game-changer for homeless shelters, as these contributions help reduce operational costs and ensure that residents receive the items they need most. From clothing and toiletries to furniture and cleaning supplies, in-kind gifts can fill critical gaps that monetary donations alone may not cover. Understanding how to identify, request, and manage these donations is essential for nonprofit professionals dedicated to advancing their shelter’s impact.
In this article, we will explore what in-kind donations are, the types most valuable to homeless shelters, where to find potential donors, and best practices for making the ask. We will also introduce tools that can streamline the process, helping your organization build sustainable partnerships and maximize the benefits of in-kind support.
Table of Contents
- What Are In-Kind Donations for Homeless Shelters?
- Types of In-Kind Donations for Homeless Shelters
- Where Homeless Shelters Should Look for In-Kind Support
- How Homeless Shelters Should Make the In-Kind Donation Ask
- Tools and Resources to Help Homeless Shelters Get Started
What Are In-Kind Donations for Homeless Shelters?
In-kind donations are contributions of goods, services, or expertise rather than cash. Unlike traditional monetary gifts, which provide financial flexibility, in-kind donations offer tangible resources that directly support a nonprofit’s programs or operations. These can range from donated office equipment and supplies to professional services, such as legal advice or transportation assistance.
For homeless shelters, in-kind donations are especially impactful because they address immediate, practical needs. Shelters require a steady supply of essentials such as clothing, food, bedding, and hygiene products to serve their residents effectively. Receiving these items directly from donors enables shelters to allocate their financial resources more effectively toward other critical areas, such as staffing, program development, and facility maintenance.
Moreover, in-kind donations can foster stronger community connections. When local businesses or corporations contribute goods or services, they become active partners in the shelter’s mission, enhancing visibility and community goodwill. This collaborative approach aligns with smarter fundraising strategies that emphasize maximizing impact through diverse revenue streams and resource sharing.
How In-Kind Donations Differ from Cash Gifts
While cash gifts provide flexibility, in-kind donations offer specificity. They ensure that shelters receive exactly what they need, often reducing the time and effort spent on procurement. However, managing in-kind gifts requires clear communication about needs, storage capacity, and distribution plans to avoid surplus or unusable items.
Why In-Kind Donations Matter for Homeless Shelters
Homeless shelters operate with tight budgets and high demand for essential items. In-kind donations help bridge the gap between limited funding and the comprehensive needs of residents. They also enable shelters to respond quickly to emergencies or seasonal demands, such as providing warm clothing in winter or additional bedding during cold snaps.
Aligning In-Kind Donations with Mission Impact
Strategically soliciting in-kind donations ensures that every gift contributes meaningfully to the shelter’s goals. By focusing on items and services that enhance program delivery and resident well-being, shelters can maximize the value of these contributions and build lasting partnerships with donors who share their visions.
Types of In-Kind Donations for Homeless Shelters
Homeless shelters benefit from a wide range of in-kind donations that support both daily operations and ongoing resident care. Below are some of the most valuable types of gifts, along with their tangible impact:
Clothes
Donated clothing is essential for residents who often arrive with few personal belongings. Items such as warm coats, socks, underwear, and seasonal apparel help residents maintain dignity and comfort. Clothes donations also reduce the shelter’s expenses and allow staff to focus resources elsewhere.
Toiletries
Personal hygiene products like soap, shampoo, toothpaste, and feminine hygiene items are critical for health and self-esteem. Many residents cannot afford these necessities, so in-kind donations ensure consistent availability and promote wellness.
Food
Non-perishable and fresh food donations help shelters provide nutritious meals without straining their budgets. Partnerships with grocery stores or food suppliers can supply staples and specialty items, supporting meal programs and reducing waste.
Bedding
Items such as blankets, pillows, sheets, and mattresses improve the quality of sleep and overall comfort for shelter residents. Bedding donations are especially important during colder months and can significantly enhance the living environment.
Furniture
Shelters often need furniture like beds, chairs, tables, and storage units to create safe, functional spaces. Donated furniture helps maintain a welcoming atmosphere and supports program activities such as counseling or job training.
Cleaning Products
Maintaining a clean and sanitary environment is vital for resident health and safety. Donations of disinfectants, detergents, mops, and other cleaning supplies help shelters uphold hygiene standards and comply with health regulations.
Professional Services
Beyond physical goods, services such as legal advice, transportation, medical care, and skilled volunteer work can greatly enhance shelter operations. These contributions often fill gaps that cash donations cannot cover directly.
Where Homeless Shelters Should Look for In-Kind Support
Identifying potential sources of in-kind donations requires strategic research and relationship-building. Homeless shelters should focus on companies and organizations whose corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives align with their mission and whose products or services meet shelter needs.
Local businesses engaged in community impact efforts are often eager to support shelters through donations or volunteerism. Additionally, partnerships with retailers, manufacturers, and service providers relevant to shelter operations can yield valuable in-kind gifts. Here are a few key examples:
Walmart
Walmart frequently donates clothing, food, and household essentials through its community giving programs. Their broad product range and national presence make them a strong partner for shelters seeking diverse in-kind support. Not to mention, Walmart’s commitment to fighting hunger and supporting families aligns well with homeless shelter missions.
Procter & Gamble
Procter & Gamble offers donations of toiletries and cleaning products, including trusted brands like Tide, Dawn, and Pampers. Their focus on health and hygiene complements shelter needs, helping residents maintain dignity and wellness.
Dove
Dove specializes in personal care products, including soap, lotion, shampoo, and more. Their product donations support hygiene programs and promote self-confidence among shelter residents, particularly women and children.
IKEA
IKEA is known for donating furniture and bedding items that help shelters create comfortable living spaces. Their affordable, functional designs make them an ideal partner for furnishing shelters and enhancing the resident quality of life.
Bed Bath & Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond provides household goods, bedding, and cleaning supplies. Their in-kind donations help shelters maintain clean, safe environments and equip residents with essential home items as they transition to stable housing.
Whole Foods
Whole Foods often donates fresh and organic food items, supporting shelters’ efforts to provide nutritious meals. Their emphasis on healthy eating aligns with programs focused on resident wellness and recovery.
Ecolab
Ecolab supplies cleaning and sanitation products, helping shelters uphold rigorous hygiene standards. Their expertise in health and safety makes them a valuable partner for maintaining clean facilities.
How Homeless Shelters Should Make the In-Kind Donation Ask
Making a successful in-kind donation request requires a thoughtful, strategic approach. Building long-term relationships with corporate donors involves aligning the shelter’s needs with the company’s goals and making it easy for them to say yes.
Personalize Your Outreach
Research each company’s values and tailor your message to highlight shared goals. Mention any previous collaborations or relevant community initiatives to help build rapport.
Be Specific About Needs
Provide a clear list of desired items or services, explaining how each will support residents or operations. Specificity helps donors understand exactly how they can help.
Highlight Mutual Benefits
Communicate how the donation will enhance the company’s reputation, engage employees, or fulfill CSR objectives. Emphasize the positive community impact their support enables.
Offer Flexible Giving Options
Allow donors to choose from various ways to contribute, accommodating their resources and preferences. Flexibility increases the likelihood of securing support.
Make It Easy to Give
Provide all necessary details upfront, including contact information, delivery instructions, and timelines. Simplifying logistics encourages prompt and hassle-free donations.
Tools and Resources to Help Homeless Shelters Get Started
Using dedicated tools can significantly streamline the process of identifying and securing in-kind donations. Many companies have formal donation programs with application processes, but these opportunities are often scattered across websites and difficult to track manually.
Tools designed for nonprofit professionals help uncover company giving programs that align with a shelter’s mission, saving time and effort. They may even provide direct links to application forms, eligibility criteria, and contact information, enabling more efficient outreach and follow-up.
Double the Donation’s Corporate Giving Program Database
Double the Donation offers a top-tier solution for homeless shelters seeking in-kind donations. Their extensive and searchable database includes thousands of corporate giving programs, covering in-kind gifts, grants, and employee-directed workplace giving opportunities.
By leveraging this resource, nonprofit professionals can quickly identify companies with relevant donation programs, access application details, and manage their outreach efficiently. This data-driven approach empowers shelters to build meaningful partnerships and maximize the impact of in-kind support.
Wrapping Up & Additional Resources
Securing in-kind donations is a powerful strategy for homeless shelters to enhance their programs and better serve residents. By identifying specific needs, researching aligned corporate partners, and using strategic outreach methods, shelters can build sustainable support networks that reduce costs and increase impact.
Meanwhile, leveraging tools like Double the Donation’s corporate giving database further streamlines this process, helping organizations uncover opportunities and manage relationships efficiently. Taking these first steps empowers shelters to maximize the value of in-kind gifts and strengthen their mission-driven work.
Unlock More Support with Double the Donation
Corporate sponsorships and in-kind donations are critical to the success of nonprofit events and programs—but sourcing the right partners can be overwhelming. Luckily, Double the Donation streamlines the entire process, helping your team find, secure, and manage corporate support with ease. With our industry-leading corporate giving database, you can quickly identify companies that offer financial sponsorships, in-kind donations, and corporate grants—giving you a data-driven edge in building meaningful partnerships.
Raise more with corporate grants and in-kind gifts; request a demo today!
How Community Clinics Can Secure In-Kind Donations
Community clinics play a vital role in providing accessible healthcare services to underserved populations. These clinics often operate with limited budgets and rely heavily on donations to meet the needs of their patients. While cash donations are essential, in-kind donations can significantly enhance a clinic’s capacity to deliver quality care without straining financial resources.
However, understanding how to identify, request, and manage in-kind donations is crucial for nonprofit professionals working in community clinics. By leveraging strategic partnerships with corporations and local businesses, clinics can build sustainable support networks that amplify their impact. This article explores practical approaches to securing in-kind donations tailored specifically to the unique needs of community clinics.
Table of Contents
- What Are In-Kind Donations for Community Clinics?
- Types of In-Kind Donations for Community Clinics
- Where Community Clinics Should Look for In-Kind Support
- How Community Clinics Should Make the In-Kind Donation Ask
- Tools and Resources to Help Community Clinics Get Started
What Are In-Kind Donations for Community Clinics?
In-kind donations are contributions of goods, services, or resources, rather than monetary contributions. Unlike traditional cash gifts, which provide financial flexibility, in-kind donations offer tangible items or professional services that directly support an organization’s operations or programs. These donations can include a wide range of items, from office equipment and supplies to specialized expertise or volunteer time.
Across the nonprofit sector, in-kind donations serve as a valuable complement to monetary gifts. They help organizations stretch their budgets by offsetting costs that would otherwise require cash outlays. For community clinics, which often face tight funding constraints, in-kind donations can be especially impactful by providing essential medical and operational resources.
Community clinics benefit uniquely from in-kind donations because their work depends heavily on specific supplies and equipment. Medical supplies, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and sanitation products are critical to patient care and safety.
By securing in-kind donations, community clinics can focus more resources on expanding services and reaching more patients. These donations reduce overhead costs and enable clinics to maintain high standards of care. For nonprofit professionals, understanding the strategic value of in-kind gifts is key to maximizing fundraising success and advancing the clinic’s mission.
Defining In-Kind Donations
In-kind donations encompass a broad range of non-monetary gifts. They can be physical items like medical equipment or consumables, or services such as legal advice, marketing support, or transportation. Unlike cash donations, these gifts require careful coordination to ensure they meet the organization’s needs and can be effectively utilized.
Why In-Kind Donations Matter for Community Clinics
Community clinics operate in environments where every dollar counts. In-kind donations help fill critical gaps by providing resources that might otherwise be unaffordable. For example, donated pharmaceuticals and vaccines ensure patients receive necessary treatments without the clinic bearing the full cost. Similarly, donated cleaning and sanitation supplies maintain a safe environment for both patients and staff.
Types of In-Kind Donations for Community Clinics
Community clinics can benefit from a diverse array of in-kind donations that support both clinical services and administrative functions. Below are some of the most valuable types of in-kind gifts tailored to this nonprofit vertical.
Medical Supplies
Donations of medical supplies such as gloves, syringes, bandages, and diagnostic tools are essential for daily clinic operations. These items enable healthcare providers to deliver safe and effective care while controlling costs. Luckily, many companies specialize in donating high-quality medical supplies that meet regulatory standards.
Pharmaceuticals & Vaccines
Access to donated pharmaceuticals and vaccines can dramatically improve patient outcomes by ensuring timely treatment and prevention. Pharmaceutical companies often have programs to provide medications and vaccines to community health organizations, helping clinics serve vulnerable populations.
Furniture and Office Supplies
Functional furniture like exam tables, chairs, desks, and filing cabinets creates a comfortable and organized environment for patients and staff. Office supplies, including paper, printers, and stationery, support administrative tasks that keep the clinic running smoothly. Such in-kind donations from companies can help clinics maintain a professional and efficient workspace.
Cleaning & Sanitation Products
Maintaining a clean and hygienic clinic environment is critical for infection control. Donations of cleaning agents, disinfectants, and sanitation equipment help clinics uphold health and safety standards without incurring additional expenses.
Food and Nutrition Support
Some community clinics provide nutritional support or food assistance to patients facing food insecurity. Donations from local food providers can supplement these programs, improving patient health outcomes and community well-being.
Technology and Software
Technology donations, including computers, software licenses, and telehealth platforms, enhance clinic efficiency and patient engagement. Many companies even offer technology grants and software donations that enable clinics to modernize their operations and expand virtual care capabilities.
Transportation Assistance
Transportation services or vouchers help patients overcome barriers to accessing care. Donations of transportation assistance, whether through partnerships with local transit providers or ride-share companies, can increase appointment adherence and improve health outcomes.
Where Community Clinics Should Look for In-Kind Support
Identifying the right sources for in-kind donations requires strategic research and relationship-building. For the best results, community clinics should focus on companies whose corporate social responsibility initiatives align with healthcare access, community well-being, and public health.
Below are some companies known for their in-kind donation programs that align well with the needs of community clinics like yours.
Medline
Medline is a leading supplier of medical products and frequently donates medical supplies and equipment to community health organizations. Their support helps clinics maintain essential inventory and improve patient care quality. Medline’s commitment to healthcare access makes them a natural partner for community clinics.
GE Healthcare
GE Healthcare provides advanced medical technology and equipment donations. Their in-kind support can include diagnostic machines and imaging devices, which are critical for clinics expanding their service offerings.
Pfizer
Pfizer’s pharmaceutical donation programs provide medications and vaccines to underserved populations. Their in-kind support directly addresses patient treatment needs and public health priorities, making the company a key partner for community clinics.
Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson supports community health through donations of medical products and health education resources. Their broad portfolio of healthcare goods aligns with clinics’ efforts to deliver comprehensive care.
Microsoft
Microsoft offers technology grants and software donations that help clinics improve administrative functions and telehealth services. Their support enables clinics to leverage digital tools for better patient management and outreach.
Clorox
Clorox donates cleaning and sanitation products essential for maintaining safe clinic environments. Their support ensures clinics can uphold hygiene standards critical to patient and staff safety.
How Community Clinics Should Make the In-Kind Donation Ask
Making a successful in-kind donation request requires a thoughtful and strategic approach. Building long-term relationships with corporate donors is essential, as is aligning the clinic’s needs with the company’s mission and giving priorities. A well-crafted ask makes it easy for businesses to say yes and fosters ongoing support.
Personalize Your Outreach
Research the prospective donor’s CSR goals and tailor your message to highlight shared values. Reference any previous support or relevant initiatives to build rapport.
Be Clear and Specific
Specify the exact items or services needed and explain how they will support patient care or clinic operations. Concrete requests are easier for companies to evaluate and fulfill.
Highlight Mutual Benefits
Communicate how the donation will enhance the company’s reputation and community presence. Emphasize opportunities for employee involvement or recognition.
Offer Flexible Giving Options
Allow donors to choose from a range of giving methods to suit their resources and preferences. Flexibility increases the likelihood of securing support.
Facilitate Easy Follow-Through
Provide all necessary logistical details upfront, including shipping addresses, deadlines, and contact information. This clarity streamlines the donation process.
Tools and Resources to Help Community Clinics Get Started
Securing in-kind donations can be a complex and time-consuming process without the right tools. Luckily, dedicated platforms like Double the Donation help nonprofit professionals streamline research and outreach efforts by consolidating information about corporate giving programs.
Many companies offer in-kind donation opportunities through formal programs with specific eligibility criteria and application processes. However, these opportunities are often scattered across multiple websites and are difficult to track manually. Using a centralized tool saves time and increases the chances of finding the best matches.
Double the Donation’s corporate giving database provides community clinics with access to thousands of verified programs, including in-kind donations, grants, and workplace giving initiatives. This resource helps organizations uncover companies aligned with their mission, access application links, and organize outreach efforts efficiently.
By leveraging such tools, community clinics can expand their network of potential in-kind partners, improve fundraising outcomes, and focus more on delivering impactful healthcare services.
Wrapping Up & Additional Resources
Securing in-kind donations is a powerful strategy for community clinics to enhance their capacity and extend their reach. By clearly identifying needs, researching aligned corporate partners, and making thoughtful donation requests, clinics can build sustainable support networks that reduce costs and improve patient care.
Utilizing tools like Double the Donation’s corporate giving database streamlines the process, helping clinics uncover new opportunities and manage outreach effectively. Taking these first steps empowers community clinics to maximize the impact of in-kind gifts and advance their mission of providing accessible, quality healthcare to those who need it most.
Unlock More Support with Double the Donation
Corporate sponsorships and in-kind donations are critical to the success of nonprofit events and programs, but sourcing the right partners can be time-consuming and overwhelming. Luckily, Double the Donation streamlines the entire process, helping your team find, secure, and manage corporate support with ease.
With our industry-leading corporate giving database, you can quickly identify companies that offer financial sponsorships, in-kind donations, and corporate grants, providing you with a data-driven edge in building meaningful partnerships. Raise more with corporate grants and in-kind gifts; get a demo today!
Is an Employer Append Right for Your Nonprofit? How to Know
If your donor database is missing key employment information, you might be wondering: Is an employer append right for your nonprofit?
Employer appends, or the process of enhancing donor records by filling in employment data, can unlock new opportunities for improved workplace giving efforts, better segmentation, and deepened corporate partnerships. But like any data investment, it’s important to weigh the benefits against your organization’s readiness and goals.
In this post, we’ll walk through the pros, cons, and key inquiries that can help you decide whether this strategy is a smart next step for your fundraising efforts.
Specifically, we invite you to ask yourself (or your team) the following questions:
- Do you receive a high volume of individual gifts?
- Are you missing employment information in your database?
- Does your organization have many volunteers?
- Is your team ready to prioritize workplace giving?
- Do you have the right tools in place to support your efforts?
If you answered “yes” to most (or all) of the above, an employer append might be a strategic next step. Now, let’s take a deeper dive into each key question.
Do you receive a high volume of individual gifts?
YES: One of the clearest indicators that an employer append might be a wise investment is the volume of individual donations your organization receives. If a significant portion of your fundraising comes from individual donors—especially in the form of small to mid-sized gifts—you likely have untapped potential for employer matching and corporate engagement.
Why does volume matter? Because even if just 20–30% of your individual donors are eligible for matching gifts through their employers, that could represent thousands of dollars in additional revenue you’re currently missing.
NO: By contrast, if your funding is primarily made up of grants, major gifts, or government contracts, an employer append may not deliver the same return. In those cases, employment data may be less relevant to your core fundraising strategy.
So, if you’re regularly processing hundreds or thousands of individual gifts each year, it might be worth it to consider an append. In other words, the higher your individual donor volume, the stronger the case for appending employer data.
Are you missing employment information in your database?
YES: Before you can take advantage of matching gifts or other workplace giving campaigns, you need one essential piece of data: where your supporters work. If your CRM is filled with blank employer fields, that’s a clear sign that an employer append could be beneficial.
Appending employer data helps fill these gaps efficiently, especially for organizations with a large donor base and limited staff capacity. Even if only a portion of your records can be matched, it’s often enough to uncover significant corporate giving potential and segment communications more effectively.
NO: On the other hand, perhaps you collect employer information consistently, whether through your donation forms, volunteer registrations, follow-up emails, or other supporter onboarding efforts—and don’t have many gaps in your donor base. In that case, you may already have a strong foundation in place.
In other words, if the employer field in your database is mostly complete and kept up to date, an employer append may not deliver as much added value. If so, your resources might be better spent on activating the employer data you already have through targeted matching gift outreach or broader workplace giving campaigns.
Does your organization have many volunteers?
YES: Volunteers often give more than just their time—they can also open the door to valuable funding opportunities, especially if you know where they work. If your organization relies heavily on volunteer support but lacks employment information for those individuals, you could be missing out on corporate volunteer grants and Volunteer Time Off (VTO) programs.
After all, many companies offer financial donations in recognition of their employees’ volunteer hours. Others provide paid VTO, encouraging employees to give back during work hours at approved nonprofit partners. But you can’t take advantage of these programs if you don’t know where your volunteers are employed.
An employer append can help fill in those missing details. Plus, it allows you to follow up with volunteers about corporate giving opportunities tied to their time. Even if only a portion of volunteers qualify, the combined value of grants and engagement can make a meaningful impact. If volunteers are a core part of your community, enhancing your data with employer information is a strategic next step.
NO: If your organization doesn’t rely heavily on volunteers—or volunteer engagement makes up a very small portion of your operations—then an employer append for volunteer records may not deliver significant value. In this case, your time and resources might be better spent optimizing donor data or focusing on other segments of your supporter base, such as recurring givers or event participants.
However, if volunteer involvement grows, revisiting this opportunity could unlock new sources of funding and corporate engagement in the future.
Is your team ready to prioritize workplace giving?
YES: If your team already sees workplace giving as a strategic priority, an employer append can significantly enhance your efforts. However, adding employment data to your records is only valuable if your team has the resources to act on it. That means following up on workplace giving opportunities, running targeted campaigns, and having someone focused on corporate outreach or stewardship.
When workplace giving is embraced organization-wide, you unlock greater ROI and longer-lasting corporate partnerships. If your team is aligned, resourced, and ready to collaborate around workplace giving, an employer append can serve as the catalyst for smarter outreach and greater impact.
NO: If workplace giving hasn’t yet become a focus—or your team lacks the time, tech, or clarity to act on employer data—it may be worth holding off on an employer append until you’re better prepared. Without a clear plan to integrate employment data into your campaigns, stewardship efforts, or corporate outreach, the data may go unused and offer limited returns on your investment.
Instead, consider starting small. Develop a workplace giving strategy, assign ownership of workplace giving-related tasks, and ensure your team is equipped with program knowledge. Keep in mind that prioritizing workplace giving doesn’t need to be difficult, either, especially when your team is equipped with the right tools, as many teams are already stretched thin. Once you’re aligned on prioritizing workplace giving, you’ll be in a stronger position to turn employer data into meaningful results. At that point, an employer append can be a high-impact next step.
Do you have the right tools in place to support your efforts?
YES: If your organization already has strong tech infrastructure, like a modern CRM, mobile-friendly donation forms, and a workplace giving automation platform, you’re in a great position to act on the insights gained from an employer append. These tools allow you to leverage employer data, uncover employee giving eligibility, and send targeted follow-ups based on employment data.
Beyond basic functionality, think about how your tools help connect supporters to their next steps. Is your matching gift tool connected to your giving forms and CRM to enable targeted outreach? Is your corporate volunteering solution integrated with your VMS to provide seamless information and tailored program instructions?
If your systems support those experiences, you’re well-positioned to maximize the value of appended data and drive meaningful action.
NO: If your organization is still working with outdated systems, manual spreadsheets, or donation forms that don’t support employer-related functionality, an employer append might not yield strong results—at least not yet.
Without the right tools to store, track, and act on employment data, much of that insight may go unused. In this case, focus first on upgrading your tech stack. Prioritize a donor management system that allows for custom fields and segmentation. Plus, explore integrations that support matching gifts and workplace giving platforms.
When your tools are ready to handle and act on employer data, you’ll be able to extract real value from an append, boosting engagement, unlocking corporate funding, and streamlining supporter journeys.
Wrapping up & additional employer append resources
Employer appends are a powerful tool for nonprofits looking to deepen donor insights and tap into underutilized corporate giving opportunities. But they aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Evaluate your data quality, fundraising strategy, and capacity to act on new information and make a clear, informed decision about whether it’s the right fit.
If you’ve answered “yes” to many of the readiness questions shared above, your organization may be well-positioned to benefit from this next-level data enhancement.
Interested in learning more about employer appends and how your organization can benefit from them? Check out the additional recommended resources below:
- The Ultimate Guide to Employer Appends for Fundraisers. Everything you need to know about employer appends. This guide covers how they work and how they boost matching gifts, corporate outreach, and donor segmentation.
- Avoid These 5 Employer Appending Mistakes Nonprofits Make. Learn the most common pitfalls nonprofits face when appending employer data. Plus, see how to avoid costly missteps that could hurt your results.
- Best Employer Append Providers for Growing Workplace Giving. Explore top-rated employer append services to find the right partner for your needs. Access insights on pricing, features, and integration options.
How Employer Appending Completes Your Workplace Giving Donor Profiles
When it comes to equipping your team with enhanced workplace giving donor profiles, accurate and complete donor data isn’t just helpful—it’s essential. One of the most overlooked yet powerful pieces of information in your donor database is employer data. After all, knowing where your supporters work can unlock corporate matching gifts, boost campaign targeting, and significantly increase giving potential.
But what happens when this information is missing? That’s where employer appending comes in. This process helps nonprofits fill in the blanks, matching donors with their employers to build more complete, actionable profiles.
In this post, we’ll explore how employer appending works and why it’s a game-changer for enhancing your workplace giving strategy. We’ll cover:
- Why do donor profiles matter for workplace giving?
- How does appending employer data help?
- Getting started with employer appends for workplace giving
Accurate employer data can be the missing link between a good fundraising program and a great one. In the sections ahead, we’ll show you how employer appending strengthens workplace giving donor profiles and empowers your team to make more informed, strategic outreach decisions.
Why do donor profiles matter for workplace giving?
Workplace giving programs thrive on strong engagement, and comprehensive donor profiles are what make that engagement possible. After all, a well-crafted donor profile is more than just a name and email address. It’s a collection of key data points that help your organization understand who your supporters are, how they prefer to give, and even what engagement opportunities are available to them. This information is especially critical when it comes to unlocking the full potential of workplace giving.
Why? One of the most valuable—but often missing—data points in a donor profile is an individual’s employer. And without it, you may be leaving thousands of dollars in matching gifts or volunteer grants unclaimed. However, simply knowing where a donor works allows you to identify their eligibility for corporate giving programs, tailor outreach messages, and segment communications based on employer partnerships or matching opportunities.
In short, complete and accurate workplace giving donor profiles enable your team to:
- Identify workplace giving opportunities like matching gifts, volunteer grants, and payroll giving programs more efficiently
- Increase participation rates by targeting eligible supporters with tailored engagement information
- Strengthen corporate relationships by demonstrating shared support and rallying donors to advocate on your behalf
- Enhance personalization in your appeals and stewardship efforts, demonstrating a deep knowledge of your supporter base
The more you know about your donors—including their employing companies—the more strategic and successful your workplace giving campaigns will be. That’s why maintaining complete profiles isn’t just helpful; it’s mission-critical.
How does appending employer data help?
Appending employer data is a strategic way to strengthen your donor database by filling in one of its most valuable gaps: where your supporters work. This process utilizes extensive third-party data sources to match your donors with their likely employers, based on identifying details such as name, email, or postal address.
The result? Richer, more actionable workplace giving donor profiles that drive greater fundraising impact.
Here’s how employer appending specifically helps your nonprofit:
- It Uncovers Employee Giving Opportunities: Many companies offer employee giving programs, but if you don’t know where your donors work, you can’t alert them to these opportunities. Appending employer data allows you to proactively identify eligible donors and guide them through the participation process.
- It Improves Campaign Segmentation and Personalization: With employer data on hand, you can tailor your messaging to resonate with specific workplace audiences or corporate partners. For example, consider sending targeted emails to employees of a company running a giving campaign or creating custom donation appeals aligned with that employer’s CSR priorities.
- It Fills Data Gaps and Keeps Records Current: Donor records can become outdated quickly, especially if employment changes aren’t captured regularly. Appending services help refresh your data, ensuring your team has the most accurate and complete information to work with.
- It Strengthens Corporate Partnership Opportunities: When you know which companies your donors work for, you gain insight into potential corporate sponsors or partners. This data can help you identify shared connections and demonstrate employee engagement when approaching companies for in-kind donations, sponsorships, grants, or expanded giving initiatives.
In short, employer appending transforms donor records from passive assets into strategic fundraising tools. By providing you with the employer-focused insights you need, it powers more innovative outreach, better workplace giving outcomes, and stronger donor relationships.
Getting started with employer appends for workplace giving
Employer appending can open new doors for workplace giving. Still, like any data-driven initiative, it works best with thoughtful preparation and execution. The process is relatively straightforward, but taking the proper steps up front will ensure you get the most value out of your appended data.
Below is a step-by-step guide to help your nonprofit get started the right way.
1. Assess the Quality of Your Existing Data
Before you begin the appending process, take time to review and clean your current donor database. After all, the success of an employer append depends heavily on the quality of the data you provide. If your records contain outdated contact information, misspellings, duplicate entries, or inconsistent formats, your match rate will likely suffer.
Key actions to take at this step include:
- Removing duplicate records.
- Standardizing naming conventions (e.g., using full names instead of initials).
- Verifying email addresses and mailing addresses.
- Filling in missing fields where possible.
Well-organized donor information not only improves your append results but also helps downstream fundraising and communications efforts. It’s great to start the process with fresh, clean data in order to drive the best results overall.
2. Choose a Trusted Data Append Provider
As it comes to data appending, selecting the right partner for your efforts is crucial. This enables you to avoid common employer appending mistakes and maximize the accuracy, relevance, and long-term value of your workplace giving donor profiles.
For the best results, a reliable append service should use verified and frequently updated employment databases, offer transparent match methodologies, and ensure overall data accuracy and integrity.
What to look for:
- Experience working with nonprofits and schools.
- High match rates and data accuracy guarantees.
- Clear pricing structure—such as flat fee vs. per-match pricing.
- Strong security and confidentiality policies.
- Detailed workplace giving eligibility insights and next steps.
When selecting the right employer appends service, keep in mind that the more actionable the information they provide, the more you’ll be able to do with it for your cause.
3. Define Your Goals and Use Cases
Before diving into the appending process, be sure to clarify why you want to append employer data. The more specific your goals, the easier it will be to measure success and apply the new data effectively.
Common use cases include:
- Identifying and targeting donors eligible for corporate matching gifts.
- Uncovering volunteers who qualify for corporate volunteer incentives.
- Triggering communications to employees of specific companies.
- Discovering potential corporate sponsorship or grant opportunities.
All in all, realizing your goals will also help you prioritize which data fields matter most (company name, job title, industry, location, workplace giving eligibility, etc.), allowing you to adjust your appends process accordingly.
4. Upload and Append Your Donor Records
At this point in the process, it’s time to submit your file to your selected appends provider. Most services accept CSV or Excel files and require only a few basic fields—commonly donor name, email, mailing address, or phone number—for matching purposes.
Here are some tips for a smoother upload:
- Include as many identifiers as possible to increase the accuracy of matches.
- Make sure your data is formatted according to the provider’s guidelines.
- Label fields clearly (e.g., “First Name,” “Last Name,” “Email Address,” etc.).
Once you upload your data file, you’ve done your part! While turnaround times can vary, most providers will return results within a few days to a week.
5. Integrate and Act on the Data
Once your results come back, don’t let the data sit unused. Look for ways to use the appended employer information alongside your workplace giving platform—like Double the Donation—to identify matching gift opportunities, trigger outreach, or prioritize volunteer grant follow-up. The goal is to make the data actionable, fueling segmentation, outreach, and campaigns tied to employer-based giving.
Examples of how to use appended data:
- Send a custom email to donors at companies that offer matching gifts, linking them to their employer’s submission form.
- Create segmented content for existing volunteers who work at companies with volunteer incentive programs, encouraging them to tap into their workplace benefits.
- Organize a payroll giving drive, where you encourage eligible employees to enroll in their companies’ payroll giving programs on your behalf.
- Encourage a supporter who works at a company with an in-kind donation or grant program to advocate for your organization as a potential recipient.
- At the very least, make sure your team understands how to use the new data and update relevant workflows accordingly.
6. Keep It Fresh
Employment data changes frequently—people change jobs, companies merge, and positions shift. To maintain accuracy, plan to run employer appends on a regular basis (every 6 to 12 months is typical).
Check out these tips for ongoing data hygiene:
- Schedule regular audits and data refreshes.
- Encourage supporters to update their employment info on donation forms, volunteer registrations, or email follow-ups.
- Track employer engagement metrics to inform future corporate outreach.
Keeping your workplace giving donor profiles up to date ensures that your campaigns remain relevant and your workplace giving outreach is as effective as possible.
By following these steps, you’ll be well on your way to building a more powerful, data-enriched fundraising program. With stronger employer insights, your team can unlock new corporate giving opportunities, personalize workplace giving outreach, and ultimately raise more for your mission.
Wrapping up & additional workplace giving appends resources
A strong workplace giving program starts with strong donor data. Luckily, employer appending offers nonprofits a smart, efficient way to enrich donor profiles, uncover new workplace giving opportunities, and create increasingly personalized outreach. By simply identifying where your donors work, you can gain valuable insights that fuel deeper engagement and facilitate fundraising success.
If you’re looking to maximize your workplace giving efforts, employer appending is a strategic step you can’t afford to skip. Now is the time to take a closer look at your donor records—and fill in the missing pieces that could make all the difference.
Interested in learning more about employer appends and their impact on workplace giving? Check out the additional resources below:
- The Ultimate Guide to Employer Appends for Fundraisers. Looking to deepen your understanding of employer appends? This comprehensive guide walks you through the entire process—from how employer data is collected to how it’s used to boost donor engagement and matching gift revenue.
- What Your Employer Appends Might Be Missing—and Why it Matters. This article uncovers common gaps in employer appends and the hidden impact they can have on your workplace giving. Learn what to look for, how to spot inaccuracies, and steps you can take to ensure your data is maximized.
- Free Download: Guide to Developing a Workplace Giving Plan. Ready to take your appended employer data to the next level? Download our free guide to building a successful workplace giving plan. This resource provides the tools you need to establish a program that drives results.
