9 Top Strategies to Maximize Workplace Giving at Your Org
Employee giving programs present a valuable opportunity for nonprofits to build sustainable funding, engage new supporters, and deepen relationships with corporate partners. However, to fully benefit from these programs and maximize workplace giving success, nonprofits must take an active role in promoting and optimizing their participation.
Taking a passive approach is no longer enough. Instead, strategic engagement is key to maximizing donations and long-term support.
In this blog, we’ll explore nine top strategies to help your nonprofit unlock the full potential of workplace giving and increase its impact overall. These include:
- Forming a dedicated workplace giving committee.
- Raising awareness of workplace giving programs.
- Collecting employment data as supporters engage.
- Investing in software to identify workplace giving opportunities.
- Establishing one-off workplace giving partnerships.
- Reminding donors to request matching gifts.
- Encouraging volunteers to request volunteer grants.
- Educating supporters about payroll giving.
- Recognizing and appreciating workplace giving participants.
By implementing these expert strategies, your nonprofit can take a more active approach to workplace giving, ensuring that no opportunity for support goes unnoticed. Let’s begin!
1. Form a dedicated workplace giving committee.
A strong workplace giving program requires intentional effort and ongoing engagement, which is why forming a dedicated workplace giving committee can be a game-changer for your nonprofit. Once established, this committee can help drive participation, build relationships with corporate partners, and ensure that workplace giving remains a strategic priority for your organization.
In other words, having a dedicated team focused on workplace giving ensures that efforts don’t become an afterthought.
To ensure long-term success, your workplace giving committee should meet regularly to discuss goals, review progress, and adapt your strategies as needed. Additionally, providing committee members with resources and training on workplace giving and related trends will help them stay informed and effective in their roles to seize emerging opportunities.
2. Raise awareness of workplace giving programs.
Even if a workplace giving program exists, many of the company’s employees may not know about it or fully understand how to participate. Raising awareness is crucial to increasing engagement and ensuring that more individuals take advantage of these giving opportunities.
Here are some effective strategies to ensure workplace giving stays top-of-mind for your supporters:
- Integrate Workplace Giving into Your Communication Channels. Add a dedicated section about workplace giving to your nonprofit’s website, include information in donor newsletters, email campaigns, and social media posts, and share testimonials and success stories from donors who have participated in workplace giving in the past.
- Leverage Corporate Partners for Promotion. Work with companies’ HR and corporate social responsibility teams to promote workplace giving internally. Ask companies to highlight your nonprofit as a giving option in their employee communications and provide businesses with promotional materials, such as flyers and email templates, to distribute to employees.
- Educate Supporters During the Engagement Process. Include a reminder about workplace giving on your donation pages, event registration forms, and gift thank-you screens. Then, use automated emails to prompt supporters to check if their employer offers a workplace giving program.
Raising awareness isn’t a one-time effort. The best results require ongoing promotion to keep workplace giving at the top of people’s minds.
The more frequently and clearly you communicate these opportunities, the more likely employees will participate. After all, a well-informed donor is more likely to take advantage of these programs, helping your organization maximize its impact.
3. Collect employment data as supporters engage.
One of the most effective ways to maximize workplace giving is to collect employment data from your supporters. After all, many of your donors are likely eligible for workplace giving programs, such as matching gifts and volunteer grants. However, your nonprofit may never know unless you ask.
Here are some simple yet effective ways to gather employment information from your supporters:
- Include an Employment Field on Donation Forms. Add a field asking for employer details on your online and offline donation forms. For better conversion results, let users know why you’re collecting the information: to unlock workplace giving potential!
- Gather Employment Data in Volunteer Sign-ups. Volunteers can qualify for workplace giving programs, too! Make it easy to uncover opportunities by collecting employment information as volunteers sign up to support your cause.
- Ask for Employer Information During Event Registrations. Whether it’s a fundraising gala, walkathon, or charity auction, collect employment data when supporters register.
- Implement Post-Engagement Touchpoints. After an individual gives or registers for an event, send a follow-up letting them know that workplace giving participation can multiply their impact and providing another chance to share their employer’s name.
Once you’ve collected employment data, be sure to put it to good use.
By making employment data collection a routine part of donor engagement, your nonprofit can unlock hidden workplace giving potential and increase revenue with minimal additional effort. The more you know about where your supporters work, the better positioned you’ll be to help them amplify their impact.
4. Invest in software to identify workplace giving opportunities.
Workplace giving programs offer a significant fundraising opportunity, but manually identifying and managing these programs can be overwhelming. Investing in the right software can streamline the process, helping your nonprofit uncover opportunities, track donor eligibility, and increase workplace giving participation with minimal administrative effort.
More specifically, workplace giving software like Double the Donation can do the following:
- Automatically identify donors who work for companies with matching gift or volunteer incentive programs.
- Provide donors with easy access to their employer’s giving policies and submission forms.
- Streamline tracking and reporting, ensuring no opportunity is missed.
- Reduce administrative burden, allowing staff to focus on donor engagement rather than manual research.
By leveraging software to identify and pursue workplace giving opportunities, your organization can significantly increase incoming revenue, reduce administrative burdens, and make it easier for supporters to maximize their impact.
5. Establish one-off workplace giving partnerships.
Not all companies have formal workplace giving programs in place, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t open to supporting their employees’ charitable interests. If your nonprofit identifies a business where multiple employees are already donating or volunteering, this presents a perfect opportunity to establish a one-off workplace giving partnership.
To find the best companies to approach for a workplace giving partnership, start by reviewing donor and volunteer data to identify businesses where employees are actively involved. You might even ask supporters if they’d be willing to advocate for such a program on your behalf—or, at the very least, make a warm introduction for your cause.
Once you’ve identified a company with interested staff, craft a compelling proposal that highlights the benefits of a one-off initiative. Your pitch should include:
- Proof of employee interest — Provide data showing that a sizable group of employees has already donated or volunteered with your nonprofit.
- A simple way to get involved — Suggest an easy-to-implement initiative, such as a limited-time matching gift campaign, volunteer support program, or company-sponsored fundraising challenge.
- The business benefits — Explain how the partnership enhances employee engagement, strengthens corporate social responsibility (CSR), and aligns with the company’s values.
- A timeline and clear next steps — Make it as easy as possible for the company to say yes by offering a structured plan and direct point of contact.
By proactively establishing exclusive workplace giving partnerships, your nonprofit can tap into new corporate funding sources, deepen relationships with supporters’ employers, and even convert temporary giving initiatives into long-term corporate partnerships. It’s a win-win for everyone involved!
6. Remind donors to request matching gifts.
One of the most effective ways to maximize workplace giving is by reminding donors to request matching gifts from their employers. Thousands of companies offer matching gift programs, but a large number of donors fail to take full advantage of these opportunities.
By proactively reminding donors about matching gifts, your nonprofit can significantly increase the impact of each donation and cultivate a stronger culture of giving.
To ensure that donors remember to request matching gifts, your nonprofit must actively remind them about the process. Here are several effective strategies to maximize matching gift participation:
- Include Matching Gift Information on Thank-You Pages. As soon as a donor completes a transaction on your website, direct them to a confirmation or thank-you page that includes a reminder about matching gifts as a recommended next step. You can even offer a link to a search tool where donors can quickly check if their employer offers matching gifts.
- Send Dedicated Reminder Emails. After a donor makes a gift, send an email specifically asking them to check if their employer offers matching gifts—and to complete a request if so. For the best results, include clear, easy-to-follow instructions for submitting the matching gift request and provide links to the appropriate matching gift portal.
- Leverage Social Media. Post regular reminders on your social media channels about the impact of matching gifts and how easy it is for supporters to take part. You can even share stories of donors whose gifts were matched, showcasing the enhanced impact of their contributions.
As donors submit their matching gift requests, track their progress and follow up with additional reminders if necessary. By actively reminding donors to request matching gifts, your nonprofit can maximize the value of each donation.
7. Encourage volunteers to request volunteer grants.
Many companies offer volunteer grant programs, where they donate a set amount of money to a charitable organization based on the number of hours an employee volunteers. For example, if an employee serves 10 hours at your nonprofit, their employer might donate $100 (or more) to your cause.
Unfortunately, these grants are often overlooked. But by reminding and encouraging volunteers to request the funding, your nonprofit can unlock additional revenue with little effort. After all, it’s a simple and effective way to maximize the impact of your volunteers’ contributions while strengthening relationships with corporate partners.
Here are some effective ways to remind volunteers about volunteer grants—and ensure they request them:
- Highlight Volunteer Grant Opportunities During Sign-Up. When volunteers register for events or shifts, include a reminder about volunteer grants. You can even add an employer search tool for easy access to company-specific volunteer grant information!
- Send a Post-Event Volunteer Grant Reminder. After a volunteer event or activity, send an email or text message reminding volunteers to submit their hours for volunteer grants.
- Provide Clear Instructions. Include a simple guide or step-by-step instructions on how volunteers can apply for volunteer grants from their employers. This could be on your website, in email follow-ups, or on social media.
By actively encouraging volunteers to request volunteer grants, your nonprofit can generate additional funding and better engage with supporters. Helping volunteers access this benefit is an easy way to make their time with your organization even more impactful.
8. Educate supporters about payroll giving.
Payroll giving is an easy, consistent, and effective way for employees to donate to their favorite causes directly from their paychecks. By educating supporters about the opportunity, you can provide them with a simple method to contribute regularly to your nonprofit. This ultimately leads to increasingly steady and reliable funding while building a more engaged donor base.
However, many supporters may not realize how easy it is to set up payroll giving—or even that it’s available to them. This is where education comes in.
To help your supporters take full advantage of payroll giving opportunities, your nonprofit must provide clear and accessible information about the process and how they can get started. Here’s how you can do so:
- Promote Payroll Giving as a Consistent Giving Option: In addition to one-time donations, encourage supporters to set up payroll giving as a reliable and ongoing way to contribute.
- Combine Payroll Giving with Other Campaigns: If you’re running a special fundraising campaign, like a year-end appeal or giving day, remind your supporters that they can also donate through payroll giving, which can be just as impactful over time.
- Offer Incentives: Reward supporters who sign up for payroll giving with recognition or exclusive updates about the impact of their ongoing contributions. For example, donors who commit to a certain level of payroll giving could receive special recognition on your website or in your newsletters—or a free branded t-shirt.
Plus, don’t forget to remind your supporters about employer matching opportunities here, too. Many companies will match donations made through payroll giving, doubling (or more) the value of each gift.
9. Recognize and appreciate workplace giving participants.
One of the most effective ways to encourage continued support through workplace giving programs is to show appreciation for those who contribute.
When supporters feel valued and seen, they are more likely to continue their involvement, inspire others to join, and even increase their contributions over time.
Luckily, there are many ways to recognize and show appreciation to those who support your cause through workplace giving. Here are a few ideas to make them feel truly appreciated:
- Personalized Thank-You Notes — Send personalized thank-you notes to each workplace giving participant. Express the impact their contribution has made, whether it’s supporting a program, reaching a fundraising goal, or furthering your nonprofit’s mission.
- Feature Donors in Communications — Recognize donors in newsletters, social media posts, or on your website. A simple shout-out can not only make the donor feel special but also inspire others to get involved.
- Share Impact Reports — Provide updates on how workplace giving contributions are being used to further your mission. Donors love to know how their support is making a difference. Provide tangible examples—such as success stories, photos, or financial reports—to demonstrate the real-world impact of their contributions.
- Incorporate Employer Recognition — Recognize the companies that support your nonprofit through workplace giving programs, too. You can publicly thank these businesses in your communications or acknowledge their efforts in annual reports, newsletters, or social media.
All in all, recognizing workplace giving participants helps create a lasting connection between donors, companies, and your nonprofit. By consistently showing appreciation and making donors feel part of your organization’s success, you’re building a community of supporters who are more likely to remain loyal to your cause for years to come.
Final thoughts & additional workplace giving resources
By leveraging these strategies, your nonprofit can strengthen workplace giving partnerships, increase supporter participation, and secure more sustainable funding for your cause. Engaging employees, building relationships with corporate partners, and making it easy for donors to participate are all essential steps toward long-term success.
Keep in mind that with a proactive approach like this, your organization can transform workplace giving into a powerful tool for growth and impact. Start implementing these strategies today to maximize support for your mission!
Interested in learning more about maximizing workplace giving for your cause? Check out these additional resources:
- Free Download: Guide to Developing a Workplace Giving Plan. Get started with workplace giving by developing a well-thought-out plan for your efforts. This free downloadable resource will walk you through it step by step!
- Tips for Tracking & Pursuing Corporate Giving Opportunities. Uncover our top tips and tricks for tracking and pursuing corporate giving with ease. This blog outlines leading strategies for raising more through corporate giving.
- Get to Know the Basics of Corporate Matching Gift Programs. Matching gifts are one of the most popular forms of workplace giving. Learn everything there is to know about these programs in our complete guide!
15 Member Engagement Strategies for Growing Associations
Picture this: a new member joins your association, signs up for your mailing list, and attends your major annual conference. However, you don’t hear from them again until it’s time for next year’s event. With few activities between events, members eventually drop off, leaving your association inactive and with declining membership.
Avoid this scenario by keeping your members engaged all year round. With the right strategies and software, you can connect with new members and cultivate an active, loyal membership base.
To help your association build and maintain its community, this guide will explore top member engagement strategies. But first, let’s explore exactly what member engagement is.
What is member engagement?
The trade and association experts at Tradewing define member engagement as: “all the ways members interact with your association. When members attend events, comment on your blog posts, or message one another, they’re engaging with your association.”
Essentially, any activity or content your association provides members is an opportunity for engagement. When members engage with your association, they can expand their professional skills, make connections, and enrich your community.
Why is member engagement important?
Associations with engaged membership bases have dedicated communities they can count on to generate revenue, attend events, and spread positive word-of-mouth marketing. Specifically, by engaging members, your association can improve its:
- Value offering. Ultimately, your association’s membership benefits are engagement activities and content. Finding new ways to engage your members improves your offerings and increases your membership’s value.
- Retention. When members enjoy interfacing with your content and participating in activities, they are more likely to continue doing so in the future. Building relationships with your members and providing them with value can boost renewal rates and fight member lapse.
- Recruitment. An engaged membership base is one of your strongest recruiting tools. Members who are connected to your association are more likely to recommend joining to their friends, family, and colleagues, boosting your member acquisition potential.
When your members are engaged, your association does what it set out to do: provide resources and opportunities to professionals in your field. By expanding your offerings and improving the membership experience, you can build a passionate community of talented individuals ready to help, educate, and uplift one another.
15 Member Engagement Strategies
1. Build and maintain an online community.
Many associations host just a handful of in-person gatherings a year. While these events are valuable, members may feel disengaged in between them.
Keep your community connected to your association and provide valuable benefits year-round by building an active online community. Invest in a community engagement platform where members can message one another and engage with your association online.
Community engagement platforms create social media-like microsites just for your members. Using this tool, you can engage members by:
- Posting a range of content. Share research reports, opinion pieces, analysis videos, and other interesting content on your community platform. This gives members exclusive access to your high-value content and the opportunity to discuss it with other members.
- Encouraging conversation. Your online community platform gives members the ability to freely network with one another in a casual, low-stress environment. Encourage members to make these connections by posting conversation starters, like open questions and debate topics. For example, you might ask members what is one thing they wish they knew when first entering your industry or their thoughts on a new trend in your sector.
- Hosting virtual events. For members who can’t attend in-person events or wish to attend more events, you can meet their needs by hosting virtual gatherings through your engagement platform. These might be lectures or workshops hosted by a guest speaker or casual coffee hours where attendees can set the tone of the conversations.
If you’re looking for a community engagement platform, we recommend Tradewing, our favorite provider for trade and professional associations.
2. Promote relevant sponsor content.
Sponsors provide the funding your association needs to host major events, plan innovative activities, and provide a quality membership experience. As such, it’s easy to think of sponsors as merely a funding source rather than a potential value add for members.
Rather than viewing sponsored content as something your members would need to flip past in a brochure or scroll through online, cultivate relationships with sponsors who bring products and services that genuinely benefit your members.
To cultivate mutually beneficial relationships with sponsors that help boost member engagement, be sure to:
- Consider your value alignment. Don’t simply partner with any organization that offers you money. Instead, consider each sponsor’s values and business goals and if they align with your association’s. For example, an association for high school teachers could benefit members by partnering with sponsors dedicated to education, like a textbook publisher.
- Provide adequate sponsorship tools. Enable sponsors to get their content in front of members meaningfully without interfering with your other offerings. For instance, you might create a dedicated space in your online community for sponsored content and encourage sponsors to create profiles but disallow them from directly messaging members.
- Set clear expectations. The key to a successful sponsorship deal is ensuring everyone understands what is expected of them and what they can gain from the partnership. Discuss how sponsors should engage with members to provide useful offerings without pushing their advertisements too heavily.
To brainstorm potential sponsors, survey your members about the types of products and surveys they would be interested in. This exercise can help you identify sponsors your members are interested in engaging with, benefiting both your members and business partners.
3. Keep your content up-to-date.
Members are more likely to engage with content that provides timely insight into relevant happenings in your industry. Ensure your content is valuable and up-to-date with current trends by:
- Subscribing to industry publications. Peruse news publications, research journals, and other trusted news sources for your field. Read up on what professionals in your field are experiencing in their day-to-day lives, and consider how you can create content that speaks to them. For instance, you might discover that AI implementation is a major concern in your industry and publish a blog post about the ethics of AI and how members can use it to their advantage.
- Attending conferences. Check in with other association leaders and industry experts by attending major conferences in your field. These are opportunities to promote your offerings and learn insights from others. For example, you might compare your membership sales pitch to a similar association’s or attend a workshop about the future of your sector.
- Bringing in external experts. Provide members with additional value and expand your offerings by inviting outside experts to speak to your members. You might ask them to write blog content, attend an event as a speaker, or host a Q&A with your members.
When you create new, valuable content, you can use it to not only engage your current member base but also recruit new members. Ensure all content is optimized for search engines so pieces available to the general public can easily discover and engage with it.
4. Implement gamification.
Do you know anyone addicted to daily apps like Duolingo? These platforms keep users engaged by turning their content into a game. For instance, rather than simply taking language lessons, Duolingo users are challenged to earn points, compete against one another, and rank up in exclusive leagues.
This concept is known as gamification, and it can encourage your users to continually check in with your association. Use your association and community management software to gamify your member experience with features like:
- Leaderboards
- Point systems
- Badges
- Daily challenges
For many associations, the only reward for gamification-related activities is personal satisfaction, but some have tangible benefits. For instance, if members earn a certain number of points by participating in your community, you might award them a discount on your merchandise store or a ticket for an upcoming event.
5. Identify at-risk members.
The best way to prevent member lapse and keep engagement high is to spot members at risk of leaving. Follow these steps to pinpoint low-engagement members and bring them back into your community:
- Identify at-risk markers. Use your community engagement tools to monitor member behavior and spot trends in lapsed members. For instance, you might notice members leave after completing a certain number of education courses or that lapsed members’ posting rate significantly decreases before their departure.
- Send a re-engagement message. This message should include interesting content, a low-effort ask that encourages engagement, or a sense of urgency. For example, you might send an email with a subject line like, “Our community misses you!” with an attached message sharing highlights from your community and links to popular discussion posts.
- Monitor engagement. After reaching out to an at-risk member, continue to monitor their engagement. If they respond positively, keep up your efforts until they resume normal engagement. If they do lapse, ask them to complete an exit survey so you can better understand their reasons for leaving.
Be aware that some of your members may be content with attending a handful of in-person events and otherwise not participating in your online community. However, if a previously active member suddenly misses their first membership renewal deadline, that is a strong cause to reach out and begin re-engagement efforts.
6. Launch a mentorship program.
New members may feel overwhelmed when they first join your association. Ensure they feel welcome and give them an opportunity to connect with your community by launching a mentorship program.
In this initiative, established members can volunteer to serve as mentors. They will guide new members assigned to them by reaching out via email or your community platform to share insights on engaging with your community.
Primarily, mentors can help new members start their networking journeys. They might facilitate introductions at events or share tips on navigating your member directory to find individuals with similar interests.
7. Use event engagement tools.
Online events allow your community to come together from the comfort of their own homes. However, it’s easy to become disengaged with webinars and lectures where the audience is expected to sit quietly and observe.
You can make your virtual events more valuable and connect with your members by using your event software’s engagement tools, such as:
- Audience chat. Let members speak to one another during your event through a live text chat. Have active moderators there to answer audience questions, pose discussion topics, and ensure conversations are appropriate.
- Polls and surveys. Make your audience a part of your events by issuing interactive polls and surveys. For example, a speaker might ask your audience how familiar they are with a specific topic to gauge knowledge levels or prove a point about general awareness.
- Break-out rooms. Enable attendees to chat with one another by putting them in break-out rooms. This feature is particularly effective for associations hosting courses with live instructors, as it allows learners to work together and share their thoughts with others.
When researching event tools, consider looking for a community engagement platform with event hosting tools. While dedicated event software is likely to be more robust, associations on a budget can save money by buying a bundled platform.
8. Design an onboarding process.
Help new members start their experience with your association off on the right foot with an onboarding process. Onboarding can be as simple as an email cadence that introduces your association, highlights new content, and invites members to check out popular features.
For example, your first introductory email might provide background on your association’s mission and prompt members to join your online community by completing their member profiles. Then, a follow-up email would highlight popular offerings, such as your educational courses, and explain how to get involved. The next message after that might share links to popular new content, and so on.
9. Promote user-generated content.
Your association’s team works hard, but ultimately, between research, writing, and video production, they can only produce so much content. To ensure your members have a continual stream of content to engage with, empower them to create content themselves.
User-generated content is how popular social media sites thrive. For instance, LinkedIn’s team relies on its user base to create and share content with other users.
Inspire your members to create user-generated content, like:
- Blog posts
- Reviews
- Photographs
- Videos
- Discussion questions
You can encourage user-generated content by maintaining an online community inviting members to post their creations, comment positively on original content, and even spotlight high-value content in your newsletter.
10. Practice member appreciation.
Businesses thank customers for purchasing their products and services, and your association should do the same for its members. When members renew their memberships, attend an event, or hit a membership milestone, thank them for participating in your community.
A few ways you can show your appreciation include:
- Free merchandise. Send members gifts of branded merchandise on special occasions. For instance, you might send gifts as part of new member welcome kits, when members hit membership anniversaries, during holidays, and to promote upcoming major events at your association.
- Member spotlights. Build social proof and appreciate your members simultaneously with member spotlights. Select highly engaged members and ask them to share a quote or two about their experience with your association. Then, feature their stories and photos in your newsletter, online community, social media, or website to celebrate them publicly.
- eCards. Make appreciation fast and memorable with eCards. Design custom eCards to show appreciation for big and small events, from buying your merchandise or completing a credential course to being a member for five years straight.
By showing appreciation, you communicate to members that you care about their experiences and encourage them to continue engaging with your offerings.
11. Host a range of activities.
Expanding your benefits can engage your current membership base and improve your value offering. The more activities you offer, the more opportunities members will have to engage with your association. Additionally, providing a range of content allows you to appeal to various audiences, growing your membership base.
For instance, you might offer:
- In-person events
- Virtual events
- Educational courses
- Webinars
- Lectures
- Workshops
- Written content
- Videos
When it comes to the topics your content covers, stay focused on your association’s main purpose. Avoid stretching yourself too thin or covering topics outside your expertise simply because they’re popular. Sticking to your association’s mission ensures that you will produce varied and valuable content.
12. Personalize the member experience.
Provide members with content they want to engage with by customizing their experiences based on their interests.
Leverage member management tools with algorithms and AI features that can analyze members’ past engagement to recommend content. For instance, after a member finishes an educational course, you might start promoting the next one in the series or suggest they attend an upcoming webinar on the same topic.
You can also personalize the membership experience through your messaging strategy. Segment members based on shared characteristics, such as career levels or professional interests. Then, create unique messaging cadences for each group to ensure they receive content relevant to them.
For example, you might create a member segment of individuals looking to break into your field. For these members, send them updates to your job board, invitations to networking events, and skill training workshops. In contrast, to senior members, you might still promote networking events but also articles about recent developments in your field and calls to join your mentorship program to welcome new members.
13. Offer volunteer opportunities.
Some already engaged members may be interested in getting even more involved with your association. For these motivated members, deepen their engagement by asking them to consider volunteering at your association.
Talk with interested association members to determine how they can best lend their skills. For example, members with strong communication skills might help create marketing materials, while those who speak other languages might be willing to do translation work.
14. Maintain a job board.
Ultimately, individuals join trade and professional associations to advance their career prospects. For many, this involves finding new employment opportunities. Engage these members by providing a curated job board.
While job hosting websites like Indeed and LinkedIn have their uses, they can be difficult to navigate or even host scam opportunities. By maintaining a job board of reliable positions at trusted businesses, you can help your members find secure employment.
Use your engagement platform to host your job board and promote new postings. For example, you might enable members to subscribe to your job board to receive alerts when new opportunities go live.
15. Collect member feedback.
If you’re unsure why members aren’t engaging with your association or what programming they would like to engage with, simply ask them. Send out surveys asking members about their experiences with your association. For example, you might ask:
- What programs and content have you participated in over the last six months?
- Were these programs and content easy to engage with? Why or why not?
- How did you become aware of these programs and content?
- What type of content would you like to see from our association?
- What prevents you from accessing your benefits?
The responses can provide insight into your members’ specific interests, goals, and challenges regarding engagement. For instance, you might discover that members simply aren’t aware of new engagement opportunities or that they would prefer activities they can complete in a short time period to accommodate their busy schedules.
Our Favorite Member Engagement Tool: Tradewing
Maintaining an active online community is our top member engagement strategy. To implement this strategy, you’ll need a member engagement and community hosting tool. Our recommended platform for professional and trade associations is Tradewing.
Built for small and growing associations, Tradewing is an out-of-the-box ready online community engagement platform. By investing in Tradewing, your association will have access to a host of community management tools, including:
- Online engagement platform. Tradewing provides associations with a social media-like microsite where members can connect. While some small associations may opt to host their communities on social media, Tradewing provides a secure and professional where the focus will be solely on your association.
- Member analytics. Track how your members are engaging with your association. Dive into individual members’ engagement histories or get overviews of your entire community to identify trends in member behavior.
- Event hosting. Save money by hosting your events through Tradewing rather than investing in a separate event management tool. Promote and launch virtual events on the same platform to keep members focused and make attending easy.
- Sponsorship engagement tools. Sponsors are a core part of your association’s community. Provide them with the tools they need to connect with your members, promote their offerings, and have a valuable experience with your association.
- Association integrations. Tradewing has an association management component. However, thanks to its numerous integrations, organizations solely interested in the online community software aspect can still use Tradewing. Plug Tradewing into your association’s tech stack to get your online community up and running in minutes.
Tradewing is the ideal community engagement platform for associations looking for a fast, user-friendly solution. Avoid the hassle of extensive development and high subscription costs with a platform that fits your association’s needs.
More Member Engagement Resources
By engaging your members, your association can retain them long-term and build a thriving community that attracts more supporters and establishes your organization as an industry leader. To raise your engagement rates, assess your membership base and consider which of our top engagement strategies will likely resonate with your audience.
For more help engaging your members and keeping your association organized, check out these resources:
- Top Data Hygiene Best Practices for Nonprofit Organizations. Data hygiene is important for all member-based organizations. Discover how you can keep your information clean and usable year after year.
- 6 Excellent Higher Logic Alternatives: Comparing Features. Higher Logic is a top community engagement platform, but it has an intimidating learning curve. To find an alternative solution for your association, check out these comparable platforms.
- 7 Leading Hivebrite Alternatives To Power Your Organization. Hivebrite is one of the most well-known member engagement platforms available. However, due to its cost and customization requirements, it may not be the best fit for every association. Check out these top recommended alternatives.
Tips for Tracking & Pursuing Corporate Giving Opportunities
Corporate giving can be a game-changer for nonprofits and businesses alike. Whether you’re seeking grants, sponsorships, or matching gifts, tracking and pursuing corporate giving opportunities requires strategy, persistence, and organization.
With companies increasingly prioritizing social impact, there are more chances than ever to secure funding and build long-term partnerships. In this post, we’ll share key tips to help you effectively identify, track, and pursue corporate giving programs within your network, ensuring your organization maximizes its fundraising potential.
Specifically, we’ll cover the following practices:
- Form a consolidated corporate giving team.
- Stay informed about corporate philanthropy.
- Enlist a comprehensive CRM system.
- Consider a corporate giving tool like Double the Donation.
- Leverage supporter employment information.
- Encourage workplace giving participation among supporters.
- Rally employees as corporate giving ambassadors.
- Segment and personalize corporate giving outreach.
- Develop corporate sponsorship proposals.
- Network with corporate partners.
- Track program deadlines and requirements.
- Analyze corporate giving data.
Ready to make the most of corporate giving for your cause? Let’s dive in with our first expert tip.
1. Form a consolidated corporate giving team.
When it comes to corporate giving, a major problem that many causes face centers on who’s in charge of managing this funding stream. Many nonprofits ultimately find that no one is handling it, while others struggle with a splintered approach across the departments of marketing, annual giving, volunteering, and more.
To overcome this challenge and pursue corporate giving opportunities more effectively, each organization should establish a dedicated team (or have a plan for sharing insights across teams). Having a consolidated corporate giving team—whether it’s a small group of dedicated staff members or a cross-functional committee—helps streamline communication and coordination. This group can be responsible for researching and communicating about workplace giving programs, building relationships with potential corporate partners, and managing application processes for grants and sponsorships.
By centralizing these efforts, nonprofits can avoid duplication, stay organized, and ensure consistency in outreach and external messaging.
| Get started! Building a team is the first step in developing a workplace giving roadmap. Access the free guide to kick off your efforts. |
2. Stay informed about corporate philanthropy.
The corporate giving landscape is constantly evolving, with companies adjusting their philanthropic priorities, launching new giving programs, and shifting focus based on social, economic, and industry trends. Nonprofits that stay informed about these changes are better positioned to identify and seize corporate giving opportunities.
To remain current, nonprofits should regularly research corporate giving programs, review annual CSR reports, and subscribe to industry newsletters (like Double the Donation’s!) or philanthropy-focused publications. By staying informed and proactive, nonprofits can align their fundraising strategies with corporate giving trends, ensuring they don’t miss out on valuable funding and partnership opportunities.
| 📚 Recommended Reading: Top Trends in Corporate Philanthropy: How to Tap In |
3. Enlist a comprehensive CRM system.
Managing corporate giving opportunities requires organization, follow-up, and strategic relationship-building. A constituent relationship management (or CRM) system can help nonprofits track interactions, manage donor data, and streamline corporate fundraising efforts.
After all, a robust CRM system allows nonprofits to store detailed information about corporate partners, including past donations, grant application statuses, key contacts, and communication history. By centralizing this data, organizations can maintain consistency in outreach, ensure timely follow-ups, and build stronger, long-term relationships with corporate donors.
Additionally, many CRM platforms offer automation tools that can send reminders for application deadlines, generate reports on fundraising progress, and segment corporate donors based on giving patterns. This helps nonprofits personalize engagement strategies and identify which companies are most likely to renew or increase their contributions. Plus, Double the Donation integrates with most leading CRMs to streamline workplace giving outreach and raise more through programs like matching gifts and volunteer grants! This means donation records from your CRM can flow over into your Double the Donation account so you can automate workplace giving emails and more.
| Check out our recommended partner platforms to find the right solution for your team! |
4. Consider a corporate giving tool like Double the Donation.
Managing corporate giving programs on your own can be complex and time-consuming. That’s where specialized solutions like Double the Donation come in, helping nonprofits maximize corporate giving contributions with little to no added effort.
Double the Donation provides tools that allow nonprofits to easily identify and track corporate giving opportunities like matching gifts, volunteer incentives, corporate sponsorships, and more. Many employees are eligible for these company-sponsored giving programs, but they often don’t realize it. With a tool like Double the Donation, organizations can automate the process by identifying donors who work for companies with the programs, guiding them through the engagement process, and increasing the likelihood of receiving additional corporate funds.
| 💡 See how other organizations are benefitting from Double the Donation. Check out our free case study compilation! |
5. Leverage donor employment information.
One of the most effective yet often overlooked ways to maximize corporate giving is by leveraging your supporters’ employment information. Many companies offer matching gifts, volunteer grants, and other workplace giving initiatives—not to mention broader partnership opportunities—but nonprofits can only take advantage of these programs if they know where their donors work.
Therefore, start by collecting employment details during the engagement process. It can be as simple as adding an optional field to donation or registration forms asking for the name of the individual’s employer. Once employment data is gathered, nonprofits can identify corporate giving opportunities that they (or their donors) may be eligible for.
By proactively tracking and utilizing donor employment information, nonprofits can unlock additional funding, strengthen corporate relationships, and encourage donors to maximize their impact through workplace giving programs.
| 📚 Recommended Reading: Driving Value with Employer Data Throughout the Supporter Lifecycle |
6. Encourage workplace giving participation among supporters.
The #1 reason why workplace giving programs go unutilized is that eligible employees have never been made aware of the opportunities. The solution? Strategic marketing. After all, nonprofits can maximize corporate giving by actively educating and encouraging their supporters to participate in the programs.
Start by raising awareness through email campaigns, social media posts, and website resources that explain workplace giving options. Highlight the impact of these programs—such as how a single matching gift can double a donor’s contribution or how a volunteer grant can turn hours of service into financial support for your cause.
By actively promoting and simplifying workplace giving participation, nonprofits can unlock additional funding while deepening engagement with their donor community.
| Ready to supercharge your efforts? Download the free guide to Developing a Workplace Giving Plan. |
7. Rally employees as corporate giving ambassadors.
One of the most effective ways to strengthen corporate partnerships and maximize giving opportunities is by empowering employees to act as ambassadors for your nonprofit within their workplaces. After all, supporters who are passionate about your cause can be key advocates, helping introduce and promote corporate giving programs from within their companies.
Here’s how:
- Employees can advocate to leadership for new giving programs. A staff member proposes new corporate giving programs by highlighting their benefits. For example, enhancing the company’s reputation, boosting employee engagement, and supporting community needs. The individual can present research, share success stories, and build a case for why leadership should invest in a new charitable initiative, such as a one-off matching gift program.
- Employees can raise staff awareness of existing programs. Employees can spread the word through internal communication channels, host informational sessions, and encourage colleagues to participate in available workplace giving programs.
- Employees can connect your team with the appropriate contacts. Employees who are passionate about a cause can act as a bridge between their company and a nonprofit they support. The individual can introduce nonprofit representatives to key decision-makers, such as corporate social responsibility teams or HR managers, to facilitate potential partnerships. Plus, supporters may even be in leadership positions where they help guide some of those giving decisions and could help you secure in-kind gifts, grants, and more!
In order to support corporate ambassadors as best you can, be sure to provide them with resources such as email templates, informational materials, and essential talking points.
By rallying employees as corporate giving ambassadors, nonprofits can build stronger relationships with businesses, expand their network of corporate donors, and increase overall fundraising success.
| Find out how your supporters can advocate for corporate giving programs with this guide. Then, forward the link to a donor ready to rally for philanthropy on your behalf! |
8. Segment and personalize corporate giving outreach.
A one-size-fits-all approach to corporate giving rarely yields the best results. To maximize corporate fundraising success, nonprofits should segment their outreach and personalize communications based on the type of corporate prospect, past engagement, and giving potential.
Start by categorizing corporate partners into different segments, such as:
- Existing corporate donors – Companies that have previously contributed through sponsorships, grants, or matching gifts.
- Potential corporate partners – Businesses that align with your mission but have not yet engaged.
- Employee-supported companies – Organizations where your donors or volunteers work, making them strong prospects for workplace giving.
Once segmented, tailor your outreach to each group. For existing donors, express gratitude and highlight the impact of their previous support while introducing new opportunities for continued engagement. On the other hand, for new prospects, focus on aligning their corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals with your nonprofit’s mission and demonstrating potential impact. Meanwhile, for employee-supported companies, encourage supporters to advocate for your cause internally, whether by requesting matching gifts or nominating your nonprofit for corporate giving programs.
Using personalized messaging, such as addressing key decision-makers by name and referencing their company’s past philanthropic efforts, can also make a significant difference in response rates. CRM systems and corporate giving tools can help automate segmentation and personalization, ensuring outreach is both strategic and impactful.
| Kick off your outreach efforts with these Templates for Requesting Corporate Sponsorships. |
9. Develop corporate sponsorship proposals.
A well-crafted corporate sponsorship proposal is a powerful tool for securing corporate support. Nonprofits that develop clear, compelling, and tailored proposals are better positioned to attract sponsorships from companies that align with their mission and values.
When creating a corporate sponsorship proposal, start by clearly outlining the benefits for the company. Highlight the visibility and marketing opportunities they’ll receive in exchange for their support, such as branding on materials, social media mentions, and recognition at key events. Make it clear how the sponsorship will help the company meet its own corporate social responsibility goals and connect with its target audience.
Next, be specific about how the sponsorship funds will be used. Show the company exactly what their investment will support, whether it’s funding a specific program, event, or initiative. Provide data and examples to demonstrate the potential impact of their contribution, helping them see the value of being associated with your nonprofit’s work.
From there, you’ll want to personalize the proposal based on the company’s values, past giving history, and any known interests. For example, if a company has a strong focus on environmental sustainability, highlight how your programs support green initiatives. Demonstrating that you’ve done your research will show companies that you understand their priorities and are offering a mutually beneficial partnership.
| 📚 Recommended Reading: How to Write a Statement of Need for Grants [With Template] |
10. Network with corporate partners.
Building and nurturing relationships with corporate partners goes beyond just securing funding—it’s about creating long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships. Networking with corporate partners can open the door to new opportunities, including sponsorships, employee engagement programs, and collaborative events.
Start by attending industry events, conferences, and local business networking meetings. These gatherings provide valuable opportunities to connect with decision-makers and CSR representatives from companies that could be potential corporate partners. Be prepared with an elevator pitch that succinctly explains your nonprofit’s mission, impact, and how corporate partnerships can enhance their own CSR goals.
In addition to in-person events, leverage social media platforms like LinkedIn to connect with corporate leaders and CSR professionals. Engage with their content, share updates about your nonprofit’s achievements, and build rapport before directly reaching out to propose specific partnership opportunities.
Once a connection is established, it’s important to nurture the relationship over time. Keep potential corporate partners informed about your nonprofit’s latest projects, successes, and opportunities for collaboration. Regular communication, whether through email newsletters or informal check-ins, helps keep your nonprofit top of mind for future giving opportunities.
| Double the Donation can help uncover top corporate partnership opportunities. Find out how with this guide! |
11. Track program deadlines and requirements.
One of the most crucial steps in successfully securing corporate giving opportunities is staying on top of deadlines and application requirements for various corporate giving programs, grants, and sponsorships. Missing a deadline or submitting incomplete applications can result in missed opportunities and a potential loss of funding.
To effectively manage these timelines, create a centralized tracking system to monitor the specific deadlines for each corporate program. This could be a simple spreadsheet, a shared Google calendar, or a dedicated section in your nonprofit’s CRM system. Make sure to include important dates such as application submission deadlines, reporting deadlines for past grants, and the announcement of new funding cycles.
In addition to tracking deadlines, it’s essential to thoroughly understand the requirements for each program. Corporate giving programs often have unique guidelines—such as eligibility criteria, specific documentation, or preferred formats for proposals and reports. Keep a detailed record of these requirements and ensure that your team is aligned and prepared to meet them.
| 💡 Learn how Double the Donation’s corporate giving database can help! |
12. Analyze corporate giving data.
To truly maximize corporate giving opportunities, nonprofits must go beyond simply tracking donations—they need to analyze corporate giving data to identify trends, assess the effectiveness of their strategies, and make data-driven decisions moving forward. Understanding which corporate partners are most engaged, which types of giving programs yield the highest returns, and where there is room for improvement can help optimize future fundraising efforts.
Start by regularly reviewing your donor database and CRM system to track key metrics such as the total amount of corporate donations, the frequency of contributions, and the impact of matching gifts or volunteer grants. Pay attention to patterns such as which industries or company sizes tend to give more or which types of programs (matching gifts, event sponsorships, etc.) are more successful for your nonprofit.
Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of your outreach strategies by analyzing response rates to proposals, engagement levels with corporate partners, and the return on investment (ROI) for specific campaigns or programs. If certain strategies aren’t yielding results, use this data to adjust your approach—whether that’s revising your proposals, refining your messaging, or targeting different types of companies.
By consistently analyzing corporate giving data, nonprofits can fine-tune their fundraising strategies, build stronger relationships with corporate partners, and ensure that their time and resources are being used as effectively as possible. Data-driven decisions enable nonprofits to be more strategic and proactive, increasing the likelihood of securing corporate support and maximizing the impact of each partnership.
| Start by tracking and analyzing matching gift data! This guide is here to help: Matching Gift Reporting | Actionable Metrics & Reports |
Wrapping up, next steps & additional resources
Successfully navigating corporate giving opportunities takes effort, but with the right approach, it can yield significant rewards. By incorporating the above strategies in your corporate giving efforts, you can increase your chances of securing companies’ support.
Remember, building strong relationships and demonstrating impact are key to long-term success. Start implementing these practices today and open new doors for funding and collaboration that can drive your mission forward.
Looking to learn more about corporate giving opportunities for your organization? Check out these additional resources:
- Corporate Giving Programs [The Ultimate Fundraising Guide]. This guide breaks down the different types of corporate giving programs, from matching gifts to volunteer grants. Plus, access actionable tips to maximize corporate support.
- Free Download: Guide to Developing a Workplace Giving Plan. Learn how to create an effective workplace giving strategy with this free guide. It covers best practices for engaging supporters, partnering with companies, and increasing fundraising success.
- How to Identify Corporate Partnerships (With Double the Donation). Discover how to secure corporate partnerships that align with your mission. This resource offers expert insights on leveraging corporate philanthropy for greater impact with the right tools.
Enhancing a Donor Profile With Employment Data [A Guide]
A well-rounded donor profile is essential for maximizing fundraising success, and employment information plays a crucial role in enhancing donor engagement and giving potential.
By integrating the right data into your donor profiles, organizations like yours can personalize outreach, increase contributions, and strengthen relationships with supporters alike.
Lucky for you, this guide explores the importance of employment data in your donor profiles, outlines effective collection methods, and highlights strategies for leveraging this information to boost fundraising results.
More specifically, we’ll cover the following:
- What is a donor profile?
- Why employment data matters in donor profiles
- Collecting employment information from supporters
- Leveraging employment data for fundraising success
- Tips for building well-rounded donor profiles
Ready to begin supercharging your donor information with powerful employment insights? Continue reading to find out how.
What is a donor profile?
A donor profile is a comprehensive record of information about an individual supporter. This information helps nonprofits understand their giving behavior, engagement history, and potential for future contributions.
These profiles typically include key details such as:
- Name
- Contact information
- Donation history
- Communication preferences
- Demographic insights
Beyond basic information, an enriched donor profile can also contain insights regarding a donor’s interests, past event participation, volunteer involvement, and—perhaps most importantly—employment details.
By building robust donor profiles, nonprofits can personalize outreach efforts, strengthen relationships, and ultimately increase fundraising success.
Why employment data matters in donor profiles
Employment data is crucial information for nonprofits looking to enhance their fundraising efforts and build stronger relationships with donors. When it comes to establishing well-rounded donor profiles, employer information is an essential piece of the puzzle.
Here’s why:
- It allows you to identify corporate giving opportunities. Tons of donors work for companies with employee giving programs (like matching gifts and volunteer grants), but they may not even know about the opportunities. When you understand where your supporters are employed, your team can uncover programs and encourage donors to get involved, driving engagement and revenue alike.
- It empowers you to personalize your outreach. The more you know about an individual, the better you can tailor your communications for them specifically. Knowing where they work allows you to segment outreach by employer, industry, workplace giving eligibility, and more—ultimately ensuring customized engagement. You can even tailor your messaging based on where an individual is in the matching gift process, thanks to Double the Donation’s new matching gift status updates!
- It permits you to estimate a donor’s giving capacity. Knowing how much an individual could potentially give is essential, and employment data can help you estimate their capacity for supporting your cause.
As you can see, the benefits of including employer data in donor profiles is multifold. If you haven’t already, now is the perfect time to begin incorporating the information in your donors’ records.
Collecting employment information from supporters
Gathering employment data from donors is a crucial step in unlocking fundraising and workplace giving opportunities. However, nonprofits must be strategic in how they collect this information to ensure accuracy and encourage donor participation.
Here are some handy ways to gather employment details from supporters:
- Include Employer Fields on Donation Forms – Adding a simple field for employer information on online and offline donation forms makes it easy for donors to provide their workplace details at the point of giving.
- Ask During Event Registrations – Whether supporters are signing up for a fundraising event, gala, or volunteer opportunity, include a section for employer information in the registration process.
- Leverage Workplace Giving Tools – Platforms like Double the Donation allow donors to quickly search for their employer’s workplace giving programs, often leading them to input their company name while making a donation.
- Survey Donors and Volunteers – Periodically send surveys to your supporter base asking for updated information, including their current employer, to ensure records remain accurate.
- Utilize LinkedIn and Other Public Data Sources – If supporters haven’t provided employment details, checking LinkedIn profiles or company directories (where publicly available) can help fill in missing gaps.
- Enlist an Employer Append Service — Utilizing a dedicated data enhancement provider can help locate employment information by scanning against publicly and privately held data sources.
For the best results, you’ll likely want to incorporate a combination of the above-recommended methods. This will allow you to access employment information for the largest number of donors possible, ensuring that you can maximize workplace giving opportunities, encourage matching gifts, and personalize engagement strategies to boost both donor participation and fundraising success.
Leveraging employment data for fundraising success
Employment data is a key component in building a well-rounded and actionable donor profile, offering nonprofits valuable insights into their supporters’ potential for fundraising success. Here’s how your team can benefit from employment data in your supporter records:
Unlock Workplace Giving Programs
One of the most significant advantages of knowing a donor’s employer is the ability to identify workplace giving opportunities. For example, many corporations offer matching gift programs, where they match donations made by their employees to eligible nonprofits. By tracking employment information, nonprofits can proactively encourage donors to request matches, effectively doubling or even tripling the impact of their gifts.
Beyond matching donations, many corporations also provide volunteer grants or volunteer time off when employees contribute their time to charitable causes. By knowing where a donor works, nonprofits can track volunteer activities and inform supporters about the potential to earn grant money through their workplace. This is another avenue for maximizing fundraising and tapping into a donor’s full giving potential without asking them to give more!
Encourage Cross-Functional Support
Nonprofits can leverage employment information about their supporters to unlock even more opportunities for engagement and corporate giving. Many companies offer multiple forms of philanthropic support, such as matching gifts, volunteer grants, and sponsorships—and understanding where donors work can help nonprofits tap into these resources more effectively.
For example, if a donor works for a company with a known volunteer grant program, that’s a perfect opportunity to encourage them to get involved beyond financial contributions. Highlight how their employer will donate funds for the time they spend volunteering, making their impact even greater.
On the other hand, if a volunteer works for a company that matches financial donations, it can be a great way to get them on board with monetary giving.
Uncover In-Kind Giving or Grant Opportunities
A nonprofit’s supporters are often the key to unlocking corporate grants and in-kind donations—but only if the organization knows where they work. Many companies offer direct corporate grants or donate goods and services to charitable organizations, and leveraging employment data can help nonprofits identify and secure these opportunities.
How? Supporters can provide an inside connection, serving as a bridge to decision-makers in charge of distributing funds and resources. Employees may even be able to nominate your nonprofit for funding or introduce you to the right contacts.
Not to mention, Double the Donation’s database can now provide information on corporate sponsorship programs like grants and in-kind donations, making it easier for nonprofits to identify businesses offering these opportunities.
Strengthen Corporate Partnerships
Employment data can help nonprofits identify clusters of donors employed by the same company or industry. By recognizing these connections, organizations can approach businesses with workplace giving programs and establish partnerships that benefit both the nonprofit and its supporters.
Strengthening these corporate ties can lead to long-term collaborations, fundraising opportunities, and increased visibility for the organization.
Identify High-Potential Donors
Employment data can also help nonprofits segment their donor base by employer size, industry, and giving capacity. For example, donors working for large corporations may have access to more generous matching gift programs or higher volunteer grant amounts. By understanding these dynamics, nonprofits can prioritize engagement with high-potential donors, ensuring they are leveraging every opportunity for financial support.
Tips for building well-rounded donor profiles
Building a well-rounded donor profile is essential for maximizing engagement and increasing fundraising success. By incorporating the following strategies, fundraisers can build detailed and actionable donor profiles that enhance engagement, increase contributions, and strengthen long-term relationships.
1. Track engagement history.
Understanding a donor’s journey with your nonprofit is essential for building strong relationships and optimizing your fundraising efforts. Tracking engagement history allows organizations to see how supporters interact over time, from donations and event attendance to volunteer work and advocacy efforts.
By maintaining records of these interactions in your CRM, nonprofits can personalize their outreach, recognize loyal supporters, and tailor future fundraising appeals based on past engagement. This data helps identify high-potential donors, re-engage lapsed supporters, and create meaningful connections that encourage long-term involvement.
2. Collect key data insights as donors engage.
The best time to gather valuable donor data is when supporters are actively engaging with your organization. Whether they’re making a donation, signing up for a newsletter, or attending an event, nonprofits should seize these moments to collect insights like employer information, communication preferences, and giving motivations.
Simple form fields or follow-up surveys can capture these details without overwhelming donors. By continuously collecting relevant data, organizations build richer donor profiles that improve engagement and fundraising outcomes.
3. Encourage self-reported updates.
Donors change jobs, move to new locations, and shift their philanthropic interests over time. To keep donor profiles accurate, nonprofits should provide easy ways for supporters to update their information on their own. For example, this can be done through self-serve donor portals, email campaigns with update requests, or periodic surveys.
All in all, encouraging donors to keep their profiles current ensures that nonprofits can reach them effectively and leverage opportunities like matching gifts and corporate giving programs.
4. Consider an append service to fill in gaps.
Even with proactive data collection, donor profiles may have missing or outdated information. Luckily, data append services can help nonprofits fill these gaps by cross-referencing donor records with external databases to update contact details, employment information, and more.
These services enhance donor insights without requiring additional effort from supporters, allowing nonprofits to maximize corporate giving potential and personalize outreach based on accurate, up-to-date data.
5. Ensure clean data practices.
Maintaining clean and organized donor data is crucial for effective fundraising and engagement. For the best results, nonprofits should regularly audit their databases to remove duplicates, correct outdated information, and standardize data formats.
Plus, implementing data hygiene best practices—such as consistent naming conventions, accurate email categorization, and privacy compliance—helps organizations avoid errors and ensures that fundraising efforts are based on reliable information.
All in all, a well-maintained donor database leads to more efficient outreach, better donor relationships, and increased fundraising success.
Wrapping up & additional resources
Incorporating employment data into donor profiles provides nonprofits with valuable insights that can significantly enhance their fundraising efforts. From identifying matching gift opportunities to engaging corporate partners in new ways, employment information enables organizations to maximize donations and build stronger donor connections.
By implementing effective data collection methods and leveraging workplace giving programs with the right tools and resources, nonprofits can optimize their fundraising strategies and drive greater impact in the long run.
Interested in learning more about nonprofit fundraising and corporate giving? Check out these additional resources:
- The Value of Donor Employer Information in Workplace Giving. Collecting and leveraging employer information can unlock valuable opportunities in workplace giving. See how knowing where your donors work can maximize contributions and enhance fundraising success.
- The Ultimate Guide to Employer Appends for Fundraisers. Discover how employer appends can enrich your donor profiles with crucial employment data. Such a service can help you identify new opportunities for corporate giving programs and beyond! Learn more here.
- Driving Value with Employer Data in the Supporter Lifecycle. Employment data can be used throughout the donor lifecycle—from initial engagement to long-term stewardship. Find out how tracking and utilizing employer information at every stage can deepen relationships and increase funding.
Matching Gifts for Retirees: Companies to Know & More
Nonprofits are always looking for ways to maximize donations, but one often-overlooked opportunity lies in matching gifts for retirees. After all, many companies extend their corporate matching gift programs to former employees, allowing organizations to double or even triple contributions from retired donors.
However, these programs are often underutilized simply because retirees and nonprofits aren’t aware of their potential. In this guide, we’ll highlight companies that offer matching gifts for retired employees, how your organization can identify eligible donors, and tools you can use to encourage participation in the programs.
Specifically, we’ll cover:
- What are corporate matching gifts?
- Do retirees qualify for matching gift programs?
- Companies that match donations for retirees
- How a matching gift database can help
- Ensuring retirees are informed about matching gifts
If retired individuals make up a good portion of your organization’s donor base (and more than likely, they do), targeting matching gifts for retirees can be an excellent way to go. We’ll show you how you can do so here, starting with the basics.
What are corporate matching gifts?
Corporate matching gifts are a form of philanthropy in which companies match donations made by their employees to eligible nonprofits. These programs effectively double—or sometimes even triple—the impact of an individual’s gift, providing nonprofits with additional funding at no extra cost to the donor.
Here’s how it typically works:
- An individual donates to a nonprofit.
- The individual confirms whether their company offers a matching gift program.
- If available, the individual submits a request for a matching gift to their employer.
- The individual’s employer reviews the matching gift request and ensures it aligns with the company policy.
- The company approves the request and disburses a donation for a matching gift to the organization.
While these programs are extremely valuable for all parties involved, they often go underutilized, largely due to a lack of awareness about the opportunity. And that’s why understanding matching gifts—and communicating their potential to supporters—is so essential.
Looking for a more in-depth overview of matching gifts? Get our free downloadable guide that covers everything you need to know!
Do retirees qualify for matching gift programs?
Because each company specially designs its matching gift initiatives to align with its own needs and resources, each program is ultimately unique. That means there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to the question posed. However, the short version is that yes, retirees are often eligible to participate in their companies’ matching gift programs post-employment. And with more businesses expanding their programs in recent years, retirees are more likely to be included than ever before. But it really will depend on the specific company’s policy.
Within the realm of companies that do match gifts for retirees, some offer the same matching gift benefits as they do for active employees as a way to continue supporting their philanthropic endeavors. On the other hand, others may have modified guidelines, such as lower match ratios or donation caps.
To determine if a retiree’s donation is eligible for a match, nonprofits should encourage donors to check with their former employers or use a matching gift database (which we’ll cover more below).
By identifying and engaging retired donors who qualify for corporate matching, nonprofits can unlock valuable funding opportunities that often go overlooked.
Companies that match donations for retirees
Wondering which companies offer retiree-inclusive matching gift programs? We’ve compiled a list of ten leading examples below:
1) Verizon
Verizon Communications Inc. is a global leader in telecommunications, providing wireless, broadband, and digital services to millions of customers. As part of its corporate social responsibility efforts, Verizon offers a generous matching gift program, which extends to both current employees and retirees.
Through Verizon’s matching program, donations made by retirees to eligible colleges and universities can be matched at a 1:1 ratio, effectively doubling the impact of their contributions. The company typically sets an annual limit of $5,000 per retiree, and accredited schools must meet specific eligibility requirements to qualify.
All in all, Verizon’s matching gift program is an excellent way for retirees to continue supporting charitable causes with additional corporate backing.
Learn more about Verizon’s matching gift program for employees and retirees.
2) Eli Lilly & Company
Eli Lilly & Company is a pharmaceutical giant known for its innovations in medicine and healthcare solutions. The company has a strong commitment to corporate philanthropy, which includes a robust matching gift program available to both current employees and retirees.
Currently, Lilly matches donations made to eligible nonprofit organizations, including educational institutions, healthcare initiatives, and cultural organizations. The program follows a 1:1 matching ratio, and retirees can participate with matching gifts of up to $7,500 each year..
Learn more about Eli Lilly’s matching gift program for employees and retirees.
3) Boeing
Boeing, one of the world’s leading aerospace and defense companies, is dedicated to supporting charitable giving through its matching gift program. Retirees, as well as current employees, are eligible to have their donations matched by the company.
Boeing’s matching gift program operates on a 1:1 basis, and eligible nonprofits include educational institutions, arts and cultural organizations, environmental initiatives, and more. The program has an annual cap of $3,000 for retirees, but the eligibility criteria remain broad, allowing many charities to benefit from the generosity of Boeing’s workforce—both past and present.
Learn more about Boeing’s matching gift program for employees and retirees.
4) Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson, a global healthcare and pharmaceutical company, is well known for its commitment to corporate social responsibility. One key part of this commitment is its generous matching gift program, which extends to both current employees and retirees.
Through the Johnson & Johnson matching gift program, eligible donations made by retirees to qualifying nonprofits can be matched dollar for dollar, effectively doubling their impact up to $10,000 per year. The program typically supports a wide range of organizations, including educational institutions, health and human services, environmental groups, and cultural organizations.
Learn more about J&J’s matching gift program for employees and retirees.
5) Intel Corporation
Intel Corporation, a worldwide technology leader in semiconductor manufacturing, has a strong history of corporate giving. The company’s matching gift program is open to both employees and retirees, reinforcing Intel’s commitment to philanthropy.
Intel matches donations at a 1:1 ratio, with contributions directed to a wide range of eligible nonprofits, including education, healthcare, and community organizations. Retirees can take advantage of this program within the designated annual cap of $1,000, making it a valuable opportunity for nonprofits to boost their fundraising efforts.
Learn more about Intel’s matching gift program for employees and retirees.
6) Caterpillar Inc.
Caterpillar Inc., a global leader in construction and mining equipment, operates a comprehensive matching gift program that includes both employees and retirees. The company encourages its workforce to support charitable organizations by offering a dollar-for-dollar match on eligible donations.
The program applies to a broad range of nonprofit organizations, and Caterpillar sets a generous annual limit of $10,000 per donor. That means retirees who previously worked for Caterpillar can continue their charitable giving with the added benefit of corporate matching, making their donations go even further.
Learn more about Caterpillar’s matching gift program for employees and retirees.
7) The Gap
Gap Inc., the parent company of apparel brands like Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta, is dedicated to corporate social responsibility. One way that it does so is by providing a matching gift program that extends to both employees and retirees, fostering an ongoing culture of giving.
Currently, Gap matches donations at a 1:1 ratio to eligible nonprofits within a set annual limit. However, maximum matching gift amounts can vary by position (i.e., $1,000 for part-time employees to as much as $15,000 for full-time employees).
The program supports a variety of causes, including education, environmental initiatives, and social services. Retired employees are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to double their impact and help nonprofits secure additional funding.
Learn more about Gap’s matching gift program for employees and retirees.
8) Chevron Corporation
Chevron, a multinational energy corporation, offers a strong matching gift program that supports both current and retired employees in their charitable giving efforts. The company recognizes the importance of philanthropy and extends its program to a wide range of nonprofit organizations.
Chevron typically matches donations at a 1:1 ratio with a designated annual cap of $3,000 for retirees. That said, retirees who qualify can request matching funds for contributions to eligible charities, ensuring that their support for important causes is maximized through corporate giving.
Learn more about Chevron’s matching gift program for employees and retirees.
9) Darden Restaurants
Darden Restaurants, the parent company of brands like Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and The Capital Grille, encourages philanthropy through its corporate giving programs. Today, the company extends its matching gift program to both employees and retirees as a way to do so.
Darden matches donations at a standard 1:1 ratio, with certain restrictions on eligible organizations and an annual cap of $10,000 per donor. Nonprofits can benefit from this program by ensuring that retirees who have worked for Darden are aware of their eligibility and take advantage of the matching funds.
Learn more about Darden’s matching gift program for employees and retirees.
10) Sony Corporation
Sony Corporation, a standout leader in electronics, entertainment, and gaming, has a strong corporate giving culture that includes a matching gift program for both employees and retirees. The program allows former employees to continue making an impact through their charitable contributions.
Sony’s matching gift program typically operates on a 1:1 basis, with an annual cap of $2,000 per donor. Eligible nonprofits include education, arts and culture, and select human services organizations.
Learn more about Sony’s matching gift program for employees and retirees.
How a matching gift database can help
The above companies aren’t the only ones that offer matching gifts for retirees. The truth is that there are too many to list!
So, how can you uncover additional opportunities and keep up with program guidelines? The best way is to equip your team with a matching gift database like Double the Donation.
Here’s how it works:
- Search the database tool for a specific company (e.g., Home Depot).
- In real-time, access program information about the company, including eligibility requirements for employees and retirees, match ratios, minimums and maximums, and more.
Not to mention, you can even embed the database directly into your donation forms. This makes it easy to collect and scan against employment information, uncovering match-eligible employees and retirees alike with no added effort.
Ensuring retirees are informed about matching gifts
For nonprofits with a largely retired donor base—such as public radio stations, educational institutions, cultural organizations, and more—it’s crucial to ensure that supporters know they may still qualify for matching gifts.
After all, many retirees mistakenly assume that workplace giving programs no longer apply to them simply because they are no longer actively employed. However, many companies extend their matching gift programs to retired employees as well, presenting an invaluable yet often overlooked opportunity for funding.
Looking to make the most of it? Here’s how you can ensure retirees are well-informed about matching gifts:
- Incorporate Clear Messaging in Donation Appeals – When discussing matching gifts in emails, on donation pages, or in direct mail, explicitly mention that retirees are often eligible and should check their former company’s program.
- Segment Email Communication – If possible, create a targeted email campaign specifically for retired donors, emphasizing that they may still qualify for a corporate match.
- Share Success Stories – Highlight examples of retired donors who successfully secured a matching gift. This reinforces eligibility and makes the process feel more accessible.
- Engage Through Multiple Channels – In addition to email, use newsletters, social media, or even on-air announcements to spread the message that retirees may still be eligible for matching gifts.
By regularly educating retirees about their potential matching gift eligibility, nonprofits can maximize corporate giving revenue while ensuring that dedicated, longtime supporters feel empowered to increase their impact. The key is ongoing communication—making sure this valuable donor segment knows that their generosity can still go even further.
Wrapping up & additional corporate giving resources
Retiree-inclusive matching gift programs present a valuable yet frequently untapped fundraising opportunity for nonprofits like yours. By educating your donors, leveraging the right tools, and actively promoting the programs to your supporters, your organization can unlock additional funding with minimal effort.
Don’t let these matching dollars go unclaimed. Start engaging retired donors and help them make an even greater impact on your mission today!
Interested in learning more about matching gifts and other corporate giving programs? Take a look at our recommended resources below:
- 15 Companies That Offer Volunteer Grants for Retirees. Volunteer grants are another leading workplace giving opportunity in which retired individuals are often invited to take part. Check out some companies offering retiree-friendly volunteer grant programs here.
- Top Matching Gift Companies: Find Your Match Today. Looking for even more matching gift companies in your network? Check out this list of 40+ generous employers leading the way in terms of matching gift programs. Do your donors work for them? Find out!
- Free Download: Improving the Donor Journey with Matching Gifts. Matching gifts can help transform the donor experience in a really positive way. Get the free downloadable guide to see how you can incorporate matching throughout the supporter journey.
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Driving Donor Retention With Matching Gifts [A Guide]
In recent years, donor retention rates have been hovering slightly above 40%. This means that if you have 100 donors, roughly 60 of them are only making one-time donations, while around 40 are coming back to give again. If the focus on donor retention isn’t strong and comprehensive, a nonprofit organization will need to concentrate on the acquisition of new donors instead—a notably vital but often more costly pursuit.
Luckily, there are numerous ways to boost donor retention and keep donors coming back. For example, did you know you can improve donor retention by using matching gift programs? That’s what we’ll cover here, specifically by addressing:
- Why is donor retention important?
- The power of corporate matching gifts
- The link between matching gifts and donor retention
- Strategies for increasing donor retention with matching gifts
We’ll dive deeper into each topic and provide you with actionable tips to help you retain donors for your cause. Let’s begin!
Why Is Donor Retention Important?
When a donor continues to give to your nonprofit, the most obvious benefit is the regular extra revenue. However, keeping donors coming back has additional rewards, too.
- First, your organization has the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with donors. Think about it this way: you can’t cultivate a friendship with someone if you’ve only met them once. The same principle applies to building donor relationships. A donor that continues to give to your cause is much more likely to volunteer at your next event, serve on your board of directors, and advocate for your cause.
- Meanwhile, a donor that has a strong connection to your cause is also more likely to share their passion for your mission with others, which could lead to even more donors. For instance, you might launch a peer-to-peer campaign where your supporters raise money on your behalf. When donors share their personal experiences with their friends and family, it can be a great tool to acquire new donors.
- Finally, retaining donors means you can gain helpful feedback through these meaningful relationships. A donor that’s truly invested in your cause can provide suggestions and advice on how you can improve your stewardship, outreach, and much more.
By implementing their suggestions, you’ll not only gain their trust but also show other potential supporters that you will listen to their concerns.
The Power of Corporate Matching Gifts
Corporate matching gifts are one of the most effective yet underutilized tools in nonprofit fundraising. These programs allow companies to match their employees’ charitable contributions, effectively doubling (or sometimes tripling) the impact of each donation. For nonprofits, this means more funds to support their mission, while donors see their generosity go even further—all at no additional cost to them.
While it can vary from company to company, most matching gift programs follow a simple process:
- Employee Makes a Donation – A donor gives to their favorite nonprofit.
- Employer Matches the Gift – The donor submits a matching gift request to their employer.
- Nonprofit Receives Additional Funds – Once approved, the company sends a matching donation to the nonprofit.
While the process may seem straightforward, studies show that billions of dollars in matching gift funds go unclaimed each year simply because donors aren’t aware of these programs—or don’t know how to take advantage of them. That’s why it’s crucial for nonprofits to educate their supporters and streamline the matching gift process.
The Link Between Matching Gifts and Donor Retention
While there is a surplus of helpful donor retention advice out there, it is worthwhile to note the mutually beneficial union that results from combining matching gifts and donor retention.
Specifically, matching gifts can help drive donor retention by…
1. Showing that your nonprofit is a good steward of donors’ funds.
One of the key reasons donors continue supporting a nonprofit is trust—trust that their contributions are being used effectively to make a real impact. When a nonprofit actively promotes and facilitates matching gifts, it signals to donors that the organization is committed to maximizing every dollar received. This demonstration of financial stewardship plays a critical role in building long-term donor relationships and driving retention.
2. Keeping your organization at the front of donors’ minds.
One of the biggest challenges nonprofits face in donor retention is staying top-of-mind after the initial donation. After all, many donors give once and then disengage. However, matching gifts provide a natural way to extend donor engagement beyond the moment of giving, keeping your nonprofit in their thoughts for a longer period and increasing the likelihood of future support.
Not to mention, sending communications about matching gifts to dedicated donors, whether through email, snail mail, or social media, will help them stay involved with your organization without feeling pressured to donate more of their own money. If you only talk to your donors when you want their donations, they’re less likely to continue supporting your cause.
3. Encouraging larger future donations.
One of the most compelling ways matching gifts drive donor retention is by encouraging larger future donations. After all, research indicates that when donors are aware of a matching gift opportunity, they are more likely to give—and to give in greater amounts. This increased generosity not only boosts immediate fundraising efforts but also fosters long-term donor commitment, leading to higher retention rates overall.
In fact, when nonprofits mentioned matching gifts when asking for donations, response rates jumped 71%, and average donation amounts increased by over 50%.
Letting donors know that they can make a greater impact with their donations generates a higher response to future appeals and results in larger contributions than ever before.
Strategies for Increasing Donor Retention With Matching Gifts
Now that we’ve established a connection between matching gifts and donor retention, it’s time to cover the ways in which your team can use the former to increase the latter.
Explore these proven strategies we’ve developed from working with thousands of organizations to maximize matching gifts.
1. Send a match appeal immediately after a donor gives.
One of the most effective ways nonprofits can drive donor retention through matching gifts is by sending a match appeal immediately after a donor gives. This timely follow-up not only increases the likelihood that donors will submit a matching gift request but also reinforces their connection to your organization—encouraging long-term engagement.
If you don’t know who your donor’s employer is, supply them with general information about matching gifts after they’ve donated, either in an acknowledgement or thank you email or in a separate follow-up entirely.
If you’ve done your homework and know where your donor works (and, more importantly, if their employer offers a matching gift program), provide them with company-specific information (such as program guidelines and links to matching gift forms) to help them get started.
Here’s how one organization does so:
2. Notify donors when their company’s matching gift is received.
A crucial yet often overlooked step in the matching gift process is informing donors when their company’s matching contribution comes through. This follow-up communication not only acknowledges the donor’s role in securing additional funding (and provides you with another chance to thank them) but also reinforces their connection to your organization—boosting donor retention.
Depending on how fast the donor’s company processes the gift-matching paperwork and sends the money to your organization, it could be weeks or months until the donor’s matching gift comes in. They might have forgotten about it by that point. Letting them know that their matching gift was received is another excellent way to reestablish contact with a donor, potentially encouraging them to donate (and get their gifts matched) in the future.
Take a look at the thank-you card one institution sent its matching gift donors:
3. Use social proof to demonstrate matching gift success.
One of the most powerful ways to drive donor retention through matching gifts involves showcasing real-world examples of their impact using social proof. When donors see that others are successfully doubling their contributions—and making a greater difference—they feel more confident and motivated to continue supporting your cause.
Here’s how social proof drives matching gifts and donor retention alike.
- Creates a Sense of Community – People are more likely to stay engaged when they see that others like them are taking action. Highlighting matching gift success stories fosters a sense of shared purpose and encourages donors to feel like part of a larger movement.
- Reinforces the Effectiveness of Giving – When donors see tangible evidence that matching gifts are successfully doubling impact, they gain reassurance that their contributions are making a meaningful difference. This confirmation increases the likelihood of future giving.
- Builds Trust and Credibility – Transparency is key to donor retention. Showcasing real results—such as total funds raised through matching gifts or testimonials from donors who’ve had their gifts matched—demonstrates that your nonprofit is effectively leveraging these opportunities.
In order to do so, consider sharing matching gift donor testimonials, highlighting matching gift impact stories on your cause, and showcasing KPIs and other impactful metrics. By incorporating social proof into your donor communications, you create an environment where donors feel inspired, validated, and eager to continue supporting your nonprofit. The more they see others engaging in matching gifts, the more likely they are to remain committed—helping to drive long-term donor retention and fundraising success.
Check out this organization’s usage of social proof in its annual report:
Wrapping Up & Additional Resources
Unfortunately, making sure that donors stick around can be tricky. However, donor retention is essential for the long-term sustainability of any nonprofit, and corporate matching gifts provide a powerful strategy to keep donors engaged and committed in the long run. By leveraging matching gifts, organizations can amplify donor contributions, reinforce financial stewardship, and create ongoing opportunities for meaningful engagement.
Now is the time to integrate matching gifts into your donor retention strategy. With the right approach—and the right tools to power it—you’ll not only increase donations but also turn one-time contributors into lifelong advocates for your mission.
For even more helpful fundraising and matching gift tips, keep reading these additional recommended resources:
- The Ultimate Guide to Marketing Matching Gifts. If you want more ways your organization can promote matching gifts, we have a whole host of ideas and examples to get you started in this free downloadable guide.
- Top Matching Gift Companies: Leaders in Corporate Giving. Matching gifts can be difficult if you’re not familiar with top corporate philanthropy programs. Check out 20 of the best matching gift companies here!
- What You Need to Know About Retaining Matching Gift Donors. Once you’ve secured a matching gift from a donor, how can you keep them engaged in the programs again and again? Find out in this post.
Interested in learning more about boosting donor retention? Check out this immersive webinar on the topic!
