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:
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.
As an association leader, your plate is full. Juggling member retention, event planning, and operational efficiency often feels like a delicate balancing act. If your current tools aren’t pulling their weight, managing your day-to-day operations only gets harder.
Enter association management software (AMS): a transformative tool designed to streamline operations, enhance member engagement, and free up time. But with so many options on the market, how do you choose the right platform?
This guide will demystify the process and help you find your perfect AMS. That way, your organization can invest in a system that meets your needs today and evolves with you tomorrow. Here’s what we’ll cover:
Whether you go with an association management platform on our list or choose a different one, you’ll have the knowledge you need to navigate your options confidently. Let’s dive in.
Association Management Software FAQ
Before diving into specific picks, let’s answer a few questions executive directors, chief technology officers, and membership directors typically have about this type of software.
What Is Association Management Software?
Association management software (AMS) is a specialized platform designed to help membership organizations manage their operations. It centralizes key functions like member management, event planning, fundraising, communication, website management, and financial tracking into one cohesive system.
With an AMS, you can streamline administrative tasks, such as:
Maintaining a searchable member database.
Processing online payments, membership dues, and donations.
Designing online event registration pages and automating event reminders.
Building and maintaining a website to share announcements, resources, events, a member directory, industry news, and more.
Communicating with members via email or other online platforms.
Generating detailed financial reports, insightful analytics, and membership overviews.
By automating routine tasks and providing valuable insights, an AMS empowers organizations to enhance member engagement, streamline processes, and focus on achieving their mission.
What’s The Difference Between an AMS and a Community Platform?
While association management software and community platforms both support member engagement, they have distinct purposes and focus areas:
Purpose: Association management software handles operational and administrative needs for membership-based organizations. Community platforms foster interaction among members.
Core Features: Common AMS features include member databases, dues collection, event registration, and financial reporting. Meanwhile, common features in community platforms include discussion forums, content sharing, messaging tools, and gamification to encourage community participation.
Goal: While an AMS streamlines and centralizes organizational processes for efficient administration, a community platform creates a vibrant space for members to share ideas and build relationships.
Examples of Use: Leverage an AMS to track membership dues, send targeted emails, and keep a centralized database of members’ engagement history and contact information. Meanwhile, use your community platform to host online discussions, conduct polls or surveys, and provide members with access to shared documents and training materials.
Trade and professional associations often use both systems together. While an AMS meets operational needs, a community platform deepens member connections and engagement.
Why Should We Invest in an Association Management Platform?
An association management platform offers transformative benefits for your organization by streamlining operations, enhancing member satisfaction, and driving long-term growth. Here’s why it’s a smart investment:
Save time and money by simplifying administrative tasks. Association management platforms automate routine tasks like tracking membership dues, processing payments, and managing event registrations. This reduces your team’s administrative burdens, freeing up time to focus on strategic initiatives.
Enhance member engagement. With tools like personalized communication, member portals, and event management, an AMS helps you create an engaging member experience. From welcoming new members to consistently promoting benefits, actively engaging members leads to greater participation and more renewals.
Centralize member and financial data. An association management platform serves as a single source of truth for all your organizational data, from member profiles to financial records. This makes it easy to access, analyze, and act on insights, improving decision-making and efficiency.
Enhance professionalism. An AMS enables you to maintain a polished online presence with customizable websites, event pages, and member portals. This helps build credibility with current and prospective members.
Instead of using disparate systems, invest in a single platform that helps your association operate efficiently, engage members, and achieve its mission. An investment in the right platform is an investment in your organization’s growth and long-term success.
What Features Should My Association Look For?
As with any software, focus on features that align with your organization’s specific needs and budget. A few key features to prioritize in your AMS search include:
Membership management tools, including a centralized member database to organize member profiles, advanced search and filtering capabilities for easy data retrieval, and automated membership renewal reminders and processing.
Event management to create registration pages, automate attendee tracking, maintain event calendars, and host virtual events.
Member engagement tools, such as a self-service member portal, an online community, and gamification features like badges or leaderboards.
Financial management to process dues, event fees, and donations. Ensure you have invoicing, automated receipt generation, and robust financial reporting tools.
Communication tools such as newsletter creation, email segmentation capabilities, and feedback collection features.
Website and content management, such as a website builder and member-only portals for exclusive content, resources, or forums.
Reporting, including customizable dashboards to monitor metrics like membership growth and event attendance as well as detailed financial reports.
Integrations with other popular association tools, such as your accounting software, marketing platform, or community engagement software.
Before investing in an AMS, ensure it also has a supportive vendor. A vendor that offers comprehensive training and support will help you get your system up and running without a hitch.
20+ Association Management Platforms
The following list isn’t exhaustive but should provide a solid place to start your search for the right association management platform. Be sure to check customer reviews on platforms like G2 and Capterra to get a better sense of each system’s practical applications.
Tradewing: Best for Online Communities
Tradewing is a community management platform designed to boost membership growth, retention, and engagement by creating dynamic online communities. Built for trade and professional associations, the platform creates a user-friendly online space where members can connect with one another, attend virtual events, access valuable resources, and stay engaged with your community, all without ever leaving the Tradewing platform.
Depending on your needs, you can purchase either Tradewing’s full AMS platform or just the community engagement tools. The community platform integrates with popular AMSs, so if you want to extend another platform’s functionality, Tradewing is a great option!
Recommended for: Small to mid-sized trade and professional associations that prioritize community engagement and networking
Pricing: Tradewing prices vary based on the size and needs of your association. Pricing depends on selected features and membership size, so request a demo for more information.
ClubExpress: Best for Small Clubs and Local Chapters
ClubExpress is an AMS tailored to small clubs, local chapters, and volunteer-led organizations seeking an affordable solution to manage operations. It simplifies administrative tasks and helps organizations build stronger connections with members through intuitive tools for communication, events, and website management.
Recommended for: Small to mid-sized clubs, local chapters, and volunteer-driven associations across various industries, including hobby groups, sports clubs, and professional networks
Top Features: ClubExpress offers users a member database, website creation tools, a member mobile app, and integrated event management with online registration and payment options. Additional features include forums, email campaigns, text messaging, and financial tracking.
Pricing: ClubExpress has a flexible pricing model based on your number of active members. Pricing per member goes down as your organization grows. For instance, pay $0.42 per member monthly if you have 1-200 members, $0.38 per member if you have 201-300 members, $0.34 per member if you have 301-500 members, or $0.30 per member if you have 501-1,000 members.
Dash: Best for Content Management
Dash is a stress-free association management software solution designed to handle every aspect of running an association. With 50+ years of experience in association management, the Dash team has developed a platform that centralizes tasks such as member sign-up, event registration, and invoicing within a cloud-hosted environment.
Recommended for: Associations across various industries aiming to enhance operational efficiency and member engagement
Top Features: Dash offers an intuitive CMS for website creation, including blogs, news feeds, and member-only content. The CMS integrates with the association’s database, providing members with a seamless experience when purchasing merchandise, registering for events, or accessing digital resources. You’ll also gain features for managing members, communicating with your community, managing events, tracking finances, and accepting sponsorships.
Pricing: Dash offers three packages with varying features. Contact their team for pricing details.
Fonteva: Best for Salesforce Users
Fonteva is a robust association management software platform built on Salesforce, the world’s most popular CRM. It leverages the power of Salesforce with specialized features for associations, making it ideal for organizations interested in Salesforce.
Recommended for: Medium to large associations in industries that use Salesforce for customer and member relationship management
Top Features: Fonteva provides advanced member management, event registration, and e-commerce capabilities. Saleforce’s flexibility allows for deep customization, and the app marketplace expands functionality further.
Pricing: Fonteva requires a Salesforce subscription and custom pricing based on the size and complexity of your association’s needs.
Forj: Best for Virtual Engagement and Learning
Forj is a virtual engagement platform focused on enhancing member collaboration in an online environment. Designed for professional associations and communities, Forj helps organizations foster connections through virtual events, networking opportunities, and collaborative tools. Forj is a dual AMS and learning management system that combines community building and learning with the goal to modernize association membership.
Recommended for: Associations and professional networks prioritizing virtual engagement, community collaboration, and learning outcomes
Top Features: Forj offers tools for hosting interactive virtual events, managing discussion forums, and creating content hubs for members. Its analytics help track member engagement, event attendance, and content consumption to measure virtual initiatives’ effectiveness.
Pricing: Forj provides custom pricing based on organization size and requirements
Glue Up: Best for Event-Driven Organizations
Glue Up is an all-in-one association management platform designed for event-driven organizations. It includes membership management, event management, and email marketing tools, giving you the ability to monetize your professional community within minutes. However, it really shines in its event functionality, which makes it easy to plan, promote, and execute online and offline events.
Recommended for: Associations and organizations that rely heavily on events for member engagement and revenue
Top Features: Glue Up is a top event management with tools for online registration, ticketing, and payment processing. It also offers CRM functionality, email campaigns, and a mobile app for on-the-go management. Leverage surveys, financial tracking, and a website builder to streamline operations further.
Pricing: Glue Up uses a tiered pricing model based on selected features, starting at $2,500 annually.
GrowthZone: Best for Membership Growth
GrowthZone is an all-in-one platform designed to drive membership growth through innovative tools for recruitment, retention, and engagement. It simplifies operations for associations by automating processes and providing insights to improve member acquisition strategies. From managing certifications to providing a secure online community, you’ll have all the features you need to scale your membership base.
Recommended for: Associations of all sizes looking to grow their membership base
Top Features: Grow revenue with robust membership offerings, events, merchandise sales, and sponsorships. You can also access built-in marketing automation and sales funnel management tools. The AI-Powered Newsletter feature allows you to curate newsletters based on members’ unique interests and engagement history.
Pricing: Subscriptions start at $4,985 annually based on your chosen package, and there’s an onboarding fee.
iMIS: Best for Large Associations
iMIS is a powerful association management software solution designed to meet the needs of large organizations with complex operations. It combines member management, learning, fundraising, and event planning tools into a unified cloud-based platform.
Recommended for: Large associations, nonprofits, and organizations with diverse membership needs and high-volume data management
Top Features: iMIS offers advanced CRM capabilities, member management tools, learning management systems, website building functionality, and robust event planning features. Its analytics and reporting tools provide real-time insights, and its integrations allow for customized organizational workflows.
Pricing: iMIS pricing is customized based on the size and complexity of your organization. iMIS Professional starts at $7,200 annually, while iMIS Enterprise requires a custom quote.
MemberClicks: Best for Small to Mid-Sized Associations
MemberClicks is an all-in-one membership management software platform tailored for small to mid-sized associations and nonprofits. It simplifies member management and saves time with tools designed for administrative tasks. It hones in on online engagement by providing tools for custom websites, digital member communities, and online databases.
Recommended for: Small to mid-sized associations, chambers of commerce, and nonprofits seeking an affordable, user-friendly solution
Top Features: MemberClicks offers a member database, email marketing, and event registration tools. Its drag-and-drop website builder and customizable member portal ensure a branded online presence.
Pricing: MC Professional is ideal for individual-based member types and small associations, starting at $4,500 annually. MC Trade is best for organization-based member types, chambers, and large associations, starting at $3,500 annually. Special pricing structures are available for chambers.
MemberLeap: Best for Customizable Membership Management
MemberLeap is a flexible association management software solution that adapts to the unique needs of each organization. It empowers associations with tailored workflows and robust tools to manage members, events, website content, communications, and financial processes. MemberLeap is an excellent choice for associations seeking a scalable, feature-rich platform that addresses specific operational challenges while fostering member engagement and organizational growth.
Recommended for: Associations that require customizable membership management tools
Top Features: MemberLeap includes a member database, automated billing, robust event planning, volunteer management, and communication tools. Its website management capabilities and financial tracking features provide additional value.
Pricing: Pricing scales based on the association’s needs and number of active records, starting at $80 per month for the Copper Plan for organizations with 1-200 active records.
Nimble AMS: Best for Advanced CRM Capabilities
Nimble AMS is a Salesforce-based association management platform offering powerful CRM capabilities. Built on Salesforce, it enables associations to leverage advanced analytics and automation for member engagement and operational efficiency. Nimble AMS customers receive seamless upgrades three times a year, ensuring you’re always using the latest tools.
Recommended for: Medium to large associations using Salesforce and seeking robust CRM functionality
Top Features: Nimble AMS provides member management, accounting, a member portal, fundraising tools, and event management. It also supports custom workflows, AI-driven analytics through Salesforce Einstein, and mobile-friendly features for on-the-go management.
Pricing: Nimble AMS pricing is custom and requires a Salesforce subscription. Costs depend on your organization’s size and feature needs.
Novi AMS: Best for QuickBooks Integration
Novi AMS is built with deep QuickBooks integration, making it the perfect choice for associations prioritizing financial management. It streamlines time-consuming accounting processes, so your team can focus on serving your association’s members.
Recommended for: Small to mid-sized associations that use QuickBooks and need an AMS to simplify financial tracking
Top Features: Novi AMS includes a two-way sync with QuickBooks’ automated invoicing and financial reporting tools. Additionally, it offers member portals, event registration, and directory management features to simplify member management. Other key features include eCommerce and website management.
Pricing: Novi AMS pricing starts at $790 per month with an onboarding fee of $3,360 for organizations with annual revenue up to $400K. Pricing scales based on your organization’s annual revenue.
Protech: Best for Microsoft Users
Protech is a powerful AMS designed to integrate with the Microsoft Dynamics 365 platform, making it an excellent choice for organizations using Microsoft tools. Manage every detail of the member journey, bring your data to life with cutting-edge reports, and boost productivity by automating administrative tasks like billing.
Recommended for: Medium to large associations that rely on Microsoft Dynamics 365 and Azure True Cloud
Top Features: Protech offers advanced CRM capabilities, automated workflows, and financial tracking through an integrated suite of financial, eCommerce, analytics, and database tools. Thanks to its comprehensive features, you can manage events, generate insightful reports, and personalize the member experience.
Pricing: Protech pricing is based on your organization’s size and needed features, with additional costs for Microsoft Dynamics 365 licensing.
Raklet: Best for Community Fundraising and Events
Raklet is a versatile platform focused on helping associations and nonprofits engage their communities through fundraising and community management tools. It combines a user-friendly interface with features that build and sustain strong member relationships, such as a branded mobile app, dues collection, newsletters, and job boards. With 4,000+ integrations via Zapier and Make, you can connect Raklet with your favorite apps to improve your association management software’s functionality.
Recommended for: Associations, nonprofits, and clubs focused on fundraising
Top Features: Raklet includes tools for organizing online and offline events. You can also provide more value to your community with discussion boards, job boards, and a searchable member directory.
Pricing: Raklet offers tiered pricing plans starting at $49 per month, with additional features and capabilities available at higher tiers. There’s also a free option with limited features.
SilkStart: Best for Multi-Chapter Organizations
SilkStart is a comprehensive association management platform tailored for multi-chapter organizations, allowing centralized management while empowering autonomous local chapters. It streamlines operations for organizations with complex structures and diverse membership bases.
Recommended for: Associations and organizations with multiple chapters, branches, or regional divisions
Top Features: SilkStart provides a centralized database for member management, robust chapter management tools, and event coordination across chapters. It also includes website building and communication tools for consistent branding.
Pricing: SilkStart’s pricing includes a one-time setup fee and recurring charges based on active members or chapters. The Standard Plan starts at $220 per month (billed annually) for up to 500 members. Meanwhile, the Multi-Chapter Plan starts at $665 per month (billed annually) for up to 10 chapters, and custom pricing is available for larger organizations or additional needs.
Springly: Best for Nonprofits and NGOs
Springly is an all-in-one solution that simplifies operations for nonprofits, NGOs, associations, churches, and other member-based organizations. It focuses on enhancing supporter engagement, strengthening communications, and streamlining fundraising.
Recommended for: Nonprofits, NGOs, and mission-driven organizations in a variety of sectors
Top Features: Springly includes membership management, donation tracking, website creation, and automated email marketing tools. The platform’s integrated event registration and financial reporting features make it easy to manage operations while staying mission-focused.
Pricing: Springly offers tiered pricing plans starting at $45 per month, with higher tiers offering advanced features like CRM tools and custom reporting. There’s also a free plan that offers basic fundraising, event, and membership capabilities.
StarChapter: Best for Local Chapters of National Associations
StarChapter is a user-friendly association management software solution designed to help local chapters of national associations manage operations, events, and communication. It simplifies administrative tasks while maintaining alignment with overarching goals and branding. It also empowers users to leverage the software based on their responsibilities, whether they’re a board president, treasurer, or other leader.
Recommended for: Local chapters of national or parent associations seeking streamlined tools for chapter management
Top Features: StarChapter includes event registration, membership management, email marketing, and content management tools, all integrated into a customizable chapter website. It also provides reporting features to share chapter performance with national organizations.
Pricing: StarChapter’s pricing starts at $53 per month, with plans varying based on chapter size and selected features. Expect to pay a setup fee ranging from $599-$3,041 based on your number of members.
ToucanTech: Best for Educational and Alumni Associations
ToucanTech is a specialized platform for educational and alumni associations, offering a unique blend of member engagement and database management tools. Its intuitive interface helps associations connect with alumni, donors, and members while streamlining administrative tasks.
Recommended for: Mid-sized educational institutions and alumni associations with up to 200K database records and looking to invest about $10K annually in new software
Top Features: ToucanTech includes tools for creating member portals, managing communications through email and social media, and processing donations with built-in fundraising features. It also makes it easy to plan events and promote job and mentoring opportunities.
Pricing: ToucanTech pricing is customized based on your organization’s size and needs, with flexible options available for different budgets.
Wild Apricot: Best Budget-Friendly AMS
Wild Apricot is affordable, user-friendly association management software designed for small associations and member-based nonprofits. Trusted by 15,000+ organizations, Wild Apricot offers a comprehensive suite of features at a competitive price point, making it ideal for budget-conscious organizations.
Recommended for: Small to mid-sized associations, nonprofits, clubs, or other member-based organizations seeking a cost-effective solution
Top Features: Wild Apricot provides membership management features, event registration capabilities, and a drag-and-drop website builder. Its self-service member portal and email marketing tools make it easy to engage members and maintain an online presence.
Pricing: Wild Apricot has a free trial and tiered pricing starting at $60 per month, based on your number of members. Save 10% by pre-paying for a year and 15% by pre-paying for two years. They also have multi-chapter pricing options.
YourMembership: Best for Member Engagement
YourMembership is a powerful association management system designed to boost member engagement. With a suite of customizable tools, it helps associations build strong member connections while automating administrative workflows, such as event management, membership renewals, and communication.
Recommended for: Small associations across industries that prioritize member engagement and retention
Top Features: YourMembership includes a member portal, learning management capabilities, event management, and email marketing tools for targeted communication. It also offers community forums, mobile-friendly features, and reporting tools to monitor engagement.
Pricing: Request a personalized quote for this association management platform.
How To Select the Best Association Management Software
Looking at this list of popular association management platforms, you might be unsure how to narrow down your options. Start by assembling a committee to evaluate different platforms. Having diverse perspectives will help you review your options objectively while considering each platform’s impact on various aspects of your association.
The buying process looks similar to any software your association might need. Follow these steps to select the best AMS for your team:
Evaluate your existing tools. List the tools your organization currently uses and their key features. Identify gaps or inefficiencies that an AMS could address to enhance productivity and member engagement.
Define your needs. Decide which features are essential for your association and which would be optional but beneficial. Focus on tools that simplify workflows, whether your priorities are managing members, member networking, events, communications, finances, or educational programs.
Set a budget. Establish a clear budget for your AMS, factoring in both upfront costs and ongoing expenses.
Research and compare options. Create a shortlist of vendors that align with your needs. Evaluate their features, pricing, and customer reviews to find the best match.
Request demos. Contact your top candidates to schedule demos. Use this opportunity to see the platform in action and ask detailed questions about how their solutions address your specific challenges.
Decide and implement your AMS. Present your final choice to leadership. Once approved, sign the contract and collaborate with the vendor to plan a smooth implementation process.
Adding association management software to your toolkit is an investment in your organization’s future, so take the time to assess your options thoroughly. You’ll be well-positioned to select a platform that fulfills your needs both today and down the road.
Choose Your Association Management Platform
The right association management software can be a lifeline, offering you the tools to work smarter, not harder. With so many choices, navigating the crowded market of AMS options can be overwhelming. Now, you know what to look for, what to avoid, and how to make a confident choice.
To learn more about association management, check out these free resources:
When applying for a grant, your Statement of Need is one of the most critical sections of your proposal. It explains why your project is necessary, who it will benefit, and how it addresses a pressing issue. But whether you’re applying for grants for the first time or you’re simply looking to refresh your current grant-seeking strategy, learning how to write a statement of need for grants can be an overwhelming task.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the key elements of writing a compelling Statement of Need, provide tips for making your case persuasive, and even offer a ready-to-use template to streamline the process. Specifically, we’ll cover:
All in all, a well-crafted Statement of Need can make your application stand out by clearly demonstrating the urgency and significance of your cause. Dive in to explore our best practices and a step-by-step walkthrough of the process.
Let’s begin!
What is a Statement of Need?
A Statement of Need is a crucial component of a grant proposal that explains why your project or program is necessary. It provides a clear, evidence-based argument that highlights the problem your organization aims to address and demonstrates the urgency of the issue.
Essentially, a Statement of Need answers the question: Why is this funding needed?
For the best results, a well-written Statement of Need should include:
A clear definition of the problem – Describe the issue your project seeks to solve and who is affected.
Data and evidence – Use statistics, research, and real-world examples to support your claims.
Relevance to the funder – Show how your project aligns with the grantmaker’s mission and priorities.
Potential impact – Explain how your project will create meaningful change and why it’s the right solution.
This section sets the stage for the rest of your proposal, helping funders understand the significance of your work and why they should invest in your cause.
A compelling Statement of Need can make the difference between securing funding or being overlooked, so it’s essential to craft it with clarity and persuasion.
How does a Statement of Need help secure grants?
A Statement of Need plays a crucial role in securing grants. Why? it persuades funders that your project is both necessary and impactful. Grantmakers generally receive a wide array of applications, so your proposal must clearly communicate why your initiative deserves funding over others.
A strong Statement of Need helps in the following ways:
Demonstrates Urgency – It highlights a pressing issue that requires immediate attention, showing funders why action is needed now.
Establishes Credibility – By including well-researched data, statistics, and testimonials, you prove that your project is backed by evidence and a deep understanding of the problem.
Aligns with the Funder’s Mission – Grantmakers want to support projects that fit their goals. A well-crafted Statement of Need connects your organization’s work to their priorities, increasing your chances of approval.
Shows Real-World Impact – Funders want to invest in initiatives that create measurable change. By outlining how your project will address the issue and benefit the target audience, you make a compelling case for why your work matters.
Builds an Emotional Connection – While data is essential, storytelling can make your need more relatable. Including real-life examples or success stories helps funders connect with your cause on a deeper level.
Ultimately, a persuasive Statement of Need convinces funders that your project is a worthwhile investment. When written effectively, it not only justifies your request for funding but also inspires confidence in your organization’s ability to create meaningful change.
Steps for writing a Statement of Need
Crafting a compelling Statement of Need requires careful planning, thorough research, and a clear structure.
Here are the essential steps that your team can follow to secure more grant funding.
1. Identify the Problem
Start by clearly defining the issue your project aims to solve. Describe who is affected, how they are impacted, and why the problem is urgent.
For the best results, use precise language to paint a compelling picture of the needs your organization and its constituents are facing.
2. Support with Data and Evidence
Grantmakers want to see factual proof that your issue is significant. Incorporate relevant statistics, research studies, community assessments, or real-world examples to validate your claims.
Remember: reliable data strengthens your credibility and makes your case more persuasive.
3. Explain the Root Causes
Beyond stating the problem, explain why it exists. Identify contributing factors and systemic issues that your project will address. This demonstrates a deep understanding of the challenge and a strategic approach to solving it.
4. Connect to the Funder’s Mission
Every funder has specific goals and priorities. Research their funding guidelines and tailor your Statement of Need to align with their mission. Show how your project fits within their focus areas and contributes to their overall impact.
5. Highlight the Consequences of Inaction
Emphasize what will happen if the problem is not addressed. Will the issue worsen? Will more people be affected? Creating a sense of urgency can make your request more compelling and motivate funders to take action.
6. Present Your Solution
While the Statement of Need focuses on the problem, briefly introduce your project as the solution. Explain why your organization is uniquely positioned to address the issue and how your approach is the most effective.
7. Keep It Clear and Concise
Avoid jargon or overly technical language. Keep your writing clear, structured, and to the point. Funders review many proposals, so a well-organized and easy-to-read Statement of Need will make a stronger impression.
By following these steps, you can craft a persuasive and well-supported Statement of Need that effectively communicates the urgency and significance of your project, increasing your chances of securing grant funding.
Free template: Statement of Need for grants
The following template provides a structured approach to writing a Statement of Need that is clear, data-driven, and compelling. Feel free to customize it to fit your own specific mission and project goals while ensuring alignment with the intended grantmaker’s priorities!
[Organization]
[Date]
[Grant or Funder’s Name]
1. Introduction: The Problem at Hand
In [community/location], [describe the problem in one sentence]. Currently, [X number] of individuals are affected by [specific issue], leading to [negative impact]. Despite existing efforts, [highlight gap in current solutions].
2. Supporting Data and Evidence
According to [source], [statistic or key finding]. Additionally, research from [reliable organization] shows that [supporting data]. These figures highlight the growing need for immediate action to address [specific problem].
3. Root Causes and Contributing Factors
The primary reasons for this issue include [list key causes, such as lack of resources, systemic barriers, or economic factors]. Without intervention, these challenges will continue to worsen, affecting even more individuals in [target community].
4. Consequences of Inaction
If no action is taken, [describe potential adverse outcomes], leading to [larger-scale social, economic, or health impact]. This makes it crucial to implement sustainable solutions now.
5. Connection to the Funder’s Mission
Our mission at [Nonprofit] is to [state mission]. This aligns with [Funder]’s commitment to [funder’s goal or mission], making this partnership an ideal opportunity to create meaningful change.
6. Proposed Solution (Brief Overview)
Through [program name or initiative], we will provide [services/resources] to [target population]. Our approach includes [key strategies], which have been proven to [impact/outcome].
7. Call to Action
With the support of [Funder], we can take meaningful steps toward solving [problem]. This funding will help us [specific action, e.g., expand services, reach more people, improve resources] and create lasting change for [beneficiaries]. We look forward to the opportunity to work together and make a real impact.
Wrapping up & additional resources
A strong Statement of Need is the foundation of a successful grant proposal. By clearly outlining the problem, providing data-driven evidence, and connecting your project’s goals to the funding organization’s mission, you can make a compelling case for support.
Just remember to keep your writing clear, concise, and impactful. With the right approach—and the template we provided—you’ll be well on your way to securing the funding needed to bring your next project to life.
Interested in learning more about corporate giving strategies and beyond? Check out these additional resources:
Maximizing Impact With Corporate Volunteer Grant Programs. Volunteer grants (also known as Dollars for Doers) are some of the most widely available forms of corporate giving. Learn everything you need to know about getting started with these programs in our complete guide.
The Complete Guide to In-Kind Donations for Nonprofits. Grants don’t have to be solely monetary, either. Many companies and other donors are willing to provide in-kind support, too, through goods and services offered. Learn more about these in-kind donations here!
Free Download: Developing a Workplace Giving Plan. Discover other types of corporate giving programs—and how your organization can make the most of them—with our guide to developing a workplace giving plan. From matching gifts to VTO hours, this resource covers it all.
https://doublethedonation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/DTD_How-to-Write-a-Statement-of-Need-for-Grants-With-Template_Feature.png6001600Adam Weingerhttps://doublethedonation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-dtd.svgAdam Weinger2025-02-10 15:35:182025-02-10 15:35:18How to Write a Statement of Need for Grants [With Template]
Securing funding is a top priority for charitable organizations, and corporate grants for nonprofits can be a game-changer. From powering community programs to supporting innovative solutions for societal challenges, these funds provide critical resources to help nonprofits achieve their missions. But what exactly are corporate grants, and how can nonprofits tap into this valuable funding source?
In this guide, we’ll break down what corporate grants are, how they work, and the different types available. We’ll also share examples of successful corporate grant programs and actionable tips for nonprofits to enhance their grant application strategies.
And we’ll do so by answering the following frequently asked questions:
Whether you’re new to the grant-seeking process or are simply looking to refine your approach, this resource is designed to help your organization secure impactful partnerships with corporate funders. Let’s begin!
What are corporate grants for nonprofits?
Corporate grants for nonprofits are financial contributions made by companies to support charitable organizations, initiatives, or projects that align with the company’s philanthropic goals or Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts. These grants can be one-time donations or part of an ongoing partnership and typically aim to address specific social issues or community needs.
While there’s no one-size-fits-all structure, it’s essential to recognize that corporate grants can be provided in various forms. These include:
Direct Grants: Cash or funding provided to nonprofit organizations to support a particular program or project.
Matching Grants: Companies match donations made by employees to qualified nonprofits, often on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
In-kind Grants: Non-cash support, such as product donations, services, or resources, which can assist nonprofits in their operations or programs.
Challenge Grants: A type of grant where the company pledges to contribute funds only if the nonprofit can raise a certain amount from other sources.
All in all, corporate grants offer nonprofits a significant source of funding and can also strengthen relationships between businesses and the communities they serve.
Why do companies provide corporate grants for nonprofits?
There are a number of reasons why a company might offer a grant to a nonprofit. While altruism may play a role in things, other corporate benefits offered by grant-making include:
Increased Social Responsibility
Many companies provide grants to support social causes and give back to their communities. Through corporate grants, businesses can contribute to addressing societal challenges, such as education, health, environmental sustainability, and poverty alleviation. Doing so helps them align with their CSR strategies and demonstrate their commitment to social good, which is often important to consumers and employees alike.
Enhanced Corporate Image and Reputation
Supporting nonprofits through grants can enhance a company’s public image and reputation. Companies that contribute to community well-being are often viewed more positively by customers, investors, and employees. As a result, philanthropy can build trust, loyalty, and goodwill, ultimately benefiting the company’s brand.
Growth in Employee Engagement and Satisfaction
Companies often provide grants as part of broader employee engagement strategies. This funding, especially matching gifts or volunteer grants, can encourage employees to donate to causes they care about, fostering a sense of pride in the company. Offering grants can improve employee morale and loyalty while fostering a culture of giving within the workplace.
Deepened Community Relations
By supporting nonprofits, companies can deepen their ties to the communities in which they operate. Doing so can improve relationships with local stakeholders, including government entities, customers, and community leaders. It can also help companies better understand and respond to community needs.
Annual Tax Benefits
Corporate grants to nonprofits can offer tax advantages for companies. In many regions, businesses can deduct charitable contributions from their taxable income, which reduces their overall tax liability. These benefits can make corporate giving a financially beneficial strategy, in addition to being socially responsible.
Strengthened Partnerships and Collaborations
Through grants, companies can build long-term relationships with nonprofit organizations that align with their business values. These partnerships can lead to co-branded initiatives, marketing opportunities, or collaboration on community-based projects, further benefiting both parties.
Overall, corporate grants serve both as a tool for enhancing a company’s reputation and as a means to create a meaningful, lasting impact within society.
How do nonprofits benefit from corporate grants?
Corporate grants provide fundraising organizations with additional, often much-needed revenue. But the advantages don’t stop there!
Check out the following benefits offered by corporate grants for nonprofits:
Financial Support for Programs and Operations
Corporate grants provide nonprofits with the funding they need to support their programs, operations, or special projects. This financial support allows nonprofits to execute their missions, expand their initiatives, and create a more significant impact in the communities they serve.
Increased Visibility and Credibility
Often, receiving a corporate grant elevates a nonprofit’s visibility and credibility. Being associated with well-known, reputable companies can build trust with donors, volunteers, and the general public. It signals that the nonprofit is trustworthy and capable of managing significant funding.
Access to New Resources
Beyond financial support, corporate grants sometimes include in-kind donations of goods or services. In-kind grants can include technology, office supplies, expertise, or even employee volunteers. These additional resources can help nonprofits reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance their capacity to serve their beneficiaries.
Opportunities for Long-Term Partnerships
Corporate grants can lead to long-term relationships and partnerships with businesses. These partnerships may evolve to include joint campaigns, co-branded initiatives, or additional financial support in the long run.
Employee Engagement and Support
Some companies encourage their employees to become more engaged with nonprofits by offering matching gift programs or volunteer incentives. These initiatives can help nonprofits build stronger relationships with individual donors and increase their supporter base, as employees of the company may be more likely to contribute to causes supported by their employers.
Strengthening Community Relationships
Receiving support from a local or national company can help a nonprofit strengthen its ties to the community. Corporate grants help nonprofits expand their reach and impact, fostering deeper community engagement, which can, in turn, lead to more donors, volunteers, and advocates.
Increased Credibility with Other Funders
When a nonprofit receives funding from a reputable company, it may enhance its ability to attract additional funding from other sources, such as foundations or individual donors. Corporations often have rigorous vetting processes, so their endorsement can serve as a seal of approval for other funders.
Opportunities for Marketing and Publicity
Corporate grants can provide nonprofits with opportunities for joint marketing campaigns, events, or publicity efforts that raise awareness of their cause. Companies often help nonprofits with public relations and media outreach, which can help generate visibility for the nonprofit’s work.
In summary, corporate grants provide nonprofits with the financial support and resources necessary to grow their programs, increase their visibility, and build long-term, beneficial relationships with businesses. These grants help strengthen the nonprofit’s overall impact and sustainability.
How can organizations obtain corporate grants?
Now that you better understand the corporate grant opportunity, how can you solicit and secure the best grants for your nonprofit? It doesn’t have to be complicated!
Obtaining corporate grants is a dedicated process that includes the following steps:
1. Identifying Potential Corporate Grant Makers
To begin locating grant opportunities, research companies that offer grants or support the work your organization prioritizes. Doing so can involve:
Browsing company websites: Many companies have dedicated CSR or philanthropy pages that outline their grant programs, eligibility requirements, and application processes.
Leveraging grant databases: Platforms like Foundation Center, GrantStation, Guidestar, or Double the Donation provide searchable databases that include corporate giving opportunities.
Implementing networking and outreach: Attend corporate philanthropy events, industry conferences, or other professional groups to learn about potential corporate grant opportunities.
Utilizing donor employment information: See if your donors’ employing companies offer grants for nonprofits. You already have an opportunity to get your foot in the door—employee interest!
2. Aligning Your Mission with Corporate Priorities
Corporate grants are often aligned with a company’s values, mission, or CSR focus areas. In order to ensure available grants fit well with their own organization’s efforts, nonprofits should start by researching the company’s CSR strategy. Identify if their giving aligns with the nonprofit’s work (e.g., education, healthcare, or environmental sustainability).
You may also want to take a look at corporate giving patterns. For example, some companies prefer supporting local causes, employee-driven initiatives, or specific social issues, while others may have a broader national or international scope.
3. Researching Corporate Grant Criteria
Corporate grants often have specific application processes, guidelines, and deadlines. For the best results, it’s a good idea for your team to:
Review eligibility criteria: Ensure your nonprofit meets the company’s qualifications (e.g., tax-exempt status, geographic location, type of project).
Understand the funding process: Companies may request proposals, impact reports, or specific documentation. Be prepared to meet the requirements.
Track deadlines: Many companies have annual grant cycles, so it’s integral that you stay on top of when applications are due.
4. Building Relationships with Corporate Partners
Establishing connections with companies can increase the likelihood of securing grants. In order to do so effectively, nonprofits should…
Leverage existing connections: Engage with companies that have employees or leadership who are already involved with or passionate about the nonprofit’s mission.
Attend networking events and conferences: Companies often attend events to connect with nonprofits, so it’s a good idea to participate and build relationships with corporate representatives.
Reach out directly: Contact the company’s CSR or community relations department to inquire about available funding opportunities and to introduce the nonprofit’s work.
5. Crafting a Compelling Grant Proposal
A strong, clear, and well-structured grant proposal is essential for securing corporate funding. As you begin crafting your grant proposals, you’ll want to::
Clearly outline your nonprofit’s mission: Explain the organization’s mission, values, and the work being done in the community or with specific populations.
Detail the specific project or program: Provide a clear description of the project or program that will benefit from the grant. This section should include goals, target outcomes, and how it aligns with the company’s CSR objectives.
Show measurable impact: Include metrics that demonstrate how the grant will contribute to tangible results and how success will be measured.
Provide a budget: Include a detailed budget that explains how the funds will be spent and how they will support the project’s goals.
Include a sustainability plan: Highlight how the nonprofit plans to sustain the project after the corporate grant has been used.
6. Submitting the Grant Application
It’s vital that you properly submit your grant application in order to ensure it makes its way to corporate leadership for decision-making. After submitting a corporate grant proposal, it’s critical that you:
Follow the submission guidelines: Pay close attention to the company’s preferred method of submission, such as online portals, email, or mail.
Submit required documentation: Ensure all requested materials (e.g., tax-exempt status, financial statements, board of directors list) are included with the application.
7. Following Up and Staying Engaged
Don’t forget about a grant once you’ve completed your application! Instead, the art of following up well is essential.
After submitting a corporate grant proposal, it’s important to:
Send a thank-you note: Acknowledge the company’s consideration of the grant request, expressing appreciation for their time and attention.
Keep in touch: Even if the nonprofit isn’t selected for a grant, maintaining communication with corporate grantmakers can build a relationship for future funding opportunities.
Stay engaged with the company’s initiatives: Participate in corporate social responsibility events or initiatives the company hosts, which can further deepen the nonprofit’s relationship with the company.
8. Reporting on Grant Impact
Finally, many corporate grantmakers require progress or impact reports to track how their contributions are being used. In order to maintain compliance with the funder, organizations should:
Keep detailed records: Track how the grant is spent and document the outcomes.
Provide regular updates: Share reports, photos, or stories about the progress and impact of the funded project.
Acknowledge the company: Highlight the company’s support on social media, in newsletters, or during events, recognizing their contribution and further fostering the relationship.
By following these steps, nonprofits can increase their chances of successfully obtaining corporate grants and building long-term partnerships with businesses that align with their mission.
What companies offer corporate grants for nonprofits?
Many companies offer corporate grants for nonprofits, especially those with robust Corporate Social Responsibility (or CSR) programs. Below are some examples we’ve compiled of 25 companies known for providing generous grants.
Note: These companies often have specific criteria and application processes, so nonprofits should research each company’s giving priorities and guidelines to determine if they are eligible for funding. Additionally, many of these companies offer employee giving programs, which can be a valuable way for nonprofits to receive additional funding.
Bank of America
Bank of America offers grants through its Charitable Foundation, primarily focusing on economic mobility, workforce development, education, and health.
In order to support nonprofits in their communities, the company provides cash grants and resources aimed at fostering long-term social and economic progress, with an emphasis on creating equitable opportunities in underrepresented communities.
Google for Nonprofits is a program that offers grants and in-kind support to eligible nonprofits. The program focuses on empowering organizations through technology, education, and sustainability initiatives, and nonprofits benefit from free access to Google tools, including Google Ads, Google Workspace, and other cloud resources.
Google also offers financial grants to organizations leveraging technology to address social challenges, enabling them to amplify their impact and reach broader audiences.
The Target Foundation focuses its grants on education, arts and culture, social services, and environmental sustainability. The company’s community giving efforts are dedicated to supporting youth education programs, arts initiatives, and nonprofit organizations that contribute to environmental conservation and social equity.
Target provides grants to nonprofits working to improve communities and create opportunities for underserved populations, with particular emphasis on initiatives that promote educational access and community engagement.
Microsoft Philanthropies supports nonprofits that focus on education, technology access, and economic development. The company’s grant programs are designed to promote digital literacy, provide educational opportunities, and improve community well-being through technology.
All in all, Microsoft’s philanthropic efforts are aimed at reducing the digital divide by supporting nonprofits that enhance technology access and build skills in underserved populations, ultimately contributing to long-term economic growth.
Nordstrom’s corporate giving focuses on community-based programs related to youth, education, and workforce development. The company offers grants to nonprofits that align with its commitment to providing opportunities for young people and helping them gain essential life skills.
Nordstrom also supports organizations that promote career readiness and leadership development, particularly in the areas of fashion, retail, and business.
The Clif Bar Family Foundation offers grants to nonprofits working in the areas of environmental sustainability, food systems, and outdoor recreation. Clif Bar supports initiatives that align with their values of promoting sustainability, health, and environmental stewardship.
Their grants focus on projects that address issues like climate change, biodiversity, healthy food systems, and the promotion of outdoor activities, aiming to create lasting positive impacts on communities and the environment.
The Coca-Cola Foundation provides grants that focus on water access, community development, education, and healthy living. The company supports nonprofits that address critical global issues, particularly in water conservation, sustainability, and improving access to clean water.
Coca-Cola also funds initiatives that promote education, community empowerment, and health, with an emphasis on enhancing the well-being of underserved populations.
The Dick’s Sporting Goods Foundation offers grants to nonprofits focused on youth sports, education, and community development. Their programs aim to inspire and enable young people to participate in sports and develop leadership skills.
The foundation’s grants are designed to provide funding for organizations that increase access to sports programs, promote physical fitness, and support the development of young athletes in underserved communities.
Geico offers corporate grants through its philanthropic initiatives, with a focus on education, health, and community development. The company supports nonprofit organizations that improve access to education, promote wellness, and strengthen local communities.
Geico’s grants are often directed toward initiatives that address specific community needs, including youth development, disaster relief, and supporting military families.
The Kroger Foundation focuses on hunger relief, health, and sustainability. The company’s grants are dedicated to reducing food insecurity, supporting sustainable agriculture, and promoting healthy lifestyles.
Kroger provides funding to nonprofits that work to address the root causes of hunger and nutrition disparities, especially in underserved communities. Their philanthropic efforts also extend to environmental sustainability and education initiatives.
State Farm Insurance offers grants through the State Farm Foundation, focusing on community development, education, and safety initiatives. The foundation supports nonprofits that enhance public safety, promote financial literacy, and provide educational opportunities to underserved populations.
State Farm’s grants are aimed at improving community resilience, safety, and accessibility to essential resources for individuals and families in need.
The Walmart Foundation provides grants that support hunger relief, education, workforce development, and sustainability. Walmart’s philanthropic efforts focus on tackling food insecurity, improving educational opportunities, and supporting initiatives that promote economic development in local communities.
The foundation also funds environmental sustainability programs, helping nonprofits that address issues like climate change and resource conservation.
Wells Fargo’s philanthropic focus is on community development, education, and environmental sustainability. The Wells Fargo Foundation supports nonprofit organizations that foster financial literacy, improve housing and workforce development, and promote educational access.
The company also funds environmental initiatives that aim to address climate change, resource management, and sustainable practices within communities.
Costco’s charitable giving is focused on education, health, and community support. The company provides grants to nonprofits that promote access to education, improve health outcomes, and contribute to community development.
Costco’s support is often directed toward programs that help low-income and underserved populations, with a particular emphasis on youth services and health initiatives.
The Best Buy Foundation supports nonprofits that focus on youth, education, and technology access. The company offers grants to organizations that provide tech-related education, mentorship, and skills-building programs for young people, particularly those in underserved communities.
Best Buy’s grants help increase access to technology and digital literacy, empowering the next generation of innovators.
Lowe’s offers grants through its Lowe’s Foundation, focusing on community improvement, homebuilding, and disaster relief. The foundation supports nonprofits that are improving the quality of life in local communities, particularly those engaged in building and renovating homes for low-income families.
Lowe’s also funds disaster recovery and rebuilding efforts, especially in communities affected by natural disasters.
General Motors (also known as GM) offers grants through the GM Foundation, supporting education, community development, and sustainability. GM’s philanthropic initiatives focus on STEM education, workforce development, and environmental sustainability.
The GM Foundation provides funding for programs that enhance educational access, improve career readiness, and support environmental projects that help communities thrive.
Verizon offers corporate grants through the Verizon Foundation, with a focus on education, healthcare, and community empowerment. The foundation supports nonprofit organizations that leverage technology to promote digital literacy, improve access to healthcare, and enhance education opportunities.
Verizon’s grants are designed to help organizations address social issues through technology-driven solutions.
The Ford Motor Company Fund offers grants to nonprofits focused on community development, education, and environmental sustainability. The fund supports organizations that address critical social issues, such as mobility, workforce development, and reducing carbon footprints.
Ford’s philanthropic efforts aim to improve lives by fostering educational opportunities, enhancing environmental sustainability, and driving innovation.
Citizens Bank provides grants through its Citizens Bank Foundation, with an emphasis on financial literacy, education, and community development. The foundation supports nonprofits that promote economic empowerment, improve access to education, and strengthen local communities.
Citizens Bank’s grants focus on providing opportunities for underserved individuals and families, helping them achieve long-term financial stability.
The Home Depot Foundation focuses on housing, veterans’ services, and community development. The foundation supports nonprofits that are working to improve access to affordable housing and assist military veterans.
Home Depot’s philanthropic efforts also extend to community rebuilding initiatives and programs that improve the living conditions of vulnerable populations.
The American Express Foundation provides grants focused on historic preservation, arts, culture, and community development. The foundation supports nonprofits working to preserve cultural heritage, increase access to the arts, and revitalize underserved communities.
American Express also funds projects that improve local economies and encourage inclusive development in both urban and rural areas.
Cigna Group’s philanthropic initiatives focus on health, well-being, and community resilience. The company’s grants support nonprofits working to improve health outcomes, promote mental well-being, and enhance access to healthcare services.
Cigna is particularly interested in initiatives that address health disparities and work to create healthier communities.
Patagonia’s corporate giving focuses on environmental conservation, climate change, and social activism. The company’s Patagonia Action Works program provides grants to nonprofits working to protect the environment, promote sustainability, and advocate for climate action.
Patagonia supports grassroots organizations that are leading efforts to protect natural resources and combat environmental challenges.
U.S. Bank offers grants through the U.S. Bank Foundation, focusing on economic development, financial literacy, and community health. The foundation supports nonprofits that foster financial education, create affordable housing, and strengthen community health initiatives.
U.S. Bank’s philanthropic efforts aim to increase economic opportunity and financial security for underserved populations.
Corporate grants offer nonprofits a unique opportunity to gain financial support while building meaningful relationships with companies that share their vision. By understanding the types of grants available and crafting strong, strategic proposals, nonprofits can position themselves as valuable partners in corporate philanthropy initiatives.
As you pursue this type of grant, remember that the process is not just about funding—it’s about creating a long-term partnership with a company that believes in your mission. Start exploring corporate grant opportunities today and unlock new possibilities for your organization’s growth and success.
Ready to learn more about corporate giving opportunities for your organization? Check out the following resources to keep reading:
A well-established board of directors can play a critical role in the success of a nonprofit. Not only through governance and strategic leadership but also by actively contributing to revenue-generation efforts through dedicated board member fundraising.
One powerful yet often underutilized way board members can amplify their impact is by leveraging corporate philanthropy programs like matching gifts and volunteer grants—including specific programs designed to celebrate board membership. These initiatives allow key individuals to maximize their personal contributions and service, encouraging greater community support and engagement.
In this post, we’ll explore how board members can take advantage of these opportunities and more to drive additional funding for their organizations. Specifically, we’ll cover the following:
By understanding and leveraging corporate philanthropy programs like matching gifts and volunteer grants, board members can significantly enhance their nonprofit’s fundraising potential. As we dive into the specifics, you’ll discover practical strategies and actionable insights to help board members unlock new funding opportunities.
Read on to learn how you and your fellow board members can make the most of these powerful giving programs and beyond!
What is board member fundraising?
Board member fundraising refers to the role nonprofit board members play in generating financial support for their organization. As key leaders and ambassadors, board members are often expected to contribute personally and encourage others to give through their networks.
This can include direct donations, securing major gifts, organizing fundraising events, leveraging corporate giving programs like matching gifts and volunteer grants, and fostering relationships with potential donors.
All in all, effective board member fundraising strengthens the nonprofit’s financial sustainability and demonstrates a commitment to the organization’s mission.
5 board member fundraising strategies to consider
While board member fundraising can seem daunting, there are several effective and accessible ways for organizations to rally their board members to get involved. Below are five key fundraising strategies that can help board members maximize their impact and strengthen their nonprofit’s financial sustainability.
1) Organize fundraising events.
Hosting fundraising events is a powerful way for board members to engage their networks and generate revenue for the nonprofit. Whether it’s a formal gala, networking reception, or intimate donor gathering, these events provide opportunities to cultivate relationships and secure donations.
Board members can take the lead by organizing, sponsoring, or inviting key stakeholders to these events. By leveraging their connections and expertise, they can create meaningful experiences that inspire giving and strengthen donor relationships.
2) Encourage giving by example.
Board members set the tone for donor engagement, and one of the most effective ways to encourage giving is by leading with personal contributions. When board members donate at a meaningful level, it signals confidence in the organization’s mission and motivates others to contribute.
Organizations should establish a culture where board giving is an expectation and celebrate members who go above and beyond in their financial support.
3) Implement peer-to-peer fundraising.
Peer-to-peer fundraising allows board members to leverage their networks for greater impact. By creating personal fundraising pages and reaching out to friends, colleagues, and family, board members can rally additional supporters around the cause.
Whether tied to a specific campaign, event, or milestone, peer-to-peer efforts help expand an organization’s donor base and bring in new funding. Providing board members with the right tools and messaging to do so ensures their outreach is both effective and seamless.
4) Thank and steward board members.
Recognizing and appreciating board members for their fundraising efforts is essential to maintaining engagement and motivation. Organizations should implement consistent stewardship practices, such as personalized thank-you messages, public recognition, and exclusive impact updates.
Celebrating board contributions not only strengthens their commitment but also reinforces the importance of their role in the nonprofit’s success.
5) Explore corporate giving opportunities.
Many board members have access to corporate giving programs through their employers, including matching gifts, volunteer grants, and other opportunities. To ensure you’re making the most of their support, nonprofit teams should educate board members on these programs—and encourage them to take advantage of available funding.
Whether by submitting their own donations for a match or securing grants for volunteer hours, board members can unlock significant financial support through their employers with minimal extra effort.
Board member fundraising & matching gifts
Matching gifts are one of the most effective ways to amplify board member fundraising efforts. After all, many companies have established corporate matching gift programs, where they match donations made by their employees to eligible nonprofits. Some even offer dedicated programs to match board members’ donations at an even higher rate or allowance!
As a result, board members can take advantage of these programs to significantly increase the impact of their personal contributions—and encourage others to do the same.
Check out these examples of companies with matching gift programs specifically for employees serving on nonprofit boards:
US Bancorp
US Bancorp is the parent company of the U.S. Bank National Association (based in Minneapolis, Minnesota), ranked the fifth largest bank in the U.S. based on assets ($670 billion), and the fifth largest based on total branches. The company currently employs over 70,000 people.
US Bank Matching Gift Policy
US Bank offers a 1:1 matching ratio of gifts with a generous limit each year. When a board member makes a donation, however, this limit is tripled. US Bank matches donations made by full-time and part-time employees to most nonprofit organizations.
WestRock is an American packaging company based in Richmond, Virginia. It has approximately 56,000 employees.
WestRock Matching Gift Policy
WestRock matches all employee donations to educational institutions (K-12 included). However, it also matches donations from employees who serve on the board of directors (or other governing bodies) of the organization to which the contribution is being made.
Dominion Resources, Inc. (aka Dominion) is a power and energy company headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, which supplies electricity and natural gas across the nation. Today, the company employs an estimated 18,000 people.
Dominion Matching Gift Policy
When Dominion employees or retirees serve on the board of directors for a nonprofit organization, the company will make a 2:1 match (which is greater than its standard match offering of 1:1).
Schneider Electric is a France-based multinational corporation with nearly 10 U.S. business acquisitions. The company specializes in electricity distribution and automation management, and it currently employs more than 168,000 individuals.
Schneider Electric Matching Gift Policy
Schneider Electric, Square D NOAD & its subsidiaries provide a 1:1 match on all donations up to a lofty annual maximum. If an employee is also an active member of a nonprofit organization’s board of directors, the match ratio is increased to 1.5:1.
Additionally, volunteer grants are another often overlooked but powerful way for board members to support their nonprofit financially.
Many companies offer corporate volunteer grant programs, which provide monetary donations to nonprofits based on the volunteer hours their employees contribute. As highly engaged volunteers, board members may be eligible to secure these grants, turning their service into direct funding for your cause.
Check out these examples of companies with volunteer grant programs that nonprofit board members can leverage:
Takeda Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Takeda is the largest pharmaceutical company in Japan and Asia, boasting 49,000 employees worldwide. It is focused on metabolic disorders, gastroenterology, neurology, and inflammation.
Takeda Volunteer Grant Program
When an employee of Takeda Pharmaceuticals serves on the board of directors for eligible nonprofit organizations, said employee can request a generous volunteer grant for the organization.
Novartis is a Swiss multinational pharmaceutical company based in Basel, Switzerland. Currently, it’s ranked number eight in sales in the worldwide pharmaceutical industry ($201 billion) and employs nearly 120,000 people.
Novartis Volunteer Grant Program
Novartis offers Board Service Grants, through which employees who serve on the board of directors of an eligible organization can request a volunteer grant after one year of board service. These grants are renewable annually for up to three years.
PNM Resources, headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico, serves electricity to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses across the southwest. Today, PNM is estimated to employ about 2,000 people.
PNM’s Volunteer Grant Program
PNM provides volunteer grants to the organizations its staff volunteer with. However, if an employee volunteers for a minimum number of hours and serves on the organization’s board of directors, the company provides an even larger grant amount!
With over 7,500 employees, Blue Shield of California is based in San Francisco, California. It is a nonprofit health plan provider that serves more than 3.4 million health plan members and almost 65,000 physicians across California.
BSOC Volunteer Grant Program
Blue Shield of California offers a few volunteer grant-giving programs.
For healthcare organizations, when a BSOC employee serves on the nonprofit’s governing board and makes a monetary donation, BSOC will match the donation at a 2:1 ratio. Meanwhile, for civic and community organizations. BSOC employee volunteers serving on the governing body can have their donations matched at a 1:1 ratio.
By tapping into corporate matching gift programs and volunteer grants, board members can significantly boost their nonprofit’s fundraising efforts with minimal extra effort. Whether by submitting their own donations for a corporate match or securing grants for their volunteer service, these initiatives can unlock substantial funding.
As key ambassadors of the organization, board members have a unique opportunity to set the tone for donor engagement and corporate partnerships. When fully utilized, these programs not only strengthen financial resources but also deepen the culture of giving within the nonprofit community. Talk about a win-win!
Interested in learning more about smart fundraising and workplace giving strategies? Check out these additional resources:
Become an Expert: Access The Ultimate Guide to Matching Gifts. Maximize the impact of every donation by leveraging matching gift programs. This comprehensive guide covers everything nonprofits need to know about corporate matching gifts, from identifying opportunities to engaging donors and increasing revenue.
Fuel Fundraising: Access The Guide to Corporate Volunteer Grants. Did you know that many companies provide grants based on their employees’ volunteer hours? This guide explores how nonprofits can tap into corporate volunteer grant programs, empowering board members and supporters to turn their time into funding.
Top Workplace Giving Companies: Leading Employers to Know. Some of the biggest companies offer generous workplace giving programs, from matching gifts to volunteer grants and more. This resource highlights top employers with strong corporate philanthropy initiatives, helping nonprofits connect with companies that align with their missions.
Your website is likely the number one place where donors come to learn about your mission and, ultimately, make a contribution to the cause. Marketing matching gifts on your website is a great way to promote the opportunity while encouraging donors to give more—and make a matching gift request.
While many of your site’s visitors may start out as strangers, the goal is to impress every user—and to make sure that all parties leave feeling satisfied and looking forward to their next visit. Matching gifts are a great way to do that.
With donors going the online giving route more and more often, an organization’s website encompasses endless opportunities to educate supporters about matching gifts and drive them further down the donation-matching funnel.
Because a nonprofit’s website is such a multifaceted tool, there are a ton of ways to market matching gifts effectively within the online resource. In this guide, we’ll dive into a few of the most common and impactful methods for doing so:
As with any modern organization, your website is often the first impression someone has of your nonprofit. It’s essential that you make it count by sharing about matching gifts every chance you get. The more familiar donors are with gift-matching initiatives, the more likely they ultimately are to participate!
Marketing Matching Gifts On Your Website With a Matching Gift Page
One of the best ways to ensure each donor has access to a wide range of matching gift information (and knows how to locate more) is to host a dedicated corporate matching gift web page on your website. This way, donors will have easy access to a landing page where they can learn about matching gift programs and discover if their employers participate.
This page can communicate relevant facts, such as matching gift statistics or annual donation numbers, as well as allow donors to search for information with an embedded company search tool. It could even be as simple as stating what matching gifts are!
Make sure to incorporate the following best practices for matching gifts on your dedicated match page:
Begin with a brief overview of corporate matching gift programs (and where users can locate additional information on the topic).
Explain the benefits of matching gifts programs, both for your nonprofit and for the donors themselves.
Embed Double the Donation’s autocomplete search box in a highly visible location on the page.
Include your organization’s contact information, including mailing address and EIN/tax ID number.
The goal of your matching gift page is to provide donors with a place to both learn about matching gifts and be spurred into action on the spot. With Double the Donation’s matching gift services, for example, you can empower donors to participate with year-round access to the forms, guidelines, and instructions they need to submit matching gift requests in minutes.
Example Content:
“Did you know that more than 26 million people work for companies with employee matching gift programs? You might too! Learn more about your employer’s matching gift programs by entering the company’s name in the below search box.”
“Matching gifts enable our organization to do more for the children in our community. When you request a donation match for your gift to the Children’s Play and Learning Center, you can provide much-needed resources for twice as many kids we serve. Find out more about the programs with our FAQ section, or find your company’s guidelines here.”
Marketing Matching Gifts On Your Website With Blog Articles
Organizations often use online blogs to keep supporters updated on their efforts and tell the nonprofit’s story. Why not also utilize your blog to share ways for donors to double their donations, enabling your team to keep telling that story?
Blog articles are a great way to start the conversation about corporate philanthropy, specifically the role that individual donors can play. Consider telling in-depth stories about the importance of matching gifts while educating people on how to submit the necessary forms.
Best practices for marketing matching gifts with your prewritten articles include:
Posting insightful stories about matching gifts and the effects the programs can bring your organization’s mission.
Incorporating a graphic that advertises matching gifts on the side of a blog post to help increase awareness.
Many donors have never heard of matching gift and volunteer grant programs, so it’s important to inform your supporters about the opportunities. And in order to evoke emotion and drive more donors to participate, we recommend carefully demonstrating the increased impact that corporate giving can have.
Example Content:
“Corporate Employee Matching Gift Programs: What Are They and How Do They Benefit Atlanta University?”
Use this article topic to inform donors about matching gift basics, from what matching gifts are to how they benefit your organization to how easy it is to submit a matching gift request. Sometimes, people just need to know that such programs exist!
“Cat Rescue Club raises $200,000 from Matching Gifts and Saves 10,000 Additional Furry Friends!”
Use this article topic to detail how matching gifts provide additional resources that can create opportunities that would otherwise not be possible. Make the story personal and relatable so donors realize the importance of taking a mere five minutes to submit a matching gift request.
Interested in getting a headstart on your blog content? Double the Donation offers free, prewritten articles your team can customize for your own needs here.
Marketing Matching Gifts On Your Website With Images and Buttons
Images and buttons are each highly effective ways to draw attention to matching gifts within your organization’s website. Well-crafted visuals are significantly more eye-catching than plain text links (which are often overlooked) and can be a great resource for driving website visitors to take an intended call to action.
Make sure to incorporate the following best practices for matching gifts using images and buttons:
Brand your images and buttons to your organization and its website by using your existing color scheme, font choices, etc.
Use imagery to help donors visualize the tangible impact that matching gifts can bring your organization and its mission.
Produce high-quality and visually appealing images and buttons—avoid blurriness, overcrowding, and imbalance—that also add value to your site.
Choose and communicate a clear action that you’d like website visitors to take (such as visiting your matching gifts page or searching their employer in your company database).
Once you have your images and buttons created and ready to go, consider incorporating one or more of these resources into your website, along with other digital communications—such as social media marketing and matching gift emails—as well.
Example Content:
“Get your gift matched — request a matching donation from your employer here!”
“Learn more about matching gifts! Click here to locate your company’s matching gift guidelines.”
P.S. Interested in even more matching gift graphics and customizable templates? Check out the resources Double the Donation offers for free for users on the platform.
Marketing Matching Gifts On Your Website With a Navigation Menu
A website’s navigation bar is used to provide visitors with an easily accessible resource with which they can travel throughout the site from page to page. For many nonprofits, this navigation bar (also known as a “navigation menu”) incorporates the most highly-trafficked pages.
Depending on the organization in question, this might include items related to the organization’s mission and vision, an “about us” page, contact information for users to get in touch with the team, and a number of ways to support the cause.
By including a link to your organization’s dedicated matching gift web page (described above) within your navigation bar, you can allow users to access that information from anywhere on your website.
Make sure to incorporate the following best practices for matching gifts on your website navigation:
Provide easy access to matching gift information directly from your site’s navigation bar by linking to your dedicated matching gift page.
Choose phrasing that is straight to the point and easily understood by your donors and other website viewers (for example, “Double your Donation” or “Matching Gifts”).
Place your link as prominently within your navigation bar as possible. Avoid too many subfolders, which can defeat the purpose of including it in the website menu at all.
Incorporating a matching gifts link in your navigation bar allows donors to intuitively discover matching gifts. Once a user clicks the link or button, they are able to dive into all the nitty-gritty details about matching gift programs. But all it takes to spark that interest and get the user involved is typically just a few words within the navigation menu!
Marketing Matching Gifts On Your Website With a Ways to Give Page
A functional website is a necessity for every organization. Not only is it a valuable resource for sharing information about your cause and operations, but it also offers an invaluable source of real estate for promoting revenue opportunities—both matching gifts and otherwise.
For many organizations, that’s where their Ways to Give page comes in!
A “ways to give” page is an area on a nonprofit’s website where people learn about a wide range of support options for the organization. This often includes online giving, upcoming events, direct mail donations, peer-to-peer fundraising opportunities, volunteer initiatives, and, of course, workplace giving programs such as donation matches and volunteer grants.
Make sure to incorporate the following best practices for matching gifts on your “ways to give” page:
Provide donors with direct access to the tools they need to research their own matching gift eligibility (like a matching gift company search tool).
Direct donors to a page with more information (e.g., your dedicated matching gift page).
There are typically a ton of ways for supporters to contribute to your organization, and you’ll want to advertise them all on your “ways to give” page. Then, as donors are looking for impactful opportunities to support your cause, remind them that having their employers double their donations is a simple way to make their gift go further.
Example Content:
“Looking for more ways to support your favorite charities? See if your employer offers matching gifts!”
“Did you know that thousands of companies match employee donations? Find out if your support is eligible for matching to double the impact of your gift.”
Marketing Matching Gifts On Your Website With a Custom Match Page
Some companies may not yet have the resources or the bandwidth to launch a comprehensive matching gift program for their staff. One approach that’s becoming increasingly popular among such businesses is the establishment of custom matching gift programs as a way for employers to get a taste of the employee giving opportunity. In this scenario, a company would agree to match team members’ donations to a single nonprofit, often during a limited-time campaign.
And by marketing this unique (or “one-off”) matching gift opportunity, your nonprofit can pursue corporate partnerships more effectively. We recommend hosting a dedicated Custom Matching Gift Programs page on your website, keeping in mind that this resource will primarily target the companies themselves—rather than a company’s individual employees.
Make sure to incorporate the following best practices for matching gifts using custom matching gift pages:
Host the page and the embedded interest form on your nonprofit website, and maintain consistent branding throughout your organizational materials.
Clearly define the partnership opportunity. Many companies will be unaware that custom matching gift programs are an option, so you’ll want to overview exactly what is being asked and offered.
Provide a summary of your nonprofit’s mission and vision! Interested companies may be familiar with your purpose already, but a refresher can reiterate the impact the partner would make by supporting your cause.
Custom matching gift programs provide nonprofits with an excellent opportunity to deepen their relationships with philanthropic-minded companies wanting to get involved in giving back. But they take a bit of a different marketing approach to pursue, so it’s a good idea to determine where these initiatives fit into your overall corporate fundraising strategy and go from there.
Example Content:
“Interested in supporting our organization with a custom matching gift program? Fill out the following form, and we’ll be in touch to discuss the next steps for developing a mutually beneficial partnership!”
“By organizing a custom matching gift initiative, which is a unique type of employee giving program, your company would commit to matching donations made by your employees to our nonprofit organization.”
*While Double the Donation offers custom matching gift management functionality, this feature is designed specifically for fundraisers looking to manage custom matching gift initiatives—Double the Donation does not work directly with corporations. If you’re a company interested in creating a matching gift program, contact us, and we’ll share information about our corporate vendor partners.
Final Thoughts & Additional Matching Gift Marketing Resources
Implementing matching gift promotions across your website is a major step in boosting your revenue. Don’t overlook it!
Individuals looking to get involved in your giving in the first place will be more inclined to contribute, while existing donors will be able to easily locate the information they need to get their gifts matched by their employers.
As your organization’s #1 marketing tool, marketing matching gifts on your website is essential.
Interested in learning more about effective matching gift fundraising practices? Check out our other educational resources on the topic:
A Complete Guide to Fundraising Automation for Nonprofits. Raise more for your organization with less time, money, and resources by leveraging automation strategies. Find out how to fundraise better across your online giving pages, donor management system, matching gift tools, and more with this guide.
How Donor Employer Information Can Boost Your Fundraising. Sharing company-specific matching gift information with donors is a great practice to follow. But in order to do so, you’ll need to know where they work! Learn more about collecting donor employment data and what to do with it here.
Matching Gift Databases: Our Comprehensive Guide. Marketing matching gifts across your website and more is made easier with a matching gift database. Explore this Double the Donation guide to uncovering everything you need to know about the leading matching gift software solution.
https://doublethedonation.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/DTD_Marketing-Matching-Gifts-On-Your-Website_Feature.jpg6001600Adam Weingerhttps://doublethedonation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-dtd.svgAdam Weinger2025-01-11 03:09:322025-02-27 19:34:00Top Strategies for Marketing Matching Gifts On Your Website
Whether your company is managing a corporate giving program or your nonprofit is seeking matching gift revenue, corporate philanthropy can be tricky to master.
For businesses, creating an effective matching gift program entails substantial hard work that will ultimately pay off. For nonprofits, it takes ongoing research to acquire much-deserved matching gift revenue. Nonetheless, corporate social responsibility is a growing, impactful phenomenon.
Matching gift programs are naturally complex, but fortunately, there are several technology solutions on the market. To kick off your research, let’s go through each of these major areas:
If you’re not already familiar with these philanthropic programs, take a look at this comprehensive guide on corporate giving. Otherwise, let’s jump straight into the top matching gift software providers!
1. Top Matching Gift Software Providers for Nonprofits
Corporate giving represents a major revenue opportunity for nonprofits, but researching your donors’ employers can be fairly difficult and time-consuming. Plus, for nonprofits, this process never ends.
Once you initially gather information on local companies’ matching gift programs, your team has to stay up-to-date on the changes made within these programs. You also have to be constantly on the lookout for new employers each time a donor submits a gift.
This may be doable for very small nonprofits, but as their donor bases grow, staying updated without effective software is virtually impossible.
Why It’s Important for Nonprofits to Use Matching Gift Software
Many donors don’t know how to navigate their employer’s corporate giving process—and some are unaware that their employers even offer matching gift programs at all. For that reason, nonprofits tend to leave a substantial amount of revenue on the table every year.
Matching gift software not only helps spread awareness around matching gift programs but also helps guide donors through the process in an easy and intuitive way. Any size nonprofit can benefit from a matching gift database—no matter how small or large. Without a comprehensive system, your nonprofit will inevitably overlook these major revenue opportunities.
So how do you choose the right matching gift software? Be sure to invest in a solution that’s frequently updated, comprehensive, and easy to use, such as the leading matching gift solution: Double the Donation.
Double the Donation
Double the Donation is the complete end-to-end matching gift solution that automates the majority of the process. The platform pulls directly from Double the Donation’s extensive matching gift database, giving you the most comprehensive coverage of matching gift programs.
Here’s how it works to simplify corporate giving for nonprofits:
An individual submits a donation.When donors enter their information into your donation forms, the platform automatically identifies their matching gift eligibility by searching for the details they provide in a database of corporate philanthropy programs. This may include email domains or employer information.
Double the Donation automates your follows up. Depending on the donor’s eligibility, the platform automatically triggers customizable follow-up emails to these donors. If they’re eligible for a matching gift, they will be prompted to submit a request. If their eligibility is unknown or they are ineligible, they will be prompted to double check using the search tool.
The platform tracks matches to completion.Double the Donation enables customizable tracking so you know where your donors are in the match process.
Benefits of using Double the Donation include:
More matching gift opportunities.Double the Donation allows you to automatically determine matching gift eligibility among your donors, which means more matching gift requests will be successfully submitted.
More matches driven to completion.The platform directs donors to their company’s matching gift forms right after the donation has been made and continues to follow up afterward. This means more submissions will be completed and bring in exponentially more matching gift revenue for your organization.
More time to focus on top opportunities.Because Double the Donation automates every matching gift opportunity, big or small, your organization can focus its efforts on the most valuable match-eligible donations.
Closer relationships with corporate partners. Double the Donation is also the only matching gift software that offers custom matching gift program management functionality (where a company commits to matching donations made by employees to a specific nonprofit). This feature empowers organizations to facilitate unique or one-off match opportunities directly with the companies in their network, and the ease with which the programs are managed from both sides leads not only to more matching gift opportunities but to increasing donor reach, positive fundraising outcomes, and deepening long-term partnerships!
*As a note, this feature is designed specifically for fundraisers looking to manage custom matching gift initiatives—Double the Donation does not work directly with corporations. If you’re a company interested in creating a matching gift program, contact us, and we’ll share information about our corporate vendor partners.
Less effort for donors to get involved. Donors love elevating their giving impact with matching programs, but complicated processes can lead to eligible matches going unclaimed. Double the Donation helps simplify the experience for qualifying donors, including with new streamlined auto-submission functionality.
Double the Donation will ensure your organization doesn’t leave large sums of matching gift revenue on the table. The platform essentially serves as your own matching gift team, automating the process so your staff can focus on the most important thing: serving your mission.
The system also has state-of-the-art security (as illustrated by its SOC 2 Type II Compliance) that will protect all of your donors’ data and help your team gain better insight into your revenue opportunities.
Double the Donation’s matching gift integrations include:
CRMs,such as Blackbaud (Raiser’s Edge NXT) and Salesforce
Peer-to-peer fundraising platforms,such as Classy and DonorDrive
Donation software,such as Luminate, Convio, Funraise, and iModules
Corporate giving software, such as Millie, POINT, and Selflessly
These integrations allow you to continue using the fundraising software you already leverage while also sending the data through Double the Donation’s platform so you can automatically identify new matching gift opportunities.
Double the Donation is the next evolution of advanced matching gift tools for nonprofits. If your organization isn’t using dedicated matching gift software, there’s no doubt that you’re missing out on major opportunities.
Interested in learning more about smart matching gift fundraising and best practices for leveraging Double the Donation to your greatest potential? Check out Double the Donation’s Matching Gift Academy here!
2. Matching Gift Software Vendors for Companies
If your company doesn’t already have a philanthropic program in place, there’s no time like the present to get started! After all, there are innumerable benefits to having these programs, including heightened employee engagement and a positive company reputation.
If you already have a match program in place, your company may be considering switching to an electronic matching gift system. Not only does that save valuable time, but it also ensures there aren’t any gaps in your guidelines.
Let’s go through each of the leading software vendors for companies:
These vendors deliver everything a company needs to outsource the employee matching gift administration process, volunteer grants, disaster relief, and broader workplace giving programs. And for your convenience, we’ve separated them out based on a key distinguishing factor—whether they offer auto-submission functionality.
What to look for: Is the matching gift software CLMA-certified?
For the best results, companies in the matching gift software buying process should prioritize CLMA-certified solutions in order to provide optimal encounters for their employees and the organizations they support. What does that mean?
Platforms with the official CLMA Certificate have been deemed Certified Leaders in Matching Automation, providing the most streamlined and intuitive matching gift experience for their users. This, in turn, encourages higher rates of employee participation and reduces the administrative burden for companies and nonprofits alike.
What to look for: Does the matching gift software offer auto-submission?
Traditionally, donors looking to participate in matching programs have been required to submit their donation to a nonprofit organization, then complete a separate request process with their employer to secure the corporate match. This separate request often asks for information about the receiving organization, specific donations, and even the employee themselves, and it’s often a critical roadblock keeping employee donors from completing their matches.
Today, many companies are rolling out matching gift auto-submission abilities, which allow donors to submit their match requests directly from their favorite organizations’ donation confirmation pages with a single click.
Let’s take a look at some of the breakthrough matching gift software providers that are empowering companies and their employees with this functionality;
Field Day
Field Day is a corporate giving platform designed to help companies foster meaningful connections between employees and their local communities. By streamlining workplace giving and volunteering initiatives, the platform makes it easy for businesses to support causes that matter to their workforce.
With Field Day, companies can:
Match employee donations to eligible nonprofits, increasing the impact of employee generosity.
Organize and track employee volunteerism through company-sponsored events and initiatives.
Offer location-based giving opportunities to connect employees with causes in their communities.
Launch custom giving campaigns to align charitable efforts with corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals.
Field Day’s platform empowers businesses to create a culture of giving while ensuring that employees are actively engaged in philanthropy. Additionally, their integration with Double the Donation’s matching gift software allows for seamless auto-submission of matching gifts, reducing administrative work and maximizing donations.
Millie provides workplace giving tools for all by allowing companies to create simple and flexible social impact programs on a budget. Their platform brings the power of a giving wallet to everyday donors by providing financial tools that allow for easy, simple, and strategic giving.
Millie allows companies to:
Match employee donations
Manage employee volunteerism by creating events and tracking impact
Build giving campaigns
Gift charitable dollars to employees and customers
Millie’s workplace giving platform is designed to provide a comprehensive and affordable solution for companies of all sizes so that reaching CSR goals is achievable for all. Plus, they integrate with Double the Donation’s matching gift solution to offer innovative auto-submission for their corporate clients.
Learn more about Millie on their websitehereor check out our case study to see their matching gift auto-submission in action!
POINT
POINT is the ready-to-go social impact platform for companies serious about impact. Manage employee volunteering, giving, and nonprofit partnerships on one platform employees actually want to use.
As an innovative corporate giving provider, POINT enables businesses to:
Manage matching donation campaigns and initiatives
Manage employee volunteerism
Organize virtual volunteer opportunities
Co-host volunteer opportunities with local nonprofits
Fulfill tangible nonprofit needs through in-kind giving
Automatically track volunteering and giving statistics and reporting
Track impact of workplace giving initiatives
Plus, when companies purchase a subscription to POINT, they can gift the nonprofit POINT platform to nonprofits for free. Companies can collaborate with nonprofits on the same platform and give nonprofits the tools they need to find and manage volunteers seamlessly, saving them up to 15 hours per week.
Not to mention, POINT now offers matching gift auto-submission to make matching gifts as simple as possible for companies, donors, and nonprofits alike.
Selflessly is a comprehensive matching gift and corporate philanthropy management software. Developed in 2018, they aim to provide small and mid-sized businesses with the resources needed to launch and maintain their philanthropic initiatives effectively.
Selflessly helps businesses:
Donate to millions of local and national charities
Provide simple employee giving processes
Match employee donations
Report on giving and impact
Promote employee engagement
Locate and manage volunteer opportunities
Track volunteer time off
If you’re looking for a powerful yet affordable matching gift solution for your business, Selflessly is a great way to go. As an added bonus, they even partner with our matching gift automation tool to further streamline the giving and matching processes for employers and employees alike through matching gift auto-submission abilities!
Learn more about Selflessly on their website here or read our case study to see how this matching gift vendor is changing the game with auto-submission!
Uncommon Giving
Uncommon Giving is a workplace giving platform that enables companies to integrate philanthropy into their culture with an emphasis on employee engagement and impact. Their software provides a user-friendly experience for both employers and employees, ensuring that giving back is simple and rewarding.
Uncommon Giving offers:
Matching gift programs that allow employees to amplify their contributions with company-sponsored donations.
Donor-advised funds (DAFs) to facilitate long-term charitable giving and financial planning for employees.
Volunteer tracking and incentives to encourage and reward employee engagement in nonprofit work.
Charitable gifting tools that enable businesses to distribute funds to employees and customers.
By offering a holistic approach to workplace philanthropy, Uncommon Giving helps businesses align their giving initiatives with employee values while maximizing social impact. Meanwhile, their integration with Double the Donation’s matching gift software further enhances their corporate matching capabilities, ensuring a seamless and efficient donation-matching experience.
These other CSR platforms can offer excellent features and functionality regarding matching gift program management for companies, though they have not yet built out auto-submission capabilities with Double the Donation. This means that employees will be required to complete separate request processes to participate in their companies’ giving initiatives.
However, matching gift auto-submission is the future of corporate gift-matching, so keep an eye out as more of these providers shift to automatic submissions as well.
America’s Charities
America’s Charities offers an entire suite of tools for companies. Their most comprehensive solution, Engage, is an end-to-end giving and corporate social responsibility (CSR) solution that offers a holistic view of your global impact.
The platform provides a comprehensive and flexible solution to help your company streamline community programs and maximize your social investment. Best of all? You can manage all of your corporate philanthropy and giving programs from one place.
Engage helps organize:
Corporate philanthropy, grants, and sponsorships
Donation matching
Employee workplace giving
Employee engagement
Volunteer programs
You can also track your goals easily and share eye-catching reports and dashboards using real-time data. Unfortunately, however, Engage does not currently offer matching gift auto-submission capabilities.
Originally founded in Canada in 2008, Benevity has rapidly developed a major presence with companies based in the United States as well.
This workplace giving platform strives to create compelling corporate giving programs that help companies attract, retain, and engage employees. In addition to a matching gift program, the vendor allows businesses to implement other philanthropic programs, such as volunteer grants and charitable gift cards to motivate employees to generously give.
Through Benevity, corporations can evaluate their success in making a positive impact on their communities. That way, they can adjust their efforts to create the best possible giving program. However, Benevity has yet to offer matching gift auto-submission functionality.
Bright Funds is a leading provider of corporate giving software as a service for workplace giving, volunteering, and grants management. With nearly a decade of experience, Bright Funds helps companies of all sizes multiply their impact through an intuitive, comprehensive corporate social responsibility platform.
Companies can build a culture of giving and grow their employees’ impact with a matching gifts program on Bright Funds. Matching rules can be set up with a single click from the admin dashboard. The platform automatically enforces matching rules and budget limits, while ensuring that employees can only donate to vetted, eligible organizations. That gives companies more time to focus on engaging employees to participate and give back to the causes they care about.
With Bright Funds, companies can scale their impact from a single, flexible platform that includes:
Employee giving (one time and recurring donations)
Support for 1.8 million global nonprofits and 100 countries
Donation matching
Employee engagement
Full volunteer program management with a preloaded list of over 8 million opportunities
Integrated grants management
Managed donations disbursement
Real-time impact reporting
Integrations with many payroll, HRIS, volunteering, and other systems
Empower today’s purpose-driven workforce to do good through Bright Funds’ all-in-one corporate responsibility platform. As of yet, however, Bright Funds has not established an auto-submission functionality.
Charityvest simplifies the giving process for both donors and charities alike. By allowing users to create personal charitable giving funds, donors can securely and freely donate stock and cash to charities without losing a percentage to transaction fees.
Charityvest for Workplaces provides employees with tax-deductible giving accounts and unlocks automatic charitable matching, reporting, and administration for companies. Their workplace giving programs are trusted and utilized by companies nationwide.
With Charityvest for Workplaces, your company can implement fully automated, rules-based grant matching, provide employees with unlimited zero-fee giving to millions of charities, and view real-time reporting on charitable impact. In the future, Charityvest for Workplaces may develop auto-submission functionality, but for now, employees are resigned to partake in manual submission processes.
For over 20 years, CyberGrants has been a leader in the online grantmaking space. Over time, the company has recorded many firsts through its initiatives, including:
Developing the first online application
Providing the first online grants administration tools
Creating the first online workplace giving and volunteering systems for corporations
A few years ago, CyberGrants merged with the JK Group, which owned the Consiva and Easymatch platforms. Today, it manages employee giving programs for many global companies.
As a flexible philanthropic software platform, CyberGrants provides numerous innovative ways for companies to develop their workplace giving programs. CyberGrants has yet to roll out auto-submission features, still relying on manual requests from employee donors through the system.
Established in 2017, Percent Pledge offers a streamlined workplace giving solution designed to make social impact effortless for companies of all sizes. Through its customizable platform, companies can launch turnkey giving and volunteering programs tailored to their values and employee interests. The platform enables recurring donations, employer matching, volunteer tracking, and access to curated cause portfolios—bundles of vetted nonprofits focused on specific issues like mental health, climate, or racial equity.
One standout feature is Percent Pledge’s built-in impact reporting, which allows companies to track and share the real-world results of their giving initiatives. With dedicated support and personalized experiences, Percent Pledge makes it easy for businesses to boost employee engagement and build purpose-driven cultures—no need for a complicated setup or a large CSR team.
SmartSimple offers companies robust tools for grant management, employee giving, matching gifts, volunteer management, and more.
When companies use SmartSimple to manage their workplace giving strategies, they can:
Approve matching gift requests while following their company guidelines
Manage volunteer programs and award grants
Manage in-kind giving
Monitor impact through detailed reporting
SmartSimple streamlines nearly every aspect of your company’s workplace giving program, making it incredibly easy for employees to participate and boost your CSR impact in the greater community. However, they’ve yet to offer auto-submission functionality, which may be enabled in the future.
Through its dedicated corporate social responsibility platform, YourCause helps corporations of all sizes. This platform, called CSRconnect, is a customizable community tool that centralizes employee engagement.
When businesses invest in the CSRconnect platform, they can enable year-round matching gifts, annual pledge campaigns, and more. Additionally, the platform leverages peer-to-peer fundraising. In other words, employees will raise money on behalf of the nonprofits they care about, and companies can match those donations—though they’ve yet to establish a process for matching gift auto-submissions.
As a business professional, you’ve likely heard of the leading CRM platform Blackbaud. YourCause integrates with this major CRM software, meaning you won’t have to spend time transferring your employees’ data. If that’s not convincing enough, the customizable software allows companies and employees to access 300,000+ global nonprofits from 170 countries!
For nonprofits and companies alike, corporate social responsibility is highly influential and catching on rapidly. From the nonprofit perspective, corporate philanthropy means boosting revenue. Not leveraging a matching gift database equates to not fulfilling your matching gift potential.
From the business perspective, corporate philanthropy means developing a brand, promoting a generous workplace, and giving back to the community. However, developing and maintaining a giving program is nearly impossible without the right software.
Now that you know more about specific software solutions, start leveraging this technology in your corporate giving strategy today!
Announcing New Matching Gift Auto-Submission Functionality. Make the most of your company’s matching gift programs by enabling auto-submission functionality! The easiest way to do so is by partnering with a corporate giving software provider that integrates with Double the Donation. The simpler the process, the more likely your employees are to get involved.
Matching Gifts: The Definitive Guide for Employers. A surprising number of companies have not yet started a matching gift program, even though these programs are proven to help retain and engage employees, showcase CSR, and make a positive impact in the community. This guide from America’s Charities will break down the basics and benefits of matching gift programs, explain how to set one up, offer advice from America’s Charities’ team of experts, and more. Take advantage of their years of experience, research, and expertise, and download this guide!
https://doublethedonation.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Matching-Gift-Software-Vendors-The-Comprehensive-List.png440840Adam Weingerhttps://doublethedonation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-dtd.svgAdam Weinger2025-01-06 21:21:362025-05-19 19:10:05Matching Gift Software Vendors: The Comprehensive List
Matching gifts empower donors to make a larger impact on the causes they care about. However, there’s a significant knowledge gap that often hinders organizations from reaching their fullest potential. In other words, donors don’t know about their employers’ initiatives, so they’re not requesting their matches. The solution? Marketing matching gifts in the donation process so supporters can access information about the programs directly as they give.
In this guide, we’ll cover five of the most impactful ways that nonprofits like yours are choosing to promote gift-matching throughout the donor experience. This includes:
At most companies, submitting a matching gift takes only a few minutes—and marketing matching gifts doesn’t have to be difficult, either.
Why Marketing Matching Gifts in the Donation Process Matters
In addition to driving matching gift revenue, marketing matching gifts can even encourage donors to give more. In fact, Double the Donation research reports that 84% of donors are more likely to donate if they know a matching gift is being offered. Further, 1 in 3 would give a larger donation if they knew it was being matched.
When it comes to marketing matching gifts, it makes sense to begin with the point at which donors are most highly engaged in the organizations they’re giving to. And because this typically occurs while donors are actively making their donations, promoting matching gifts directly within the giving process is one of the most effective strategies you can incorporate.
Let’s begin!
Step #1: Marketing Matching Gifts Within Your Donation Page
To determine matching gift eligibility, you’ll need to know where your donors work. Luckily, one of the most effective ways to collect donor employment data is by including an optional field directly within an organization’s donation page.
Donors are already providing your team with a lot of valuable information—such as their name, email, phone number, and perhaps even mailing address. Many individuals will be inclined to enter their employer’s name when prompted, as well. This is especially true when you provide a bit of context as to why you’re seeking the information in the first place—which is to identify matching gift eligibility to get their donation doubled.
These are some best practices for marketing matching gifts within your donation page:
Embed Double the Donation’s autocomplete search tool directly into the online giving forms.
Highlight the benefits of participating in matching gift programs, essentially increasing impact on the cause.
By the time an individual ends up on your donation page, they’re likely ready to support your cause. Highlighting matching gifts simply allows them to access another powerful way to give—without reaching back into their own wallet to do so.
In fact, promoting matching gifts on the donation form is even known to increase the overall form conversion rate!
Example Content:
“Please enter your employing company’s name to determine your eligibility for a corporate matching gift.”
“Does your employer offer a matching gift program? Enter your company name below—if your company does match, you’ll receive more information via email.”
Step #2: Marketing Matching Gifts on Your Confirmation Screen
Your donors are clearly passionate about your organization—and they’re at a significantly high level of engagement upon completing an online donation. Be sure to use the confirmation page to highlight just how easy it can be for donors to double their donations by taking a single additional step beyond their initial gifts.
These are some best practices for marketing matching gifts within your confirmation screen:
Utilize relevant visuals to grab supporters’ attention.
Inform donors that most companies’ matching gift submission processes can be completed in less than five minutes.
Embed Double the Donation’s matching gift plugin directly on your donation confirmation screen to provide donors with easy access to company guidelines and forms.
By featuring matching gifts directly on the donation confirmation page, you can aim to leverage donors’ giving momentum while your organization and its cause are still fresh on their minds. It’s effective and simple, and many supporters will be happy to take this next step—perhaps even immediately!
Example Content:
“Thanks for giving to support your local Cat Rescue Club. Your donation of $200 was successful. See if your employer will double that amount with a matching gift!”
“Donation complete! Search our matching gift database to find out if your contribution is eligible for a corporate match.”
Step #3: Marketing Matching Gifts With Acknowledgment Emails
When your nonprofit receives a gift, you should always be sure to thank the giver—which is often done through donation follow-up (confirmation, acknowledgment, etc.) emails. This email is also a great opportunity to promote matching gifts to your donors. Their donations likely remain fresh on donors’ minds, and a little nudge saying that they can double their donations—without shelling out another cent—can go a long way.
These are some best practices for marketing matching gifts within your acknowledgment emails:
Incorporate links to your dedicated matching gift fundraising page where donors can easily locate additional information.
Use graphics or text links to catch your reader’s eye and quickly engage with them on the topic.
Automate your follow-up emails to ensure every donor receives your message in a timely manner and without worrying about any gifts slipping through the cracks.
Provide links to recipients’ company guidelines and forms, or encourage donors to conduct a quick search of your easy-to-use online company search tool.
An individual who has already made a donation to your organization has demonstrated that they’re clearly passionate about your cause. Make sure to highlight matching gifts in the acknowledgment letters and emails that get sent out, emphasizing the increased impact that matching gifts can have on your mission.
Example Content:
“Thank you for your generous donation to Atlanta University. Please click the button below to determine whether your gift is eligible for a corporate match from your employer!”
“Did you know that many corporations offer employee giving programs where they match donations to the Cat Rescue Club? The tax-deductible component of your membership is normally eligible to be matched as well!”
Step #4: Marketing Matching Gifts With Follow-Up Emails
After sending your initial acknowledgment email, consider following up with a dedicated email specifically focused on matching gifts. This follow-up can stand out in a recipient’s inbox. Plus, it serves as a gentle reminder and helps them take the next step to maximize their impact.
Why is this important? Many donors are interested in matching gifts but may not know how to complete the process on their own. A well-crafted, stand-alone email can provide the clarity and encouragement needed to turn interest into action.
These are some best practices for marketing matching gifts with dedicated follow-up emails:
Focus the email exclusively on matching gifts. Keep the message short, clear, and to the point—centered on the opportunity to double or even triple their contribution.
Use personalized content when possible. Reference the donor’s recent gift and, if available, their employer’s matching gift program to ensure the process is tailored and relevant.
Provide a step-by-step guide or link to a tool where donors can search for their employer’s program and complete the request.
Incorporate visual elements. Use eye-catching buttons, graphics, or banners to draw attention to key points, such as “Submit Your Match” or “Double Your Impact.”
For the best results, we recommend triggering your matching gift follow-up emails within the first 24 hours of a donor making a gift. This allows you to capture their attention while they’re still highly engaged with your cause!
Example Content:
“Did you know that your employer, the Home Depot, offers a generous matching gift program? Click here to access your match and make a larger impact for our cause! [link to match page]
“Your donation of $100 likely qualifies for a matching gift from the Walt Disney Company. Submit a matching gift request to your employer by completing the following steps. Then, let us know when you’ve submitted your match by clicking the link below!”
Step #5: Marketing Matching Gifts With Matching Gift Recognition
At this point in the process, you’ve likely already thanked your donors for their initial contributions to your cause. Probably even within the first 24 hours or so! But for your matching gift donors, the appreciation shouldn’t stop there.
Recognizing your matching gift all-stars after you receive their corporate match is a great way to continue promoting matching gifts to your supporters. At the same time, you can increase the likelihood that donors will participate in the matching gift process for the years and donations to come.
These are some best practices for marketing matching gifts with matching gift recognition:
Thank your matching gift donors privately to express your gratitude on behalf of the organization and its beneficiaries.
Consider recognizing completed matching gifts publicly as well—such as within a newsletter or social media post. This can be a great way to thank donors and inspire others to participate.
Acknowledge that matching gift donors went above and beyond to request a corporate match on behalf of your nonprofit.
At this point, it’s also a great idea to reiterate the doubled impact made possible by corporate matching gifts.
Often, your matching gift recognition efforts will be the last touchpoint you have with a supporter regarding a particular donation. You’ll want to leave donors with a positive impression to ensure they’ll continue the relationship they have with your cause!
Example Content:
“Thank you for your generous support of the Cat Rescue Club. We are happy to inform you that we just received a corporate match as a result of your recent donation, and we greatly appreciate the time and effort you took to request the match on behalf of our organization.”
“Did you know that thousands of companies match donations made by employees? Our donor, Jennifer, just secured a 2:1 match on her most recent gift, enabling her generous $500 contribution to bring $1,500 worth of impact on our mission. Find out if your gift may be eligible, too!”
Final Thoughts & Additional Matching Gift Marketing Resources
When marketed well, requesting a matching gift can be seen as the next logical step that a donor takes upon submitting their initial gift. When you incorporate matching gift marketing efforts into your overall donation process, you can help guide donors seamlessly from one task to the other.
Begin implementing the promotional strategies outlined in this post. Then, see where it brings you in terms of matching gift success. You won’t be sorry!
If you’re interested in learning more about matching gifts, read up on our other comprehensive corporate fundraising guides:
Corporate Matching Gift Programs: The Definitive Guide for Growing Your Revenue. Millions of individuals work for companies that match gifts, many of which are likely your donors. Find out more about matching gifts and why the programs continue to be underutilized. Plus, see what you can do to raise more through the funding source!
Improving the Donor Journey with Matching Gifts. Marketing matching gifts in your donation process isn’t the end of the journey for your donors. However, it does provide an additional touchpoint for ongoing engagement. Learn more about improving your donors’ journey with your organization in this guide.
The Ultimate Guide to Marketing Corporate Matching Gifts. Uncover additional opportunities for marketing matching gifts to your audience, including online initiatives, offline efforts, and more. Access the free, downloadable guide to learn more and get started refreshing your promotional strategy.
https://doublethedonation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/DTD_Marketing-Matching-Gifts-In-Your-Donation-Process_Feature-2.png6001600Adam Weingerhttps://doublethedonation.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/logo-dtd.svgAdam Weinger2025-01-06 18:58:312025-02-25 16:41:11Marketing Matching Gifts in the Donation Process
It takes a lot to plan and execute a nonprofit event. From getting started with goal-setting and budgeting through organizing and promoting your event experience and finally hosting and engaging with donors, there’s a lot to juggle. Luckily, the right fundraising event software can make organizing an impactful event a breeze.
But even the software buying process can be overwhelming if you don’t know what you’re looking for. That’s where this helpful guide comes in handy!
Here, we’ll cover everything you need to know about event fundraising tools, including:
At Double the Donation, we’ve worked with many different providers in the space, and we gathered some of our top tips for choosing the best fundraising event software for your team. In the end, these practices should help guide your decision-making process as you continue to develop your perfect toolkit of nonprofit technology.
Not to mention, you’ll be all set to get started with optimal fundraising events with the right tools to power your efforts. Let’s begin!
Why Invest in Fundraising Event Software?
Fundraising event software is a critical component of any organization’s fully built-out tech stack. After all, a significant portion of many nonprofits’ overall revenue is collected through engaging fundraising events. And the right tools can make organizing and hosting as easy and effective as ever. That means more of your team’s time can be reallocated to other mission-valuable activities!
Not to mention, more and more fundraising events are involving increasingly technical aspects. Virtual and hybrid events are becoming all the rage. Even in-person gatherings are becoming dependent on behind-the-scenes software and user-facing technology to run smoothly and elevate the event experience.
Thus, if your organization is looking to develop or optimize your event fundraising strategy, investing in the right tools to power your efforts is essential.
Features to Consider For Your Fundraising Event Software
The term “fundraising event software” can encompass a lot of different kinds of tools. And each one offers key benefits to your organization, the events you organize, and the individuals who support your efforts.
Let’s explore a few of these key functions.
(Top tip: As you walk through the following types of features and functionality commonly associated with nonprofit event software, keep in mind that you may have to prioritize offerings in order of importance. Consider flagging elements as “must-haves” and “nice-to-haves.”)
Online Event Pages
In order to pull off an effective event, it’s crucial that your supporters are aware of the opportunity. And one of the best ways to spread the word about upcoming events involves engaging online event pages or microsites.
Here’s what this event software functionality should include:
Pre-built and customizable web page templates;
Landing page and microsite options.
Personalized branding that matches your organization’s existing materials;
Mobile-optimized pages that are easy to use on screens of all shapes and sizes;
Search engine optimization and accessibility tools;
Make sure your team and your attendees are prepared for your event with intuitive ticketing functionality. Consider these key features:
Easy-to-use online ticketing forms;
Free and paid ticket purchases for in-person and virtual events;
Online RSVP management and automated receipting;
Customizable questions, such as meal preferences and t-shirt sizes;
Multiple ticketing tiers and packages.
Payment & Donation Processing
Regardless of whether you’re hosting free or paid events, it’s essential that your team has the tools for processing payments from supporters. This should include:
Collecting donations, in addition to ticketing and other sales;
Promoting matching gifts throughout the donation process.
Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Capability
Peer-to-peer fundraising and nonprofit events often go hand-in-hand. Some of the most impactful social fundraising efforts cumulate in a final event to drive engagement and celebrate success. Think—run/walk/rides and other “a-thon” style events.
Here are a few peer-to-peer fundraising features to consider in your search for nonprofit event technology:
Online event participant registration;
Customizable participant fundraising pages;
Gamification tools, such as fundraising thermometers, badges, and prizes;
Donation and pledge processing and fulfillment.
Auction Management
Charity auctions are many nonprofit organizations’ most profitable fundraising events time and time again. So when it comes to event software buying, it’s a good idea to keep auction tools in mind. These typically include:
Item procurement and tracking capabilities;
Facilitation of live and silent in-person, virtual, and hybrid auction events;
Nonprofit events produce a lot of powerful data. It’s important to have the tools you need to collect, analyze, and leverage that information for the greatest results! That’s where an event software’s data reporting functionality comes in.
Consider these key features:
Event attendee supporter profiles to track ongoing engagement;
Budgeting and revenue tools to determine ROI calculations;
Real-time event data reporting;
Birds-eye view and in-depth options.
Matching Gift Automation
Did you know that nearly 27 million individuals work for companies that match gifts? But approximately 78% of this group has no idea that their employers offer these programs?
That’s why increasing awareness of match opportunities is essential—and your event software can help! Matching gift software, or event fundraising software with a dedicated matching gift component, should:
Provide donors and event attendees with employer-specific matching gift guidelines (eligibility criteria, online forms, etc.);
Automatically follow up with match-eligible or unknown donors post-engagement to remind individuals about matching opportunities and drive more successful matches to completion.
Organizations that enhance matching gift efforts by utilizing top software offerings tend to see elevated events and other fundraising experiences. In many cases, it’s the equivalent of a two-for-one sale on charitable donations!
Sponsorships Management
Corporate sponsorships play a key role in the success of nonprofit fundraising events, providing crucial financial support, in-kind donations, and promotional benefits. To maximize sponsorship revenue and streamline management, nonprofits should leverage event fundraising software with dedicated sponsorship functionality.
These tools should:
Track sponsor outreach and commitments to ensure seamless communication and follow-up.
Manage sponsorship tiers and benefits by organizing different sponsorship levels and the perks associated with each.
Facilitate sponsorship agreements by storing contracts, tracking deliverables, and automating reminders.
Provide branded recognition opportunities across event pages, ticketing platforms, and digital marketing materials.
Generate sponsorship impact reports to demonstrate ROI and strengthen long-term partnerships.
Corporate Volunteer Functionality
More than likely, your organization’s events are going to rely on dedicated volunteers to run smoothly and maintain efficient and cost-effective operations. And many of these individuals can even qualify for volunteer incentives (such as volunteer grants and paid volunteer time off) through their employers! For that reason, equipping your team with the right corporate volunteer software is a must.
These kinds of tools should:
Collect employment information as supporters register for volunteer events;
Screen against a volunteer incentives database to uncover the opportunities;
Provide volunteers with company-specific instructions and submission form links;
Automatically follow up with actionable, targeted reminders.
Integrations
Expand your event software’s reach with seamless integrations—especially with the tools your organization already uses on a day-to-day basis.
Software integrations essentially form unified systems between varying platforms, allowing different tools to speak to one another. Therefore, integrating your event fundraising software with your organization’s existing fundraising solutions empowers your technology to do more with less manual tasks and configurations.
As you consider fundraising event software integrations, this might include:
Online donation tools;
Peer-to-peer fundraising platforms;
Data management systems;
Corporate giving software;
Volunteer management software;
Marketing and outreach solutions.
Selecting the right event software is a crucial step in maximizing the success of your fundraising efforts. Whether you’re focused on streamlining ticketing, optimizing donation processing, engaging supporters through peer-to-peer fundraising, or enhancing corporate giving opportunities, the right tools can make a significant impact.
By leveraging key features like matching gift automation, corporate volunteer functionality, data reporting, and more, your organization can unlock new revenue streams, strengthen donor and volunteer relationships, and ultimately drive greater event success. Not to mention, seamless integrations ensure your event software works in harmony with your existing fundraising and donor management tools.
How to Make Your Fundraising Event Software Choice
As you work to narrow down your event technology options, here are a few best practices to keep in mind:
Set a software budget to guide your buying decisions. One of the best ways to narrow down your available options is to go into the buying process with a set budget in mind. This way, you can devote your time to the software your organization can afford. As you look for cost-effective solutions, be sure to consider base price, startup costs, ongoing fees, expansions or add-ons, scalability, and more.
Consider bundling event tools with a comprehensive fundraising platform. While some event tools are made available in an à la carte or piecemeal format, others are offered as a bundle in an overall fundraising software package. In the latter scenario, your event-specific technology may be integrated directly with an online donation tool, CRM, and more for an all-in-one solution. Many organizations prefer this type of software collection for ease of use and seamless communication between platforms.
Seek software with matching gift functionality. Beyond typical event software features, one element that can drastically improve your team’s fundraising efforts—event-based and otherwise—is matching gift functionality. Corporate matching gifts enable many donors and event attendees to double their impact on your cause. Luckily, tools like Double the Donation integrate with top event platforms to enable seamless match identification and automated follow-ups.
Request a demo to see prospective tools in action. Before you make your final decisions, it’s a good idea to request some demos. Many companies can provide access to a pre-recorded video, though a live demo offers a more personalized encounter. As you experience the software in action, consider how the tools will look from a user’s perspective. And don’t be afraid to ask questions, either!
With the right event software in place, your nonprofit can create more engaging experiences, increase donor and volunteer participation, and amplify its fundraising impact for years to come. It’s not something you want to miss out on.
Final Thoughts
In the recent past, events of all kinds have become increasingly technology-based—from innovative in-person elements to virtual and hybrid experiences. And it’s important that your nonprofit has the tools to keep up with the times!
As you look to revolutionize your organization’s event offerings with powerful software, we recommend exploring Double the Donation’s integration partners. Many of these top-of-the-line fundraising software providers offer impactful tools that can bring your event endeavors to the next level. Then, don’t forget to factor matching gifts into your strategy, as well!
Want to learn more? Check out these other educational resources to elevate your organization’s event, workplace giving, and overall fundraising strategies:
Top Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Software (What to Look For). Nonprofit events and peer-to-peer fundraising go hand in hand. Explore our complete buyer’s guide to determine what your team should look for in a social fundraising solution.
The Expert’s Guide to Buying Fundraising Software. Fundraising software comes in all shapes and sizes. Find out what other solutions are available for nonprofits like yours and how to ensure you find the right provider for your needs.
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