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The Ultimate Guide to Marketing Corporate Sponsorships

November 14, 2024/in Learning Center, Marketing Strategies, Corporate Sponsorships /by Adam Weinger

Corporate sponsorships can be a game-changer for nonprofits, offering essential funding, resources, and visibility that help amplify their impact. But attracting and maintaining these partnerships takes more than just a compelling mission. It requires strategic promotion, targeted outreach, and strong relationship-building. In other words, marketing corporate sponsorships is about showcasing the value of partnership in a way that resonates with corporate goals while advancing your nonprofit’s mission.

Lucky for you, this guide will show you exactly how to approach and excel in each of these areas, empowering your nonprofit to build impactful, lasting partnerships. Specifically, we’ll cover:

Understanding Corporate Sponsorships
Developing a Sponsorship Marketing Strategy
Attracting Corporate Sponsorships
Marketing Sponsorships, Once Secured

From identifying the right partners to creating tailored sponsorship packages and measuring your success, this article will equip you with the knowledge you need to build sustainable, mutually beneficial sponsor relationships. Let’s begin!

Understanding Corporate Sponsorships

Corporate sponsorships can be defined as dedicated partnerships in which a business or other organization provides financial support, goods, or services to a nonprofit, event, or cause in exchange for brand exposure and other benefits.

These partnerships are typically designed to be mutually beneficial. The nonprofit receives valuable resources, funding, or in-kind contributions. Meanwhile, the company gains visibility, positive brand association, and opportunities to align with causes that matter to its target audience.

Corporate sponsorships can take many forms and often include:

Financial contributions

This is the most traditional form of sponsorship, where a company provides monetary support (one-time or ongoing) to a nonprofit. In exchange, the company typically receives brand exposure, recognition, or specific benefits as outlined in a sponsorship agreement.

In-kind donations

Rather than cash, companies provide goods, services, or knowledge that can directly benefit the nonprofit or its programs. Examples of in-kind donations include providing technology, office supplies, event space, or skills-based volunteer hours. This type of sponsorship can significantly reduce a nonprofit’s operating costs while allowing companies to contribute in a way that aligns with their products or expertise.

Media sponsorships

In a media sponsorship, a company (usually a media outlet) provides promotional support to increase visibility for a nonprofit’s event or cause. This support can include free or discounted advertising space, social media promotion, press coverage, or even media production assistance. Media sponsorships are valuable as they help nonprofits reach a wider audience, often without the usual advertising costs.

Corporate and employee giving

Corporate and employee giving programs allow companies and their employees to contribute to nonprofits through matching gift programs, payroll deductions, and volunteer grants or hours. These programs not only boost direct funding but also encourage employee involvement in causes, fostering a culture of philanthropy within the company and organization alike.

Not to mention, the partnerships can be formed for many purposes, such as upcoming events, new or expanded programs, and other projects.

Developing a Sponsorship Marketing Strategy

Before you jump into marketing corporate sponsorships, it’s a good idea to establish a dedicated strategy for doing so. Here are a few steps you can take prior to your marketing rollout:

Identify target sponsors.

Finding the right sponsors is the foundation of a successful corporate sponsorship strategy. Begin by researching companies that have a history of supporting causes similar to your nonprofit’s mission⁠—or that have a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) focus that aligns with your values.

From there, you’ll want to consider their audience, industry, and goals. Are they looking to boost community involvement, improve their brand image, or reach new markets? Knowing their motivations can help you present a partnership that speaks directly to their interests.

Not to mention, your donors’ employment information can have some valuable insights here as well! If a ton of your donors (particularly those engaging in matching gift programs) work for a specific company, that company can be a great place to kick off your outreach efforts.

Create a value proposition.

Your value proposition is the core of your sponsorship pitch. It essentially answers the question, “Why should a company sponsor us?” making it clear that a partnership with your nonprofit is more than just a charitable act—it’s a strategic, impactful investment.

To craft a strong value-add, focus on the unique benefits a partnership with your organization can offer the potential sponsor. This might include audience reach, media exposure, community engagement, or brand alignment with a meaningful cause.

In your planning, be sure to emphasize how the partnership will advance both the company’s CSR goals and your nonprofit’s mission. And whenever possible, offer real data insights to showcase the tangible benefits a sponsor could gain.

Establish sponsorship packages.

Sponsorship packages provide companies with structured options for involvement, allowing you to offer tailored benefits that meet varying levels of sponsorship commitment.

A tiered sponsorship package (e.g., Gold, Silver, Bronze, etc.) gives businesses flexibility and enables your nonprofit to cater to different types of companies, from local small businesses to enterprise-level corporations.

For the best results, sponsorship packages should include the following key components:

Levels and Benefits: Define clear sponsorship levels with ascending benefits. For example, higher-tier sponsors may receive more prominent logo placement, exclusive media mentions, or speaking opportunities at events.
Customization Options: Offer ways for sponsors to customize packages based on their unique goals, such as targeted event promotions or digital-only sponsorships.
Clear Deliverables: Outline exactly what the sponsor will receive⁠—and the benefits of each package⁠—to avoid misunderstandings and ensure transparency throughout the process.

All in all, having well-defined sponsorship packages will make it easy for potential partners to see the value of working with you and select a level that aligns with their budget and impact goals.

Build a corporate sponsorships landing page.

Your website is where most supporters will go to research your organization and the various ways you offer to get involved. That includes corporate partners! Thus, establishing a dedicated sponsorships page on your website can be a great way to turn interest into action.

Ideally, this page should serve as a one-stop hub where potential sponsors can learn about your organization, explore sponsorship opportunities, and take steps to initiate a partnership. Here are a few key elements you’ll want to include:

Clear and Compelling Content: Describe your nonprofit’s mission, goals, and the impact of corporate partnerships in a way that engages and motivates potential sponsors.
Sponsorship Benefits: Clearly outline the benefits of sponsorship, such as brand exposure, media mentions, and event participation.
Past Successes: Include case studies, testimonials, or success stories from previous sponsors to demonstrate the positive outcomes of your partnerships.
Easy Contact or Inquiry Form: Make it simple for sponsors to reach out by including an inquiry form, allowing them to express interest and connect with you for more information.

A dedicated partnerships page can be the first step in converting a company’s interest into a lasting sponsorship, providing everything they need to understand the value and start the conversation.

Attracting Corporate Sponsorships

Now, it’s time to reach out to potential sponsors and drum up interest in your organization’s partnership opportunities. Here are three tangible steps you can take to do so effectively:

Initiate personalized outreach.

When it comes to securing corporate sponsorships, personalized outreach can make all the difference. Companies typically receive many partnership requests, so tailoring your communication to speak directly to a potential sponsor’s goals, brand identity, and social values shows you’ve done your research and see them as more than just a funding source.

Start by identifying the right point of contact⁠—ideally someone within their CSR, marketing, or HR departments⁠—and personalize your outreach to reflect the specific ways a partnership could align with their objectives.

Check out these tips and strategies for effectively personalizing your outreach:

Research Company Values and Goals: Study their mission statement, CSR initiatives, and past partnerships. Reference these in your outreach to show your proposal aligns with their priorities.
Highlight Relevant Sponsorship Benefits: Frame your proposal around how their brand could benefit from supporting your nonprofit, using language that speaks to their industry or audience.
Follow Up Thoughtfully: If you don’t receive an immediate response, follow up in a respectful and value-driven way, such as by sharing a relevant success story or impact update.

Initiating personalized outreach demonstrates respect for their brand and positions your organization as a professional, mission-driven partner worth considering. And your supporters may be able to help here, too! If you have a donor who works for one of your potential partners, see if you can use that connection to get your foot in the sponsorship door.

Showcase tangible impact.

Companies want to see the impact their sponsorship will have—not just on your organization but on the communities you serve. By showcasing tangible outcomes, such as the number of people helped, environmental changes made, or specific projects supported, you create a compelling story that resonates with their values and provides concrete evidence of the difference their contribution makes.

Demonstrating tangible sponsorship impact reassures companies that their support is driving meaningful change, making them more likely to engage and continue partnering with you.

Leverage employee engagement.

Employee engagement can be a powerful asset when attracting corporate sponsorships. After all, many companies are eager to involve their employees in social impact activities, as it boosts morale, strengthens team dynamics, and fosters a positive corporate culture.

In order to market corporate sponsorship opportunities well, we recommend highlighting ways the partnership could engage their staff, such as through hands-on volunteer days, team fundraising events, or workplace giving campaigns like matching gifts and more. You can even focus on one-off engagement opportunities such as custom or unique matching gift programs!

Integrating employee engagement options into sponsorship proposals creates added value for corporate partners, strengthening the appeal of sponsorship and establishing a more comprehensive relationship model.

Marketing Sponsorships, Once Secured

After you’ve connected with companies and established sponsorship agreements, you’ll want to market the partnerships to your broader audience, too. Check out these tips and tricks to promote your new partnerships:

Showcase corporate sponsorships on social media.

Social media is a powerful medium for highlighting corporate sponsorships and demonstrating the positive impact your partners are making. By publicly acknowledging sponsors through social channels, you can increase their brand exposure, showcase their commitment to your cause, and encourage engagement from their audience as well.

To do so well, we suggest sharing visuals, videos, or testimonials that highlight the sponsor’s involvement in a way that tells a story and engages viewers. Meanwhile, tagging sponsors and using relevant hashtags can increase the visibility of your posts, too. You can even invite sponsors to collaborate on social media campaigns, such as with joint posts, live events, or story takeovers, to enhance interaction and brand alignment.

When done well, social media posts that celebrate sponsorships help reinforce the sponsor’s brand while also boosting your nonprofit’s credibility and reach.

Not to mention, regularly showcasing corporate sponsorships on social media also reinforces the value of sponsoring your organization to other potential partners!

Incorporate co-branded marketing opportunities.

Co-branded marketing has the potential to amplify the reach and impact of both your nonprofit and the corporate sponsor. All you need to do is create and share promotional content that benefits both brands.

Whether it’s through a joint email campaign, special edition merchandise, or shared media initiatives, co-marketing offers sponsors unique visibility while reinforcing your collaboration and demonstrating a united front for the cause.

Tracking and communicating sponsorship KPIs.

To demonstrate the success and value of your sponsorships, it’s essential to track and communicate key performance indicators (or KPIs) that matter to sponsors. These might include metrics like…

Brand reach
Social media impressions
Engagement levels, open, and click rates
Event attendance
Audience demographics
Specific outcomes achieved with their funding

Regularly reporting on sponsorship KPIs helps sponsors see the tangible results of their investment and strengthens the case for ongoing support. By sharing data-driven insights like these, you can give sponsors a clear picture of the impact their support has had, reinforcing the value of your partnership and laying the groundwork for future collaboration.

Next Steps & Additional Resources

Marketing corporate sponsorships is an art that combines storytelling, strategy, and relationship management. By applying the tactics provided in this guide, your organization can create meaningful partnerships that not only boost funding but also enhance brand recognition and community impact.

Remember, corporate sponsorships are most successful when they provide value to both parties, fostering a sense of shared purpose and mutual growth. As you implement these tips, don’t forget to continuously assess and refine your approach, nurturing long-term relationships that can support your mission for years to come.

With the right marketing, your nonprofit can attract sponsors eager to make a difference together.

Interested in growing your knowledge of all things corporate giving? Check out these recommended resources to learn more:

How to Identify Corporate Partnerships [With 360MatchPro]. Did you know you can use your matching gift software to uncover corporate partnership opportunities? Read this guide to find out how.
The Ultimate Fundraising Guide to Corporate Giving Programs. There’s more to corporate giving than sponsorships. Browse our guide to corporate giving programs to familiarize yourself with common opportunities.
Become an Expert: Access The Ultimate Guide to Matching Gifts. Matching gifts can go a long way in engaging your donors and raising more through corporate funding. Get the free downloadable guide to learn more.

Using Matching Gifts to Strengthen Corporate Relationships

November 6, 2024/in Learning Center, Marketing Strategies, Corporate Consulting /by Adam Weinger

A common inquiry we receive at Double the Donation centers on how to strengthen relationships with corporations that offer generous matching gift donations. Many organizations wish they had more ways to reach out to these businesses post-donation and strengthen corporate relationships. After all, doing so allows causes to demonstrate how a strong relationship could provide significant public relations benefits for companies.

In other words, matching gift programs not only double the donations of individual employees but also provide a unique opportunity for nonprofits to connect with companies on a deeper level. And in this post, we’ll explore actionable ways to use matching gifts to strengthen and grow your corporate partnerships.

These include the following practices:

Show extra gratitude to matching gift contributors.
Implement public recognition of matching gift partners.
Pitch a customized, one-off matching gift program.
Provide reporting and impact information on matching gifts.

By leveraging matching gifts in a thoughtful manner, nonprofits can go beyond immediate financial support to establish ongoing relationships with corporate partners that lead to increased engagement, visibility, and expanded support over time. Read on to find out how!

Show extra gratitude to matching gift contributors.

Does your organization have one corporation (or even a few!) that really stands out in the field of matching gift donations? It’s important that this company knows how big of an impact they’re making on the work you do⁠—and how much you appreciate their support. Yet sometimes, a simple, albeit wonderful, acknowledgment letter is not going to emphasize your thanks enough.

So, what else can you do?

Write thoroughly personalized thank-you messages. A personalized thank-you message goes a long way in showing that a nonprofit truly values a company’s support. Unlike generic acknowledgments, thoroughly personalized messages reflect an organization’s understanding of the company’s contributions and express gratitude in a way that feels particularly genuine. For the best results, use specifics in your phrasing, highlight employee involvement, and mention the impact their giving has on your mission.
Host an appreciation event. An appreciation event dedicated to recognizing corporate partners who provide matching gifts can be a meaningful gesture, offering a memorable way for company representatives to feel truly valued. Whether it’s a luncheon, dinner, or a small networking reception, an appreciation event creates an environment where the company’s contributions are celebrated with a personal touch.
Send small gifts or tokens of your appreciation. Sending a small, thoughtful gift or token of appreciation can be a delightful way to express gratitude for a company’s matching gift contributions. These gifts don’t need to be extravagant; a simple but meaningful gesture can go a long way. You can even consider branded merchandise or a mission-aligned gift, along with a handwritten note!

By focusing on one-on-one interactions and direct expressions of gratitude, nonprofits can make corporate partners feel truly valued, building the foundation for a lasting, mutually beneficial relationship.

Implement public recognition of matching gift partners.

In addition to private thanks, it’s also a good idea to celebrate your matching gift contributors out loud. After all, implementing public recognition for matching gift partners is a strategic way for a nonprofit to show appreciation for corporate support⁠—while also amplifying awareness of matching gift programs among the company’s employees, the nonprofit’s supporters, and the broader community as a whole.

Here are a few ways organizations can incorporate public recognition into their matching gift strategy:

Press Releases

Let’s say you’re looking for ways to publicly share your appreciation for a particularly large matching gift company. One simple and highly visible form of extra thanks would be a press release to local publications. This document could include information about the circumstances of the donation, how big of a matching gift partner they are (if, for example, you have many donors who work for a company that offers matching gifts on a recurring basis), and the kind of programs and mission work the donations help progress.

The important thing here is that the company (or companies) providing matching gifts to your nonprofit organization are getting public, positive recognition for the donations they make. As a result, they’re more likely to donate in other capacities in the future when they see the kind of public acknowledgment they can get by contributing to your cause.

Social Media

This one is seemingly a no-brainer, but it’s always amazing what kind of far-reaching impact a Facebook or Twitter post can have on relationships. By thanking a corporation for their generosity with matching gifts and including the positive impact they are having on the community, your nonprofit is taking an extra (and, again, simple) step to show the company⁠—and the public⁠—how grateful you are for their support.

Donation Page Confirmation Screens

For the best fundraising results, your organization’s donation pages should include information about the benefits of matching gifts, along with a mention of some of the top corporate donors in the area. When you present companies that have recently contributed matching gifts to your cause immediately after donors give, it shows many of their employers’ commitment to the community. This, in turn, increases the chances an individual gets their gift matched post-donation⁠—all while their momentum and engagement with your cause is still high.

Meanwhile, growing the number of eyes that see a corporation’s name in a positive light also increases the likelihood of forming a stronger relationship. After all, positive PR for a company (especially by a nonprofit organization) is a huge key to ensuring future collaboration.

Your Matching Gifts Page

Don’t forget to highlight examples of matching gift companies supporting your efforts directly on your dedicated Matching Gifts page, too. Remember: this resource is a centralized hub for all things matching gifts. It makes sense to publicly recognize the companies matching employees’ donations to your cause!

Check out this example of a well-designed matching gifts page from UGA:

Doing so will not only provide positive publicity for the company but also encourage your other donors to see if their employers will match their gifts.

Blog Posts

If you have a blog on your website, this can be another excellent opportunity to spotlight standout companies giving to your cause through matching gifts. And because blog posts can contain longer-form content (as opposed to, say, your Match Page or donation confirmation screen), you have more real estate to promote the companies supporting your efforts.

For the best results, these blog posts should also contain an overview of matching gift programs in general⁠—and how individual donors can determine if they’re eligible even if they don’t see their specific company in the list. We even provide some pre-written blog articles for use by organizations like yours!

Event Recognition

If you’re promoting matching gifts at an upcoming fundraising event (hint: you should!), take the time to recognize some of the major players matching gifts to your organization.

Even if these companies are not actively sponsoring your charitable event, just mentioning the impact they have on the work you do through matching gifts (without outshining the actual corporate sponsors, of course) is going to make a difference.

Pitch a customized, one-off matching gift program.

Tons of companies are already matching gifts⁠—but unfortunately, not all do. If you’re looking to use matching gifts as a way to build relationships with businesses that haven’t yet implemented these programs, proposing one-off matching gift initiatives can be a highly effective approach.

Start by identifying companies with a notable number of employees already donating to your organization, as these businesses may be open to encouraging employees’ philanthropic interests.

(Hint: 360MatchPro’s Top Companies report can be an excellent tool for uncovering the best prospects in your network.)

From there, approach the company with a proposal for a limited-time, one-to-one matching gift opportunity tied to a specific campaign or project. This makes it easier for the company to try out a matching program⁠—and support your cause⁠—without committing to the long term. As you do so, highlight how the initiative can increase employee morale, demonstrate corporate responsibility, and positively impact the communities in which the company operates.

For nonprofits, this approach can establish new corporate relationships and grow into a more permanent partnership. Furthermore, by making the company an integral part of a successful campaign, nonprofits can demonstrate the value of corporate funding, often encouraging the business to adopt or expand matching gifts in the long run.

Provide reporting and impact information on matching gifts.

Companies that offer matching gifts want to see that their dollars are making a difference⁠—not only for their own bottom lines but for the organizations they support through the programs. Luckily, providing detailed reporting and impact summaries on matching gift contributions shows companies the tangible results of their donations. So that’s what we recommend doing!

In order to do so, consider creating tailored reports, offering data on funds raised through matching gifts, employee participation rates, and specific outcomes funded by the contributions. Visual aids, such as infographics or mission-relevant photographs, can bring these numbers to life, too.

When companies see the real-world impact of their matching gifts, it builds trust and reinforces the value of their partnership with the nonprofit. Reporting demonstrates transparency and accountability, qualities that can strengthen corporate loyalty and inspire continued, possibly increased, support.

Next Steps for Creating Stronger Relationships

Matching gifts represent more than just additional funding—they’re an invaluable bridge between nonprofits and the corporate community. By strategically engaging with matching gift programs, nonprofits can build meaningful, long-lasting relationships with corporate partners that go beyond monetary support.

Through consistent, personalized gratitude and opportunities for deeper involvement, nonprofits can transform matching gift contributors into the most loyal of advocates for their causes. And by harnessing the potential of these partnerships, organizations position themselves for long-term growth, enhanced visibility, and a wider-reaching impact that benefits both their mission and their corporate allies alike.

Good luck!

Interested in learning more about matching gifts and corporate partnerships? Check out the following additional resources:

Top 20+ Matching Gift Companies: Leaders in Corporate Giving. Uncover the best examples of companies contributing matching gifts! Browse the list, and check if your donors work for these generous employers.
How to Identify Corporate Partnerships [With 360MatchPro]. Did you know that our matching gift software can also be used to discover the best corporate partnerships in your network? Find out how here!
Free Download: Improve the Donor Journey with Matching Gifts. Incorporating matching gifts effectively creates a more positive donor experience. See how your team can improve the donor journey with matching gifts in this guide.

How to Increase Matching Gift Revenue in 30 Minutes or Less

November 5, 2024/in Marketing Strategies, About Double the Donation, Donor communications, Learning Center /by Adam Weinger

Are you looking to increase matching gift revenue but don’t have much time to invest in the programs?

If you can find just 30 minutes in your schedule, there are small adjustments that have the potential to significantly elevate your organization’s matching gift strategy. These enhancements may include:

Publishing a matching gift post on social media.
Implementing a matching gift CTA on your confirmation screen.
Modifying your donation acknowledgments to promote matching gifts.
Adding a blurb about matching gifts to your staff email signatures.
Sharing information about matching gift companies in your area.
Sending an email to all “Eligible but Not Submitted” donors.
Following up with unclaimed repeat matching gifts.
Looking into potentially miscategorized ineligible donations.

After all, maximizing matching gift revenue doesn’t need to be a lengthy or complex process. Many nonprofits miss out on this opportunity simply because they assume it will take too long or require significant resources to implement. But in reality, there are many effective and simple strategies that can drive substantial results in just a few minutes.

Let’s begin!

Method #1: Publish a matching gift post on social media.

Do you maintain Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or Twitter accounts for your organization? More than likely, you have some combination of all four. And if so, odds are donors and members are scrolling through your messages on a regular basis, making it a particularly impactful tool when it comes to fundraising.

Take a few minutes to create a post about matching gifts. Not only will it appear on your fans’ walls today, but your matching gift post will linger on your organization’s page forever.

For a headstart, Double the Donation’s 360MatchPro users can access customizable marketing samples within the platform at no additional cost. Just choose a templated graphic, personalize it to your organization, and post it to your social accounts!

Not a 360MatchPro user yet? Click here to request a personalized demo and get up and running with our tools and resources ASAP!

And don’t forget, if you use a service to schedule messages in the future, go ahead and create a few matching gift messages to post automatically over the coming months. Regularly sharing matching gift information is key to building familiarity⁠ with—and participation in⁠—the programs.

Time Investment Required: Ten minutes

Method #2: Implementing a matching gift CTA on your confirmation screen.

Immediately after donors hit “submit” on their gift, they’re likely redirected to a confirmation screen or thank-you page on the website. This page generally thanks individuals for their support, and often offers suggested next steps to get further involved with the organization. One key way to do so is with matching gifts.

Therefore, we recommend incorporating a prominent CTA, or call to action, on your confirmation page that encourages donors to submit a matching gift.

Highlighting the opportunity so close to the point of donation allows you to pick up on the donors’ heightened momentum and engagement with your cause, translating that into more matching gift submissions overall.

Time Investment Required: Ten minutes

Method #3: Modify your donation acknowledgments to promote matching gifts.

More than likely, your organization sends an acknowledgment letter or email to each individual after they give. If so, this is a great place to promote matching gifts. And since acknowledgments are generally automated, all you need to do is plug a quick blurb about matching gifts into your template or workflow. Then, it will be automatically triggered to all donors once they submit their initial gifts⁠—driving awareness and visibility of the opportunity across your dedicated supporters.

However, more impactful than simply adding a section to your existing acknowledgment letters is sending dedicated post-donation matching gift emails. After all, acknowledgments are often discarded as not requiring additional action, while separate matching gift outreach can be just what you need to grab your audience’s attention. These messages can even be automated using 360MatchPro, making it quick and easy for supporters to receive tailored matching gift insights straight to their inboxes.

Time Investment Required: Five minutes

Method #4: Add a blurb about matching gifts to your staff email signatures.

Email is likely one of your most essential communication channels when it comes to engaging with individual donors. As a result, your email signatures⁠—and those of your entire fundraising team⁠—offer valuable real estate for donor-facing promotions. And we recommend utilizing the space as an easy way to remind donors about matching gifts.

For the best results, you’ll want to link directly to your organization’s dedicated matching gifts page, complete with an embedded matching gift search tool. Otherwise, you can ask donors to “please check with your company to see if they’ll match your donation.”

Time Investment Required: Ten minutes

Method #5: Share information about matching gift companies in your area.

Promoting matching gifts to your external audience often starts with getting your internal team on board, too. While there are a ton of training resources available, one thing you can do in 30 minutes or less is send a list of top matching gift companies to your fundraising staff. You might be surprised to find out that some of your colleagues have never heard of employee matching gift programs⁠—let alone have familiarity with the companies offering them.

While you’ll only be able to include a handful of companies representing a small percentage of companies in your area that will match donations, it can be a good way to raise awareness about the potential of matching gifts.

To kick off your research, this guide from Nonprofit Source provides an insightful look at different matching gift companies across the globe. Plus, it includes a breakdown of popular matching gift hubs by geographic region.

Time Investment Required: Fifteen minutes

[Bonus] Method #6: Send an email to all “Eligible but Not Submitted” donors.

Note: While the previous ideas could be completed with or without Double the Donation’s matching gift software, the next several methods focus on tools within 360MatchPro. Interested in getting started? Request a demo now!

If you subscribe to Double the Donation’s tools, there are a number of ready-built reports available within the 360MatchPro platform. One of these, called the “Eligible but Not Submitted” report, is designed to identify those who have been marked as matching gift eligible by their employer name but have not yet submitted their matching gift requests. Those are your best matching gift prospects, and they’re currently letting their gifts go unclaimed.

Luckily, there’s even an easy way to bulk send emails right from the dashboard, meaning you can select this segment of recipients, trigger a pre-written email, and drive submissions to completion.

Time Investment Required: Twenty minutes

[Bonus] Method #7: Follow up with unclaimed repeat matching gifts.

Donors who have secured a matching gift in the past are going to be significantly more likely to do so again in the future. And if they haven’t yet submitted a match for their repeat gift, a little nudge can go a long way.

Fortunately, Double the Donation has a tool for this, too! All you have to do is quickly navigate to the Repeat Donors report, select the intended recipients from the provided list, and send a bulk email letting them know that they can amplify their impact just like they’ve done before.

Time Investment Required: Twenty minutes

Take your matching gift efforts even further.

In just 30 minutes or less, your organization can make significant strides toward increasing its matching gift revenue⁠—and making an even greater impact overall. By implementing these quick, targeted strategies, you not only maximize funds but also build awareness among donors about how easy it is to amplify their contributions.

Matching gifts represent a valuable yet often underutilized source of revenue. With these small, time-efficient efforts, you’ll ensure that more donors are aware, more gifts are matched, and your organization benefits more from every dollar.

Don’t let time constraints hold you back. By setting aside a bit of time to prioritize matching gifts, you’ll be able to unlock untapped funds, motivate donors to double their impact, and strengthen your organization’s overall giving strategy—all with minimal effort.

Interested in learning more about matching gift fundraising and beyond? Check out these additional resources:

Get to Know the Basics of Corporate Matching Gift Programs. Understand the ins and outs of matching gifts with this educational guide. Access insights regarding the top companies matching gifts, program guidelines and criteria to know, and more.
Become an Expert: Access 10 Steps to Matching Gift Success. Get the free downloadable resource to utilize our 10-step matching gift fundraising checklist. Implement these practices to increase matching gift revenue more easily than ever before.
Marketing Matching Gifts | A Guide for Avid Fundraisers. Uncover even more matching gift marketing tips and tricks in this complete guide. While some practices may require a larger investment of time, the revenue growth will be substantial!

Corporate Philanthropy Infographics Top Designs to Inspire

Corporate Philanthropy Infographics: 8 Designs to Inspire

November 4, 2024/in Lists and Rankings, Learning Center, Marketing Strategies /by Adam Weinger

In today’s competitive business landscape, corporate philanthropy has become more than just a feel-good initiative. Instead, it’s a strategic imperative that strengthens brand reputation, boosts employee morale, and reinforces community ties⁠—all while supporting the nonprofits that are making a difference. One of the most effective ways to communicate these efforts is through visually engaging corporate philanthropy infographics.

Infographics offer a powerful way to convey complex data, milestones, and success stories in an easily digestible format that resonates with audiences both inside and outside the organization.

In this post, we’re highlighting eight inspiring corporate philanthropy infographics that can motivate your own approach to visual design. These include:

360MatchPro’s Corporate Giving & Philanthropy Statistics Infographic
re: Charity’s Corporate Philanthropy Infographic
Zerocater’s Giving is Good For Business Infographic
Paragon’s Corporate Philanthropy Guide Infographic
Salesforce’s Corporate Philanthropy Infographic
Boston College’s Corporate Citizenship Infographic
Quill.com’s Baking Philanthropy Into Your Company Culture Infographic
BP’s Fabric of America Fund Infographic

From encompassing workplace giving efforts to highlighting employee volunteerism, each of these examples shows how a well-designed visual asset can be a game-changer for CSR communication. Let’s begin!

#1: 360MatchPro’s Corporate Giving & Philanthropy Statistics Infographic

360MatchPro is a leading corporate philanthropy platform designed to help nonprofits increase revenue through matching gifts and volunteer programs. By automating the workplace giving process, 360MatchPro empowers nonprofits to capture more funds available from companies.

As a result, the company is very familiar with all things philanthropy, and the team has provided the following infographic to illustrate the current state of corporate giving:

This infographic covers key statistics related to corporate matching gifts and other philanthropy opportunities. Highlights include:

Corporations gave more than $21 billion to nonprofits last year.
Over 26 million individuals work for companies with matching gift programs.
65% of Fortune 500 companies match employee donations, while 40% offer volunteer grant programs.

Overall, the infographic from 360MatchPro demonstrates the significant value offered by corporate philanthropy to nonprofit causes. Plus, it highlights the opportunity for organizations to increase their revenue by utilizing the 360MatchPro platform!

#2: re: Charity’s Corporate Philanthropy Infographic

re: Charity is a free online resource hub that shares insights and best practices for nonprofits to optimize their fundraising and outreach strategies. The site frequently covers topics related to corporate philanthropy, including corporate matching gifts, volunteer grants, and other workplace giving programs.

Within a recent blog post, the company shared the following infographic:

Starting out with an easily digestible definition of corporate philanthropy, re: Charity then provides a number of statistics relating to the nonprofit and the business side of company-sponsored giving. That makes it a valuable resource for fundraisers and corporate leaders alike!

#3: Zerocater’s Giving is Good For Business Infographic

Zerocater, primarily known as a corporate catering company, is particularly invested in philanthropy through its community engagement and giving initiatives. Zerocater encourages its employees to participate in volunteer activities, and the company often supports nonprofit organizations that tackle food insecurity.

The Zerocater team also encourages other companies to give back, as exemplified in the following corporate philanthropy infographic:

This infographic is broken down into two primary sections: Giving is Good For Business, which covers the benefits of philanthropy for businesses, and 6 Ways to Inspire Your Team to Give Back, which provides actionable ways for companies to support nonprofits and communities.

#4: Paragon’s Corporate Philanthropy Guide Infographic

Paragon, a technology company focused on workflow automation, integrates philanthropy into its operations by encouraging its workforce to give back. This is largely done through corporate-sponsored volunteer events and matching gift programs, ultimately amplifying the impact of employee donations.

The following infographic shared by Paragon provides a basic guide for other companies interested in getting involved with corporate philanthropy, too:

This guide contains a few key sections⁠—answering questions such as:

What is Corporate Philanthropy?
Where Do You Begin?
What Are the Benefits?
What Are the Proof Points?

The company even highlights other businesses that are doing philanthropy well⁠—including Deloitte, Bank of America, Cisco, and more.

#5: Salesforce’s Corporate Philanthropy Infographic

Technology company Salesforce is a pioneer in corporate philanthropy, renowned for its “1-1-1” model, where 1% of equity, 1% of product, and 1% of employee time are dedicated to charitable causes. This business structure empowers Salesforce employees to contribute their time, skills, and resources to nonprofits worldwide⁠—and encourages other companies to follow suit in adopting Pledge 1%.

In order to effectively communicate the business value of doing so, Salesforce has published the following corporate philanthropy infographic:

This infographic visually depicts the power of corporate philanthropy, including inspiring statistics such as these:

76% of people feel healthier, and 94% of people are in better moods after volunteering.
77% of employees say health and wellness programs, such as giving or volunteer initiatives, have a positive impact on company culture.
The annual replacement cost for disengaged employees is more than $5 million.

Overall, the resource makes the argument that participating in corporate giving is beneficial for companies, employees, and nonprofits alike. And it does it in a visually appealing, well-organized manner!

#6: Boston College’s Corporate Citizenship Infographic

Boston College actively supports corporate philanthropy through its Center for Corporate Citizenship (also known as BCCCC). In order to encourage companies to give back, the BCCCC offers resources, research, and training programs designed to help build effective corporate responsibility strategies. Their initiatives promote collaboration between academia and the business world, advancing best practices in CSR and philanthropy alike.

Check out the following infographic shared by the BCCCC as a way to communicate the value of corporate citizenship:

This graphic reveals a general upward trend in business investment in corporate citizenship and a rising understanding of the necessity of these programs. Specifically, it zeroes in on the benefits of corporate citizenship, which it separates into three categories:

contributing to company success
returning value to shareholders
meriting additional investment

All in all, corporate citizenship initiatives, which usually include employee volunteering programs and corporate philanthropic giving, are implemented with the idea of businesses serving the communities in which they thrive. This generates a mutually beneficial situation between the company and its stakeholders, as demonstrated by the infographic.

#7: Quill.com’s Baking Philanthropy Into Your Company Culture Infographic

Quill.com, an office supply company, supports corporate philanthropy through various community involvement programs. They often provide in-kind donations of office supplies to schools and nonprofits in need, helping organizations reduce costs and allocate more resources to their missions.

Quill also encourages employees to participate in volunteer opportunities and regularly highlights corporate philanthropy as part of its broader CSR commitment to social impact. And they’ve created the following infographic as a way to encourage other companies to do the same:

This resource provides actionable suggestions for companies looking to give back, and includes:

Establishing philanthropy as a company value⁠—and ensuring higher level staff are actively modeling a commitment to this value.
Ensuring staff are empowered to act as ambassadors for your philanthropy program.
Providing incentives for employee giving, such as paid time off, matching gifts, and more.

And the best part is that they’re all practices that Quill.com has already implemented within their philanthropy programs!

#8: BP’s Fabric of America Infographic

Oil and gas company BP’s corporate philanthropy initiatives are embedded in its global strategy for social responsibility. BP invests in a number of community development, educational initiatives, and environmental projects, particularly in the areas where it operates.

BP also supports employee volunteerism and charitable giving, encouraging a culture of philanthropy within its workforce. Through these efforts, BP aims to balance its business interests with meaningful contributions to society. And the following infographic highlights one specific way in which it does so:

This infographic is a great example of a corporation taking the initiative to outline and highlight its own efforts⁠ both internally and externally. Through its Fabric of America Fund, BP will donate $300 to the charity of an employee’s choice each year.

The result? The company’s contributed more than $20 million to thousands of charities across the nation⁠—and that figure only continues to grow.

Wrapping Up & Additional Resources

Corporate philanthropy infographics are an invaluable tool for organizations looking to enhance their corporate giving communications. These resources provide a concise, visually appealing way to share impactful data and stories, helping audiences quickly understand the ins and outs of corporate philanthropy and beyond.

The designs we shared in this post should serve as motivation for showcasing everything from community engagement to employee volunteerism and social impact outcomes. Let these graphics inspire your next steps in creating a memorable and meaningful representation of philanthropy among your audience!

Interested in learning more about corporate philanthropy resources? Check out these additional guides:

Corporate Philanthropy: Benefits, Tips, Examples, and More. Dive deeper into all things corporate philanthropy. Uncover the power for nonprofits like yours and see how you can get further involved.
8 Trends in Corporate Philanthropy: How to Tap In. Like these infographics have shown, corporate philanthropy continues to grow. See how your team can expand its efforts by targeting up-and-coming trends!
Free Download: The Ultimate Guide to Marketing Matching Gifts. Matching gifts are one of the most invaluable sources of corporate philanthropy. Learn how to market this giving method to grow engagement and more.

How ACS Doubled More Donations with Matching Gifts

October 23, 2024/in Learning Center, Marketing Strategies, About Double the Donation, Company Spotlights /by Adam Weinger

The American Cancer Society (also known as ACS) is renowned for its efforts in cancer research, patient support, and advocacy. However, one of the lesser-known secrets to its fundraising success lies in its effective use of matching gifts. By doubling—and in some cases tripling—donor contributions through corporate matching gift programs, ACS has been able to significantly increase its fundraising results.

In this post, we’ll take a closer look at how the American Cancer Society harnessed the power of matching gifts to double donations⁠—and see what other nonprofits can learn from their approach. Specifically, we’ll cover:

American Cancer Society: Organizational Overview
How the American Cancer Society Secured Internal Buy-In for Matching Gifts
American Cancer Society’s External Matching Gift Resources
Get More Insights From the On-Demand Event Replay

Double the Donation sat down with the American Cancer Society to discuss the organization’s matching gift strategy. Interested in learning more about how they brought about standout matching gift success? Feel free to watch a brief snippet from the webinar here⁠—or skip below to access a recording of the full, on-demand event.

Let’s begin!

American Cancer Society: Organizational Overview

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is a nationwide, community-based, voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Founded in 1913, ACS has become one of the most influential nonprofits in the fight against cancer, funding groundbreaking research, providing support for patients and survivors, and advocating for cancer prevention and early detection.

Today, the American Cancer Society’s ongoing efforts are powered by volunteers, donors, and corporate partners alike, with matching gift programs playing a critical role in increasing the impact of donations. All in all, this ensures that the organization can continue making strides toward a cancer-free future with the right resources in tow.

How the American Cancer Society Secured Internal Buy-In for Matching Gifts

In a recent conversation with key stakeholders—including volunteers and paid staff alike—the American Cancer Society discovered a gap in knowledge that’s proven to be hindering the organization’s matching gift fundraising success.

When internal teams lack awareness around the programs, they’re not taking the steps to rally individual supporters to get involved. That means matching gifts are slipping through the cracks, and teams aren’t prepared to stop it from happening.

As a result, the organization made it a priority to raise awareness of matching gifts across its network—starting with internal staff and fundraising volunteers.

Here’s what it decided to do:

Ensure team-wide knowledge. They got started by determining exactly how familiar their audience is with the idea of matching gifts. Once they had a baseline for knowledge, they made a plan to increase awareness across staff and volunteers.
Seek input from their stakeholders. Project leaders asked around to see what kinds of materials their team would find most valuable. As the organization’s fundraising staff are the ones who will be distributing the resources, it made sense to gather their opinions from the start.
Equip its fundraising team with matching gift materials. A nonprofit’s fundraising team plays a hands-on role in driving donor support. ACS made sure its team was ready to encourage matching gifts by providing staff and volunteers with helpful resources ahead of time.

Remember this: The more an internal team is prepared to proactively pursue matching gifts, the more effective a response it can expect.

P.S. Double the Donation’s Matching Gift Academy is free for current clients to learn from⁠—and it contains a wealth of resources for organizations to supercharge their internal knowledge.

American Cancer Society’s External Matching Gift Resources

In order to combat the lack of matching gift awareness the organization was seeing, the ACS team took time to create donor-facing materials that provided educational context surrounding the programs.

These resources include⁠—but are not limited to⁠—the following:

A matching gift Q&A resource, complete with common inquiries and the appropriate responses.

An explainer doc that demonstrates how an individual will submit a matching gift to their employer.

A brief video that overviews the matching gift opportunity and visualizes how an individual will get involved.

Once the team had its matching gift materials created, it was time to share them with its network⁠, both internally and externally. This allowed team members and supporters to grow their knowledge of the programs and ultimately participate on the organization’s behalf.

Not to mention, to further simplify the matching gift experience, the ACS features Double the Donation’s search tool in both its marketing materials and its video overview.

Get More Insights From the On-Demand Event Replay

We covered many of the most essential insights from the ACS matching gifts presentation in this overview. Still, there’s more to learn!

To hear the full conversation between our team and the American Cancer Society, get the webinar replay by filling out the form below.

Wrapping Up & Additional Resources

The American Cancer Society’s ability to double donations through matching gifts highlights the transformative power of this fundraising tool. By making it easy for donors to access matching gift opportunities, ACS has maximized the impact of each contribution.

Today, nonprofits of all shapes and sizes can learn from the American Cancer Society’s strategy to amplify their own fundraising efforts and make a greater difference. Matching gifts not only increase funds but also strengthen donor relationships, providing a win-win opportunity for the causes they serve.

Keep learning! Read our recommended resources to continue growing your knowledge on all things matching gifts:

Grow Fundraising Revenue: Access More 360MatchPro Case Studies. Hear from even more organizations and how they’ve benefited from matching gift tools like Double the Donation.
Best Practices for Marketing Matching Gifts On Your Nonprofit’s Website. Learn more about how your team can promote matching gifts using your website as an essential marketing tool.
Free Download: The Ultimate Guide to Marketing Matching Gifts. Get the complete guide to marketing matching gifts to see how your organization can spread the word.

A Look at Save the Children’s Winning Matching Gift Strategy

October 21, 2024/in About Double the Donation, Learning Center, Marketing Strategies, Company Spotlights /by Adam Weinger

Corporate matching gifts are an invaluable revenue opportunity for nonprofits and schools. However, many organizations struggle to capture them due to low levels of awareness among their donors. With effective promotions, you can solve the issue and benefit greatly from the funds.

In this blog, we’ll cover one standout example⁠, familiarizing your team with the ins and outs of Save the Children’s matching gift strategy.

This includes:

What to Know About Save the Children
Save the Children’s Matching Gift Page Overhaul
Save the Children’s Text Message Campaign Strategy
How Double the Donation’s Tools Helped Save the Children’s Matching Gift Strategy
Learn More: Get the Full Webinar Replay

Double the Donation works with leading organizations to help them finetune their matching gift strategies and raise more through the programs. Save the Children is one example of a cause we support, and they joined a webinar to discuss how our tools are supporting their fundraising and matching gift efforts.

In this post, we’ll summarize the event and examine how Save the Children engages supporters in a meaningful way. Here’s a quick overview of the presentation:

Let’s begin!

What to Know About Save the Children

Save the Children is a global leader in children’s advocacy, known for its impactful programs in education, health, and emergency response. For over 100 years, Save the Children has been dedicated to literally saving the world’s children by providing education, a healthy start to life, and protection from harm.

Today, the organization operates in more than 100 countries across the world. However, its success isn’t just due to the breadth of its services. It’s also driven by a powerful approach to fundraising, including a well-crafted matching gift strategy.

Save the Children’s Matching Gift Page Overhaul

As of 2023, Save the Children had been receiving support from matching gift programs⁠—but the team knew it could be doing more. In order to kick off its promotional strategy, Save the Children decided to revamp its Workplace Giving and Matching Gifts information page.

The Organization’s Former Matching Gifts Page

Save the Children’s matching gift strategy was doing a lot well even before its complete overhaul. Here are a few practices the organization implemented in creating the Match Page:

Clearly explain the matching gift process. Most donors lack knowledge about matching gifts⁠. Simplify involvement by providing the basic information an individual should know.
Embed a database tool. If you invest in a tool like Double the Donation, place a database search tool on the page. Donors simply type their company name to receive employer-specific guidelines and request forms!
Answer FAQs. Be proactive about providing the information you think your donors will need right on the page. This can reduce the volume of inquiries your team will need to answer later, too.

The Organization’s New Matching Gifts Page

From there, the team also conducted the following steps to reorganize the page with the goal of bringing about better matching gift results. With a few additional tweaks and adjustments, the page is more successful than ever:

Simplified the information included. The goal was to be comprehensive and educational without overwhelming the visitor with too much text.
Incorporated clickable content section links. This assisted with navigation, making it easy to find the most relevant information for each user.
Restructured the page to focus on matching gifts first. With a goal of increasing visibility, the team placed Double the Donation’s 360MatchPro widget higher⁠—and more prominently⁠—on the page.
Visually demonstrated the simplicity of the matching gift process. Using diagrams and other graphic elements, the organization was able to better illustrate and communicate the matching gift experience for donors.

The results? Save the Children saw increased site traffic and page views during a four-month period as compared to the same period the year prior. And the growth was substantial, too. According to the organization, their team saw a 966% increase in site traffic and a 903% increase in page views!

This increase in site traffic has directly resulted in more donors participating in matching gifts as well. Since their matching gift page now provides simplified, engaging information, donors are more easily able to navigate their matching gift programs.

Save the Children’s Text Message Campaign Strategy

Once you’ve created a matching gift page on your website, you’ll want to take steps to direct traffic to the resource. One thing that Save the Children did to spread matching gift awareness was employ a mass marketing text campaign around the holiday giving season.

Within this campaign, a first text message went out before Giving Tuesday, with a second text message following soon after. Both texts contained brief information about matching gifts along with a direct link to the organization’s matching gifts page, where recipients were encouraged to learn more.

The first agency text message went to the entire text mailing list, which is around ~60,000 contacts who had engaged with Save the Children in the last year. This text saw an above-average click-through rate of 2.7%—with more than 1.5K unique clicks⁠—and also brought in an estimated $2.7k in revenue even before matches were accounted for.

Meanwhile, the second message went out to a smaller segment⁠—those who gave via a recent Giving Tuesday push⁠—but had a significant impact as well. Deployed to ~3.2k subscribers, it saw a click-through rate of 2.6% (which is a 162% increase from other mass marketing texts).

All in all, Save the Children’s matching gift strategy encompassed a range of promotional tactics⁠—from text messaging to paid advertising space and beyond. But one thing that all of its efforts had in common was the use of its Matching Gift page as a central linking target. Because the page provides comprehensive information that answers donors’ questions while also giving them insight into their company’s specific matching gift program guidelines, it makes getting involved easier than ever!

How Double the Donation’s Tools Helped Save the Children’s Matching Gift Strategy

As a 360MatchPro client, Save the Children utilizes Double the Donation’s automation platform to make matching gifts easier for their donors and fundraising staff alike. In discussing the organization’s matching gift page overhaul and subsequent text campaign, one thing the Save the Children team emphasizes is its use of the matching gift database tool.

“I’ll just say, from our standpoint of Save the Children, it’s been so helpful to have that 360MatchPro search tool embedded on the landing page. It makes it really easy when we go to deploy visibility tactics to let people know it’s really easy to track if your employer can match your gift or not.”

Ariana Romanelli, Save the Children US

Here’s how it works:

An individual begins typing the name of their employer in the company search tool.
As they type, the solution automatically populates suggested companies. This makes it easy to select the appropriate employer without worrying about typos or misnomers.
When the individual selects a listing, they’re met with tailored insights regarding the company’s matching gift program (as well as other workplace giving initiatives available) in real-time. This includes minimum and maximum donation amounts, match ratios, qualifying employees and nonprofits, and submission deadlines.
The individual is encouraged to submit a matching gift by following the provided instructions and submitting the provided forms.

Save the Children has also implemented Double the Donation’s matching gift database directly within its online giving form, too. This allows users to access matching gift insights at the point of donation and even receive tailored guidelines and forms via email after contributing.

Learn More: Get the Full Webinar Replay

We’ve summarized the most essential insights from our recent presentation here. But for the full look at Save the Children’s matching gift strategy, we recommend viewing the full webinar replay.

Interested in hearing the complete conversation between a lead associate of corporate partnerships at Save the Children and Double the Donation’s own marketing team manager? Register to receive a copy of the presentation sent directly to your inbox.

Get the on-demand replay now

Wrapping Up & Additional Resources

Save the Children’s matching gift strategy serves as a valuable example for nonprofits looking to elevate their fundraising impact. By implementing clear communications, leveraging technology, and promoting programs at multiple opportunities, they’ve found a winning formula for multiplying donations.

Now, organizations like yours can draw inspiration from their approach to maximize your own matching gift potential. When executed well, matching gifts don’t just boost the bottom line. They deepen supporters’ connection to the cause, ensuring each contribution goes further in creating lasting change for children in need.

Begin by auditing your current matching gift marketing efforts. Do you have a dedicated matching gifts page on your site? If not, that’s likely where you’ll want to get started. If so, you’ll want to evaluate the existing resource and determine how exactly you’re sending traffic to the page. Then, see what changes you can implement to bring your strategy to new heights.

Keep learning! Read our recommended resources to continue growing your knowledge on all things matching gifts:

Grow Fundraising Revenue: Access More 360MatchPro Case Studies. Hear from even more organizations and how they’ve benefited from matching gift tools like Double the Donation.
Best Practices for Marketing Matching Gifts On Your Nonprofit’s Website. Learn more about how your team can promote matching gifts using your website as an essential marketing tool.
Free Download: The Ultimate Guide to Marketing Matching Gifts. Get the complete guide to marketing matching gifts to see how your organization can spread the word.

Matching Gift Text Marketing | Spreading the Word Via SMS

October 16, 2024/in Learning Center, Marketing Strategies, About Double the Donation, Donor communications /by Adam Weinger

In today’s digital age, text messaging has emerged as one of the most powerful and effective ways to connect with supporters⁠—especially when it comes to matching gifts. However, many donors remain unaware of these opportunities, resulting in missed revenue for nonprofits. Lucky for you, that’s where matching gift text marketing comes into play!

By spreading the word about matching gifts via SMS, your organization can quickly inform supporters about the potential to multiply their contributions, boost engagement, and drive more funds toward your cause.

In this post, we’ll explore the key benefits of using text messages to promote matching gifts, share best practices for crafting compelling messages, and provide examples to help you get started. Specifically, we’ll cover:

The Importance of Marketing Matching Gifts
Why Market Matching Gifts Via Text Message?
Best Practices for Innovative Matching Gift Text Marketing
25 Sample Text Messages to Market Matching Gifts Well
Case Study: How One Organization Implemented Matching Gift Text Marketing

Whether you’re new to SMS marketing for matching gifts or you’re looking to optimize your existing strategies, we’ll guide you through making the most of this channel to maximize your matching gift revenue.

Let’s dive into how matching gift text marketing can help spread the word, drive action, and unlock more fundraising potential for your nonprofit.

The Importance of Marketing Matching Gifts

Corporate matching gifts offer significant fundraising potential for nonprofits and schools. Many companies offer matching gift initiatives where they match employees’ donations to eligible nonprofits, essentially doubling or even tripling the original contributions. Not to mention, donors are more likely to give⁠—and to give in larger amounts⁠—when they know a match is available.

However, a lack of awareness regarding the programs has ultimately led to billions of dollars in matches going unclaimed each year. So, what does this mean for your cause?

It all boils down to this: taking a proactive approach to marketing matching gifts is essential.

Promoting matching gifts effectively helps bridge the awareness gap and motivates donors to take advantage of these corporate giving programs. By educating your audience on how matching gifts work, establishing social proof, and providing easy access to information and forms, you can create a streamlined process that encourages participation.

Why Market Matching Gifts Via Text Message?

Once you’ve established the general importance of marketing matching gifts, the question to answer is this: What is the best channel, or combination of channels, to get the job done?

With high open rates and immediate reach, SMS has the potential to significantly enhance your nonprofit’s fundraising efforts—especially when it comes to promoting matching gifts.

As a result, marketing matching gifts via text message is an incredibly effective way for nonprofits to reach their supporters wherever they are, at any time. In today’s fast-paced world, people are always on the go, with their phones close at hand. Text messaging allows organizations to offer a direct and personal touch that other communication channels can’t quite match.

With just a few taps on their phone, donors can learn about matching gift opportunities and take action immediately, making the giving process simple and convenient.

The effectiveness of text marketing for matching gifts is further underscored by its exceptionally high open rates. On average, text messages boast open rates of around 98%, far surpassing those of emails or even social media viewership. This means that when a nonprofit sends a text message about matching gifts, it’s almost guaranteed to be seen by the recipient.

By leveraging text marketing, organizations can ensure that their message isn’t just delivered but actually read—significantly boosting the chances of donors following through with a matching gift request.

Additionally, text messages create a sense of urgency and immediacy, prompting donors to act without delay. This makes it a perfect tool for time-sensitive fundraising efforts, such as year-end campaigns or giving days, where matching gifts can significantly amplify the impact of donations. With mobile-friendly links and information at their fingertips, supporters can easily access resources to complete the matching gift process, leading to more submitted requests and increased funding.

Best Practices for Innovative Matching Gift Text Marketing

In the rapidly evolving landscape of nonprofit fundraising, text marketing has emerged as a powerful tool for engaging donors and maximizing the impact of matching gifts. As organizations look for innovative ways to connect with supporters, leveraging SMS to spread the word about matching gift opportunities can significantly enhance outreach efforts.

This section will cover best practices for implementing effective text marketing strategies specifically tailored to matching gifts.

Personalize your engagement.

Personalization is key in any marketing strategy, and text messaging is no exception. When communicating with supporters about matching gifts, it’s important to add a personal flair. This can mean addressing them by their name, referencing their past contributions, or providing employer-specific matching gift information.

By personalizing your messages, you show each donor that they are a valued individual rather than just part of a larger audience, increasing the likelihood that they will engage with your content and take the intended action.

Keep your messages short and sweet.

Text messages have a character limit⁠—and are often read on the go⁠—so brevity is crucial. Aim to convey your message in as few words as possible while still providing the essential information.

A well-structured, concise message will ensure that your audience can quickly grasp the purpose and act accordingly. A straightforward approach respects your supporters’ time and enhances the chances of them responding positively, as they won’t feel overwhelmed by lengthy texts.

Send a link to your dedicated matching gifts page.

When it comes to matching gift text marketing, establishing a clear and specific CTA (or call to action) is a must. For the best results, we recommend sending text traffic to a dedicated matching gifts page on your nonprofit’s website.

Including a direct link to a centralized resource hub simplifies the process for donors, providing clear information on how matching gifts work, program benefits and criteria, and instructions for involvement. Not to mention, your match page should have an embedded matching gift search tool, making it easier than ever for donors to uncover their matching gift eligibility and kick off the request process.

Incorporate visuals and emojis.

While SMS is primarily a text-based medium, incorporating visuals and emojis can grab your audience’s attention while enhancing your message’s appeal and clarity. A well-placed emoji can add personality and emotion to your message, making it feel more engaging and friendly. 💝 Meanwhile, branded graphics or images can be incorporated into multimedia messages (or MMS) to illustrate your matching gift campaign in a visual manner.

These small touches can make a significant impact, helping your messages stand out in an often overcrowded inbox.

💡 Top tip: Use Double the Donation’s free matching gift marketing templates (available for clients to use within the 360MatchPro platform) to create and distribute beautifully branded, professional-level graphics.

Track and analyze performance metrics.

Performance metrics are essential to any marketing campaign, allowing your team to measure its success with tangible goals and insights. When it comes to tracking and analyzing your matching gift text marketing, monitoring data such as open and click rates, matching gift conversion rates, and more is crucial.

By analyzing these matching gift marketing indicators, you can gain insights into what resonates with your audience, allowing you to evaluate, refine, and adjust your strategies over time.

Bonus: Utilize 360MatchPro’s enterprise text functionality.

In addition to hosting a dedicated matching gift awareness campaign, another way to use text marketing involves following up with donors after they give to your cause. This allows you to target individual givers with personalized messaging at the height of their engagement with your cause, increasing the likelihood that they’ll take the next step for a matching gift.

It doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking, either⁠. In fact, eligible 360MatchPro users can enable SMS follow-ups in a few clicks, ensuring donors receive applicable messaging throughout their journey. While this feature is currently available only for Enterprise accounts, it provides a powerful opportunity for an organization to bring its automated outreach to the next level.

Interested in upgrading your account? Learn more here.

25 Sample Text Messages to Market Matching Gifts Well

With the convenience of mobile communication, text messages provide a direct line to your supporters. However, crafting the perfect outreach can be a challenge.

To help your nonprofit effectively promote matching gifts and make the most of this communication channel, we’ve compiled a number of sample text messages below.

Text message #1:

“Did you know your donation could be doubled? Many companies offer matching gifts for employee donations. Check if yours does and make an even bigger impact: [link].”

Text message #2:

“Double your impact today! Many employers will match your donation to [Nonprofit Name]. See if your company participates here: [link].”

Text message #3:

“You gave. Now your employer can, too! Find out if your company matches donations to [Nonprofit Name] and increase your gift’s impact: [link].”

Text message #4:

“Matching gift alert 🚨 Your employer may be able to match your recent donation to [Nonprofit Name]. Find out here: [link].”

Text message #5:

“Stretch your support further! 💪 Your donation could be matched dollar-for-dollar through your company’s matching gift program. Check eligibility: [link].”

Text message #6:

“Great news! Many companies will match employee donations to [Nonprofit Name]. Double your donation today by checking here: [link].”

Text message #7:

“Want to make an even bigger impact? 💥 Your employer might match your recent donation to [Nonprofit Name]. Learn more about matching gifts: [link].”

Text message #8:

“Thank you for your donation! Did you know it could go twice as far with a matching gift from your employer? See if you’re eligible: [link].”

Text message #9:

“Help us reach our goal! 🎯 Your donation can be doubled with a matching gift from your employer. Check your eligibility: [link].”

Text message #10:

“Double your donation without giving twice. 💸 Many employers match employee gifts. Find out if yours does here: [link].”

Text message #11:

“Don’t miss the chance to double your impact! Many companies match employee donations. See if your gift is eligible for a match: [link].”

Text message #12:

“Multiply your generosity! 🌱 Your donation could be matched by your employer. Find out if your company participates: [link].”

Text message #13:

“Did you know? Your employer might match your recent donation to [Nonprofit Name], making your gift go even further. Check now: [link].”

Text message #14:

“Double your support for [Nonprofit Name]! Many companies will match your donation. It only takes a minute to check if your employer participates: [link].”

Text message #15:

“Your impact could be twice as great! 🔍 See if your employer matches donations to [Nonprofit Name] and submit your request here: [link].”

Text message #16:

“Your generosity inspires others. Did you know your donation could be doubled by your employer? Learn more about matching gifts: [link].”

Text message #17:

“Thank you for supporting [Nonprofit Name]! 🙏 Your employer might match your donation. Double your impact here: [link].”

Text message #18:

“Matching gifts are a great way to increase your donation’s value. See if your company will match your recent contribution to [Nonprofit Name]: [link].”

Text message #19:

“Maximize your donation! 🏆 Find out if your employer will match your gift to [Nonprofit Name] and help us do even more good: [link].”

Text message #20:

“Make your donation go further this Giving Tuesday! Many companies will match your gift to [Nonprofit Name]. Check if yours does: [link].”

Text message #21:

“Matching gifts = double the impact! See if your employer matches employee donations to [Nonprofit Name] today: [link].”

Text message #22:

“You’ve already made a difference. Now, double it! See if your employer offers matching gifts to increase your donation’s impact: [link].”

Text message #23:

“Make your donation work twice as hard! 👐 Many companies will match employee gifts to [Nonprofit Name]. Check your eligibility here: [link].”

Text message #24:

“Did you know your gift could be doubled at no extra cost to you? See if your company matches employee donations to [Nonprofit Name]: [link].”

Text message #25:

“Your support means the world to us. 🌍 Take it a step further by submitting a matching gift request if your company participates: [link].”

By leveraging text marketing as a direct communication channel, your team can quickly and effectively remind donors about matching gift opportunities, keep them engaged, and inspire them to take action.

Just remember: the key is to tailor your messaging to resonate with your supporters, encourage participation, and ultimately help your organization maximize its matching gift potential.

Case Study: How One Organization Implemented Matching Gift Text Marketing

Save the Children, a large-scale, global humanitarian organization, decided to enhance its matching gift efforts by employing a text message marketing campaign. The goal was to raise awareness about matching gifts among their supporters while sending traffic to their newly renovated workplace giving page.

The text message marketing effort spanned several weeks and included targeted deployments to different segments of Save the Children’s subscriber base. The two key text messages in the campaign were sent on November 17 and December 2, the latter being just after Giving Tuesday.

Let’s take a look:

“Your donation to Save the Children may be eligible for a matching gift from your employer. Learn more: https://savetext.us/mgift?mk=61090499
Reply STOP to Quit”

The first message was sent to approximately 57,000 subscribers who had engaged with Save the Children over the past year. With no specific donation request included, the message aimed to raise awareness about matching gifts, encouraging recipients to learn more about the opportunity. Despite not featuring a direct fundraising ask, the campaign achieved an impressive click-through rate (CTR) of 2.7%, translating to about 1,500 unique clicks. As a result, the text message helped raise $2,700 in donations, demonstrating that even subtle reminders can drive meaningful engagement.

“THANK YOU for supporting children this Giving Tuesday…and always! Thanks to your generosity we’ll be able to make a significant impact in the lives of countless children. Now, do you want to see if you can make your gift go twice as far? Check if your employer offers a matching gift program: https://savetext.us/TY-mgift?mk=33219057
Save the Children
Reply STOP to Quit”

The second text message was targeted at a much smaller segment: around 3,200 subscribers who had made a donation within the four days surrounding Giving Tuesday. This message saw a strong CTR of 2.6%, well above the average of 1.6% for similar mass-market text campaigns. The success highlighted the effectiveness of targeting recent donors, especially during high giving periods such as Giving Tuesday.

Save the Children’s text message marketing efforts proved to be an effective way to increase awareness of matching gifts, achieving above-average click rates and directly raising funds through minimal outreach. This illustrates the potential of using text message campaigns for nonprofits like yours, showcasing that personalized and well-timed texts can boost engagement and revenue alike.

Looking to learn more? Access the on-demand webinar recording here to hear directly from Save the Children.

Wrapping Up & Additional Matching Gift Marketing Resources

Incorporating matching gift text marketing into your nonprofit’s outreach strategy is a game-changer for maximizing fundraising results. Given the immediacy and high open rates of text messages, this channel can help your organization capitalize on matching gift opportunities that might otherwise go unnoticed⁠—all in a timely and convenient manner.

Ultimately, matching gift text marketing can help bridge the gap between supporters and the corporate philanthropy opportunities available to them, ensuring that your nonprofit captures as much matching gift revenue as possible. Start implementing SMS into your matching gift promotion strategy today, and watch as it helps unlock more funds, increase donor engagement, and elevate your organization’s mission.

Ready to learn more about strategic matching gift marketing efforts? Check out the recommended resources below:

Double the Donation’s Ultimate Guide to Marketing Matching Gifts. Access our complete guide on the topic! Uncover best practices for marketing matching gifts in any channel here.
Free Download: Develop a Matching Gift Marketing Plan. Get a head start on your matching gift marketing by using our free, customizable marketing plan template.
Marketing Matching Gifts In Your Digital Communications. Text messaging is a form of digital communication, but it’s not the only option available. Uncover top strategies for email, social media, and more.

7 Strategies for Marketing Payroll Giving to Your Supporters

September 19, 2024/in Fundraising Ideas, Learning Center, Donor communications, Marketing Strategies, Learning Center /by Adam Weinger

According to recent payroll giving statistics, 59% of survey respondents have no familiarity with payroll giving initiatives. Fortunately, however, marketing payroll giving opportunities to your nonprofit supporters can significantly boost participation in the programs⁠—and enhance your overall fundraising efforts.

After all, payroll giving programs allow donors to contribute a portion of their salary to your organization automatically, providing a steady stream of income with minimal effort. However, many potential donors remain unaware of this giving method or how easy it is to participate.

In this post, we’ll explore seven practical strategies to help you market payroll giving and make it a core component of your fundraising plan.

Create a Payroll Giving page on your nonprofit website.
Incorporate payroll giving in your email marketing.
Promote payroll giving initiatives on social media.
Collect and leverage employment information in your outreach.
Consider donors already eligible for other workplace giving programs.
Collaborate with corporate partners to highlight the opportunity.
Offer exclusive incentives for payroll giving donors.

By implementing the right marketing strategies, you can educate your supporters, promote the convenience of payroll giving, and inspire long-term donor engagement.

Let’s begin!

1. Create a Payroll Giving page on your nonprofit website.

Starting off, you’re going to want to market payroll giving programs prominently throughout your nonprofit or school’s website. A dedicated payroll giving page on your nonprofit’s website is a powerful tool for educating potential donors about this giving option, serving as a centralized hub where supporters can easily learn about the benefits, process, and impact of payroll giving.

Start by explaining what payroll giving is, highlighting how it allows employees to contribute to your cause directly from their paycheck on a recurring basis. Ensure the page features clear instructions on how to enroll in payroll giving, too, such as through their employer’s CSR platform or by contacting their HR department.

You’ll also want to emphasize the convenience of payroll giving. Once donors sign up, they don’t have to worry about making regular donations manually. It’s a simple, consistent, and tax-efficient way to support the cause they care about.

2. Incorporate payroll giving in your email marketing.

Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to reach your nonprofit’s supporters, and incorporating payroll giving into your email campaigns can significantly boost participation.

Start by crafting a compelling email that educates your audience on the advantages of payroll giving, emphasizing its ease, convenience, and long-term impact. Highlight the benefit of steady, recurring donations for your organization, personalizing the message to show supporters how their payroll donations can drive meaningful change in the community or cause they care about.

Include clear calls-to-action in the email, encouraging recipients to enroll in payroll giving through their employer. You can link directly to your nonprofit’s payroll giving webpage or provide detailed steps for contacting their HR department to inquire about the program. It’s also helpful to include examples of companies that offer payroll giving or suggestions for how donors can advocate for the program if their employer doesn’t currently provide it.

For the best results, we recommend regularly mentioning payroll giving in different types of email communications⁠—such as newsletters, thank-you emails, or special campaign updates. This keeps the option top of mind for donors while reinforcing the importance of their continued support.

3. Promote payroll giving initiatives on social media.

Social media is a powerful channel for engaging with your nonprofit’s audience, and it can be a highly effective tool for promoting payroll giving programs, too.

Use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram to share posts that explain what payroll giving is and how supporters can participate. Share success stories, testimonials, or case studies from current payroll donors to demonstrate the program’s real-world impact. Not to mention, visual content like infographics or short videos can be particularly effective in grabbing attention and communicating key messages.

Regularly include payroll giving in your content rotation, using relevant hashtags to increase visibility when appropriate. Remember: the goal is to ensure supporters are consistently reminded about this giving option and can easily find the information they need to get started.

4. Collect and leverage employment information in your outreach.

The more you know about your donors, the better you can engage them in workplace giving programs like payroll deductions and more. Specifically, having access to accurate and up-to-date employment data can go a long way.

But how can you collect this information? Start by incorporating questions about employment during the registration or donation process. Ask supporters to share the name of their employer, as well as whether they are aware of any workplace giving programs like payroll giving, matching gifts, or volunteer grants.

Once you’ve collected employment data, segment your donor list by company and customize your communications based on the giving opportunities available at those businesses. For example, if you know that a particular company offers payroll giving, you can send targeted emails to employees at that company, providing detailed instructions on how they can enroll in the program. If their company doesn’t currently offer payroll giving, encourage those donors to advocate for it within their workplace.

Top tip: If you lack quality employment information about your donors, consider utilizing a data enhancement service. This will allow you to fill in some gaps and provide the information you need to identify the best workplace giving programs in your network!

5. Consider donors already eligible for other workplace giving programs.

When it comes to workplace giving, most participating companies offer more than one way for employees to get involved. For example, statistics indicate that nearly two-thirds of companies report matching employee payroll contributions, and many of the top matching gift companies offer volunteer grants, too.

But what does that mean for your team?

Supporters who already participate in other workplace giving programs, such as matching gifts or volunteer grants, may be ideal candidates for payroll giving initiatives. To target this segment, begin by identifying donors who have previously submitted matching gift requests or applied for volunteer grants. These individuals already have a relationship with their company’s corporate social responsibility initiatives, which makes them a strong target audience for payroll giving.

In your outreach, emphasize the complementary nature of payroll giving to other workplace programs. You’ll want to acknowledge their previous participation in workplace giving programs and thank them for their ongoing support. Then, introduce payroll giving as a way to streamline their contributions and make an even greater difference. You can even highlight how their regular contributions through payroll giving can be further amplified through matching gift programs, doubling, or even tripling their impact.

6. Collaborate with corporate partners to highlight the opportunity.

Nowadays, more and more organizations are beginning to take an increasingly proactive approach to marketing payroll giving programs to their supporters. Still, many companies choose to promote the opportunity to their employees, too. And for that reason, collaborating with the businesses offering the programs can go a long way in heightening visibility and participation.

Start by reaching out to companies that already support your nonprofit through donations, sponsorships, or volunteer programs. Ask if they have a payroll giving program in place and discuss ways to promote the initiative to their employees. This could even involve co-branded marketing materials, such as email templates, flyers, or social media posts that both the company and your nonprofit can share with their audiences.

7. Offer exclusive incentives for payroll giving donors.

To encourage supporters to participate in payroll giving, consider offering exclusive incentives that reward their commitment to ongoing contributions. This can make the process more appealing and demonstrate your nonprofit’s appreciation for their support.

While it will likely vary based on the wants and needs of your particular audience, potential incentives may include…

Public recognition, such as listing names on a dedicated “payroll giving wall” on your website or donor newsletters. (Top tip: Public recognition can foster a sense of pride and community among payroll donors, motivating others to join, too!)
Access to exclusive events, such as virtual meet-and-greets with your organization’s leadership or tours of your facilities.
Branded merchandise, like T-shirts, tote bags, or water bottles, as a thank-you for committing to payroll giving.

Consider tying incentives to donation milestones, such as offering a special gift to donors who have contributed for a certain number of months or reached a specific donation amount. This not only encourages initial sign-ups but also helps retain donors over the long term.

Wrapping Up & Additional Resources

Effectively marketing payroll giving can transform the opportunity into a powerful, recurring revenue stream for your organization. By leveraging digital and other marketing tactics to educate supporters and partner with companies in your network, you can unlock the full potential of workplace giving and build stronger, more consistent donor relationships.

As you implement the seven strategies above, you’ll not only raise awareness of payroll giving but also encourage long-term contributions that help sustain your nonprofit’s mission. Don’t let the opportunity go to waste!

For more information about effectively marketing payroll and other employee giving opportunities, check out the following resources:

The Ultimate Guide to Marketing Matching Gifts. Discover the most effective strategies for promoting corporate matching gift programs to your nonprofit’s supporters. This comprehensive guide walks you through the key tactics to increase donor engagement, raise awareness of matching opportunities, and maximize the impact of employer-matched donations.
Marketing Corporate Volunteerism | A How-To Resource For Orgs. Corporate volunteerism is a powerful resource for nonprofits, but how do you encourage businesses and their employees to get involved with your organization? This guide provides actionable steps for creating compelling volunteer opportunities that align with employee interests and CSR goals.
Tracking Payroll Giving: A Nonprofit’s Step-by-Step Guide. Payroll giving can be a valuable and consistent source of funding, but tracking those donations is essential for success. This guide outlines the process nonprofits should follow to track payroll giving contributions efficiently, from registering with payroll platforms to monitoring and reporting on giving patterns.

The title of this article: How to Hire A Google Grants Agency + Best Firms

How to Hire A Google Grants Agency + 8 Best Firms for 2024

September 10, 2024/in Lists and Rankings, Learning Center, Marketing Strategies /by Adam Weinger

The Google Ad Grants program empowers nonprofits to connect with prospects searching for causes like theirs around the globe. However, maximize the program’s potential requires a strategic approach.

Google Grants agencies specialize in helping nonprofits fully leverage the program. They handle everything from applying for the program to picking the best keywords, removing the learning curve so you can focus on your mission and engage new constituents.

Whether you’re new to Google Ad Grants or looking to refresh your account management strategies, a Google Ad Grants manager can elevate your ad campaigns and keep your account compliant with Google’s rules. In this guide, we’ll cover the program basics and recommend top Google Grants agencies to help you make the most of your $10,000 monthly grant. Here’s what we’ll cover:

An Overview of Google Ad Grants Management
How A Google Grants Agency Can Help Your Nonprofit
How To Choose A Google Ad Grants Manager
8 Recommended Google Grants Agencies

At Double the Donation, we’ve witnessed organizations achieve remarkable results with corporate giving programs like Google’s. While we focus on employee giving programs like matching gifts, we believe Google Ad Grants can also significantly enhance your organization’s impact. Let’s explore how specialized agencies can streamline this process.

An Overview of Google Ad Grants Management

Before researching specific Google Grants agencies, make sure you know what Google is offering eligible nonprofits through the program. This will help you understand whether outsourcing the work to a professional is the right move. If you’re already well-versed in Google Ad Grants, feel free to jump ahead to learn how an agency fits into your strategies.

What is the Google Ad Grant?

The Google Ad Grants program is a corporate giving initiative that gives 501(c)(3) organizations $10,000 every month to spend on amplifying their pages in Google search results. That adds up to $120,000 every year that qualifying nonprofits can invest into marketing their missions.

Nonprofits pick the landing pages they’d like to promote, then build ad campaigns that target different keywords related to their mission. The goal of the program is to help nonprofits scale their impact by getting in touch with more donors, volunteers, and advocates online.

So long as your nonprofit complies with the program’s guidelines, the grant will automatically renew each month. The program has pretty strict guidelines for eligibility and ongoing compliance. That’s why organizations typically outsource account management to Google Ad Grant marketing agencies who will oversee their campaigns and keep their accounts compliant.

Are Google Ad Grants worth it?

Since 2001, Google has awarded over $10 billion in free advertising to 115,000+ nonprofits in 51 countries, according to recent nonprofit marketing statistics. Your nonprofit can easily become part of this amazing program!

While it can be challenging to create winning ad campaigns, any organization can (and should) apply for the program. It’s $10,000 of free funding every month that can amplify your cause if you allocate it strategically. With proper Google Ad Grants management, the program empowers your nonprofit to:

Increase online conversions such as event signups, donations, and volunteer registrations
Connect with lifelong supporters who are motivated by your cause
Bid on competitors’ keywords so your ads can show up alongside their listings
Build brand awareness and spread awareness for mission-centric operations like matching gifts
Establish authority in your field and become a trusted resource for your mission

To make the most of the program, have someone at your organization spend a few hours each week learning about Google Ad Grants management. If you face limited staff bandwidth and can’t invest enough time into your campaigns, outsource the work to a dedicated Google Ad Grants manager.

Either way, $10,000 a month is a good chunk of change that will pale in comparison to the amount of staff time you spend or the money you pay an expert to manage your campaigns.

Why should I invest in Google Ad Grants management?

This Google Ad Grants impact report shows that nonprofits can see incredible returns with proper Google Ad Grants management. In fact, search ads offer the highest ROI among paid advertising platforms for nonprofits.

Google processes 3.5 billion search queries daily and accounts for over 90% of the search engine market, making it the world’s most popular search engine. Advertising your cause on Google connects you with a vast audience, and effective grant management ensures you deliver the right content to the right individuals.

However, getting started comes with a steep learning curve, from conducting keyword research to maintaining compliance with Google’s standards. With your team’s busy schedule, dedicating enough time to manage your Google Ad Grant may be challenging.

Investing in professional Google Ad Grants management offers several benefits:

Fast setup: Apply for the program and launch your campaigns quickly with expert guidance.
Compelling ads: Experts can create ads that resonate with your target audience and drive engagement.
Easy navigation of the program’s complexities: Expert management helps you overcome the learning curve of keyword research, bidding procedures, and compliance rules.
Results monitoring and optimization: Professionals can analyze your performance data and make necessary adjustments to maximize your impact.

Especially when working with a Google-certified agency, you’ll gain access to the best advice and a direct line to Google for any account issues.

How A Google Grants Agency Can Help Your Nonprofit

From determining your eligibility to finding the right keywords, a lot goes into effective Google Ad Grants management. That’s where a dedicated Google Grants agency comes into play.

Agencies will take the guesswork out of account management and develop winning campaigns that supercharge your marketing efforts. They spend their time understanding the program’s requirements and learning how to leverage relevant tools that will maximize their clients’ results. Specifically, they help nonprofits with the following:

Google Grant applications. If you haven’t applied for the program, an agency will help you do so by creating your Google For Nonprofits account, getting verified by Percent, ensuring your website has promotable content, and guiding you through your application.
Keyword research. A Google Grants agency will develop ad campaigns that target the right keywords. They’ll research keywords associated with your cause and pinpoint the ones that qualified prospects are searching for online.
Campaign management. A healthy account will have anywhere from 3-5 active campaigns. An agency will actively track these campaigns, report on performance, and make adjustments to your online content to maximize results. Through Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager, they can create live dashboards and reports that keep you looped into your campaigns’ performance.
Monthly compliance. The program’s guidelines are extensive, and by not complying, your account might be deactivated. Your Google Grants agency will make sure you’re always complying with the program’s guidelines. Some of these include maintaining a 5% clickthrough rate, avoiding single-word or generic keywords, and responding to the annual program survey. When you hire a Google-certified agency, you’ll have access to the program’s latest guidelines, even if they haven’t been formally announced.
Landing page tips. Your grant money will go to waste if the pages you’re promoting don’t inspire users to convert. Some agencies provide advice for improving your landing pages to help boost traffic and conversions.
Reactivation if needed. Ideally, your Google Grants agency will keep your account in good standing. However, things happen, especially considering the program has pretty strict guidelines. If your account ever gets suspended, your agency will help reactivate it. Better yet, an agency certified by Google will give you direct access to the Google Grants team, making it easier to resolve any issues.

A Google Grants agency knows what it takes to create winning campaigns that inspire users to click through to your website. And like we mentioned, the money you spend on hiring a professional will be well worth it compared to the $10,000 in marketing money you’ll receive every month.

If you’re curious about any of these services, Getting Attention’s Google Grant agency guide explores how agencies help nonprofits in-depth. That way, you can understand if investing in an agency is the right move.

What Is A Google Partner?

Any marketing agency can offer Google Grants management services. While some promising startup agencies can provide sufficient services, nonprofits can ensure they’re hiring a reliable agency by choosing a certified Google Partner.

A Google Partner is an organization that has earned a certification from Google for demonstrating expertise in managing Google Ads accounts. To become a Google Partner, a company must meet specific requirements set by Google, including:

Proficiency in Google Ads: The company must have employees who are certified in Google Ads, demonstrating their knowledge of successful management of Google Ads campaigns.
Performance Requirements: The company must maintain strong ad performance across their managed accounts, showing that they can effectively drive results for their clients.
Client Spend: The company must meet a certain level of ad spend across their managed accounts, which shows their experience in handling a significant volume of advertising campaigns.

Being a Google Partner provides a company with access to special benefits, including training and support from Google, early access to new features, and the ability to display the Google Partner badge on their website and marketing materials.

This designation is a mark of trust and expertise, indicating that the company is recognized by Google as capable of effectively managing Google Ads campaigns and maximizing the return on investment for their clients.

How To Choose A Google Ad Grants Manager

At this point, you’re almost ready to explore different agencies. As you explore your options, you should take certain steps to make sure you find a Google Grants agency that you can fully depend on to make the most of this CSR opportunity.

For instance, you’ll want to:

Find Google Ad Grants managers that meet your criteria. Many nonprofits look specifically for partners who are certified by Google. That’s because these professional Google Grants agencies have been vetted by the Google Grants team. When exploring these agencies, look for partners that offer services for the specific areas you need help with. For instance, for full transparency into your campaigns’ performance, double-check that your Google Ad Grant agency will provide comprehensive reports to your team. If you’re seeking help because your account’s been deactivated, prioritize agencies that offer account reactivation services.
Explore their website and offerings. An agency’s website will help you understand their approach and specializations. Read through their offerings thoroughly Oftentimes, an established agency might also include testimonials or case studies that display successful client results.
Reach out to learn more about their approach to Google Ad Grant management. Before choosing an agency, contact them to make sure they’re a good fit. This gives you the opportunity to ask lingering questions and see if their team will mesh well with yours. Many agencies start with a complimentary audit of your account to give you an idea of what working with them will look like.

By walking through these steps, you’ll narrow down your options in no time. Remember, the right Google Ad Grant marketing agency will act as an extension of your team and do everything it can to champion your cause. We recommend choosing a Google Partner since these agencies demonstrate a clear understanding of the program.

Whoever you choose, spending time finding a good fit will pay off in the long run as you’ll be able to fully rely on them to make the most of your grant money.

8 Recommended Google Grants Agencies

To simplify the extensive vetting process, we’ve compiled a list of recommendations, so you can find ones that might be a good fit for your team. Each of these partners works with nonprofits to enhance their Google Ad Grants management and displays knowledge of the program’s requirements and opportunities. Use this list to narrow down your options and request their support when you’re ready.

Getting Attention | Best All-Around Agency

Getting Attention specializes solely in Google Ad Grants management. They’re committed to maximizing your grant money, keeping your account compliant, and connecting you with lifelong prospects through powerful marketing campaigns. Backed by a team of seasoned professionals, they’ll act as an extension of your team and work with you to drive results. By managing every aspect of your Google Ad campaigns, they’ll help get your cause in front of qualified prospects who want to make an impact on your cause.

This agency is also a certified Google Partner, meaning the Google Ads team has personally reviewed their team’s abilities to manage Google Ad accounts properly. Their core services include:

Google Ad Grant Application. If you haven’t already applied for the program, Getting Attention’s experts can check your eligibility for the program and walk you through every step necessary to get your account reviewed and accepted.
Strategy and Campaign Management. They’ll choose goal-oriented conversion actions like donations or volunteer sign-ups. Then they’ll do ample keyword research, craft compelling ads, monitor ad performance, and make adjustments as needed. Not to mention, they’ll stay on top of reporting and pinpoint the most useful opportunities for your team.
Ongoing Compliance. Proper Google Ad Grants management means staying on top of the latest rules. As Google Partners, Getting Attention is one of the first ones to hear about compliance rule updates, so you can keep your account in good standing.
Account Reactivation. If your account is currently lapsed or ever gets suspended, they’ll get everything up to code, so you can continue amplifying your mission.

Getting Started With This Google Grants Agency

Getting Attention strives to be fully transparent with its clients, which is why they don’t charge any upfront fees and instead only charge a monthly fee of $600. Compared to the $10,000 in grant money they’ll secure for you, that’s a small price to pay for expert Google Ad Grants management, especially from a certified Google Partner!

If you require additional services beyond what’s included in their pricing package, they’re open to discussing their experience with you to find a plan that will work. Reach out to discuss your needs with their team today.

Nonprofits Source | Best Agency for Educational Resources

If you’re new to the Google Ad Grant program, the most vital thing you need in this stage is information, and that’s where Nonprofits Source steps in. This digital marketing agency empowers nonprofits to grow their digital footprints, and where it really stands out is its expansive educational library.

Know that they only offer general digital marketing services to nonprofits, though. These services include search engine optimization and web design, which are both essential for improving your Google Search presence. While they don’t manage Ad Grant accounts, they offer plenty of free resources about the program, such as:

An Ultimate Google Ad Grant Guide: Become a whiz on the program by learning the basics and how to use the Google Grant to launch your organization toward its digital marketing goals.
How to Apply for Google Grants: This guide walks through the key steps your nonprofit needs to take to acquire the Google Grant. It even shares pro tips for improving your website to drive more conversions with your ads.
Tips for Hiring A Google Grants Manager: If you still have questions about working with Google Grants agencies, this guide can answer your questions and give you additional recommendations for trusted agencies.

Exploring This Agency’s Resources

Check out Nonprofits Source’s blog for the latest tips in the nonprofit digital marketing world. In no time, you’ll be an expert! You can also partner with them for your SEO and website design needs.

Explore the Nonprofits Source blog!

DNL OmniMedia | Best Consultant for Nonprofit Technology

DNL OmniMedia is a nonprofit technology consultant. Their mission is to help your nonprofit leverage technology in ways that amplify your cause and focus on goals rather than getting bogged down with code and data. While they don’t specialize solely in Google Grants, they do offer services that will help enhance your Google Ad Grants management.

Their pay-per-click (PPC) marketing services include:

Google Grant strategy. DNL OmniMedia can make sure that your Google Ad Grant strategy aligns with other aspects of your nonprofit’s strategy. They’ll help you create a keyword strategy that makes sense for your cause and connects you with the right prospects.
Ad copy development. Their digital marketing experts will write and test ads that are designed for optimum impressions and clicks. That way, you can inspire readers to click through to your site.
Website development. Backed by a team of skilled developers, DNL OmniMedia will help you create your website and amplify your online presence. That way, you can create valuable landing pages for your Google Ad Grant campaigns that drive users to get involved.
Reporting. With Google Analytics and Google Tag Manager, DNL OmniMedia will report on campaign performance and interpret the data for your team. This will help improve your site and campaign’s content.

Getting Started With This Google Grants Agency

DNL OmniMedia makes it easy to learn about their services and contact their team by filling out a form on their website. Whether you’re looking to improve your Google Ad landing pages or better understand campaign data, this Google Grants agency is a reliable choice!

Learn more about DNL OmniMedia!

Allegiance Group | Best Agency for General Digital Marketing

Allegiance Group works with nonprofits and associations to transform their digital strategies and grow their impact. Whether you’re focused on fundraising, advocacy, stewardship, or content marketing, they’ll tailor your digital marketing plan to do more good for your cause. One of their digital marketing offerings is Google Ad Grants management.

Their advertising-related services include:

Website content optimization. They’ll evaluate your website’s existing content and create valuable content that you can then amplify through your ad campaigns.
Holistic advertising plan. They’ll identify the best advertising platforms to reach your fundraising, advocacy, stewardship, or content marketing goals. That means you can get help with Google Ads and social media ads. Then, they’ll test different ad formats and creative elements to attract your target audience.
Reporting. With web analytics tools like Google Analytics, Allegiance will deliver reports and real-time dashboards that display your marketing performance, like page views, entrances, and goal assists. That way, you can continuously refine your campaigns.

Getting Started With This Google Ad Grants Manager

Allegiance Group empowers you to create a more holistic approach to your nonprofit’s digital marketing. Explore their site to get a sense of whether their offerings align with your Google Ad Grant needs.

Learn more about Allegiance Group!

RKD Group | Best Agency for Donor Cultivation

RKD Group is a certified Google Grants agency that understand that nonprofits often have trouble making the most of their free advertising money without professional help and aim to eliminate those obstacles for them. They were the first full-service direct-response company to be added to the Ad Grants Certified Professional Community, so you know you’re in good hands if you choose them. From animal welfare groups to veteran organizations, they strive to help all causes succeed by connecting with donors.

Their team of experts will work closely to manage all aspects of your Ad Grants account through services such as:

Account Activation. Between helping you register for Google for Nonprofits and filling out your application RKD Group will help you secure your free grant money.
Ad Creation. Their professional Google Ad Grants team will build high-level campaigns with required ad groups and keywords tied to clear goals. Plus, they’ll write strong ads for you.
Campaign Optimization. Once your campaigns go live, the work doesn’t stop there! Their Google Grants agency will monitor your campaigns’ performance and make adjustments to boost conversions.

Getting Started With This Google Grants Agency

RKD Group makes it easy to amplify your work and take advantage of the opportunities available to your nonprofit. Before lining up a consultation with their team, check out their services to make sure they offer what you need.

Learn more about RKD Digital!

TrueSense Marketing | Best Agency for Search Engine Marketing

As a certified professional Google Ad Grant marketing agency, TrueSense Marketing is a smart addition to your marketing efforts. They’re comprised of professionals with extensive search engine marketing (SEM) experience that can take your Google Ad Grants management to the next level. They’ll handle everything from application to ongoing maintenance, so you can focus on other aspects of your mission.

Some of their services include:

Content Creation. TrueSense can help breathe life into your nonprofit’s stories, so you can connect on a deeper level. They’ll help craft content with compelling offers that motivate donors to give generously. Then, you can amplify that content with Google Ads.
Hands-On Management. TrueSense Marketing will actively manage your account, edit your campaigns to maximize ad performance, and collaborate closely with your team to highlight the most valuable opportunities for your nonprofit.
Multichannel Campaigns. With help from this Google Grants agency, you won’t be confined to search ad campaigns. They’ll help you leverage both paid and organic channels to reach a larger community of prospective clients, volunteers, advocates, and other supporters.

Getting Started With This Google Ad Grants Manager

TrueSense Marketing is devoted to helping you make the most of your $10,000 each month. You can explore their full list of services on their website and determine if they’d be a good fit for your nonprofit.

Learn more about TrueSense Marketing!

Koios | Best Google Grants Agency for Libraries

Koios is a nonprofit organization specializing in digital marketing for public libraries, library advocacy groups, and other public information advocates. Their main service involves using the Google Ad Grants program to enhance the visibility of libraries online. Koios assists libraries in applying for the program, creating effective advertising strategies, and managing their Google Ads accounts.

They help increase web traffic to library websites and resources, particularly by making library catalogs more discoverable in Google searches. Here’s an overview of this agency’s services:

Google Ad Grant Application. They’ll help you register with Google for Nonprofits and apply for the Google Grant. If your application is rejected, they’ll make the necessary adjustments to ensure it’s approved.
Ad Optimization. Koios will create standout ads and monitor your campaigns. They have an incredible 12.8% CTR, which is well above the 5% CTR compliance rule. This helps libraries spread awareness and share the joy of learning.
Catalog Promotion. Their main offering is promoting each library’s Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) within Google SERPs, allowing the entire catalog to be searchable and visible online.

Getting Started With This Google Grants Agency

Koios works with libraries of varying sizes and tailors its pricing accordingly, offering a 60-day free trial period for new subscribers.

Learn more about Koios!

Reef Digital Agency | Best Google Grants Manager for Australian Nonprofits

Located in Australia, Reef Digital specializes in managing Google Ad Grants among other digital marketing services. They were the first agency in Australia to receive the Google Ad Grants Certified Professional designation, which is a testament to their expertise.

After serving 50+ nonprofits, they know how to unlock the power of the Google Ad Grant. Their featured case studies show that they helped the Australian Cancer Research Foundation reach record-breaking EOFY campaign results via the Google Ad Grant. They also helped Care Careers, which is a job board attract people to work in the disability, community, and aged care sector in Australia. They achieved

Here’s a rundown of Reef’s services:

Balancing Ad Grants and Paid Ads. They help nonprofits show their grant-funded ads wherever possible and use paid ads to supplement any gaps.
Google Grant Compliance. They’ll keep a close eye on your performance to keep your account in good standing with Google.
Supplemental Digital Marketing Services. Reef offers a range of services that can enhance your overall Google Ad performance, including landing page optimization, SEO, and content creation.

Getting Started With This Google Ad Grants Manager

Reef charges based on the complexity of your Google Grants needs. They offer a free Google Ad Grants audit to potential clients.

Learn more about Reef!

Additional Google Ad Grant Resources

The Google Ad Grant program offers an immensely valuable marketing opportunity for your team. You can amplify your work and expedite your mission, but only if you choose the right keywords and deliver optimized landing pages to prospects.

A professional Google Grants agency eliminates the guesswork and makes it incredibly easy to get your content in front of the right audiences.

Plus, agencies that are fully devoted to Google Ad Grants management spend their time learning the ins and outs of the program. They fully understand everything from compliance requirements to keyword research best practices. That way, you can rest assured that you’re creating winning campaigns and that your account will stay compliant. In turn, you can keep receiving your free $10,000 grant every month.

As the only agency fully dedicated to Google Ad Grants on our list, we highly recommend you check out Getting Attention. They offer everything you need to get your account activated and create optimized campaigns. Plus, they’re a certified Google Partner, so you know you’re receiving professional guidance.

Looking to learn more about the program? As you start researching different agencies, check out these educational resources:

Google Ad Grants: The Complete Guide + How to Get Started. Learn all about the program and explore some of the strategies that a Google Grant agency might use to optimize your account by exploring this guide.
Corporate Philanthropy Examples: Companies Doing It Right. Google is just one of many companies that offers generous charitable programs. Explore some other companies that give back to organizations like yours.
Google Grants Eligibility: How To Check If You Qualify. Want to determine your eligibility for the program before hiring a Google Grants agency? Check out our eligibility guide.

Leveraging Volunteer Incentive Programs [Nonprofit FAQ]

September 4, 2024/in Learning Center, Marketing Strategies, About Double the Donation, Company Spotlights, Fundraising Ideas /by Adam Weinger

Volunteer incentive programs are a powerful tool for nonprofits aiming to boost community engagement and maximize their impact. These programs, which involve companies rewarding employees for their volunteer time and efforts, can take many forms. And they can range from volunteer grants (or Dollars for Doers) to paid volunteer time off and more.

For nonprofits, understanding and leveraging these programs can mean more volunteers, increased funding, and stronger relationships with corporate partners. In this guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of volunteer incentive programs⁠—and practical strategies for making the most of them.

Specifically, we’ll answer the following questions:

What are Employee Volunteer Incentive Programs?
What are the most popular types of Employee Volunteer Incentives?
What benefits do Volunteer Incentive Programs offer?
What are some examples of companies with standout Employee Volunteer Incentive Programs?
How can nonprofits maximize the impact of Volunteer Incentive Programs?

Ready to make the most of available corporate volunteer incentives for your nonprofit team? Let’s dive in.

What are Employee Volunteer Incentive Programs?

Employee Volunteer Incentive Programs, also known as corporate volunteer programs or employee volunteer incentive initiatives, are structured efforts by companies to encourage and reward their employees for participating in volunteer activities.

These programs are designed to promote corporate social responsibility, enhance employee engagement, and support community involvement.

What are the most popular types of Employee Volunteer Incentives?

Volunteer incentives are not a one-size-fits-all experience. In fact, there are a number of ways for companies to participate in corporate volunteerism and incentivize their employees to do so as well.

As a nonprofit or school, some of the programs you’re most likely to come across include:

Volunteer Grants
- Companies offer monetary donations to nonprofits based on the number of volunteer hours employees contribute. For example, a company might donate $25 for every hour an employee volunteers.
Paid Volunteer Time Off (VTO)
- Companies provide employees with paid time off specifically for volunteering during the regular work day. This is above and beyond any other paid time off and can range from a few hours to several days per year.
Team Volunteering Events
- Companies organize group volunteering activities that encourage employees to participate together, fostering teamwork and camaraderie while supporting a charitable cause.

The more familiar you are with popular employee volunteer incentives, the better you’ll be able to market the opportunities to your audience.

What benefits do Volunteer Incentive Programs offer?

Volunteer incentive programs are a particularly valuable form of corporate philanthropy, and the impact extends from the companies offering the programs to the organizations receiving support and beyond. Let’s take a look at the key benefits for each party involved.

For Nonprofits

Increased Volunteer Participation: Volunteer incentive programs encourage more employees to donate their time, providing nonprofits with a steady stream of supporters ready to get involved.
Additional Funding: Programs like volunteer grants or dollars for doers translate volunteer hours into financial support for nonprofit organizations, providing a greater volunteer program ROI.
Enhanced Visibility: Participating in corporate giving programs can raise the profile of nonprofits, attracting more volunteers and donors who may otherwise have no familiarity with your cause.

For Companies

Employee Engagement: Encouraging volunteerism boosts employee morale, satisfaction, and retention by aligning work with personal values and passions.
Corporate Reputation: Companies that actively support volunteerism improve their public image and demonstrate a commitment to social responsibility.
Team Building: Group volunteer activities strengthen relationships among employees and build a positive corporate culture.

For Employees

Personal Fulfillment: Volunteering allows employees to give back to their communities, fostering a sense of accomplishment and purpose.
Skill Development: Employees can develop new skills and gain experiences that may be beneficial in their personal and professional lives.
Recognition and Rewards: Employees receive acknowledgment and rewards for their volunteer contributions, enhancing job satisfaction.

What are some companies with standout Volunteer Incentive Programs?

Many companies have implemented exemplary Volunteer Incentive Programs that encourage and support their employees’ volunteer efforts. In doing so, these businesses demonstrate the positive impact of well-structured Volunteer Incentive Programs, not only supporting their employees’ philanthropic efforts but also strengthening their communities.

Familiarizing yourself with these initiatives can go a long way in allowing your team to target the programs effectively. Here are some key examples you should know:

Chipotle Mexican Grill

Chipotle encourages employee volunteerism through its “Chipotle Community Roots” program, which offers paid time off for volunteering and supports team volunteer events. While it can vary greatly, the company’s primary focus is on initiatives that promote food sustainability, education, and environmental preservation.

Employees are also encouraged to participate in other forms of philanthropy, including through the company’s CLMA-designated matching gift program (complete with seamless matching gift auto-submission functionality!).

Gene B. Glick Company

Gene B. Glick Company fosters employee volunteerism through its corporate social responsibility efforts, particularly focusing on local community engagement and social services. Employees are offered up to 8 hours of paid time off to volunteer with various nonprofit organizations each year.

The CLMA-designated company also offers a standout matching gift program, with exclusive auto-submission streamlining the process for employees to get involved.

EY

EY (Ernst & Young) encourages employee volunteerism through its EY Ripples CSR program, which leverages employees’ skills to address global challenges. Employees are offered paid time off to volunteer, focusing on education, supporting entrepreneurs, and accelerating environmental sustainability.

This also encapsulates EY Connect Days, or quarterly days of service in which 22,000+ EY employees volunteer with nonprofit causes in 20 countries across the globe.

Siemens

Siemens promotes volunteerism through its Corporate Citizenship program, which includes paid volunteer time off for employees. The company encourages employees to engage in community service, particularly in areas related to education, technology, and sustainability. The company also offers team volunteer grants to amplify the impact of employee volunteerism.

IBM

IBM’s volunteer program, Corporate Service Corps, is dubbed “a Peace Corps for the corporate world,” sending teams of employees to work with nonprofits and government organizations on critical societal challenges. Employees can also participate in the On Demand Community, where they access resources (including up to 8 hours of volunteer time off) to donate their specialized skills in local communities.

As another incentive, IBM offers volunteer grants for employees, enhancing the impact of their time with grants worth $10 per hour after the first 10 hours are recorded, up to a maximum grant amount of $500.

Infobip

Infobip supports employee volunteerism through its volunteer incentive program Bippers4Community. This corporate social responsibility initiative encourages employees to contribute their time and skills to community service projects, promoting a culture of giving back by providing opportunities for employees to participate in company-organized volunteer events. This includes both BipUp Skills, an online volunteering program, and BipUp Teams, the onsite volunteering component.

Cisco

Cisco supports employee volunteerism through its WeAreCisco program, which includes up to 80 hours of paid time off for volunteering and volunteer grants worth $10 for every hour an employee volunteers. The company encourages employees to participate in volunteer activities that align with their passions, providing a platform to make a positive impact on their communities.

Toyota

Toyota’s volunteer incentive program, Toyota4Good, offers employees paid time off to volunteer and supports matching gifts for nonprofit donations. Toyota encourages employees to engage in volunteer activities that align with its focus on education, environmental sustainability, and community improvement. And employees are encouraged to request volunteer grants for their time, with two tiers of grants available after 50 and 100 hours.

Intel

Intel’s global corporate volunteer program, Intel Involved, encourages employees to contribute their time, technology expertise, and other skills to nonprofits in need of their services. This includes its volunteer grant program, through which employees can request generous company funding on behalf of the organizations they support.

Over the last decade, Intel employees (and retirees!) have donated more than 10 million hours in their communities!

Bank of America

Bank of America writes that “We support our employees’ volunteer efforts through programs such as a robust volunteer platform, volunteer grants directed to nonprofit organizations where employees volunteer regularly, matching gifts which double the impact of employee giving and additional employee giving opportunities.” This volunteer incentive program is deeply engrained in the company’s culture, offering 2 hours of VTO each week as well as volunteer grants worth $500 or $1,000.

Google

Google’s annual month-long volunteer program, GoogleServe, provides a chance for “Googlers” across the world to give back by partnering with nonprofit causes. This project has been ongoing for over a decade, and most recently saw more than 25,000 Google team members from 40 countries participating with nearly 1,000 organizations.

Not to mention, all Google employees are encouraged to request up to 20 hours of paid time off to partake in volunteer activities each year. And hours spent outside the VTO program qualify for volunteer grants equal to $10 for every hour!

How can nonprofits maximize the impact of Volunteer Incentive Programs?

Volunteer Incentive Programs can be a game-changer for nonprofits by boosting volunteer engagement, securing additional funding, and strengthening community ties. To fully leverage these programs, nonprofits need to adopt strategic approaches that enhance the overall effectiveness and impact of their volunteer efforts.

Here’s how organizations like yours can do so:

1. Promote Volunteer Incentive Programs to Volunteers

Unfortunately, many individuals who qualify for volunteer incentive programs through their employers will have no awareness of the initiatives in the first place. If their companies don’t sufficiently promote the programs to their workforce, it’s up to your team to spread the word.

To increase awareness and boost participation, market corporate volunteer incentives in your volunteer newsletters, email correspondence, text messages, phone calls, and more. And don’t forget about your nonprofit’s website, either. In fact, we recommend embedding a volunteer incentives database directly into your Volunteers page to make it as easy as possible for individuals to locate program information and get involved.

2. Create Meaningful Volunteer Opportunities

Design volunteer opportunities that align with the values and goals of your corporate partners and their employees to get more volunteers on board.

You’ll want to offer a diverse range of opportunities through which corporate volunteers can get involved. From short-term projects to ongoing commitments, plan to cater to different interests, schedules, and incentives. Check out these recommended ideas to get started!

3. Implement Efficient Tracking and Reporting Systems

Most companies establish some sort of time-tracking requirements in order to pay out volunteer incentives such as dollars for doers grants or VTO hours. Implementing an intuitive volunteer tracking system, backed by reliable tools and software can go a long way in ensuring individuals have the resources they need to complete their requests.

4. Recognize and Reward Volunteers

Individuals participating in their employers’ volunteer incentive programs are going above and beyond for your cause. Therefore, it’s a good idea to regularly thank, recognize, and reward them for their support.

Share success stories and testimonials (including photographic evidence!) on how volunteer contributions have made a tangible difference in your mission. This can include in your newsletters, website, social media pages, and more.

Keep in mind that public acknowledgments can also function as a marketing tool⁠—leveraging social proof and encouraging others to get involved in the same way.

5. Leverage Technology for Uncover Opportunities

Since many volunteers won’t know if they qualify for volunteer incentive programs, it’s a good idea to make the discovery process as simple as possible. In other words, you’ll want to provide them with a volunteer incentives database like Double the Donation’s industry-leading solution. This way, all supporters have to do is type the name of their employer, and they’ll be met with company-specific insights regarding their eligibility for volunteer grants, VTO, and more. Plus, they’ll receive direct links to request forms and instructions for getting started.

Even better, the database search tool can be embedded in your nonprofit website, volunteers’ page, or registration forms, thanks to our seamless VMS integrations, making it easier than ever for interested volunteers to access.

Wrapping up & additional resources

Volunteer incentive programs offer a win-win scenario for nonprofits, volunteers, and corporate partners alike. By effectively leveraging these programs, organizations like yours can enhance their volunteer engagement, secure additional funding, and build stronger, more productive partnerships.

With these elements in place, your team can harness the full potential of volunteer incentive programs and make a lasting difference in your community.

Interested in learning more about corporate volunteerism and how your organization can benefit? Check out the following resources to grow your knowledge:

Fuel Fundraising: Access The Ultimate Guide to Corporate Volunteer Grants. Find out how your team can secure funding through corporate volunteer grant programs. Uncover top tips and resources for raising more in this free downloadable resource.
Drive Engagement with our Complete Guide to Volunteer Time Off Programs. Volunteer time off is a popular incentive that can go a long way in driving recruitment, engagement, and retention for your program. Here’s what you need to know!
Standout Strategies for Leveraging Corporate Volunteer Incentives. Explore our top recommended strategies for making the most of employee volunteerism with powerful corporate incentives. Get the guide to learn more and grow your efforts.