7 Challenge Match Success Stories: Effective Promotions
Challenge match campaigns are a powerful fundraising tool for nonprofits looking to drive donor engagement and boost donations. By offering to match contributions, organizations create a sense of urgency and excitement among supporters. These campaigns motivate donors by showing them that their gift will have an even greater impact.
In this post, we’ll highlight seven nonprofits that ran successful challenge match campaigns:
- Healthy Birthday
- UOAA
- Fresno Chaffee Zoo
- Union Gospel Mission
- Sofia’s Hope
- Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh
- UWC-USA
By sharing these organizations’ top strategies, promotions, and results, we hope to inspire your next challenge match campaign and provide you with actionable insights to increase engagement and funding for your cause.
Healthy Birthday
Nonprofit website: https://healthybirthday.org/
Healthy Birthday, a nonprofit focused on supporting children’s health and wellness, capitalized on Giving Tuesday by launching a $10,000 matching grant appeal. To maximize engagement, they added a series of incentives for donors. These included a free spa gift certificate for those who gave a specific amount, as well as a branded t-shirt for donors who raised a certain amount through peer-to-peer fundraising.
The combination of a matching gift, a clear goal, and intriguing incentives proved to be a highly effective promotional strategy. Here’s what made Healthy Birthday’s campaign stand out:
- Engaging incentives: The addition of spa gift certificates and t-shirts incentivized higher donation amounts and encouraged peer-to-peer fundraising.
- Use of Giving Tuesday: Tying the campaign to Giving Tuesday helped leverage the global giving momentum, which is vital for short-term fundraising success.
- Social media push: They promoted the campaign across multiple social media platforms, increasing visibility and encouraging wider participation.
For your own campaign, adding value through fun incentives can significantly boost both engagement and total funds raised.
UOAA
Nonprofit website: https://www.ostomy.org/
In the Fall of 2023, the United Ostomy Associations of America (UOAA) launched a Matching Donor Program that aimed to raise $50,000. With a generous anonymous donor matching all gifts, UOAA exceeded their goal by $10,000, bringing in a total of $60,000.
UOAA’s campaign benefited from several key promotional tactics:
- Clear and consistent messaging: They communicated the matching opportunity clearly through email and social media posts, ensuring donors knew exactly how their contributions would be doubled.
- Strategic donor relationships: The nonprofit built a relationship with a matching donor who was deeply invested in the cause, making it easier to secure a significant donation.
- Tight timeline: The campaign was time-limited, creating a sense of urgency that encouraged immediate action from donors.
For nonprofits looking to replicate this success, consider securing a major donor or corporate partner to provide a match. Make sure the match is clearly communicated and the timeline is well-promoted.
Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Nonprofit website: http://fcz.org/
Fresno Chaffee Zoo launched the Elephant Baby Matching Gift Program, aimed at supporting two African elephants expected to give birth in 2024. The program needed to raise between $75,000 and $100,000 to kick-start matching donations, with every dollar donated being matched to double the impact.
To promote the campaign, the Zoo utilized a mix of methods:
- Kickoff event: They began the campaign on World Elephant Day with social media posts, QR codes, and visitor handouts at the zoo.
- In-person events: A special ‘baby shower’ event was held to generate excitement, featuring community partners like the Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission.
- QR codes and easy donation access: QR codes throughout the zoo and event materials made it easy for donors to quickly contribute while on-site.
This multifaceted promotional strategy combined events, online engagement, and clear, impactful visuals to successfully generate support for the elephant babies.
Union Gospel Mission
Nonprofit website: https://ugmportland.org/
Union Gospel Mission in Portland launched a matching campaign with a $50,000 gift from a group of generous donors. The mission emphasized how each dollar donated would have twice the impact, helping to feed and shelter twice as many people.
This campaign was especially effective due to:
- Compelling, donor-focused messaging: The organization clearly communicated the life-changing impact of donations, making it easy for donors to see the direct effect of their contributions.
- Seasonal urgency: The timing of the campaign, in the run-up to summer when donations typically slow down, helped encourage donors to act immediately.
- Personalized outreach: Their appeal, including personal testimonials, created a deeper connection with the mission and its supporters.
Nonprofits can replicate this by highlighting the difference that donations make in people’s lives and emphasizing the urgency of giving during slower months.
Sofia’s Hope
Nonprofit website: https://www.sofiashope.org/
Sofia’s Hope, a nonprofit focused on childhood cancer, ran multiple successful matching campaigns, including one during their Summer and End of Year appeals. They secured corporate sponsors to match all donations up to $5K in the summer and $10K for the end-of-year campaign.
They also held a Round Up Campaign at a local restaurant in September for Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, where all funds raised were matched by the restaurant.
What made Sofia’s Hope successful:
- Corporate partnerships: They leveraged corporate matching gifts to significantly increase donations, with the added bonus of matching from local businesses.
- Community involvement: The Round Up Campaign created a community-driven fundraising effort that engaged both local businesses and the public.
- Multiple fundraising channels: They marketed the campaign through social media, text messaging, and e-blasts, ensuring a wide reach.
For nonprofits looking to replicate this success, focusing on local partnerships and corporate matches can enhance your fundraising efforts.
Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh
Nonprofit website; https://humaneanimalrescue.org/
Humane Animal Rescue of Pittsburgh (HARP) used matching gifts to boost recurring donations in June. Donors who committed to becoming monthly supporters through the HARP 365 program had their first two monthly gifts doubled by Fetch Pet Insurance.
This campaign was effective because:
- Emphasis on recurring gifts: Focusing on long-term support rather than one-time donations helped build a steady stream of income.
- Corporate partnership: Fetch Pet Insurance was a natural partner for HARP, aligning with their mission and creating a strong donor engagement opportunity.
- Clear, ongoing impact: By highlighting the value of recurring donations, HARP was able to convert one-time donors into long-term supporters.
For your organization, building corporate partnerships for monthly giving matches is a great way to ensure sustained funding.
UWC-USA
Nonprofit website: https://www.uwc-usa.org/
UWC-USA leveraged corporate matching gifts in their campaigns, particularly during events like Giving Tuesday. By reaching out to alumni and supporters who worked at companies with matching gift programs, they were able to increase donations by around 30%.
Key strategies included:
- Targeted outreach: They identified potential donors who worked for companies with matching gift programs and sent them tailored emails to encourage participation.
- Promoting corporate matches: Once supporters were on the donation page, they were encouraged to check their eligibility for corporate matching gifts, increasing the chances of participation.
- Leveraging Giving Tuesday: By linking the campaign to a popular giving day, UWC-USA maximized visibility and donor engagement.
To replicate this strategy, use donor data to identify matching gift opportunities and promote them through targeted emails or text messages.
Wrapping Up & Next Steps
Challenge match campaigns are a proven way to increase donations and engage supporters in a meaningful way. By looking at the success stories of nonprofits like these, you can gain insights into how to run your own effective matching campaigns.
Use the strategies discussed here to inspire your next effort, and remember: with the right messaging, strategic partnerships, and powerful promotions, your challenge match can have an incredible impact on your fundraising goals.
Raise Even More with Employee Matching Gifts!
In addition to challenge grants, employee matching gifts offer another excellent opportunity for raising funds. With Double the Donation, your nonprofit can easily identify matching gift opportunities and track progress to maximize the impact of these funds. Start raising more today by integrating employee matching gifts into your campaigns! Request a demo today to get started.
Unlocking Corporate Grants Using Supporter Employment Data
Securing corporate grants can often feel like a daunting task, especially when it comes to identifying the right companies and contacts. However, many nonprofits overlook a powerful resource already within reach: corporate grants and employment data. By tapping into the employment information of your supporters, you can unlock a treasure trove of funding opportunities that are closer than you think.
Why? Companies are much more likely to fund organizations that resonate with their employees, whether through matching gift programs, CSR initiatives, or employee-nominated giving. These opportunities often start with a single connection: one of your donors, volunteers, or board members who works for a company eager to give back.
In this post, we’ll show you how to use corporate grants and employment data to identify and secure more funding opportunities than ever before.
1. Why Employment Data Matters for Corporate Grants
Many corporate giving programs, but especially grants, prioritize organizations with an internal advocate. This is usually an employee who donates, volunteers, or nominates the nonprofit in question. Therefore, if you can identify where your supporters work, you instantly gain visibility into which companies might be open to funding your mission.
Here’s why employment data is so valuable in this context:
- Workplace giving grants: Companies are more likely to fund causes that matter to their workforce, which is where workplace giving programs like matching gifts, volunteer grants, and more come in.
- Employee-nominated grants: Many companies accept nonprofit nominations from current employees, so knowing where your supporters work allows you to target them effectively.
- Broader connections to grant opportunities: Even beyond grants that are specifically “employee-nominated,” nonprofits can use employment information to locate existing connections to charitable businesses. When a company sees that a sizable segment of their employee base supports your cause, they may be more likely to shell out grant funds.
The bottom line? Knowing your supporters’ employers allows you to tap into otherwise hidden funding pipelines. But first, in order to do so effectively, you need a system for capturing that data.
2. How to Collect Supporter Employment Information
Collecting employment data doesn’t have to be intrusive or complicated. In fact, most donors are happy to share where they work, especially if you explain how that information can help you unlock more impact.
Start by integrating employment data fields at key touchpoints:
- Donation forms: Include an optional “Employer Name” field alongside standard fields such as name and email.
- Confirmation pages: Prompt donors to check if their employer has a giving program immediately after donating by providing their company name in a database search tool.
- Email follow-ups: Send a follow-up email asking supporters where they work, explaining how it can lead to increased funding.
- Event sign-ups or volunteer forms: Add a simple employer field here, too; these contacts are often highly engaged and ready to provide additional value.
In addition to collecting data manually, organizations can also use employer data enrichment strategies to uncover employment information for supporters who haven’t provided it directly. These services analyze an individual’s name, email, and other identifying details to match them with publicly available employment records, allowing you to fill in the existing gaps in your database and fueling your corporate grant search.
By combining direct collection with employer append tools, you can build a far more complete picture of your supporter base and proactively identify companies that may be a great fit for outreach.
3. How to Identify Corporate Grants
Once you begin collecting supporter employment information (either through your donation forms or volunteer sign-ups) you can begin identifying which companies offer corporate grants that align with your mission. But with thousands of companies potentially offering funding, it can be tough to know where to start.
Instead of cold outreach, we recommend strategic resources to focus your efforts:
- Look for curated corporate grant lists. Numerous nonprofit blogs and philanthropy platforms publish regularly updated roundups of companies with active grant programs. For example, check out this list of companies that give grants to nonprofits!
- Look at your supporters’ employers. At this point, you should know where some of your supporters work. Use this information to research whether their companies offer grants or sponsorships, and whether employees can nominate or advocate for your organization.
- Explore CSR or community investment pages. Visit the websites of companies in your network and look for terms like “Community Impact,” “Corporate Responsibility,” or “Giving Back.” These often lead to grant program guidelines, eligibility criteria, and deadlines.
- Track and document your outreach. Use a simple CRM or spreadsheet to track potential grantmakers, application timelines, contact information, and employee advocates within each company.
Once you’ve identified likely prospects, craft proposals that highlight your mission alignment, your existing relationships with their workforce, and the tangible impact of their support. You can also tap into professional grantwriting resources, whether that’s hiring a writer, attending a webinar, or downloading free templates, to strengthen your applications.
4. Using Employment Data to Strengthen Grant Requests
Employment data isn’t just about discovery; it’s also a powerful way to strengthen your actual grant applications. When applying for a corporate grant, having an internal advocate can dramatically increase your odds of success.
Here’s how your team can involve them for the best results:
- Ask the employee to nominate your nonprofit, if required by the grant.
- Include their name, role, and connection to your organization in the application.
- Invite them to provide a testimonial about why they support your mission.
- Ask them to share internal CSR contacts or program guidelines with your team.
From there, when reaching out to corporate contacts or applying for grants, mention the employee connection explicitly: “We are proud to have 14 donors and 3 volunteers from your company, including Jane Doe from your Marketing team. Their ongoing support makes a meaningful impact, and we would love to explore a deeper partnership.”
All in all, this type of outreach shows alignment, community relevance, and trust: three key factors for funders considering grant applications.
5. Building Long-Term Value with Corporate Partners
Unlocking a single grant is excellent, but turning that grant into a long-term partnership is even better. Luckily, employment data can help you build those bridges.
For example, consider using corporate employment connections as a starting point for ongoing engagement. You can…
- Send tailored impact reports to the employee advocate and CSR contact;
- Invite company reps to site visits, events, or webinars;
- Recognize the company publicly through social media, email, or donor walls;
- Offer corporate volunteering opportunities that align with their values;
- Bundle sponsorship, volunteering, and grant opportunities into custom partnership packages;
- And more.
In the best case scenario, you’re not just asking for money. You’re inviting a company to be part of your mission and vision in a real, tangible way.
By keeping the employee connected, reporting on outcomes, and providing continued value, you can turn a one-time grant into a multi-year relationship that benefits both sides of the party.
Wrapping Up & Next Steps
Supporter employment data is one of the most underutilized assets in nonprofit fundraising. By simply knowing where your supporters work, you unlock access to employee-driven and broader giving programs, increase your relevance with corporate funders, and make your grant requests more personal and powerful than ever before.
Luckily, you can start today by:
- Adding an “Employer” field to your donation and event forms
- Conducting an employer append to gather missing employment info
- Using that data to research and pursue grant opportunities backed by internal advocates
With complete data and a well-thought-out strategy in place, your nonprofit can open new funding pipelines, build stronger corporate partnerships, and expand your impact, one supporter at a time.
How Climate Action Groups Can Secure In-Kind Donations
Climate action groups play a vital role in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainability. These organizations often operate with limited budgets, making in-kind donations an essential resource to support their mission. In-kind donations provide valuable goods and services that help reduce operational costs and enhance program delivery.
Unlike traditional cash gifts, in-kind donations consist of non-monetary contributions such as equipment, software, educational materials, and reusable products. These donations can directly support the activities of climate action groups, enabling them to allocate more funds toward impactful projects and outreach efforts.
Securing in-kind donations requires a strategic approach tailored to the unique needs of climate action nonprofits. By understanding the types of donations that align with their mission and identifying the right corporate partners, these groups can maximize their resources and accelerate their environmental impact.
Table of Contents
- What Are In-Kind Donations for Climate Action Groups?
- Types of In-Kind Donations for Climate Action Groups
- Where Climate Action Groups Should Look for In-Kind Support
- How Climate Action Groups Should Make the In-Kind Donation Ask
- Tools and Resources to Help Climate Action Groups Get Started
What Are In-Kind Donations for Climate Action Groups?
In-kind donations refer to non-cash gifts provided to nonprofits, including goods, services, or expertise that support the organization’s operations or programs. These contributions differ from traditional cash donations in that they are tangible or service-based rather than monetary. Examples include donated equipment, volunteer hours, software licenses, or professional services.
For climate action groups, in-kind donations are particularly valuable because they often require specialized resources to carry out their environmental initiatives. These groups may need outdoor gear for fieldwork, technology to monitor climate data, or educational materials to raise awareness. Receiving these items as donations helps reduce expenses and ensures that funds can be directed toward mission-critical activities.
Moreover, in-kind donations can enhance the capacity of climate action organizations by providing access to tools and expertise that might otherwise be cost-prohibitive. This support enables nonprofits to expand their reach, improve program quality, and foster stronger community engagement in sustainability efforts.
How In-Kind Donations Differ from Cash Gifts
While cash gifts offer flexibility, in-kind donations provide specific resources that directly support programmatic needs. This specificity can make in-kind gifts more impactful when aligned with organizational priorities. For climate action groups, receiving the right equipment or services can mean the difference between launching a new initiative or delaying it due to budget constraints.
Why In-Kind Donations Matter for Climate Action Groups
Climate action groups often operate in environments where access to specialized tools and materials is crucial. In-kind donations help bridge gaps in funding and resources, allowing these organizations to focus on their core mission of environmental protection and education. Additionally, in-kind support fosters partnerships with businesses that share sustainability values, creating opportunities for long-term collaboration.
Types of In-Kind Donations for Climate Action Groups
Climate action groups benefit from a diverse range of in-kind donations that support their environmental missions. Below are specific examples of valuable contributions and why they matter:
Outdoor Equipment
Donations of outdoor gear such as GPS devices, tents, hiking boots, and weather-resistant clothing enable field researchers and volunteers to safely and effectively conduct environmental monitoring and restoration projects. For example, Garmin’s GPS technology helps track wildlife habitats and map conservation areas, enhancing data accuracy and project outcomes.
Technology and Software
Access to advanced technology and software is critical for data analysis, mapping, and communication. Microsoft’s software solutions, including cloud services and productivity tools, empower climate action groups to manage projects efficiently, collaborate remotely, and analyze environmental data. Canva’s design software supports the creation of compelling educational materials and marketing campaigns to raise awareness.
Educational Materials
Books, curricula, and multimedia resources donated by companies or publishers help climate action groups educate communities about sustainability and climate science. These materials are essential for workshops, school programs, and public outreach, fostering informed action and advocacy.
Reusable Products
Reusable items such as water bottles, tote bags, and sustainable packaging donated by companies like Patagonia promote eco-friendly practices and reduce waste. These products can be used in events, giveaways, or as part of community engagement initiatives, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to sustainability.
Professional Services
Skilled volunteer work or pro bono services, including graphic design from Canva or printing services from Vistaprint, help climate action groups produce high-quality promotional materials and event collateral without incurring additional costs. Legal advice, transportation, and event planning support are other examples of impactful service donations.
Where Climate Action Groups Should Look for In-Kind Support
Identifying potential sources of in-kind donations requires strategic research and relationship-building. Climate action groups should begin by exploring companies with corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs aligned with environmental sustainability. These companies often prioritize partnerships that reflect their values and community impact goals.
Microsoft
Microsoft offers software licenses, cloud computing resources, and productivity tools. Their donations help climate action nonprofits improve operational efficiency, data management, and virtual collaboration, which are essential for managing complex environmental projects.
Canva
Canva provides access to graphic design software and templates, enabling nonprofits to create professional marketing materials and educational content. This support is crucial for climate action groups seeking to engage communities and promote sustainability messages effectively.
Vistaprint
Vistaprint donates printing services for flyers, banners, and event materials. Their contributions help climate action groups produce high-quality collateral for fundraising events, awareness campaigns, and volunteer recruitment efforts.
Patagonia
Patagonia donates sustainable outdoor apparel and reusable products. Their commitment to environmental stewardship makes them a natural partner for climate action groups focused on promoting eco-friendly lifestyles and reducing waste.
How Climate Action Groups Should Make the In-Kind Donation Ask
A thoughtful and strategic approach to requesting in-kind donations is essential for building lasting partnerships. Climate action groups should personalize their outreach by researching each company’s mission, past giving history, and sustainability commitments. This demonstrates alignment and respect for the donor’s values.
Personalizing the Outreach
Tailor each request to reflect the company’s CSR goals and previous involvement with environmental causes. Highlight shared values and potential collaboration opportunities to foster a genuine connection.
Clearly Stating Needs and Impact
Specify the types of in-kind donations required and explain how these resources will advance the nonprofit’s mission. Use concrete examples to illustrate the difference the donation will make.
Highlighting Benefits to Donors
Communicate how the company will gain from supporting the nonprofit, including brand exposure, employee morale, and alignment with sustainability initiatives.
Offering Flexible Giving Options
Allow donors to choose from various contribution methods, accommodating their preferences and capacities.
Making It Easy to Give
Provide clear instructions, contact details, and any necessary forms to facilitate a smooth donation experience.
Tools and Resources to Help Climate Action Groups Get Started
Using dedicated tools can significantly streamline the process of identifying and securing in-kind donations. Many companies have established donation programs, but these opportunities are often dispersed across multiple platforms and difficult to track manually.
Tools designed for nonprofit fundraising help climate action groups uncover corporate giving programs that align with their mission. They save time by aggregating application links, eligibility criteria, and contact information in one accessible location. Additionally, these resources assist in organizing outreach efforts and expanding networks of potential partners.
Double the Donation offers a comprehensive corporate giving program database that includes thousands of verified programs, covering in-kind donations, grants, and workplace giving. This platform empowers climate action nonprofits to efficiently research and connect with companies ready to support their environmental initiatives.
Wrapping Up & Next Steps
Securing in-kind donations is a powerful strategy for climate action groups seeking to maximize their impact while managing limited budgets. By identifying specific needs, researching aligned corporate partners, and using tools like Double the Donation, nonprofits can build meaningful relationships that provide valuable resources beyond cash gifts.
Thoughtful outreach and clear communication about the benefits of in-kind support help foster long-term collaborations that advance environmental missions. Taking these first steps empowers climate action groups to enhance their programs, engage communities, and drive sustainable change.
Unlock More Support with Double the Donation
Corporate sponsorships and in-kind donations are critical to the success of nonprofit events and programs—but sourcing the right partners can be time-consuming and overwhelming. Double the Donation streamlines the entire process, helping your team find, secure, and manage corporate support with ease. With our industry-leading corporate giving database, you can quickly identify companies that offer financial sponsorships, in-kind donations, and corporate grants, giving you a data-driven edge in building meaningful partnerships.
Raise more with corporate grants, in-kind gifts. Request a demo of Double the Donation today.
