Top New York Companies with Matching Gift Programs

As the financial capital of the world and a hub for media, technology, and fashion, New York City is home to major employers eager to support the communities where their employees live and work. Like most major metropolitan areas, New York is home to tons of notable employers, many of which offer matching gift programs.

Is your New York-based organization tapping into this source of corporate giving? If not, you are likely leaving thousands, if not millions, of dollars on the table every single year.

To help you launch or fine-tune your strategy, we are going to look at a comprehensive list of matching gift companies your team should be aware of, ranging from Wall Street giants to Midtown media moguls. Follow along for a look at New York City’s corporate philanthropy and the tools you can use to discover these opportunities.

Statistics on New York Matching Gift Companies

If you dig into your organization’s database of corporate donors from the past few years, you will probably notice you received matching gifts from a variety of companies. Some are probably headquartered in Manhattan, while others might have a satellite presence in Brooklyn, Queens, or the surrounding Tri-State area.

Understanding the landscape is crucial for building a strategy. Here are a few statistics on the New York market that may interest you:

Fortune 500 Hub: Over 50 Fortune 500 companies call New York home, the highest concentration of any city in the United States.
High Participation: Approximately 65% of Fortune 500 companies match donations made by their employees.
Volunteerism: 40% of Fortune 500 companies offer volunteer grants, paying your nonprofit for the time your supporters spend helping you.

These numbers paint a clear picture: the money is there. The challenge for most nonprofits is simply bridging the gap between the donor’s intent to give and the company’s willingness to match.

Discovering Matching Gift Opportunities in Metropolitan Areas

The fact that New York has major matching gift opportunities means little if nonprofits don’t capitalize on them. If you are like most organizations, you probably aren’t reaching your full corporate philanthropy potential because your team lacks the time to research every donor’s employer.

A great place to start is making sure everyone in your organization is familiar with the largest employers in your area. If you want to take it a step further, however, consider providing donors and volunteers with detailed information about their employer or their spouse’s employer.

This is where automation becomes a game-changer. Double the Donation Matching, a fundraising automation platform suited for nonprofits looking to improve their existing matching gift processes, can help. With this software, your organization can automatically identify and contact eligible donors regarding matching gifts the moment they make a donation.

With that foundation laid, continue reading for a deep dive into New York City’s top companies with matching gift programs.

The Financial District Powerhouses

New York is the banking capital of the world. Financial institutions are historically some of the most generous matchers, often with high caps and broad eligibility criteria.

1. JPMorgan Chase & Co.

As the largest bank in the United States, JPMorgan Chase employs thousands of New Yorkers. Their philanthropic efforts are massive, focusing on economic development, financial health, and workforce readiness. Their employee giving program is robust and inclusive.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $1,000 per employee or retiree each year.
Volunteer Grants: They offer a tiered volunteer grant program where grants average $10 per hour volunteered.

While the $1,000 cap might seem lower than some competitors, the sheer volume of JPMorgan employees in the NYC area makes this a critical program. Furthermore, their volunteer grant program is highly utilized. If you have Chase employees volunteering at your events, ensure they log those hours to trigger the grant.

Learn more about JPMorgan Chase’s employee giving programs.

2. Goldman Sachs Group

Goldman Sachs, a leading global investment banking, securities, and investment management firm, offers one of the most generous matching gift programs in the industry. They strongly encourage their full-time employees to support the organizations they are passionate about.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches donations between $50 and $20,000 per year.
Eligibility: Nearly all 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible, including arts, environmental, and civic groups.

The $20,000 cap is the headline here. This high limit means that Goldman Sachs employees are prime candidates for major giving. A $10,000 donation from a Vice President at Goldman Sachs instantly becomes $20,000, which can fundamentally change the budget of a small nonprofit.

Learn more about Goldman Sachs’ employee giving programs.

3. American Express

Headquartered in Lower Manhattan, American Express is known for its “Blue Box” values, which include a deep commitment to service. Their program is unique because it incentivizes deeper engagement beyond just writing a check.

Match Ratio: 1:1 standard match.
Match Limits: Matches up to $8,000 per employee per year.
Board Service Bonus: If an employee serves on a nonprofit board, the first $1,000 of their donation is matched at a 2:1 ratio.

The “Serve2Gether” program is a great reason to recruit Amex executives to your Board of Directors. Not only do you get their expertise, but you also unlock a 2:1 matching ratio for their personal contributions.

Learn more about American Express’s employee giving programs.

4. BlackRock

As the world’s largest asset manager, BlackRock has a significant footprint in NYC. Their “BlackRock Gives” initiative is designed to amplify the impact of their employees’ personal philanthropy.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $10,000 per employee per year.
Crisis Matching: The company often activates 2:1 matching campaigns during times of global crisis or disaster.

BlackRock is particularly responsive to current events. If your nonprofit is involved in disaster relief or social justice work during a major news cycle, check to see if BlackRock has activated a special double-match initiative.

Learn more about BlackRock’s employee giving programs.

Tech, Telecom, and Media

While Silicon Valley gets the press, “Silicon Alley” in NYC is booming. Tech and media companies in the city are competing for talent, and generous benefits packages (including matching gifts) are part of that competition.

5. Verizon

Verizon is one of the largest telecommunications companies in the world, headquartered right in NYC. Their program is structured to support both education and general nonprofits, with a heavy emphasis on volunteerism.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $5,000 to higher education and $1,000 to other nonprofits.
Volunteer Incentive: Through the Verizon Volunteer Incentive Program, employees who volunteer for 50 hours in a calendar year can request a $750 grant.

The volunteer incentive is a “Dollars for Doers” model that is easy to pitch. If you have a regular volunteer who works at Verizon, remind them that hitting that 50-hour mark is worth $750 to your cause.

Learn more about Verizon’s employee giving programs.

6. IBM

IBM, with headquarters in Armonk (just north of the city) and a massive NYC presence, offers a sophisticated giving program. They are unique in that they offer technology grants in addition to cash.

Match Ratio: 1:1 for cash; 2:1 for technology.
Match Limits: Matches up to $10,000 per donor.
Tech Grants: If an employee donates a portion of the funds toward IBM technology, the match ratio doubles.

This is invaluable for schools and nonprofits that need to upgrade their infrastructure. Instead of just asking for cash, ask your IBM donors if they can help you secure new computers or software through this 2:1 technology grant.

Learn more about IBM’s employee giving programs.

7. Google

Google has thousands of employees in its Chelsea and Hudson Square offices. While headquartered in California, the NYC workforce is massive and highly paid, making it a key demographic for local fundraisers.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $10,000 per employee per year.
Volunteer Match: Google matches every hour of volunteering with a $10 donation to the nonprofit.

Google’s internal “Gift Match” system is incredibly user-friendly. Because the friction to submit is so low, Google employees have some of the highest participation rates in matching gift programs.

Learn more about Google’s employee giving programs.

Insurance, Pharma, and Consumer Goods

New York is also a hub for major insurance carriers and pharmaceutical giants, many of whom have programs that match 2:1 or offer high caps.

8. American International Group (AIG)

AIG focuses its philanthropic efforts on safety, security, and disaster relief. Their matching gift program is one of the few that offers a 2:1 ratio as a standard benefit for certain contributions.

Match Ratio: 2:1 (Donations are tripled).
Match Limits: Matches up to $5,000 per employee per year (resulting in $10,000 from the company).
Minimum Gift: $25.

A 2:1 ratio is rare. If you identify a donor working at AIG, prioritizing that relationship is essential. A $100 donation from them is worth $300 to you, tripling your ROI on that cultivation effort.

Learn more about AIG’s employee giving programs.

9. Pfizer

Headquartered in Midtown Manhattan, Pfizer is a titan of the pharmaceutical industry. Their matching gift program is designed to be broad and inclusive.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $15,000 per employee per year.
Retiree Program: Pfizer also matches donations from retirees, typically at a 50% rate or with a lower cap, but it keeps them engaged.

Pfizer’s $15,000 cap is very generous. Nonprofits in the health sector often find Pfizer employees particularly receptive to appeals, but the match applies to most 501(c)(3) organizations.

Learn more about Pfizer’s employee giving programs.

10. PepsiCo

With headquarters in Purchase, NY, and a massive presence in the city, PepsiCo is another major player. Their foundation matches gifts to a wide variety of causes.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $10,000 annually.
Volunteer Bonus: If an employee volunteers at least 50 hours, the company may double the match ratio on their monetary donations to 2:1.

This “Super Match” for volunteers encourages employees to give both time and money. It is a powerful narrative to use when speaking to PepsiCo employees: “Your time here helps us twice; once through your work, and again by doubling your donation match.”

Learn more about PepsiCo’s employee giving programs.

11. Bristol Myers Squibb

Another pharmaceutical leader with a strong Tri-State presence, Bristol Myers Squibb offers one of the highest caps in the corporate world.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $30,000 per employee per year.
Eligibility: Includes full-time employees and retirees (though retiree caps may differ).

A $30,000 limit is exceptional. This allows Bristol Myers Squibb employees to fund entire programs or large capital projects through their personal giving and the company match combined.

Learn more about Bristol Myers Squibb’s employee giving programs.

Bottom line: Many of New York’s leading employers match donations employees make to nonprofits. Make sure everyone in your organization’s membership and development offices is familiar with major employers in your area that match employee donations.

Strategic Tips for NYC Nonprofits to Raise More with Matching Gifts

Knowing the companies is only the first step. New York is a competitive fundraising environment. To succeed, you need to tailor your approach to the local corporate culture.

1. Target “Bonus Season”

In the New York financial sector, year-end bonuses are a significant portion of an employee’s compensation. These bonuses are typically paid out in January or February (unlike the traditional December giving season). However, tax planning happens in December.

Strategy: Send a specific appeal to your finance donors in December, reminding them that they can donate appreciated stock or cash ahead of their bonus payout to offset tax liabilities, and that their firm will match it.

Follow-up: In February, when bonuses hit bank accounts, send a “share the love” appeal encouraging them to make their major gift for the year.

2. Leverage Board Connections

New York nonprofit boards are often populated by professionals from these exact companies. Review your board list today. Do you have a board member from American Express, AIG, or Goldman Sachs?

Strategy: Ensure every board member has submitted their match. It is often required for 100% board participation stats, but more importantly, board members often give the highest amounts. A missed match on a $5,000 board due is a $5,000 loss.

3. The “Commuter” Factor

Many donors who live in the suburbs (Westchester, Connecticut, New Jersey) work for these NYC-based companies. Don’t assume that because a donor’s home address is in Greenwich, CT, that they don’t have access to a NYC corporate match.

Strategy: Always screen based on employer name, not just geography. Use a tool like 360MatchPro to capture employment data regardless of where the donor sleeps at night.

Wrapping Up

New York City is a city of abundance, and that extends to its corporate philanthropy. Bottom line: Many of New York’s leading employers match donations employees make to nonprofits. From the high-finance towers of Wall Street to the tech hubs of Chelsea, the opportunities to double your donations are everywhere.

Make sure everyone in your organization’s membership and development offices is familiar with major employers in your area that match employee donations. By identifying these donors and making it easy for them to submit their requests, you can unlock a sustainable, high-growth revenue stream for your mission.

Ready to start discovering these matches? Check out these additional resources:

Matching Gift Database: The comprehensive search tool to find eligibility for thousands of companies.
Top Volunteer Grant Companies: A guide to monetizing volunteer time.
Corporate Giving Trends: Stay ahead of the curve with the latest data on corporate philanthropy.