Matching Gifts + More: Tips for Special Fundraising Events

Matching Gifts + More: Tips for Special Fundraising Events

/in , /by

Special fundraising events are a golden opportunity for nonprofits to raise significant funds, build relationships, and generate excitement around their cause. However, the success of these events doesn’t just rely on ticket sales or individual donations. Corporate giving, particularly through matching gifts, can dramatically increase the total funds raised with minimal extra effort. But matching gifts are just the beginning. There are several other forms of corporate support that can be leveraged during these events, from in-kind donations to employee volunteer programs and event sponsorships.

In this post, we’ll explore how nonprofits can tap into these various forms of corporate giving to maximize the impact of their special fundraising events.

With the right strategies, your organization can boost revenue, strengthen partnerships, and create a more engaging and rewarding experience for your supporters. Let’s dive into how you can make the most of matching gifts and more to enhance your next event.

Eligibility of Donations Made at Galas and Special Events

Because of your familiarity with the nonprofit world, you likely know that organizations typically incorporate donation requests within their special events. Let’s take a look at some notable special events hosted by some major, well-known organizations:

  • The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association provides individuals with exclusive naming rights. For donations between $1,000-$50,000, you can name an animal, receive recognition in the zoo publication, have your photo taken with the animal, and get a VIP tour.
  • The Atlanta Botanical Garden has its Garden of Eden Gala, the organization’s largest annual fundraiser. Tickets range in price from a few hundred dollars to $25,000 for the presenting sponsor. Benefits include tickets to the organization’s Ball, a Patron Party, and much more.
  • NEXT for Autism hosts its annual “Night of Too Many Stars”. Celebrities such as Jon Stewart, Katie Perry, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Seth Rogen, and many others auction off once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to hang out with them. For instance, becoming “best friends with Amy Poehler & Tina Fey” for an evening was auctioned for thousands of dollars a few years ago.

But where do matching gifts fit into these donations? It may come as a surprise, but many companies that offer matching gift programs will match contributions made at special events!

When reviewing a company’s matching gift form, you may notice a sentence similar to “the corporation will not match tickets or subscription costs.” For instance, if your organization is a symphony selling a concert ticket or a science museum selling an IMAX ticket, most companies won’t match the ticket price. The reason is that donors are receiving a tangible benefit that other for-profit organizations would charge for. For example, an IMAX movie could be compared to a regular movie ticket, while a symphony could be compared to a sporting event ticket.

If that’s the case, then why are gala tickets and special event tickets often eligible?

If you look at the fine print on many nonprofits’ special event tickets, you’ll notice that it mentions a tax-deductible amount for each ticket. That tax-deductible dollar amount is what’s eligible to be matched.

So, what does that mean? In general, when it comes to galas and other special fundraising events, you must subtract the cost of a similar meal and any gifts that guests receive. Otherwise, it won’t be considered matching-gift eligible. For instance, if you host a gala and sell $500 tickets, you have to determine the fair market value of the benefits. In other words, how much would someone spend on the event if it weren’t a fundraiser?

Let’s say people would typically spend $100 for a gala, plus $50 on the meal at a local restaurant. That makes the fair market value $150, meaning the tax-deductible amount is $350. In this case, $350 is the amount that would likely be eligible for matching.

The Bottom Line: A significant percentage of a gala ticket’s price is tax-deductible and is often eligible to be matched by an employee’s company. However, corporate guidelines do vary by company, so it’s a good idea to stay informed about your donors’ corporate programming.

Matching Gifts for Peer-to-Peer Fundraisers

In addition to galas and auctions, another popular event type for nonprofits is the peer-to-peer fundraiser. Often structured as a run/walk/ride event, these initiatives are an increasingly popular strategy that allows individuals to fundraise on behalf of your organization. And these events can be match-eligible, too! In fact, some companies offer to match not only the portion of funds that an employee donates themselves, but the entire amount the individual fundraised on behalf of your nonprofit, exponentially increasing the funds raised during these campaigns.

A number of major companies offer these particularly lucrative programs for peer-to-peer fundraisers. Some of the largest corporations with matching gift programs for employee fundraising efforts include:

  1. Intuit: Known for its generously philanthropic culture, Intuit matches employee donations and fundraising efforts, providing a valuable boost to nonprofit causes.
  2. McAfee: McAfee’s matching gift program is well-known in the tech industry. Employees who fundraise for a charitable cause can have their contributions matched, significantly increasing the funds raised during events.
  3. British Petroleum: BP matches employees’ fundraising efforts, particularly for charitable walkathons and other events. This program is a great way to boost contributions from their global workforce.
  4. State Street Corporation: With a strong commitment to community engagement, State Street encourages employees to fundraise for causes they are passionate about, offering matching gifts to further support their efforts.
  5. CVS Health: CVS Health offers a matching gift program that supports employee fundraising efforts, especially for health-related causes. Employees who participate in peer-to-peer fundraising can have their donations matched, further amplifying the impact of their contributions during events.

These are just a few examples, but there are many other companies that offer similar programs. By researching and identifying corporations that match employee fundraising, you can tap into new revenue streams and increase the effectiveness of your peer-to-peer campaigns.

Tips for Promoting Matching Gifts to Special Event Attendees

Matching gifts are a powerful tool for increasing fundraising revenue, but they are often underutilized during special events. As a result, nonprofits are much more likely to receive matching gifts for regular donations or annual fund contributions, making it crucial to raise awareness and promote matching gifts specifically during your event. However, with special events, there’s an added complexity: many attendees may not realize that a portion of their event ticket price or auction purchase is tax-deductible and eligible for matching gifts.

Even if donors are familiar with their company’s matching gift program, they rarely know that the amount they paid for their event ticket could be matched by their employer. This lack of awareness can lead to missed opportunities for increasing the funds raised. Here’s how to ensure your donors know about matching gifts and are encouraged to take full advantage of this opportunity during your special event:

Here are a few easy suggestions we recommend:

1. Include Tax-Deductible Information on Event Tickets

Start by making the matching gift opportunity clear right on your event tickets. Many donors simply don’t realize that part of the ticket price is tax-deductible, and therefore eligible for matching gifts. If you don’t include this information, you risk donors not following through with the matching process.

What to Do:

  • On your event invitations, tickets, and confirmation pages, add a line such as:
    “Did you know $X of your ticket is tax-deductible? If your employer offers a matching gift program, you may be eligible to have your donation matched.”

  • Include the fair market value (FMV) of the event’s benefits (such as meals or entertainment) to clearly show donors what portion is deductible and what portion is not.

This small addition to your ticket materials helps donors easily recognize their eligibility for matching gifts, prompting them to take the next step.

2. Ask About Matching Gifts at Payment Stations

When donors are at payment stations or kiosks to pay for auction items, make additional donations, or complete their ticket purchases, ensure that your staff is actively prompting them to check if their company offers a matching gift program. These are key moments when donors are already engaged in the giving process, so they are more likely to act on the opportunity to have their contributions matched.

What to Do:

  • Train your event staff to ask, “Do you work for a company that offers a matching gift program? If so, we’d love to help you get your donation matched!”

  • If possible, provide a quick reference sheet or matching gift search tool at the payment stations to make it easy for donors to look up their eligibility right there.

Even a brief prompt can significantly increase the chances that donors will pursue a matching gift after the event.

3. Include Matching Gift Information in Acknowledgement Cards

For many nonprofits, sending acknowledgement cards or receipts after ticket purchases or donations is a standard practice. This is a great opportunity to remind donors about matching gift options. Donors who may have forgotten or overlooked the possibility of matching gifts when they made their purchase or donation will be grateful for the reminder.

What to Do:

  • After the event, include a short message on the thank-you card or donation receipt that encourages donors to check if their employer matches gifts. A line such as, “Thank you for your generous donation! Don’t forget, if your company offers a matching gift program, you can still double your impact by submitting a request.”

  • Provide instructions on how donors can submit their matching gift requests. You might even consider including links to a matching gift search tool or company-specific portals.

Incorporating this information into your post-event communication keeps matching gifts top of mind and makes it easy for donors to act.

4. Use Event Signage to Raise Awareness

Visual prompts at your event can be a powerful way to encourage donors to think about matching gifts in real-time. Signage placed in strategic locations—such as near the ticket desk, auction area, or donation stations—can help spread awareness about matching gifts without overwhelming your guests.

What to Do:

  • Display large, clear signs that highlight matching gift opportunities. Include text like: “Double Your Impact: If your employer offers matching gifts, your donation today can be doubled!”

  • Use simple, eye-catching designs to make the process easy to understand, including a quick reference to a matching gift search tool and contact information for any questions.

This visual reminder can prompt event attendees to inquire further about matching gifts, even if they weren’t thinking about it before.

5. Follow Up After the Event with Matching Gift Reminders

Even after the event ends, your work isn’t done. Many matching gift programs have a short window for submission, so it’s important to send a follow-up email or reminder after the event to ensure donors don’t miss the chance to have their gifts matched. This is especially critical for donors who were unaware of the matching gift opportunity during the event or may have forgotten to submit the match request.

What to Do:

  • Send a thank-you email to event attendees, including a reminder to check if their employer offers a matching gift program.

  • Include a direct link to a matching gift search tool and clear instructions on how to apply for the match.

  • Consider offering personalized assistance for donors who might need help submitting their matching gift requests, ensuring that the process is as easy as possible.

Promoting matching gifts to special event attendees may require a bit more effort than for regular donations, but it’s certainly worth the investment. However, raising awareness about matching gifts is essential for maximizing your event’s fundraising potential and ensuring that your donors’ generosity goes even further.

Make matching gifts a natural part of your event experience, and you’ll likely see an increase in both participation and contributions, making your special events even more successful.

Incorporating Corporate Giving Beyond Matching Gifts

While matching gifts are one of the most well-known forms of corporate giving, they’re far from the only option. When it comes to special fundraising events, nonprofits can tap into a wide range of corporate giving opportunities to increase revenue, boost engagement, and build long-term relationships with businesses.

Here’s how to effectively leverage these options for greater success in your event fundraisers:

1. Volunteer Grants for Event Volunteers

Many corporations offer volunteer grant programs, which provide nonprofits with a monetary donation based on the number of volunteer hours contributed by their employees. This is a fantastic way to boost your event’s impact without having to ask for additional direct donations.

Why It Matters:
Corporate volunteers already give their time to your cause, but with volunteer grants, their employer might reward their contributions with a financial match, further amplifying the support you receive. Encouraging companies to use their volunteer grant programs can turn hours of volunteer work into a source of additional funds for your nonprofit.

How to Leverage It:

  • Encourage employee participation: Highlight the availability of volunteer grants in your event invitations, and encourage volunteers to check if their employer offers such programs.

  • Track volunteer hours: Keep accurate records of volunteer participation during events and ensure employees know how to apply for volunteer grants through their employers.

  • Provide clear instructions: Include a step-by-step guide on how employees can submit their volunteer hours for a matching grant (including direct links, if available), and follow up with reminders leading up to and after the event.

2. In-Kind Donations for Event Needs

In-kind donations are non-cash contributions that companies provide, such as goods, services, or expertise. These donations are particularly valuable for fundraising events, where certain supplies, services, or skills are required to make the event successful.

Why It Matters:
Instead of asking for monetary contributions, in-kind donations help offset the costs associated with hosting an event, thus increasing the net revenue. In-kind donations are often easier for businesses to provide because they don’t require the company to part with cash, yet still demonstrate their commitment to supporting your cause.

How to Leverage It:

  • Identify event needs: Make a list of the items, services, or expertise you need for your event, such as catering, venue space, event photography, printing services, auction items, or event signage.

  • Approach local businesses: Reach out to companies in your area (or those in the industry relevant to your cause) to ask for in-kind donations. For instance, a local restaurant might donate food for your event, or a printing company could offer to produce event materials for free or at a discounted rate.

  • Acknowledge in-kind donors: Ensure you publicly recognize these donations during your event, in marketing materials, and in follow-up communications. Giving credit to in-kind donors can strengthen the relationship and encourage future support.

3. Event Sponsorships & Grants

Event sponsorships and corporate grants are two of the most powerful ways for corporations to engage with your nonprofit while providing critical financial support. In return, sponsors receive prominent visibility and branding opportunities at your event.

Why It Matters:
Sponsorships can help cover major event costs, such as the venue, entertainment, or event materials, and help you expand your reach by connecting with the sponsor’s network. Companies are often eager to support events that align with their brand values and mission, as sponsorships can enhance their reputation, increase employee engagement, and provide valuable marketing exposure.

How to Leverage It:

  • Create sponsorship packages: Develop a range of sponsorship opportunities with different levels of commitment. Each level can offer varying degrees of exposure and benefits, such as logo placement, recognition in event programs, or speaking opportunities at the event.

  • Target companies aligned with your cause: Approach companies whose mission aligns with your nonprofit’s values. For example, a nonprofit focused on environmental conservation might approach companies in the sustainable energy or eco-friendly products sector.

  • Highlight the ROI for sponsors: Emphasize the marketing value for sponsors, including visibility on social media, at the event, and in post-event materials. Provide data from past events to demonstrate how your nonprofit’s audience aligns with the sponsor’s target market.

4. Engaging Employee Networks for Event Support

Lastly, don’t overlook the power of a company’s employees in supporting your event. Many businesses encourage their employees to participate in charity events, whether by attending, volunteering, or fundraising. This employee engagement can add a personal touch and amplify the overall success of your event.

Why It Matters:
Engaged employees can act as ambassadors for your cause, helping to increase attendance and raise funds. Additionally, some companies offer employee engagement programs that reward staff for their involvement in charitable events, such as covering event registration fees or contributing additional funds.

How to Leverage It:

  • Promote employee involvement: When securing sponsorships, suggest that the company promote the event to its employees. Offer group tickets or packages, and create incentives for employees to attend or volunteer.

  • Create team-building opportunities: Encourage companies to form teams for fundraising walks, runs, or other charity events. Team challenges can increase employee participation while boosting donations.

  • Provide recognition for employee efforts: Acknowledge participating companies and their employees both at the event and in follow-up communications, showing appreciation for their involvement.

Corporate giving goes beyond just matching gifts. By tapping into a range of corporate contributions, you can significantly boost your nonprofit’s success in fundraising events. These contributions not only increase your revenue but also strengthen the relationship between your organization and corporate partners, paving the way for ongoing support.

How a Workplace Giving Database Can Help

In addition to helping your day-to-day fundraising strategy, a matching gift or workplace giving database (like Double the Donation) can help your organization pinpoint additional revenue opportunities at special events.

For the best results, your nonprofit should promote corporate giving at any special fundraising event. Here’s how Double the Donation can help you do so:

  1. A nonprofit embeds the plugin tool on its website and/or online donation page.
  2. A donor (or volunteer) begins typing their employer’s name.
  3. The database autocompletes the search, suggesting companies for the user to click.
  4. The user receives all available updated information on their employer’s giving program.

Best of all, the tool easily integrates with other fundraising software. That means Double the Donation Matching streamlines the process even further by automating the outreach of matching gifts to donors who contribute to your organization.

There are multiple ways you can promote corporate philanthropy with Double the Donation’s services:

  • At your event, set up a laptop with your page that has the search tool embedded.
  • Analyze your guest list prior to the event and research attendees’ employers. That way, you’ll have more insight into who to approach at your event.
  • For your event, create and hand out educational pamphlets on matching gifts (or broader corporate giving) and local employers that offer them.

Get creative with your matching gift promotion! Think your nonprofit can benefit from Double the Donation? Get a demo here to see the complete platform in action.

Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts

Corporate philanthropy represents a significant opportunity for nonprofits. By taking the time to incorporate it into your fundraising and outreach strategies, you set your nonprofit up for success. Few nonprofits take the time to do proper research on these programs. Because of that, they overlook major revenue opportunities.

Now that you know special event tickets and donations can be matched by most employers, get started boosting your revenue today!

Bring matching gift success to your own organization with Double the Donation's matching gift practices, tips, and tools.