From recurring donors to annual fundraisers to merchandise sales, the more income streams your nonprofit has, the more financially secure your organization will be. The key source of revenue that can bring in reliable funding year after year is grants.
Grant funding amounts and requirements vary wildly as every grantmaking organization has their own unique application process. While there are skills and knowledge, like grant writing, that carry over from application to application, your nonprofit will need to learn the specific requirements of each organization you apply to.
This is where grant research tools come in. Along with helping you find grants, these tools provide insight into the application process, potential funding amounts, and contact information for the grantmaker.
To help your nonprofit build relationships with funders and earn your next grant, we’ll explore our top recommended grant research tools.
Grant Research Tools FAQ
What are grant research tools?
For the most part, grant research tools are searchable databases of available grants. Given that most grant databases have several thousand grants listed at a minimum, these databases have an extensive array of filters for users to narrow their search to grants applicable to their purposes.
Different grant databases often overlap in content. After all, if one grant database provider is aware of a foundation’s new grant opportunities, chances are many other providers are as well. However, one way to sort grant databases by content is to split them into three categories:
- Government grant databases. Many grant databases include both government and foundation grants. However, databases run by government entities usually only have information on government-offered grants.
- Foundation grant databases. Most third-party grant databases focus on grants provided by foundations. Many foundations lack an online presence or may rely entirely on trusted grant databases to promote their grant opportunities. Since these types of foundation grants are much more difficult to find and apply for than government grants, most independent grant databases focus on promoting opportunities from foundations.
- Research grant databases. Academics use specialized grant databases that focus on research grants and fellowships. These databases usually require a fee to access or can be accessed through a university. For the most part, these databases are irrelevant to nonprofits.
Note that specialty grants may not be listed in these databases. For example, the Google Ad Grant is a unique type of grant that rewards recipients with ad credits rather than dollars. For the Google Ad Grant and other highly specialized types of grants, it’s best to explore their websites directly rather than using a database for information.
Why do grant research tools matter?
Nonprofits can search for individual foundations and open grants they are aware of without needing any specific tool. However, grant research databases compile all the information your nonprofit needs to apply for grants in one place, allowing you to:
- Discover grants. Approximately 90% of grantmaking foundations do not have websites, meaning nonprofits need third-party tools to learn they exist in the first place. Grant research tools can help you refine your search and uncover foundations you may not have known about but are a good fit for your nonprofit.
- Evaluate your nonprofit’s fit. There are thousands of foundations across the United States alone, and deciding which grants to apply for is essential for maximizing your potential funding. Use grant research tools to identify which foundations are the most likely to approve your grant application so you can focus your time and resources.
- Get grantmakers’ contact information. Cultivating relationships with grantmakers is a major part of securing grant revenue long-term. Many foundations prefer nonprofits, especially if they do not have a previous relationship with their organization, reach out to introduce themselves before submitting a grant application. Grant research tools can provide you with the email address or phone number of grantmaking organizations’ point of contact so you can connect and formally introduce your nonprofit.
Some grant research tools have even more features that help streamline the grant application process. For instance, some tools are just databases for finding grant information, while others provide grant management tools that allow you to track specific grant deadlines, organize applications, and manage your awards.
What should my nonprofit look for in a grant research tool?
Grant research tools vary in the features they provide, the depth of information for grants in their database, and the costs of accessing their services. Before conducting grant research, consider what types of grants you intend to apply for and what tools you’ll need to complete your applications.
For instance, if you intend to apply for many grants, it may be worthwhile to invest in a paid but comprehensive grant management tool. In contrast, if you just need basic information about a few grants and would like to avoid extra fees, there are free resources your nonprofit can rely on.
With that, let’s explore our top grant research tools and what types of nonprofits can benefit from each option.
What about matching gift grants?
Corporate giving programs like matching gift grants and volunteer grants are additional funding that your nonprofit can earn from corporate sponsors. While these types of contributions could be considered grants, nonprofits don’t use traditional grant research tools to find them. Instead, you need a matching gift database.
Matching gift databases contain information about a wide range of companies’ matching gift grant programs. Your nonprofit can use this tool to look up specific businesses that employ many of your supporters. You can also provide supporters with access to the database via a matching gift search tool you embed in your website. This way, supporters can look up their own eligibility and apply for a matching grant themselves.
1. Candid
Overview
Formerly known as GuideStar, Candid’s Foundation Directory is one of the most comprehensive grant databases available. Candid’s team uses over 35 distinct information sources, including IRS returns, grantmaker websites, annual reports, philanthropic news, and connections with individual grantmakers, to keep their directory up-to-date on the latest grants.
Candid’s Foundation Directory is primarily meant for registered 501(c)(3) organizations and unregistered nonprofits with fiscal sponsors. These groups can use the directory to search for grants based on:
- Subject
- Location
- Grantmaker type
- Type of support
- Trustee names
The Foundation Directory is ultimately a search tool for nonprofits interested in finding grants relevant to their cause. Candid’s data visualization tools also allow nonprofits to view giving trends and assess whether a specific grantmaker is likely to fund their organization.
Costs
Candid has Enterprise, Professional, and Essential plans available. Foundations, academic institutions, and large organizations are encouraged to explore custom-priced Enterprise plans, but other nonprofits can jump right into Candid via the Professional plan ($133.25 per month) or the Essential plan ($37.42 per month).
2. Grants.gov
Overview
Grants.gov is the United States government’s main resource for organizations seeking federal grant funding. Grants.gov is specifically for United States-based organizations, including nonprofits, educational institutions, Native American organizations, city governments, and small businesses. There are even a few grants individuals can apply to.
The main draw to Grants.gov, of course, is the ability to discover government-backed grants. Organizations looking to apply for a government grant should use this database like they would other grant research tools and narrow their search to the most relevant opportunities. Once you discover a grant that fits your organization, you can hit the red “Apply” button in the top right corner of each grant’s information page to begin your application.
Along with the searchable database, Grants.gov also has a wealth of information on grants in general, including basics on grant terminology, eligibility requirements, fraud, and even career development in the grant space.
Costs
Organizations can sign up with Grants.gov for free. However, there are multiple steps to take before completing their registration. Specifically, nonprofits must register their organization at SAM.gov, the United States registry for organizations that do business with the federal government. Registering for SAM.gov is also free.
Signing up with SAM.gov takes an average of 7-10 business days, after which you will receive a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) that you can use to sign up for Grants.gov. Nonprofits will need to renew their registration with SAM.gov annually.
3. GrantStation
Overview
GrantStation is a grant database that contains grants from the following types of organizations:
- Independent, family, community, and corporate foundations
- Corporations
- Faith-based grantmakers
Additionally, GrantStation includes grants from U.S. federal and state governments as well as Canadian government grants and some international grants. GrantStation encourages users to select their specific country and state and then enter several terms related to their cause to narrow their search results.
GrantStation also offers several resources related to grant writing, such as examples of past winning proposals, a grants calendar, and grant-related webinars. Some of these resources are available for free while others require a membership.
Costs
Organizations signing up for access to GrantStation’s database can choose between a one-year $179 membership or a two-year $249 membership. GrantStation also offers a newsletter with grant resources that nonprofits can subscribe to for free.
4. Instrumentl
Overview
Instrumentl is a grant management and research tool for nonprofit organizations and grant writing consultants. Nonprofits can use Instrumentl to find, track, and apply for grants, while grant writers can use it as a tool for managing the various grants they are writing for clients.
For each grant opportunity listed in Instrumentl, users can click in and see an overview of the specific grant and a detailed breakdown of the grantmaker’s 990 report. While nonprofits can find 990s themselves with enough research, Instrumentl displays the information in a user-friendly format, allowing users to easily discover grantmakers’ total assets, total giving, giving per year, contact information, and which organizations have received previous grants.
Instrumentl also aims to help nonprofits navigate one of the most common hurdles in finding grant opportunities: discovering and making contact with invite-only grantmakers. These grantmakers only allow select organizations to apply for their grants and often lack a web presence, making introducing your nonprofit and building a relationship a challenge.
Instrumentl provides invite-only grant organizations’ contact information, as well as their history of past grant recipients. This allows nonprofits to better assess their networks to determine if they have an in with these exclusive grantmakers and begin building a relationship.
Costs
Instrumentl offers access to its grant management tools and full grant database at three price points depending on your organization’s size and level of need. Nonprofits can also sign up for a 14-day free trial to see if Instrumentl is right for them before subscribing.
5. GrantScape
Overview
Finding and applying for grants are only the first steps to an effective grant management strategy. To avoid penalties and receive future funding, nonprofits also need to maintain grant compliance. For nonprofits looking for assistance managing their grants, GrantScape is a grant database powered by the grant compliance experts at Thompson Grants.
GrantScape provides subscribers with access to its comprehensive database of more than 11,000 grant opportunities from foundations and government agencies. Additionally, subscribers can access GrantScape’s “knowledge center,” which provides online modules dedicated to various aspects of the grant process. With backing from Thompson Grants, these modules discuss complex legal parts of grant management, such as how to handle grant expenditures, monitor federal subawards, and understand audit law and policy.
Plus, to make sure you know how to use the grant database to its maximum potential, GrantScape provides new users with a 30-minute consultation to answer questions and provide tips for effective grant research strategies.
Costs
Users have the option to subscribe just to GrantScape or get a package deal that includes GrantScape database access by signing up with Thompson Grants. Nonprofits interested solely in the GrantScape database can purchase access at a monthly or annual rate. In contrast, those interested in training rather than a database alone can subscribe to Thompson Grants’ webinar training pass to attend grant-related webinars and subscriber events.
6. GrantForward
Overview
Universities and colleges need specialized grant databases focused on academic funding and research opportunities. Higher education institutions can find what they’re looking for with GrantForward.
GrantForward has a database of over 63,000 grants for researchers. To avoid getting overwhelmed, researchers at your institution can also create individual profiles on GrantForward that state their field of study and research interests. Then, GrantForward will recommend funding opportunities that fit their profiles.
To help train everyone at your higher education institution to use the database, GrantForward provides instructional tools that universities can share with researchers as well as resources for how to roll out GrantForward’s grant research tools to your team.
Costs
The price to access GrantForward is determined by institution size. Contact their team to receive a detailed pricing plan.
7. National Endowment for the Humanities
Overview
Government grants can be divided based on the agency or department funding them. One notable organization to discuss is the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). NEH is an independent federal government agency and one of the largest funders of humanities programs in the United States.
NEH grants typically are awarded to:
- Museums
- Archives and libraries
- Higher education institutions
- Public television
- Radio stations
- Individual scholars
The available grants also range widely in specificity from a fellowship for social science research in Japan to a grant meant for strengthening universities’ humanities programs. Each grant has a unique application process that can be explored through Grants.gov.
Costs
NEH is essentially an offshoot of Grants.gov and has the same sign-up requirements and no extra costs.
8. Catholic Funding Guide
Overview
Religious-based nonprofits sometimes struggle to find grants they are eligible for. Fortunately, Catholic organizations and grantmakers alike have the Catholic Funding Guide to connect with one another.
Using highly specialized grant databases like the Catholic Funding Guide can help your nonprofit instantly find more grants that are relevant to your cause. Organizations using the Catholic Funding Guide already start off knowing funders are interested in their organization type and can then further refine their search based on interest area, geographic location, funding amount, and more.
Along with helping grantees find funding, the Catholic Funding Guide helps grantmakers find potential grantees. With the Amplify feature, grantees can create posts about their projects. Then, grantmakers can review proposals and reach out to nonprofits about projects they want to fund.
Costs
Interested Catholic organizations can sign up for either the Standard $229 annual or the Professional $299 annual plans.
9. Local Government Resources
Overview
Sometimes one of the best places to look for grant resources is your own backyard. Check your town, city, or county’s website for grant information. The number of resources and available grants will depend on the size and population makeup of your city.
For example, Atlanta, Georgia is such a strong supporter of the arts that art-related grants have an entire website dedicated to them.
On the other hand, Portland, Oregon has a dedicated grant specifically for small organizations, allowing nonprofits of all types that support the community in some way to receive funding. Additionally, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has a special grant for emergency funding that only opens up when disasters hit the city.
Research your local government’s grant resources to see if there are opportunities that fit your nonprofit. If your organization is new to applying for grants, these smaller-scale grants are valuable opportunities in and of themselves and also useful stepping stones for earning larger grants. After all, federal grant applications are often long and detailed, so get practice in applying for a local grant to ensure you’re ready when the time comes to level up your grant strategy.
Costs
Just like with Grants.gov, your local government resources are most likely to be free. You may need to create an account or provide proof of your organization’s nonprofit status, but it’s unlikely there will be any fees.
10. Grantmakers.io
Overview
Not every grant database is a business designed for enterprise-size nonprofits. For instance, Grantmakers.io is a free grant database run by a one-man team. The site scans and formats foundations’ publicly available Form 990s. As a result, nonprofits can conveniently search through basic profiles for over 100,000 foundations.
At a glance, each foundation has essential information displayed, including:
- Number of grants offered
- Average grant amount
- Whether the foundation has recently offered grants
- Whether the foundation has paid staff or is operated by volunteers
- The foundation’s website
- Whether the foundation potentially accepts unsolicited grant applications
- Total assets
In addition to foundations, users can also explore grant recipients. Seeing what organizations foundations are giving to and in what quantities can help set your nonprofit’s expectations when seeking grant funding. After all, if a foundation gives to many nonprofits similar to yours, then your grant proposal is more likely to align with their mission.
Costs
Grantmakers.io promises to be, in the website’s creator’s own words, “Free as in freedom and free as in food.” If you would like to, you can even donate to Grantmakers.io to help keep the content free and support the site.
More Grant Research Tools
Grant research tools are essential for helping your nonprofit find the funding opportunities you need to power your mission. Use grant databases that fit your budget and contain information on the types of grant funding relevant to your nonprofit.
However, keep in mind that there’s more to grants than just receiving funding through foundations and government programs. To discover other types of grants your nonprofit can tap into now, explore these resources:
Double Donations With Canadian Companies That Match Gifts
/in Company Spotlights, About Double the Donation, Matching Gift Companies, Learning Center, Volunteer Grant Companies, Lists and Rankings /by Adam WeingerMatching gifts play a large role in many nonprofits’ fundraising strategies. These opportunities aren’t just limited to the United States, either. Organizations in Canada—and worldwide—can benefit from corporate philanthropy, too. Specifically, Canadian companies that match gifts supply a powerful opportunity for Canadian charities to maximize funds and engagement alike.
In this guide, we’ve selected a few standout programs that your team should be aware of. Plus, we’ll share expert-proven tips and tricks for making the most of the initiatives. This includes:
To learn more about Canadian companies that match gifts and matching gift databases that cover the Canadian matching gift market, read on!
But before we jump in, let’s cover the basics of matching gifts.
The Basics of Matching Gifts Across Any Market
What are matching gifts?
Matching gifts are a unique and widespread form of corporate philanthropy in which companies match donations their employees make to eligible nonprofits. Matching donations are typically made at a 1:1 ratio, but some companies match at a higher rate, such as 2:1, 3:1, or even 4:1.
This type of giving is particularly valuable because it essentially supplies free money for your nonprofit. However, they’re often overlooked by donors due to a lack of program awareness and by nonprofits lacking the necessary staff, resources, or time to pursue the opportunity.
Who qualifies for matching gifts?
Companies that match gifts typically implement a program policy with specific eligibility guidelines. In order for a donor to qualify, their donation and the organization to which they gave must adhere to the pre-determined criteria.
While the criteria will vary from one company to the next, one overarching stipulation is that receiving organizations are generally required to be registered charities in the region in which they operate. In Canada, that means a nonprofit registered under the nation’s Income Tax Act by the Charities Directorate of the Canada Revenue Agency.
Meanwhile, American nonprofits should be registered with the Internal Revenue Service and have received 501(c)(3) status.
Top Canadian Matching Gift Companies
With the 9th largest economy in the world, Canada headquarters many well-known companies with generous employee giving benefits. In fact, Canadian corporations have a long history of philanthropy—which is great news for the nonprofits that call Canada home.
Take a look at the following Canadian companies that match gifts, and find out if your donors work for the generous employers below:
1. BCE Inc.
BCE Inc., formerly known as Bell Canada Enterprises, offers a focused matching gift program benefitting a few specific organizations as well as colleges and universities within the country. The company also offers individual and team volunteer grants, where employees or retirees donate their time throughout the year to earn substantial grants for their favorite nonprofits.
Specifically, employees who volunteer at least 50 hours in a year can acquire a grant amount of $500. Meanwhile, teams are required to volunteer a combined 500 hours within a year-long period to qualify for a $2,500 grant!
Learn more about this Canadian company’s matching gift program here.
2. Gildan Activewear
Headquartered in Montreal, Gildan Activewear matches nonprofit donations from both full- and part-time employees. The matching gift program is open to organizations in Canada, the United States, and Honduras.
In addition to matching donations, the Canada-based company also supplies volunteer grants and multiplies select fundraising collections by employees, too!
Learn more about this Canadian company’s matching gift program here.
3. Green Shield Canada
Green Shield Canada matches gifts of up to $1,000 per full-time employee on an annual basis. The company’s matching gift program is inclusive of most schools and nonprofit organizations, including a variety of institutions ranging from K-12 schools to arts and cultural organizations.
Learn more about this Canadian company’s matching gift program here.
4. Royal Bank of Canada
The Royal Bank of Canada, also known as RBC, matches employee donations to nonprofit causes, and is inclusive of gifts made between $100 and $5,000 per year. A key perk of RBC’s matching gift program is that part-time employees and retirees alike are encouraged to participate with the standard 1:1 ratio.
Like many of these other organizations, RBC also offers dollars for doers grants for active volunteers! After volunteering for a minimum of 40 volunteer hours, the company will provide up to a $500 grant.
Learn more about this Canadian company’s matching gift program here.
5. TC Energy
TC Energy offers two main types of employee giving programs. The first is its standard matching gift program, where the company will match up to $1,000 annually to most nonprofits. The program is open to all employees and retirees.
The second program is TC Energy’s Dollars for Doers program. Through this initiative, the company matches its employees’ volunteer hours with monetary grants. It’s easy for employees to get involved in the program, too, as there is only a one-hour minimum for volunteer hours in a calendar year!
Learn more about this Canadian company’s matching gift program here.
6. AstraZeneca Canada
AstraZeneca is an international Anglo-Swedish pharmaceutical company with a large corporate presence in Canada. The company, which participates generously in corporate philanthropy, also offers different employee giving programs across various markets.
In Canada, active AstraZeneca employees are encouraged to donate between $50 and $500 to the CRA-registered charity of their choice. After doing so, the company matches the gift to stretch its impact even further for the nonprofit cause!
AstraZeneca Canada offers multiple volunteer grant programs, too. Canadian employees or retirees who volunteer 40 hours with an organization can request a corresponding grant of $500. At the same time, the company provides $250 grants to organizations where employees serve as board members or coaches.
Learn more about this Canadian company’s matching gift program here.
7. Enbridge Inc.
Enbridge Inc., a Canadian multinational pipeline and energy company, is renowned for its robust and multi-faceted CSR initiatives. This includes a generous matching gift program and a volunteer grant program designed to empower its employees to make a difference in the communities they serve.
These programs and more not only foster a culture of philanthropy within the company but also strengthen Enbridge’s commitment to social impact across Canada and beyond.
Learn more about this Canadian company’s matching gift program here.
8. Suncor Energy Inc.
Suncor Energy is dedicated to making meaningful contributions to society through its corporate philanthropy efforts. Through a targeted and impactful matching gift program, the company encourages its employees to give generously by matching their donations to eligible charitable causes and higher education institutions.
Learn more about this Canadian company’s matching gift program here.
9. Sun Life Financial Inc.
Sun Life Financial is committed to giving back through a generous matching gift initiative, in which it empowers its employees to demonstrate their own philanthropy as well. When eligible full-time employees support nonprofit organizations of their choice, the company doubles their giving to produce an even greater impact.
One of the best things about this specific program? With no minimum donation amount required, employees can get involved with matching gifts to their favorite organizations with ease.
Learn more about this Canadian company’s matching gift program here.
10. Canadian Pacific Railway
Canadian Pacific Railway (or CP) is deeply committed to corporate citizenship and community engagement, as evidenced by its matching gift program. Through the program, the company encourages its employees to support charitable organizations by matching their donations at a rate of 50 cents to every dollar.
By fostering a culture of philanthropy and supporting causes that matter to its employees, the Canadian Pacific Railway demonstrates its ongoing commitment to social responsibility.
Learn more about this Canadian company’s matching gift program here.
11. Cenovus Energy
Cenovus Energy, a Calgary, Alberta-based oil and natural gas company, aims to enact positive change in the communities in which it operates through its generous corporate philanthropy initiatives. Currently, these include a comprehensive matching gift program that empowers individual employees to request up to $25,000 per year for their favorite causes.
Learn more about this Canadian company’s matching gift program here.
12. Scotia Bank Canada
Scotiabank Canada offers a robust matching gift program, through which the company empowers its employees to support charitable organizations by matching their donations. With no minimum donation amount required and a lofty maximum threshold, individual team members have the chance to make an even greater difference for the nonprofit missions they care about.
Learn more about this Canadian company’s matching gift program here.
13. Magna International
Magna International offers a unique matching gift program through which groups of employees are encouraged to support nonprofit organizations in their communities. Specifically, teams of 10 or more employees should contribute a collective minimum donation of $500. Then, the company contributes its match up to $2,500!
By encouraging team-focused employee engagement in philanthropy and supporting causes aligned with its values, Magna builds its workplace culture and gives back at the same time.
Learn more about this Canadian company’s matching gift program here.
14. Brookfield Properties
Brookfield Properties is a multinational corporation with a substantial Canadian employee base. Through its generous matching gift program, Brookfield Properties encourages its employees to donate time and funds to eligible nonprofit causes by supplying matching funds to the organizations they support.
Currently, full-time Canadian and U.S.-based employees (excluding the Chicago office) with a one-year minimum service are invited to take part in the program.
Learn more about this Canadian company’s matching gift program here.
15. Nutrien
Canadian fertilizer company Nutrien is dedicated to making a positive impact in communities through its comprehensive matching gift program and more. Through the match program, Nutrien empowers its employees to support charitable organizations with matching gifts worth up to $1.50 for every $1 initially donated.
Learn more about this Canadian company’s matching gift program here.
Identifying Other Canadian Companies That Match Gifts
We covered fifteen standout Canadian matching gift companies above. But there are a ton of additional programs available from companies everywhere. In fact, there are so many companies that match gifts—based in Canada and otherwise—that it’s nearly impossible to keep track of each program’s guidelines on your own.
And that’s where a database solution comes in handy! With a matching gift database like Double the Donation, donors are automatically supplied with direct links to their companies’ match request portals along with program guidelines (minimums and maximums, eligible nonprofits and employees, match ratios, submission deadlines, etc.).
Alternatively, if a donor works for an unknown company (or your organization lacks a database tool), your team can encourage the individual to reach out to their HR department to learn more about any available giving programs.
How Double the Donation Can Help
Double the Donation is a complete automation system that screens match-eligible donors and triggers tailored outreach accordingly. As a result, your staff saves time and maximizes its revenue.
With over 24,000 company listings, Double the Donation represents 26+ million match-eligible individuals worldwide. When it comes to Canadian companies that match gifts, recent analyses indicate that the tool remains the country’s most accurate and up-to-date source of matching gift information.
Check out these findings:
All in all, Double the Donation’s database offers substantial coverage of the market, making it a great fit for Canadian-based organizations and their donors.
Meanwhile, additional benefits of Double the Donation include:
Double the Donation essentially serves as your own matching gift team. Where you don’t have the staff, time, or resources necessary to perform matching gift outreach, the platform can step in and handle the rest!
Integrations & Customizations
If you’re thinking about investing in a matching gift database to supercharge your organization’s fundraising efforts, there are a few things to consider in your selection. As a Canadian-based organization, you’ll want to look for a solution that adequately covers the Canadian market and integrates with your existing tech stack for easy implementation and data management.
Fortunately, Double the Donation does just that! Offering 100+ integrations with the leading Canadian and global fundraising tools, the software provides users with direct access to the industry’s most comprehensive database. These ready-built and simple-to-use integrations include:
To get started, all you typically need to do is subscribe to Double the Donation’s tools. Then, activate Double the Donation by entering your API keys into your fundraising platform.
Additionally, Double the Donation is designed to accommodate nonprofits operating in one or more geographic markets. For Canadian-based organizations, this means you can customize the database search results by adjusting the geographic regions that apply to your nonprofit.
Double the Donation will then tailor the matching gift search results and information your donors receive based on your selections.
Top tip: If your nonprofit’s tax status is based in Canada and you primarily have Canadian donors, it’s recommended that you only select Canada. However, if you’re registered as a nonprofit in multiple markets, such as the U.S. and Canada, or have a large number of donors in those markets, it’s recommended that you select both the U.S. and Canada.
Wrapping Up
Choosing the right matching gift database is essential. Make sure to look for a solution that’s designed to enhance your organization’s fundraising. That means seeking tools that specifically cater to Canadian organizations—and Canadian matching gift companies.
While we’ve listed some of the largest Canada-based employers and overviewed their matching gift opportunities, they aren’t the only businesses that offer such initiatives. Be sure to constantly research your donors’ employers and stay up-to-date on companies in your area. And remember: the right matching gift database can help!
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Keep learning! Check out these additional resources to continue exploring matching gifts for your organization:
Matching Gift Marketing Guide
After identifying match-eligible contributions, you’ll need to promote the matching gift opportunities to your donors.
Check out our free downloadable resource to get best practices and expert marketing strategies.
Top Matching Gift Companies
Once you’ve uncovered top matching gift companies based in Canada, consider expanding your focus globally!
Explore these top employers that match employee gifts, and see if your donors work for these businesses!
One-Off Matching Gift Programs
One-off matching gift programs are defined by agreements between a single nonprofit and a single corporate donor.
Browse the guide to see how your team can begin making the most of these exclusive opportunities.
A Guide to Navigating University Fundraising with Confidence
/in Fundraising Ideas, Learning Center /by Adam WeingerFundraising is the backbone upon which universities are built, helping to expand educational offerings, enhance campus infrastructure, and prepare the next generation of changemakers.
University fundraising, however, is not merely about securing financial contributions; it is a delicate and multifaceted dance of identifying your need for support, articulating the profound impact of your institution, and cultivating long-term relationships with donors.
With philanthropic giving to higher education increasing by 12.5% in 2022, donors are becoming increasingly more inclined to contribute to colleges and universities. Equipped with the most up-to-date information about university fundraising, you’ll be set to engage donors and garner their support.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about university fundraising, including:
Whether you’re a seasoned professional looking to refine your approach or a newcomer seeking a strong foundation of knowledge, these insights will help you build a sustainable fundraising program that stands the test of time.
Emerging University Fundraising Trends
Higher ed fundraisers have to stay up-to-date with evolving donor expectations, technology advancements, and shifting societal priorities to remain competitive and relevant in a dynamic philanthropic landscape.
Here are three university fundraising trends to be aware of:
Universities that adapt to these trends can position themselves for success in engaging donors and securing the resources needed to advance their missions.
The Most Popular University Fundraising Ideas
As you review the following fundraising ideas, consider how you can adapt them to align with your specific needs and alumni base.
Annual Giving Drive
The primary goal of an annual giving drive is to generate unrestricted funds that can be used to support the institution’s immediate and ongoing operational needs, such as scholarships, faculty support, program development, and infrastructure maintenance.
Some institutions may choose to run their annual giving drives on a fiscal year schedule rather than a calendar year schedule. Regardless, structure your campaign around this timeline:
It’s important to note that you may need to adjust the specific timeline for your annual giving drive based on your institution’s unique circumstances and objectives.
Matching Gift Programs
Matching gifts are a philanthropic practice in which employers, often corporations, financially match their employees’ charitable contributions to nonprofits and universities. When a university fundraiser secures a donation from a donor whose employer offers a matching gift program, the impact on university fundraising can be substantial. It essentially doubles the donor’s initial contribution, significantly increasing the total funds raised for the institution.
This matching process not only boosts the university’s financial resources but also encourages donors to give more generously, as they recognize the added impact of their contributions.
To encourage donors to leverage matching gifts, take these steps:
Watch the video below to learn how the University of Lynchburg leveraged Double the Donation to streamline its matching gift process and generate increased revenue:
As you’ll see, Double the Donation makes it easy to double the impact of your university fundraising efforts. To get started, request a demo!
Crowdfunding Campaigns
For university fundraisers, crowdfunding can be a lucrative venture because it harnesses the power of the collective, tapping into a broad network of donors who are passionate about the university’s mission and projects, potentially resulting in substantial financial support from a diverse group of contributors. Even students can get involved, with nearly 8% of current students contributing to crowdfunding initiatives.
When you launch a crowdfunding campaign, be sure to:
Use the momentum generated by the crowdfunding campaign to build on the success and cultivate ongoing relationships with donors for future fundraising initiatives.
Grant Writing
Pursue grants from government bodies, private foundations, and corporations to fund research projects, academic programs, and infrastructure development. Leverage these grant-writing tactics to increase your win rate:
Grantmakers often want to see that their funding will have a lasting impact. Therefore, you should also outline a clear plan for the sustainability of your project or program beyond the grant period.
Corporate Partnerships
Corporate sponsors provide universities with a stable source of financial support that can enhance academic programs, scholarships, and research initiatives. Plus, the partnership can strengthen the university’s reputation and attract philanthropic contributions from other sources.
Take these steps to establish strong partnerships with businesses:
Once you’ve secured a corporate sponsor, maintain a strong and transparent line of communication. Regularly update them on the progress of their sponsorship, including the impact of their support and any milestones achieved. Sharing success stories, data, and reports demonstrating the tangible results of their partnership reinforces their commitment and fosters a sense of ownership and pride in the collaboration.
Endowments
Endowments encompass invested donations that grow over time to provide increased value. Educational institutions can use this university fundraising tactic to fund:
Creating endowments for your university is beneficial because it provides your institution with a stable source of income. This type of fundraising also attracts major donors, allowing you to build relationships with supporters who have the highest giving capacities.
Planned Giving
Encouraging donors to include your university in their estate planning can lead to long-term, reliable financial support. Identify donors who are nearing retirement or already retired, have a history of significant contributions, and are actively involved—these are prime candidates for planned giving.
Then, appeal to these prospective donors, keeping in mind that:
Because planned giving often involves complex financial arrangements, you should consult with legal experts throughout this process to ensure compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
Special Events
Fundraising events can attract significant donations and enhance your networking opportunities. For the best results, host events that are creative and will inspire a large turnout like:
Throughout the event planning process, consider how you can engage potential donors who may not be able to attend the event in person. For instance, when hosting a scavenger hunt, you might add an exclusive map to your website or mobile app that allows attendees to participate virtually.
3 Tips for Hosting a University Fundraising Campaign
As you prepare to launch your next university fundraising campaign, keep the following tips in mind to ensure it’s a success.
1. Develop a clear fundraising strategy.
Define your university’s fundraising goals and priorities. Establish a comprehensive plan that outlines the specific projects, initiatives, or areas that require funding.
Be sure to identify your target donors, whether they are alumni, corporations, foundations, or individual philanthropists, and tailor your strategy to appeal to their interests and values.
2. Diversify outreach.
Donors have varying communication preferences and motivations for giving. Using a mix of channels, including social media, email, direct mail, phone calls, and in-person events, caters to these preferences and increases the likelihood of engagement.
In addition to more traditional methods, you may incorporate more unique outreach opportunities like eCards. When you thank your donors or invite them to an event with an eCard, you grab their attention and communicate with them in a more interactive, exciting way.
You may also reach potential supporters through Google Ads. With the Google Ad Grant program, philanthropic arms of higher educational institutions can unlock $10,000 in Google Ad credits for free. This way, your organization can show up at the top of the search results for relevant searches and secure more support.
For the best results, segment your donor list based on factors like giving history, affinity to specific university programs, and communication preferences, and personalize your outreach accordingly.
3. Cultivate strong alumni relationships.
Alumni who feel connected to their alma mater are more likely to contribute. That’s why it’s important to engage with your alumni community on a regular basis, not just when you need their financial support.
Stay in touch through regular newsletters, social media updates, and invitations to alumni events. In addition, recognize their accomplishments and contributions to the university, seek their input on important initiatives, and provide opportunities for alumni to mentor or support current students.
A Final Note About University Fundraising
Remember that the fundraising landscape is not a fixed path but a vast terrain of opportunities waiting to be explored. With each step, you can gain experience, build lasting relationships, and contribute to the enduring legacy of higher education.
For more information on university fundraising, review these additional resources:
GivenGain and Double the Donation Build New Double the Donation Integration for Matching Gifts Automation
/in Learning Center /by Adam WeingerDouble the Donation and GivenGain are excited to announce a new partnership in the form of integration between GivenGain forms and Double the Donation, the leading matching gift automation software from Double the Donation.
The integration educates donors about their match eligibility as they give, guiding them to their next steps and closing the gap of $4-7 billion in funds left on the table each year.
“We’re excited to team up with GivenGain to boost campaigns with advanced matching gifts automation,” said Adam Weinger, President at Double the Donation. “Now, nonprofits have the power to get more value from every donor interaction.”
The GivenGain and Double the Donation integration is now available to users with GivenGain and Double the Donation accounts. Follow our integration guide and get connected in minutes.
Are you a GivenGain user ready to start your matching gifts automation journey? Request a demo of Double the Donation and let us know you use GivenGain for event fundraising!
Want additional resources to help you take your matching gifts strategy to the next level? Enroll today in our Matching Gift Academy for in-depth content about growing your matching gift revenue.
About GivenGain: GivenGain was founded in 2001 on one simple belief, and one global mission: that humans are amazing, and to put the fundraising in the hands of the supporters. Since then, we’ve been the online home of global generosity and we’re just getting started. GivenGain is unlike any other fundraising platform, we’re different. As a nonprofit ourselves, we’re driven by purpose, not profit, and have been shaping the world of giving for over two decades.
About Double the Donation: Automate your matching gift fundraising with the industry-leading solution from Double the Donation. The Double the Donation platform provides nonprofits and educational institutions with tools to identify match-eligible donors, drive matches to completion, and gain actionable insights. Double the Donation integrates directly into donation forms, CRMs, social fundraising software, and other nonprofit technology solutions, and even partners with select CSR platforms to further streamline matching gifts for donors. Through Double the Donation by Double the Donation, the matching gift process has never been simpler.
Get on the Path to Earning Grants: 10 Grant Research Tools
/in Fundraising Ideas, Lists and Rankings /by Adam WeingerFrom recurring donors to annual fundraisers to merchandise sales, the more income streams your nonprofit has, the more financially secure your organization will be. The key source of revenue that can bring in reliable funding year after year is grants.
Grant funding amounts and requirements vary wildly as every grantmaking organization has their own unique application process. While there are skills and knowledge, like grant writing, that carry over from application to application, your nonprofit will need to learn the specific requirements of each organization you apply to.
This is where grant research tools come in. Along with helping you find grants, these tools provide insight into the application process, potential funding amounts, and contact information for the grantmaker.
To help your nonprofit build relationships with funders and earn your next grant, we’ll explore our top recommended grant research tools.
Grant Research Tools FAQ
What are grant research tools?
For the most part, grant research tools are searchable databases of available grants. Given that most grant databases have several thousand grants listed at a minimum, these databases have an extensive array of filters for users to narrow their search to grants applicable to their purposes.
Different grant databases often overlap in content. After all, if one grant database provider is aware of a foundation’s new grant opportunities, chances are many other providers are as well. However, one way to sort grant databases by content is to split them into three categories:
Note that specialty grants may not be listed in these databases. For example, the Google Ad Grant is a unique type of grant that rewards recipients with ad credits rather than dollars. For the Google Ad Grant and other highly specialized types of grants, it’s best to explore their websites directly rather than using a database for information.
Why do grant research tools matter?
Nonprofits can search for individual foundations and open grants they are aware of without needing any specific tool. However, grant research databases compile all the information your nonprofit needs to apply for grants in one place, allowing you to:
Some grant research tools have even more features that help streamline the grant application process. For instance, some tools are just databases for finding grant information, while others provide grant management tools that allow you to track specific grant deadlines, organize applications, and manage your awards.
What should my nonprofit look for in a grant research tool?
Grant research tools vary in the features they provide, the depth of information for grants in their database, and the costs of accessing their services. Before conducting grant research, consider what types of grants you intend to apply for and what tools you’ll need to complete your applications.
For instance, if you intend to apply for many grants, it may be worthwhile to invest in a paid but comprehensive grant management tool. In contrast, if you just need basic information about a few grants and would like to avoid extra fees, there are free resources your nonprofit can rely on.
With that, let’s explore our top grant research tools and what types of nonprofits can benefit from each option.
What about matching gift grants?
Corporate giving programs like matching gift grants and volunteer grants are additional funding that your nonprofit can earn from corporate sponsors. While these types of contributions could be considered grants, nonprofits don’t use traditional grant research tools to find them. Instead, you need a matching gift database.
Matching gift databases contain information about a wide range of companies’ matching gift grant programs. Your nonprofit can use this tool to look up specific businesses that employ many of your supporters. You can also provide supporters with access to the database via a matching gift search tool you embed in your website. This way, supporters can look up their own eligibility and apply for a matching grant themselves.
1. Candid
Overview
Formerly known as GuideStar, Candid’s Foundation Directory is one of the most comprehensive grant databases available. Candid’s team uses over 35 distinct information sources, including IRS returns, grantmaker websites, annual reports, philanthropic news, and connections with individual grantmakers, to keep their directory up-to-date on the latest grants.
Candid’s Foundation Directory is primarily meant for registered 501(c)(3) organizations and unregistered nonprofits with fiscal sponsors. These groups can use the directory to search for grants based on:
The Foundation Directory is ultimately a search tool for nonprofits interested in finding grants relevant to their cause. Candid’s data visualization tools also allow nonprofits to view giving trends and assess whether a specific grantmaker is likely to fund their organization.
Costs
Candid has Enterprise, Professional, and Essential plans available. Foundations, academic institutions, and large organizations are encouraged to explore custom-priced Enterprise plans, but other nonprofits can jump right into Candid via the Professional plan ($133.25 per month) or the Essential plan ($37.42 per month).
2. Grants.gov
Overview
Grants.gov is the United States government’s main resource for organizations seeking federal grant funding. Grants.gov is specifically for United States-based organizations, including nonprofits, educational institutions, Native American organizations, city governments, and small businesses. There are even a few grants individuals can apply to.
The main draw to Grants.gov, of course, is the ability to discover government-backed grants. Organizations looking to apply for a government grant should use this database like they would other grant research tools and narrow their search to the most relevant opportunities. Once you discover a grant that fits your organization, you can hit the red “Apply” button in the top right corner of each grant’s information page to begin your application.
Along with the searchable database, Grants.gov also has a wealth of information on grants in general, including basics on grant terminology, eligibility requirements, fraud, and even career development in the grant space.
Costs
Organizations can sign up with Grants.gov for free. However, there are multiple steps to take before completing their registration. Specifically, nonprofits must register their organization at SAM.gov, the United States registry for organizations that do business with the federal government. Registering for SAM.gov is also free.
Signing up with SAM.gov takes an average of 7-10 business days, after which you will receive a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) that you can use to sign up for Grants.gov. Nonprofits will need to renew their registration with SAM.gov annually.
3. GrantStation
Overview
GrantStation is a grant database that contains grants from the following types of organizations:
Additionally, GrantStation includes grants from U.S. federal and state governments as well as Canadian government grants and some international grants. GrantStation encourages users to select their specific country and state and then enter several terms related to their cause to narrow their search results.
GrantStation also offers several resources related to grant writing, such as examples of past winning proposals, a grants calendar, and grant-related webinars. Some of these resources are available for free while others require a membership.
Costs
Organizations signing up for access to GrantStation’s database can choose between a one-year $179 membership or a two-year $249 membership. GrantStation also offers a newsletter with grant resources that nonprofits can subscribe to for free.
4. Instrumentl
Overview
Instrumentl is a grant management and research tool for nonprofit organizations and grant writing consultants. Nonprofits can use Instrumentl to find, track, and apply for grants, while grant writers can use it as a tool for managing the various grants they are writing for clients.
For each grant opportunity listed in Instrumentl, users can click in and see an overview of the specific grant and a detailed breakdown of the grantmaker’s 990 report. While nonprofits can find 990s themselves with enough research, Instrumentl displays the information in a user-friendly format, allowing users to easily discover grantmakers’ total assets, total giving, giving per year, contact information, and which organizations have received previous grants.
Instrumentl also aims to help nonprofits navigate one of the most common hurdles in finding grant opportunities: discovering and making contact with invite-only grantmakers. These grantmakers only allow select organizations to apply for their grants and often lack a web presence, making introducing your nonprofit and building a relationship a challenge.
Instrumentl provides invite-only grant organizations’ contact information, as well as their history of past grant recipients. This allows nonprofits to better assess their networks to determine if they have an in with these exclusive grantmakers and begin building a relationship.
Costs
Instrumentl offers access to its grant management tools and full grant database at three price points depending on your organization’s size and level of need. Nonprofits can also sign up for a 14-day free trial to see if Instrumentl is right for them before subscribing.
5. GrantScape
Overview
Finding and applying for grants are only the first steps to an effective grant management strategy. To avoid penalties and receive future funding, nonprofits also need to maintain grant compliance. For nonprofits looking for assistance managing their grants, GrantScape is a grant database powered by the grant compliance experts at Thompson Grants.
GrantScape provides subscribers with access to its comprehensive database of more than 11,000 grant opportunities from foundations and government agencies. Additionally, subscribers can access GrantScape’s “knowledge center,” which provides online modules dedicated to various aspects of the grant process. With backing from Thompson Grants, these modules discuss complex legal parts of grant management, such as how to handle grant expenditures, monitor federal subawards, and understand audit law and policy.
Plus, to make sure you know how to use the grant database to its maximum potential, GrantScape provides new users with a 30-minute consultation to answer questions and provide tips for effective grant research strategies.
Costs
Users have the option to subscribe just to GrantScape or get a package deal that includes GrantScape database access by signing up with Thompson Grants. Nonprofits interested solely in the GrantScape database can purchase access at a monthly or annual rate. In contrast, those interested in training rather than a database alone can subscribe to Thompson Grants’ webinar training pass to attend grant-related webinars and subscriber events.
6. GrantForward
Overview
Universities and colleges need specialized grant databases focused on academic funding and research opportunities. Higher education institutions can find what they’re looking for with GrantForward.
GrantForward has a database of over 63,000 grants for researchers. To avoid getting overwhelmed, researchers at your institution can also create individual profiles on GrantForward that state their field of study and research interests. Then, GrantForward will recommend funding opportunities that fit their profiles.
To help train everyone at your higher education institution to use the database, GrantForward provides instructional tools that universities can share with researchers as well as resources for how to roll out GrantForward’s grant research tools to your team.
Costs
The price to access GrantForward is determined by institution size. Contact their team to receive a detailed pricing plan.
7. National Endowment for the Humanities
Overview
Government grants can be divided based on the agency or department funding them. One notable organization to discuss is the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). NEH is an independent federal government agency and one of the largest funders of humanities programs in the United States.
NEH grants typically are awarded to:
The available grants also range widely in specificity from a fellowship for social science research in Japan to a grant meant for strengthening universities’ humanities programs. Each grant has a unique application process that can be explored through Grants.gov.
Costs
NEH is essentially an offshoot of Grants.gov and has the same sign-up requirements and no extra costs.
8. Catholic Funding Guide
Overview
Religious-based nonprofits sometimes struggle to find grants they are eligible for. Fortunately, Catholic organizations and grantmakers alike have the Catholic Funding Guide to connect with one another.
Using highly specialized grant databases like the Catholic Funding Guide can help your nonprofit instantly find more grants that are relevant to your cause. Organizations using the Catholic Funding Guide already start off knowing funders are interested in their organization type and can then further refine their search based on interest area, geographic location, funding amount, and more.
Along with helping grantees find funding, the Catholic Funding Guide helps grantmakers find potential grantees. With the Amplify feature, grantees can create posts about their projects. Then, grantmakers can review proposals and reach out to nonprofits about projects they want to fund.
Costs
Interested Catholic organizations can sign up for either the Standard $229 annual or the Professional $299 annual plans.
9. Local Government Resources
Overview
Sometimes one of the best places to look for grant resources is your own backyard. Check your town, city, or county’s website for grant information. The number of resources and available grants will depend on the size and population makeup of your city.
For example, Atlanta, Georgia is such a strong supporter of the arts that art-related grants have an entire website dedicated to them.
On the other hand, Portland, Oregon has a dedicated grant specifically for small organizations, allowing nonprofits of all types that support the community in some way to receive funding. Additionally, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania has a special grant for emergency funding that only opens up when disasters hit the city.
Research your local government’s grant resources to see if there are opportunities that fit your nonprofit. If your organization is new to applying for grants, these smaller-scale grants are valuable opportunities in and of themselves and also useful stepping stones for earning larger grants. After all, federal grant applications are often long and detailed, so get practice in applying for a local grant to ensure you’re ready when the time comes to level up your grant strategy.
Costs
Just like with Grants.gov, your local government resources are most likely to be free. You may need to create an account or provide proof of your organization’s nonprofit status, but it’s unlikely there will be any fees.
10. Grantmakers.io
Overview
Not every grant database is a business designed for enterprise-size nonprofits. For instance, Grantmakers.io is a free grant database run by a one-man team. The site scans and formats foundations’ publicly available Form 990s. As a result, nonprofits can conveniently search through basic profiles for over 100,000 foundations.
At a glance, each foundation has essential information displayed, including:
In addition to foundations, users can also explore grant recipients. Seeing what organizations foundations are giving to and in what quantities can help set your nonprofit’s expectations when seeking grant funding. After all, if a foundation gives to many nonprofits similar to yours, then your grant proposal is more likely to align with their mission.
Costs
Grantmakers.io promises to be, in the website’s creator’s own words, “Free as in freedom and free as in food.” If you would like to, you can even donate to Grantmakers.io to help keep the content free and support the site.
More Grant Research Tools
Grant research tools are essential for helping your nonprofit find the funding opportunities you need to power your mission. Use grant databases that fit your budget and contain information on the types of grant funding relevant to your nonprofit.
However, keep in mind that there’s more to grants than just receiving funding through foundations and government programs. To discover other types of grants your nonprofit can tap into now, explore these resources:
Maximizing Your Giving Day Revenue with Matching Gifts
/in Fundraising Ideas, About Double the Donation, Learning Center /by Adam WeingerHundreds of institutions are gearing up for their yearly Giving Days, many of which are rapidly approaching come springtime. But what you might not know is that Giving Days and matching gifts go hand in hand.
This is especially true when nonprofit or university fundraisers are able to effectively align the two ideas—and that’s why we’ve created this resource to guide organizations like yours through the process of doing so.
Specifically, this guide will cover everything you need to know about Giving Days and matching gifts, the impact of each on overall fundraising, and what your team can do to set your cause up for success.
We’ll walk you through the following key topics:
If your organization hosts an annual Giving Day (or is looking to organize one), you’d be remiss if you didn’t incorporate matching gift practices into your overall plan.
Ready to find out how? Let’s jump in.
Giving Days + The Importance of Matching Gifts
Giving Days are often some of an institution’s biggest money-makers. These campaigns enable fundraisers to collect large amounts of much-needed revenue that help sustain their missions throughout the rest of the year.
Matching gifts can work to elevate the ROI on these strategically planned efforts. At the same time, they provide a positive experience for donors and fundraisers alike.
Here’s what you need to know in order to make the most of each fundraising tool:
What are Giving Days?
A Giving Day is generally a 24-hour period in which an educational institution or nonprofit cause drastically ups its fundraising efforts in order to engage with donors and solicit a large amount of revenue in a short time. Giving Days typically rely heavily on online fundraising and may encompass a number of events as well.
Comprising a relatively small portion of the year (typically 1/365), Giving Days tend to see significant results—with some organizations collecting the majority of their fundraising revenue during the limited amount of time.
What organizations host Giving Days?
Although fundraising groups of all shapes and sizes might establish an annual Giving Day tradition, these tend to be particularly popular among school fundraisers. This typically includes:
Higher ed institutions and K-12 schoools alike often produce incredible results with academic-focused Giving Day fundraising efforts. In fact, many education-based causes even utilize their Giving Days as one of their most primary sources of revenue each year. And doing so is a fantastic opportunity to engage alumni and leverage school spirit to drive a sense of community toward a common goal.
Where do matching gifts come in?
Corporate matching gifts enable organizations like educational institutions and other 501(c)(3) nonprofits to maximize existing support and increase revenue. And this happens without having to ask your donors for more of their hard-earned dollars. All you have to do is encourage them to participate in their employers’ workplace giving initiatives!
At a critical time like your annual Giving Day, support will likely be at an all-time high. That means getting those contributions doubled (and sometimes even tripled) is more important than ever.
Not to mention, fundraising studies report that the existence of matching gift opportunities is often a driving factor in donor decision-making. For example, 84% of donors stated that they’re more likely to give charitably if their employer offers to match their dollars. At the same time, 1 in 3 individuals surveyed indicated that they’d make a larger donation should a match be applied.
While each company that matches employee donations chooses which types of charitable efforts it will support, the good news is that education institutions (which are often the primary organizer of annual Giving Days) are almost always included as an eligible cause.
The bottom line is that you don’t want to miss out on the key benefits of matching gifts at any time—let alone your most important fundraising day of the year.
Raising More with Double the Donation Matching: A Feature Overview
The right software can be the difference between a fruitful, goal-surpassing Giving Day campaign and one that ultimately falls short—and surely, you’re looking to establish the former.
Find out what Double the Donation can offer, and see why it’s the leading solution in the education and nonprofit fundraising spaces.
Let’s walk through an overview of top features, functions, and benefits:
User-Friendly Company Search Tool
Millions of donors who work for companies with employee gift-matching programs are never made aware of the opportunities through their employers. One of the best ways to counteract this knowledge gap is by providing your supporters with Double the Donation’s intuitive matching gift company search tool.
This widget—which can be embedded within your online donation form, confirmation page, dedicated matching gift web page, Giving Day campaign page, and more—prompts donors to enter their employer’s name in an optional search box. As the donor begins typing, the smart tool auto-fills suggested company names, taking into account typos, spelling variations, and subsidiaries.
The donor selects the correct company from the search tool, which then pulls employer-specific matching gift program information from an extensive matching gift company database. Now, the individual has access to their donation eligibility criteria and online match request forms (if available) and is encouraged to take the next steps.
Double the Donation also provides nonprofit users with unique custom matching gift program functionality that empowers organizations to add and manage “one-off” match programs in their own database tool. So if your organization secures a custom matching gift partner ahead of your Giving Day (which we’ll cover in more depth below), you’ll be able to easily configure the program to populate when your donors search the company name.
*As a note, this feature is designed specifically for fundraisers looking to manage custom matching gift initiatives—Double the Donation does not work directly with corporations. If you’re a company interested in creating a matching gift program, contact us, and we’ll share information about our corporate vendor partners.
Match-Eligible Donor Screening
Studies show that employing more than one approach to donor eligibility screening results in an average of 77% more identified match-eligible gifts. Luckily, Double the Donation Matching utilizes four main identification methods—donation form search tools, confirmation pages, donor communications, and email domain screening.
The more opportunities you have to determine whether a particular donor is eligible for a corporate match, the more likely you are to ultimately receive a match from that individual.
Automated Email Follow-Ups
Following up in the first 24 to 48 hours after a donor makes a gift can be a great way to inform or remind individuals about matching gift opportunities, share program guidelines, and keep your organization and its mission at the forefront of their minds. However, managing a ton of donor follow-up emails can be a huge undertaking on a typical day—let alone on a Giving Day when you’ll likely process multiple times the normal number of donations.
That’s where automated email communication comes in! With Double the Donation’s email streams, organizations can enable customizable follow-up messages that trigger at just the right time to drive matching gifts while ensuring no donations fall through the cracks.
Streamlined Data Management
Effective matching gift fundraising relies on the ability to collect, track, and analyze key data points. For this reason, Double the Donation allows organizations to view where donors are in the gift-matching process, determine percentages and totals of matching gift eligible dollars, forecast matching gift revenue for the future, and more.
This functionality provides users with real-time data that can be used to measure current success, identify areas with room for improvement, and locate the highest-value revenue opportunities going forward.
Top-Notch Customer Support
Any software can have a bit of a learning curve, and ensuring you have the help you need to learn the ropes effectively is of utmost importance. This is especially true when you have a huge upcoming fundraising initiative like a Giving Day.
At Double the Donation, each new client has an onboarding specialist of its own to get up and running quickly—sometimes in less than 24 hours! These matching gift fundraising experts are ready to guide you through the process of getting started, provide you with tips and tools for optimal practices, and be there to answer any questions your team may have.
5 Key Tips for Matching Gifts on Giving Days
Looking for practical and actionable steps you can take to improve your nonprofit or school’s fundraising strategies regarding both Giving Days and matching gifts? You’ve come to the right place!
Here are some tried-and-true practices that we recommend for optimal engagement success:
1. Highlight matching gifts in all Giving Day communications.
More than likely, you’re already planning your upcoming Giving Day communication plan, which will comprise a number of different marketing channels and strategies to spread the word. Be sure to incorporate matching gift information in all of them!
Remember, donors are more likely to give—and to give in larger quantities—if a matching gift is available. Providing additional touchpoints about matching gifts during your Giving Day can be exactly what some of your supporters need to encourage them to make their donations.
This might include email blasts, social media posts, digital newsletters, blog posts, text messages, phone calls, fundraising appeals, and more.
2. Collect employment information during the giving process.
In order to provide donors with employer-specific matching gift guidelines, you’ll first need to have a record of the companies for which individuals work. And the best—and fastest—way to uncover this information is by simply asking them.
Donors already provide you with a ton of information during the donation process, such as their name, contact information, payment details, and more. What more is one additional, optional question?
When you prompt your supporters to provide the name of their employer directly within your online giving form, you can store that information with each donor record to use for effective matching gift communication strategies in the future. And if you already have access to this information for your school’s alumni, you can leverage those data points as well.
Then, you’ll be able to communicate to a donor not only whether their employer matches donations but whether their particular gift is eligible for the program and how soon they must submit a match request. And for companies whose matching gift request forms are available online, you can even provide the donor with the exact form they’ll need to complete!
3. Prioritize your highest-value prospective match donors.
When you automate your low and mid-level donor communications through Double the Donation, you allow your team to retain more time and effort to put toward your particularly high-value prospective matching gifts. That might mean making a personal phone call to explain the importance of matching gifts, walking through the process of requesting a gift match, writing a personalized thank-you letter that highlights the increased influence of matching gifts, and more.
You already know the effect that a major gift can have on your institution’s Giving Day. Now, just imagine that impact being doubled when a huge donor participates in their company’s gift-matching initiative. It’s certainly worth going a few steps further to ensure these individuals are aware of the programs in place and how they can plan a role in your success.
Thus, you’ll want to keep an eye out for major donors who work for top matching gift companies, and see what you can do to go above and beyond in driving those match requests to completion.
4. Identify corporate partners to organize custom matching gift programs.
Another often-underutilized type of matching gift initiative called a custom or “one-off” matching gift program, has the potential to bring your Giving Day matching strategy to new heights. After all, not all companies have widely available matching gift programs. However, many are willing to consider the practice, especially in a smaller-scale initiative.
In the months or weeks leading to your upcoming Giving Day campaign, consider reaching out to donors’ employers who don’t currently match gifts and propose the opportunity for a unique, limited-scale program instead. Rather than matching donations its employees make to any nonprofit or educational institution, the company would commit only to matching gifts made to your specific group.
Since custom match programs are generally time-limited campaigns in the first place, they work particularly well when aligned with Giving Day (or week, month, etc.) efforts. And if you use Double the Donation’s matching gift platform (as highlighted above)—or are looking to get running with it before your Giving Day (as recommended below)—there’s a built-in functionality for managing custom programs now available to all standard account users!
5. Get your fundraising tools set up ASAP.
It’s not too late to get set up with the matching gift tools you need, even if your organization’s Giving Day is quickly approaching. But you certainly don’t want to wait any longer! The sooner you plan to get your Giving Day software up and running, the more time your team will have to prepare for the big event and get acquainted with the solution.
The first step is to take a good look at your organization’s tech stack. If you’re lacking a matching gift software solution—such as the industry-leading platform described above—it’s time to make that investment. Even better, Double the Doantion integrates seamlessly with tons of top donation platforms, including some of the largest school and higher ed fundraising tools. This allows your institutions to get started easier than ever before!
(Tip: Many organizations have reported raising several times the initial subscription cost on their Giving Days alone, providing a positive ROI sometimes within the first 24 hours of purchasing!)
Once you have your matching gift solution in hand, ensure it’s live and functioning within your online donation pages by the time your Giving Day rolls around, and you’ll be all set for success.
Final Thoughts
Giving Days and matching gifts share a lot of the same goals: to raise substantial amounts of revenue, provide donors with new and exciting ways to support their favorite causes, and equip fundraising teams with more efficient practices, to name a few. When the two fundraising components are intertwined, education and nonprofit fundraisers tend to see better results than they could have imagined.
With so many dollars flowing to organizations like yours on these special days, it would be a huge missed opportunity not to get those gifts matched when eligible. And luckily, Double the Donation is here to help!
To learn more about Giving Days and matching gift efforts, check out some of our other resources below:
Los Angeles Companies that Match Employee Donations
/in Lists and Rankings, Matching Gift Companies /by Adam WeingerDouble the Donation may be based in Atlanta, but we serve nonprofit clients all across the country. In fact, in the U.S. we offer our services to those as far east as Miami, Florida, and as far west as Los Angeles, California!
In California, our clients range from educational foundations (ex. Lafayette Partners in Education), health and human service organizations (ex. Lazarex Cancer Foundation), civic and community-based nonprofits (ex. YMCA of Orange County), and everything in between.
Today, we want to take a trip to the west coast to highlight some LA-based companies that match employee donations via matching gifts and volunteer grant programs.
We’re going to look at some basic statistics surrounding corporate philanthropy in Los Angeles as well as our favorite method for discovering matching gift opportunities. Then, we’ll examine the matching gift programs of the following top LA-based companies:
Follow along for a look at matching gift programs in Los Angeles, CA.
Quick Statistics on Los Angeles Matching Gift Companies
Due to the wealth of companies in Los Angeles focusing their philanthropic efforts on educational institutions, many nonprofits and K-12 public schools are raising tens of thousands of dollars annually just via matching gifts. These opportunities extend to other nonprofit organizations as well.
In order to best target these corporate philanthropy opportunities, it helps to get a sense of the Los Angeles business market. Let’s take a look!
If your organization isn’t informing donors of the opportunities presented by matching gift programs, you may be missing out.
How do I market matching gifts?
If you have a large donor base in Los Angeles (though these opportunities can be found throughout many other cities, as well), you might be wondering how you can begin spreading the word about matching gifts. It’s an amazing opportunity, and you certainly don’t want to miss out!
Luckily, there are tools to help your organization market matching gift opportunities, such as Double the Donation. For organizations looking to make the most of the matching gift solicitation process, Double the Donation Matching is a useful resource. As a matching gift automation software, the tool detects when a donor is match-eligible and educates them via email, if so.
With that in mind, continue reading for a look at the top companies in Los Angeles offering matching gift programs.
Major Companies in Los Angeles with Employee Giving Programs
Check out these top companies participating in matching employee donations in Los Angeles, California!
Capital Group Companies
Capital Group Companies is a financial investment services company with assets upward of $1 trillion. With about 7,000 employees worldwide, CGC offers a very generous matching gift program, providing a 2:1 match on donations anywhere from $25-$5,000. That’s essentially tripling a donation!
CGC also offers a volunteer grant program that encourages employees to volunteer at least 10 hours with an organization, after which it will provide a grant of $10 per hour for up to 50 hours.
Click here for additional details on The Capital Group Companies’ matching gift program.
Edison International
Today, current full-time and part-time employees qualify for donation matches between $25 and $2,000. Made at a dollar-for-dollar rate, Edison International supports organizations across a wide range of sectors, including educational institutions, arts and cultural organizations, health and human services, environmental groups, and more.
Plus, the company and its employees serve their communities in hands-on ways, including environmental clean-up excursions and volunteer events alongside local food banks. In 2021, Edison International employees contributed over $1.9 million to over 2,000 different organizations!
Click here for additional details on Edison International’s matching gift program.
Mattel, Inc.
And they offer a generous employee matching program that encourages team members to give back to nonprofit causes in key sectors that align with the Mattel brand. Each year, full-time and part-time staff qualify for matching donations of between $25 and $5,000 at a 1:1 ratio to charitable organizations that focus on children and youth services, elementary and secondary schools, and select other groups.
Click here for additional details on Mattel, Inc.’s matching gift program.
Walt Disney Corporation
Currently, the Walt Disney Corporation matches full-time employee and part-time team member donations made to most nonprofit causes in a 1:1 ratio. Donation matches are offered on a yearly basis of between $25 and $25,000 per employee. Plus, Disney staff are also eligible to participate in the Disney VoluntEARS programs, where the company provides generous monetary grants to the nonprofit organizations to which team members dedicate their time.
Click here for additional details on The Walt Disney Corporation’s matching gift program.
Additional Los Angeles Matching Gift Programs
There are countless other major employers with a significant presence in the Los Angeles area that match employee donations. These include companies such as:
We highly encourage your nonprofit organization to share the above companies with your fundraising staff, making sure they’re at least familiar with the companies that will match donations made by employees. For more opportunities, check out this list of the top companies providing matching gift programs.
Nonprofit Operating Reserves: The Key to Financial Fortitude
/in Fundraising Ideas /by Adam WeingerImagine this: Your museum must temporarily close its doors while making intensive repairs to the building’s entrance. Or, a decrease in animal adoptions causes a lull in your shelter’s main source of revenue. How do you continue funding your mission?
45% of nonprofits have no emergency fund at all. Of those with cash reserves, more than half of them have less than enough to cover 3 months of their operating expenses for the year. This means that most nonprofits depend on continual fundraising efforts to operate and otherwise have little to no backup plan.
If you’re a nonprofit leader looking to prepare for the unexpected and establish financial fortitude for your organization, this guide is for you! Let’s take a closer look at how you can prepare for times of need with nonprofit operating reserves.
What are nonprofit operating reserves?
Nonprofit operating reserves are funds set aside to sustain an organization through economic uncertainty. These funds serve as a nonprofit’s financial cushion, stabilizing its finances on a “rainy day.”
Financial hardship can crop up almost instantly, such as a roof replacement needed after damage from a storm. These situations can also last for a long time, like the COVID-19 pandemic’s enduring effects years after social distancing mandates were lifted. To prepare for unanticipated costs, your nonprofit must have access to a healthy amount of emergency funding.
How much does your nonprofit need in reserves?
All nonprofits are different, especially when it comes to their funding and operating expenses. Using the examples from earlier, a museum must pay for utilities, but an animal shelter has the added costs of feeding and providing medical services for the animals in its care.
For this reason, no single standard for nonprofit operating reserves applies to all organizations. The key is to have adequate cash resources available to cover time-sensitive expenses, such as payroll, and to account for unforeseen costs or increases.
Some general guidelines include saving three to six months’ worth of expenses, but no more than two years’ worth. At a minimum, nonprofits should be able to cover one full payroll, including taxes.
Where do nonprofit operating reserves come from?
Just like building a savings account for personal finances, nonprofits can develop their operating reserves over time by generating a surplus and designating the excess to be part of a reserve fund. Some organizations include contributions to their operating reserves as a line item in their budget to ensure they’re regularly growing this fund.
Sometimes, nonprofits also receive grants or donations specifically meant to build their operating reserves. This is especially helpful when nonprofits have no surplus and need an extra boost to get started.
What is an operating reserves policy?
Beyond merely growing your operating reserve funds, your nonprofit needs a designated policy to ensure these funds are used properly. An operating reserves policy defines the guidelines and goals of a nonprofit’s operating reserves, including important details such as:
While these guidelines protect funds from being spent unnecessarily, your policy must be flexible to allow for ease of access in times of need.
How to build your nonprofit operating reserves
Nonprofit operating reserves should be a top priority in every organization’s budget, but how should you begin building this fund? Let’s take a closer look at the steps your nonprofit can take to create an operating reserves policy and start saving.
1. Calculate your operating reserves ratio.
Before creating your policy, determine where your nonprofit’s finances currently stand by calculating your operating reserves ratio. Using either the previous year’s actual expenses or your projected expenses for the current year, divide your operating reserves by your annual operating cost.
As a result, you’ll see what percentage of your annual operating costs could be covered by your savings fund if needed.
2. Set a goal amount.
While there is no standard amount that all nonprofits should adhere to, The NORI Workgroup suggests that 25% of an organization’s annual operating expenses (or 3 months of expenses on average) is a good baseline. To set your target to this amount, multiply your total annual expense by 0.25. For other goals, adjust the percentage as necessary.
The most important element of this goal amount is ensuring it meets your nonprofit’s needs. Rather than choosing a percentage at random, consider the potential uses for this fund and your plan for what to do in such a situation.
For example, even if your museum can’t raise funds through ticket sales during its roof repair, donations from miscellaneous fundraisers might provide extra funding to help your organization get by. Consider any supplementary revenue like this and the intentions for using your operating reserves.
3. Determine your strategy to build the fund.
Depending on your nonprofit’s financial situation, some strategies may be more effective than others for building your operating fund. However, there are a variety of ways you can contribute to your reserves, including:
If you choose to raise funds for your operating reserves through a dedicated fundraising campaign, consider which type of fundraiser will help you raise the most. Then, boost the amount you earn by promoting matching gifts. This corporate giving opportunity can increase not just your nonprofit’s revenue, but donor participation and donation amounts, too.
In fact, 84% of donors are more likely to give and 1 in 3 donors would give more if a match was offered, meaning this fundraising strategy can effectively maximize the amount your nonprofit raises for its operating reserves. For more information on how to make the most of matching gifts, watch the following video:
As the video explains, matching gifts offer twice the funding for the time and effort your nonprofit puts into acquiring one gift. To double the amount you raise for your nonprofit operating reserves, look further into matching gifts and how you can promote them to willing donors.
4. Create rules for using the fund.
While you won’t be able to determine the specific circumstances under which the operating reserves fund may be used, you can establish a distinct purpose for the funding that guides any future usage of it. For example, the fund’s purpose might be to:
You’ll want to write out this purpose as part of your policy to ensure everyone is held accountable. Additionally, it could be helpful to mention anything the fund should not be used for to provide extra clarity.
Be sure to also put an individual or team in charge of reviewing and approving requests to use the funds, such as the Executive Director of the board of directors.
5. Assign authority for using the fund.
Along with the circumstances for using the fund, your nonprofit should have a clear chain of command when it comes to who is allowed to access the reserves. Assign authority for using the reserves, including who can request usage and who can authorize it.
In this phase of the process, you should also determine how you’ll report and monitor the fund. Who will be responsible for ensuring the operating reserve is properly used and what accountability measures are in place? For example, a nonprofit operating reserve fund may be kept in a segregated bank account and referred to in financial records by a unique name.
Operating reserves policy template
To effectively outline the necessary guidelines and protect your operating reserve funds from misuse, your operating reserves policy should include the following essentials:
While these policies are unique to each nonprofit, there are some general guidelines any organization can follow to develop one. For a comprehensive view of what this policy should look like, use this template:
Additional resources for developing an operating fund
It’s no mystery that your nonprofit needs operating reserves. Using the tips in this guide, you can start building an emergency fund to sustain your organization in the most unexpected of situations. For more tips and strategies to maximize your fundraising and build your operating reserves, check out the following resources:
Creative Marketing Ideas for Charity Golf Tournaments
/in Learning Center, Fundraising Ideas, Marketing Strategies /by Adam WeingerAs a nonprofit professional, you likely already understand the importance of marketing in collecting funds and making your cause known. From attracting donors and pursuing matching gift opportunities to promoting your services to your target audience, marketing is a key strategy for successful nonprofits.
Your nonprofit’s fundraising events are no different. Successfully marketing your fundraiser is crucial to the event’s success, not to mention positive fundraising outcomes, and gets your community excited about participating.
When it comes to your charity golf tournament, it’s important to cast a wide net to attract new supporters to your cause. Golf events have a unique appeal. The sport is more popular than ever, so getting the word out about your golf fundraiser lets folks know that they can play the game they love while supporting a great cause.
Ready? Start spreading the word about your golf fundraiser today with these five creative marketing tips:
Without further ado, let’s dive in with our first recommendation.
1. Use an Event Website
An event website for your charity golf tournament serves as the homepage for the event and where folks can go to find more information and get involved. Customize the site with pertinent information about your nonprofit, its mission, and what the tournament is raising funds for. It’s also a good idea to include the tournament’s schedule, recognize sponsors, and give visitors the chance to donate.
The best thing about an event website is that it makes promotion as simple as sharing a link in all your online channels—social media, email campaigns, your nonprofit’s website, or even online ads. You’ll also end up saving a ton of time by collecting registrations and selling sponsorships right on the website.
2. Choose a Memorable Event Name
A catchy tournament name is a great way to brand the event and your marketing campaign. A tournament logo is another option you can leverage in a variety of ways to help connect folks to the event and what it’s raising money for. For example, use the tournament logo and its branding on t-shirts for organizers and volunteers, hole signage, banners, email campaigns, promotional graphics, giveaways, and more. Of course, it should be front and center on the event website.
Get your planning team, staff, or board together for a brainstorming session to settle on a tournament name that makes a lasting impression. Some ideas to get your creative juices flowing might include:
If you’d rather stick to a traditional tournament name, such as a “Charity Golf Classic” or “Memorial Golf Tournament” that’s perfectly fine—but consider a specific tournament logo that makes your event stand out.
3. Incorporate Gamification Elements
Competition is a natural part of a charity golf tournament. You can leverage friendly competition in your marketing to help engage supporters about your event. In fact, integrating gamification into your golf tournament gets supporters and participants invested before they even tee off. Try these gamification ideas to get started!
Use a fundraising thermometer or donation tracker on your event website and in social media materials. Post updates and graphics in the days and weeks leading up to the tournament so people can see how their donation can help move the needle towards your goal.
Launch a contest to encourage people to recruit additional teams to play in the tournament. Not only does this help spread awareness about your tournament and cause, but you can stoke a little friendly competition by offering prizes to those who bring in the most number of teams. You might offer mulligans, raffle tickets, and drink tickets as prizes.
Implement user-generated content challenges. Leveraging user-generated content in your marketing provides a great opportunity to broaden your campaign’s reach. For example, you could have golfers share posts with a photo of their teams in the lead-up to the event and have social media followers vote on their favorite team names or costumes by liking, commenting, or sharing posts.
Add an auction to your tournament and promote it in your pre-tournament marketing. Silent and live auctions can certainly be competitive—in the best way possible—because they drive more dollars for your nonprofit. High-end prizes like a donated stay-and-play opportunity at a destination golf club get donors excited and engaged before, during, and after the golf tournament.
4. Collaborate With Local Celebrities & Influencers
Influencer marketing is another tool in your nonprofit toolkit to spread awareness about your nonprofit and your golf event to new audiences who otherwise might not have known about it. Plus, online channels have made it easier than ever to connect with celebrities and influences who can help amplify your event. Consider these options:
Once you’ve made contact with them, work together to outline a mutually beneficial partnership. Perhaps in exchange for promoting your tournament on their socials and appearing at the event, they receive a complimentary team registration or two. Consider devoting a specific part of the event to the VIP, such as a hole-in-one contest hosted by them or a signed raffle prize or auction item donated by them. Highlight their presence in your marketing materials to get the most out of the partnership.
5. Leverage Cause Marketing With Corporate Sponsors
You might think of sponsorships primarily in the context of monetary donations. But in fact, you can leverage your corporate partnerships for marketing purposes, too. Cause marketing is marketing carried out by a for-profit business to advance a charitable cause or better society—in this case, your charity golf tournament.
Reach out to your nonprofit’s current corporate partners with a mutually beneficial proposal, providing positive exposure and outcomes for both parties. Your matching gift software can help here, too, when you use donor employment insights to identify top prospects for marketing partnerships.
Then, much like with influencer marketing, think of ways to sweeten the deal in exchange for their partnership, like offering a complimentary team registration for promoting the tournament to their employees or clients.
If leveraging corporate sponsorships isn’t an option for your nonprofit, you might consider offering sponsorship packages for your golf tournament that include cause marketing components. For example, a local business might underwrite paid social media campaigns or television or radio spots in exchange for exposure to your tournament’s field. GolfStatus recommends targeting businesses that are interested in getting in front of the golfer demographic. In either case, you should work closely with the sponsor or partner to determine how you can meet each other’s needs.
Bonus: Double Event Donations with Matching Gifts
As a nonprofit fundraiser, you’re surely looking to get the biggest bang for your buck with your upcoming golf event. Fortunately, integrating employee matching gifts into your overall fundraising strategy can go a long way. And there are a few key ways to do so. These include:
Corporate matching gifts not only supply nonprofits and their events with an additional source of fundraising revenue, but they also incentivize greater individual generosity. In fact, Double the Donation studies indicate that 84% of donors are more likely to give if a match is offered (resulting in a 71% increase in response rate). At the same time, 1 in 3 donors would give a larger gift if a match were available, leading to a 51% increase in average gift size.
In other words, incorporating matching gifts is one of the best ways to supercharge your efforts and bring your fundraising event success to new heights.
Wrapping Up
Once you have a date and location locked in for your charity golf tournament, you’ll want to start planning your marketing efforts so you can start gaining traction as soon as possible. Your planning team should play a crucial role in marketing your golf tournament. You might even appoint someone to take charge of marketing efforts to ensure campaigns are moving forward. A robust marketing campaign is critical to the success of your golf tournament.
MISSION CRM and Double the Donation Partner for Integration in Donation Page Flow
/in News /by Adam WeingerMISSION CRM and Double the Donation are proud to announce a new integration between MISSION CRM donation forms and Double the Donation. The collaboration will help nonprofit organizations to boost their fundraising revenue through corporate matching gifts automation.
When a donor makes a gift on a MISSION CRM donation page, they can be prompted to enter their employer name in the Double the Donation autocomplete search field, discovering their match eligibility during the giving process. On their MISSION CRM confirmation pages, they can learn more about their company details and take their next steps toward completing their match.
“While we’ve made great strides toward closing the matching gift awareness gap over the years, millions of donors are still unaware of the corporate philanthropy programs available to them,” said Adam Weinger, President at Double the Donation. “Our integration with MISSION CRM answers nonprofits’ requests to continue spreading the word on matching gifts and how they can help donors deepen their impact.”
MISSION CRM and Double the Donation’s new integration with Double the Donation can now be accessed by mutual clients of the solutions. Follow our integration guide for more details on how to get connected.
Ready to add matching gifts to your MISSION CRM donation experience? Request a demo with us and make sure to share you’re a MISSION CRM user!
Want additional resources to help you take your matching gifts strategy to the next level? Enroll today in our Matching Gift Academy for in-depth content about growing your matching gift revenue.
About MISSION CRM: MISSION CRM is the game-changing donor management and fundraising system built on Microsoft Cloud for nonprofits. Designed for nonprofits with sophisticated development and fundraising operations, MISSION CRM delivers a unified view of donors, fundraising, financials, marketing, volunteering, and more. MISSION CRM is proud to be a part of the Sylogist family of solutions serving nonprofits, government, and public sectors worldwide – visit www.missioncrm.ca to learn more.
About Double the Donation: Automate your matching gift fundraising with the industry-leading solution from Double the Donation. The Double the Donation platform provides nonprofits and educational institutions with tools to identify match-eligible donors, drive matches to completion, and gain actionable insights. Double the Donation integrates directly into donation forms, CRMs, social fundraising software, and other nonprofit technology solutions, and even partners with select CSR platforms to further streamline matching gifts for donors. Through Double the Donation, the matching gift process has never been simpler.
A Closer Look at Key Alumni Donation Statistics for 2024
/in Nonprofit Basics /by Adam WeingerAlumni giving is a powerful force that propels educational institutions forward, allowing them to provide exceptional experiences to current and future students. It also serves as a testament to the enduring bond between graduates and their alma mater, one that extends far beyond the years spent on campus.
Whether you want to enhance your fundraising strategies, forge savvy partnerships, or stay informed about the latest developments in the field, these insights will help you better understand alumni giving.
Why Are Alumni Donation Statistics Important?
Alumni donation statistics help institutions make informed decisions about:
Alumni giving statistics are constantly changing due to shifting donor behaviors and institutional factors. Remain informed to maintain effective alumni engagement in response to evolving trends.
Top Alumni Giving Trends to Keep an Eye on
To stay ahead of the higher ed fundraising curve, attend conferences, join professional associations, and review alumni donation statistics.
1. Matching gifts are on the rise.
Over 26 million individuals work for companies with matching gift programs. For these programs, employers commit to matching their employees’ charitable contributions to nonprofits and educational institutions, typically at a 1:1 ratio. That means if an alum donates $100 to their college and their employer participates in gift matching, the college would receive $200 total.
Matching gifts are beneficial to higher education institutions for several reasons, as they lead to:
To streamline the matching gift process, implement matching gift software like 360MatchPro by Double the Donation. The solution will automatically identify eligible donors, send reminders, and provide real-time tracking of matching gift submissions, making it easy for alumni to participate in the program and for fundraisers to monitor and optimize matching gift participation.
For more information on 360MatchPro and how it can support your alumni giving efforts, watch the video below:
2. Giving is closely tied to stock market fluctuations.
Studies have shown a strong correlation between stock market performance and alumni donations. When the stock market performs well, individuals with investments experience increased wealth and make larger charitable donations, including to their alma mater. During this time, higher ed fundraisers should consider launching more ambitious campaigns or approaching donors with larger gift requests.
Monitor market forecasts closely. If there is a prediction of an economic downturn, donors may be more cautious with their giving. Be sensitive to donors’ financial situations and tailor your appeals accordingly. This could involve focusing on smaller, more frequent gifts or emphasizing the importance of sustaining ongoing support, even if at reduced levels, to weather financial uncertainties.
Additionally, diversifying fundraising efforts to include planned giving, endowments, and major gifts can provide stability and resilience to an institution’s fundraising efforts, as these sources of revenue are often less susceptible to short-term market volatility.
3. Alumni giving will no longer be factored into college rankings.
Each year, the U.S. News & World Report compiles a list of the “best” colleges and universities based on a variety of factors, including graduation rates, full-time faculty, and student debt. High levels of alumni participation in giving were once considered a sign of alumni satisfaction and therefore factored into the list for many years. However, the publication recently announced that it will no longer take alumni giving into account, citing inconsistencies in how the metric was reported across institutions.
Some higher ed fundraisers are concerned that the change will impact how donors perceive the importance of giving to their alma mater. As a result, it might be necessary to shift focus from using rankings as a motivation for alumni giving.
Instead, they should emphasize the broader impact that alumni contributions have on:
While rankings may no longer consider alumni giving, a robust alumni giving program can still significantly benefit an institution by strengthening its financial stability, reputation, and overall ability to provide a high-quality education.
4. Crowdfunding is a preferred form of giving among young alumni.
Nearly 8% of current students give to crowdfunding initiatives. This trend continues among young alumni and new donors, who are more likely to give smaller amounts.
To create compelling crowdfunding campaigns that appeal to young donors, higher ed fundraisers should use popular social media platforms, such as Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook, to promote the campaign. Create interactive and shareable content that encourages young alumni to participate and spread the word. This can include challenges, contests, or virtual events that foster a sense of community and excitement.
Keep donors informed about the campaign’s progress and share updates on milestones, achievements, and the impact of contributions. Regular communication helps build trust and encourages continued support.
5. Alumni want mobile-friendly benefits.
In a recent survey, 75% of alumni said they would engage more with their school if their benefits were mobile-friendly. Here are three types of mobile-friendly benefits that alumni organizations can provide to donors:
By offering these mobile-friendly benefits, alumni organizations can cater to the preferences and lifestyles of their alumni, making it easier for donors to support their alma mater.
This statistic also reinforces the importance of providing intuitive, streamlined online experiences to your entire community, not just students. Unclear navigation, clunky portals that require logins, and jumbled web design should all be avoided on your donor-facing web assets.
6. Experiential recognition should be a top priority.
It is 10 to 20 times more expensive to acquire a new donor versus retaining an existing donor. Showing appreciation and providing regular updates on how donations are being used is essential to retaining donors. However, 72% of donors discard physical forms of recognition like letters and gifts.
90% of donors prefer experiential recognition instead. As such, your organization should consider providing unique experiences as rewards for certain donation levels. These could include virtual alumni reunions, behind-the-scenes campus tours, access to exclusive events, or alumni networking opportunities.
7. Donor-advised funds are growing.
Last year, grants from donor-advised funds (DAFs) increased 9% to $52.16 billion. DAFs are charitable giving vehicles that allow individuals, families, or organizations to make contributions to a fund, receive an immediate tax deduction, and then recommend grants from the fund to eligible nonprofit organizations, including educational institutions. Experts project that DAFs will become more common as they provide donors with flexibility and control over their funds.
To take advantage of this type of sustainable funding, encourage alumni to think about the long-term legacy they can create by establishing a DAF. Explain how their contributions can support future generations of students and contribute to the institution’s growth and success.
Share success stories of alumni who have set up DAFs and made meaningful contributions to the university. These testimonials can inspire others to follow suit, knowing that their philanthropic efforts can have a lasting impact on their alma mater.
A Final Note About Alumni Donation Statistics
Remember, alumni giving is not just about keeping up with the trends; it’s about forging a lasting and impactful connection between your institution and its alumni, one that benefits both parties for years to come.
With a deep understanding of both external benchmarks and your unique path to success, you can build a stronger, more vibrant community that supports your institution today and paves the way for a brighter future.
For more information on higher ed fundraising, review these additional resources: