Page 3 – Double the Donation

A Smart Nonprofit’s Guide to the Volunteer Grant Process

The lifeblood of any nonprofit organization is the dedication of its volunteers. From preparing food boxes to mentoring youth, the hours given freely by passionate supporters are invaluable. But what if those hours could be converted into hard cash, providing a secondary revenue stream with no extra time commitment from your supporters? This is the power of the volunteer grant process, a key component of corporate philanthropy that most nonprofits overlook. It’s a goldmine of unclaimed funding, often sitting right under your nose, waiting for a simple, proactive nudge.

For nonprofits operating with lean teams and tight budgets, securing every possible dollar matters. Volunteer grant programs, sometimes called “Dollars for Doers,” offer a remarkable opportunity to increase the financial return on volunteer time, essentially giving your organization “free money”. However, tapping into this potential requires a clear understanding of the process and a proactive strategy to guide your supporters through it. With thousands of companies offering these programs, learning how to leverage the Volunteer Grant Process can dramatically boost your volunteer program’s return on investment (ROI).

In this guide, we’ll cover:

Why the Volunteer Grant Process Matters for Your Nonprofit
Step 1: The Volunteer Shift and Employer Data Collection
Step 2: Determining Volunteer Grant Eligibility
Step 3: The Volunteer Grant Request and Submission
Step 4: Securing the Corporate Grant Funding
Marketing Strategies to Promote the Volunteer Grant Process
Measuring Success and Optimizing Your Volunteer Grant Strategy

The misconception that corporate giving is reserved only for major organizations or requires too much administrative work often prevents mid-sized and smaller nonprofits from exploring the lucrative avenue of volunteer grants. Yet, technology solutions now exist to streamline the identification, outreach, and submission steps, removing the heavy manual lifting for your development team. By integrating simple, automated tools into your existing volunteer and fundraising processes, your nonprofit can systematically convert volunteer hours into much-needed revenue, fueling your mission on a whole new level.

Why the Volunteer Grant Process Matters for Your Nonprofit

Volunteer grants represent a crucial but often unrealized funding source in the philanthropic landscape. These programs are designed by companies to provide monetary donations to organizations where their employees dedicate their time. This means that the valuable time your volunteers invest is multiplied by a financial contribution from their employer, substantially increasing the overall impact of their service.

For every hour an employee volunteers, their company may offer a grant, with many programs ranging from $8 to $15 per hour of service. This “free money” drastically increases the ROI of your entire volunteer program, making this an essential piece of corporate giving strategy. Despite this immense potential, a significant portion of volunteer grant funding goes unclaimed because both nonprofits and volunteers often lack awareness about the programs or the detailed steps required to secure the funds. Implementing a clear strategy focused on the Volunteer Grant Process is the key to unlocking this overlooked revenue.

Step 1: The Volunteer Shift and Employer Data Collection

The Volunteer Grant Process officially begins the moment a supporter decides to dedicate their time to your cause. At this initial stage, the two most critical actions for your nonprofit are ensuring the volunteer completes their shift and, more importantly, capturing their employment information.

Completing the Volunteer Shift

For any volunteer grant to be approved, the volunteer must complete a qualifying period of service. This time commitment varies widely from company to company; while some require as little as 10 hours, others may require 20 or more. As a nonprofit, your job is to provide meaningful volunteer opportunities and a reliable system for logging the time contributed.

Collecting Employer Data

The most common reason for unclaimed volunteer grant funding is the lack of information on where your volunteers work. If you don’t know the employer, you can’t tell the volunteer they’re eligible. To solve this, you must proactively integrate an employer search tool directly into your volunteer registration form. This straightforward step allows the volunteer to instantly check if their company offers a volunteer incentive program right as they sign up.

Essential Data Collection Points:

Online Volunteer Registration Forms (Most immediate and proactive)
Post-Shift Thank-You/Follow-up Emails (For those who didn’t submit initially)
Dedicated Volunteer Grants Webpage (For general inquiries and research)

By collecting this data upfront, your organization creates a foundation for an automated, proactive outreach strategy that eliminates manual guesswork. This automated tool turns employment data into actionable insights for next steps.

Quick Tip: Companies often simplify the criteria for their volunteer grant programs to encourage employee participation. For instance, ExxonMobil grants $500 for every 20 hours an employee volunteers, while Microsoft offers $25 per hour volunteered. Highlighting these easy-to-reach benchmarks can motivate fence-sitters to sign up for more shifts.

Step 2: Determining Volunteer Grant Eligibility

Once a volunteer has logged their hours and provided their employer’s name, the next phase of the Volunteer Grant Process involves quickly determining their eligibility. This step is critical for sending personalized, targeted follow-up communication.

Utilizing a Volunteer Grant Database

Manually researching the thousands of companies that offer volunteer grant programs is time-prohibitive for any nonprofit team. This is where a dedicated, centralized volunteer grant database becomes indispensable. By cross-referencing the collected employer data against the database, your team can instantaneously pull up company-specific program parameters, including:

Minimum Volunteer Hours: The minimum number of hours required before a grant can be requested (e.g., 10 hours, 20 hours).
Grant Amount: The monetary value of the grant, which can be a flat fee or an amount per hour volunteered (e.g., $500 flat, or $25/hour).
Employee Eligibility: Whether the program is open to full-time staff, part-time staff, retirees, or board members.
Mission Restrictions: If the company has any limitations on the type of organization they will fund (e.g., typically excluding strictly political or religious organizations).

Segmenting Your Volunteer Base

With eligibility criteria determined, you can segment your volunteers into targeted groups for outreach:

Confirmed Eligible Volunteers: These volunteers work for a company with a known program and have logged the minimum hours. They are ready for the submission instructions.
Potential Eligible Volunteers: These volunteers work for a matching company but have not yet logged the minimum hours. They require messaging that encourages them to sign up for more shifts.
Unknown/Ineligible Volunteers: These volunteers either have an unknown employer or work for a company without a known program. They still deserve recognition but require broader messaging that encourages them to investigate internally or inform their HR team.

This streamlined segmentation, often automated by dedicated software, ensures that every follow-up email is highly relevant and actionable, directly addressing the next step the volunteer needs to take.

Step 3: The Volunteer Grant Request and Submission

This is the make-or-break point in the Volunteer Grant Process. The responsibility for completing the official grant request lies entirely with the volunteer. Your role as a nonprofit is to eliminate all barriers by providing clear, direct access to the required submission forms and guidelines.

Delivering Company-Specific Next Steps

The most effective way to drive submissions is through automated, personalized outreach immediately following the donation or volunteer shift. This typically involves:

Confirmation Page Plugin: Right on the volunteer sign-up or thank-you screen, a plugin appears with the identified program details and a clear call-to-action button linking directly to the company’s internal request form.
Automated Email Stream: Within minutes of completing their shift, the volunteer receives a personalized email that names their employer, confirms their eligibility, and provides the direct link or instructions needed for submission.

This immediacy capitalizes on the volunteer’s high engagement level immediately after interacting with your organization, maximizing the chances of follow-through.

The Volunteer’s Task

The volunteer typically needs to:

Access the employer’s online portal or complete a paper form.
Provide basic information about their service, including the dates, total hours volunteered, and sometimes a description of the activity.
Identify your nonprofit as the grant recipient.
Submit the request to their employer’s HR or CSR department for approval.

Your targeted outreach must clearly communicate these steps, alleviating any confusion and reducing the perceived administrative burden on the volunteer.

Did You Know? Volunteerism and financial giving are strongly correlated. Approximately 79% of people who volunteer also donate money to the organization they serve. Actively promoting the Volunteer Grant Process leverages this existing commitment, increasing your overall revenue and engagement from a single supporter base.

Step 4: Securing the Corporate Grant Funding

After the volunteer submits the request, the process shifts to the corporate side for review and disbursement.

Corporate Review and Approval

The employer’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) or human resources department will review the submission. This review confirms the employee’s status, verifies the volunteer hours logged with your organization, and checks that your nonprofit meets all eligibility criteria. If all conditions are met, the request is approved.

Grant Disbursement and Tracking

Once approved, the company issues the grant funding to your nonprofit. This payment, whether electronic or by check, completes the Volunteer Grant Process and is categorized as corporate revenue.

Tracking and Reporting: Using dedicated software allows you to view the status of identified, pending, and received grants. This capability is vital for forecasting revenue, acknowledging the corporation, and, most importantly, thanking the individual volunteer.
Stewardship and Recognition: Upon receiving the grant, send a final thank-you to the volunteer. This acknowledgment reinforces their dual impact (time and financial support) and deepens their loyalty, setting the stage for future engagement.

Marketing Strategies to Promote the Volunteer Grant Process

Maximizing revenue from volunteer grants depends heavily on successfully marketing the opportunity to your entire supporter base. A multi-channel strategy ensures you reach every eligible person.

Promote on Your Website

Your website is the single most important tool for promoting the Volunteer Grant Process. It should include:

Dedicated Page: Create a highly visible “Volunteer Grants” page that explains what the programs are, why they matter, and includes an embedded search tool where visitors can check their eligibility.
Volunteer Forms: As mentioned in Step 1, embed the employer search tool directly into your volunteer registration forms to capture data proactively.
Confirmation Screens: Utilize the post-sign-up confirmation page to showcase immediate eligibility results, linking directly to the next steps.

Email and social media are perfect for personalized and broad outreach. Here’s what you should know:

Personalized Email: Automated, personalized emails for confirmed eligible volunteers drive the highest conversion rates.
Broad Campaigns: Send general emails and post regularly on social media to raise overall awareness, linking back to your dedicated webpage. Use compelling visuals that illustrate how time turns into money (e.g., volunteer hours → cash donation).

Engage Local Business Partners

Don’t just wait for national companies. Target local businesses and professional service firms (e.g., law, accounting) in your area. Research their VTO policies and pitch group volunteer events, which are often covered by their employee incentive programs.

Measuring Success and Optimizing Your Volunteer Grant Strategy

To ensure your investment in promoting the Volunteer Grant Process is worthwhile, rigorous tracking and analysis are necessary.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Focus on these key metrics to gauge performance:

Total Volunteer Grant Revenue: The total dollar amount received from corporate volunteer grants.
Number of Grants Received: The count of corporate grants secured.
Volunteer Hours Logged: Total hours volunteered by employees eligible for grants.
Grant Submission Rate: The percentage of eligible volunteers who submit their grant request forms to their employers.
Volunteer ROI: Revenue generated from grants compared to the cost (staff time, software) of running the program.

Continuous Optimization

Use your data to continually refine your strategy. If the “Grant Submission Rate” is low, focus on improving the clarity and timing of your follow-up emails. If “Volunteer Hours Logged” is low, promote more flexible or team-based volunteer opportunities that align with corporate VTO programs. Investing in dedicated software is the most efficient way to track these KPIs, automate outreach, and continually increase revenue without overtaxing your team.

Wrapping Up & Next Steps

The Volunteer Grant Process is a powerful mechanism for nonprofits to double the value of their volunteers’ time, converting dedication into a reliable revenue stream. While the process hinges on the volunteer submitting the final form to their employer, the nonprofit’s role in proactive promotion and streamlined execution is essential. By seamlessly integrating employer data collection into the volunteer sign-up flow, leveraging automated tools to check eligibility and deliver customized instructions, and actively marketing the opportunity across all channels, your nonprofit can unlock hundreds, and potentially thousands, of dollars in annual funding.

If your nonprofit is ready to stop leaving money on the table and fully monetize your volunteers’ generosity, explore technology solutions that automate the entire Volunteer Grant Process. Get started with Double the Donation Volunteering!

Volunteer Grant Requests: The Ultimate Nonprofit Guide

Volunteers are the heartbeat of the nonprofit sector. From stuffing envelopes to mentoring youth and cleaning up local parks, these dedicated individuals provide the essential labor that powers your mission. But did you know that their contribution can go even further? There is a hidden revenue stream attached to those volunteer hours that often goes completely untapped: corporate volunteer grants. By mastering the art of Volunteer Grant Requests, your organization can turn the gift of time into essential unrestricted funding.

For many nonprofits, the focus remains heavily on individual cash donations or major gifts. However, overlooking the corporate philanthropy sector—specifically volunteer grants—means leaving significant money on the table. These programs, often called “Dollars for Doers,” allow companies to provide monetary donations to eligible nonprofits based on the number of hours their employees volunteer. It essentially converts volunteer zeal into financial support, increasing the ROI of your volunteer program without demanding more time from your supporters.

Despite the clear benefits, many organizations struggle to secure these funds. The barrier isn’t usually corporate unwillingness; it is a lack of awareness and process. Volunteers often don’t realize they are eligible, and nonprofits often lack the mechanisms to remind them to submit a request.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

Defining the Volunteer Grant Request and its value
The anatomy of a standard grant request form
A step-by-step walkthrough of the submission lifecycle
Top companies with generous volunteer grant programs
Strategic marketing to drive more submissions
Leveraging technology to automate the process

If you are ready to monetize your volunteer hours and build stronger relationships with corporate partners, this guide will serve as your roadmap to mastering the Volunteer Grant Requests workflow.

What is a Volunteer Grant Request?

A volunteer grant request is the formal mechanism through which an eligible employee asks their company to make a charitable contribution to a nonprofit where they have volunteered. It is the bridge between the physical act of volunteering and the financial payout from the corporation.

These grants are a specific type of corporate giving program designed to encourage employee engagement in the community. When an employee logs a certain number of hours (note: thresholds vary by company), they become eligible to submit a request. Once approved, the company cuts a check to the nonprofit.

Why is this important? Because it represents “free money” for your organization. Unlike competitive grant applications that require hours of writing and reporting, volunteer grants are earned through work you are already doing: engaging volunteers. However, these funds do not appear automatically. They require the volunteer to initiate a Volunteer Grant Request, and that requires your guidance and encouragement.

Did You Know? The average employee participation level for volunteer grants sits at just 3%. This low number isn’t due to a lack of volunteering; it is due to a lack of awareness that the Volunteer Grant Requests process exists. Bridging this gap is your biggest opportunity for revenue growth.

The Anatomy of a Volunteer Grant Request

To help your supporters navigate the process, you must understand what they will be asked to provide. While every company uses a slightly different portal or form (such as Benevity, CyberGrants, or YourCause), the core data requirements remain consistent. A standard request typically requires information from three distinct categories:

1. Employee Information

The company needs to verify the identity of the requester to ensure they are a current, eligible employee.

Employee Name and ID: Standard identification to link the request to the employee’s HR record.
Department/Location: Some companies have specific budgets for different regional offices or departments.
Contact Information: Work email and phone number for verification purposes.

2. Nonprofit Information

The company must verify that your organization is a valid 501(c)(3) or equivalent charitable entity eligible to receive funds.

Organization Name: The legal name of your nonprofit.
Tax ID / EIN: This is the most critical piece of data for processing payments.
Mailing Address: Where the check should be sent.
Contact Person: A verification contact at your nonprofit (usually a volunteer coordinator or development director) who can confirm the service took place.

3. Volunteer Activity Information

This section proves that the service occurred and met the program’s criteria.

Dates of Service: When the volunteering took place.
Total Hours Logged: The specific number of hours being claimed for the grant.
Description of Service: A brief summary of what the volunteer did (e.g., “Food bank sorting,” “Event setup”).

Quick Tip: Make this easy for your volunteers! Create a “Volunteer Grant One-Pager” that lists your nonprofit’s EIN, correct mailing address, and a contact email for verification. Hand this out at every volunteer orientation or include it in your post-event thank-you emails.

The Volunteer Grant Request Process: Step-by-Step

Understanding the lifecycle of a request allows you to intervene at the right moments to ensure completion. The process typically follows five distinct stages .

Step 1: The Volunteer Act

The process begins with the individual volunteering with your nonprofit or school. Whether they are painting a classroom, walking dogs, or providing pro-bono legal advice, the clock starts ticking on their eligibility. It is vital that you have a system in place to log these hours accurately, as the volunteer will need this data later.

Step 2: Determining Eligibility

After volunteering, the individual must determine if their employer offers a grant program. Currently, 40% of Fortune 500 companies offer volunteer grant programs. However, the specific criteria vary.

Minimum Hours: Does the company require 10 hours a year? 20 hours? Or do they pay per hour starting at hour one?.
Employee Status: Is the program open to full-time employees, part-time staff, or retirees?.
Organization Type: Does the company restrict grants to religious or political groups?.

If the volunteer doesn’t know the answers, they likely won’t proceed. This is where providing a search tool on your website becomes invaluable.

Step 3: Submitting the Request

Once eligibility is confirmed, the volunteer accesses their company’s CSR portal to submit the Volunteer Grant Request. They will input the data regarding their service hours and your organization’s details. This step must often be completed by a specific deadline, such as the end of the calendar year or a set number of months after the service date.

Step 4: Verification

After the employee hits “submit,” the request enters the verification phase . The company or its third-party administrator will reach out to your organization to confirm that the volunteer actually performed the hours claimed. Responsiveness is key here; if your team ignores the verification email, the grant may be denied.

Step 5: Fulfillment and Payout

Once verified, the company approves the request and disburses the funds. These payments are often bundled and sent on a quarterly or monthly basis.

Top Companies with Standout Volunteer Grant Programs

Knowing which companies offer these programs helps you target your outreach. If you see groups of volunteers from these corporations, you should immediately be thinking about Volunteer Grant Requests.

Microsoft

Microsoft has one of the most generous programs in the corporate world. They offer a grant of $25 for every hour an employee volunteers, with no minimum threshold. This means even a single hour of service can generate revenue for your cause.

ExxonMobil

ExxonMobil encourages sustained service. They provide a $500 grant for every 20 hours an employee volunteers. This structure incentivizes repeat volunteering, which is excellent for retention.

Verizon

Verizon offers a competitive program where employees can earn $750 for 50 hours of volunteer work. They focus heavily on rewarding employees who make a significant time commitment to a specific charity.

Allstate

Allstate provides grants generally ranging from $500 to $1,000, depending on the role and time commitment of the volunteer. They are a strong partner for community-based organizations.

Disney

Disney’s “Disney VoluntEARS” program allows employees to turn their hours into charitable contributions, offering grants of up to $2,000 per year for eligible nonprofits.

Did You Know? 80% of companies with volunteer grant programs provide between $8 and $15 per hour volunteered. While this might seem small per person, when applied to a group of 20 volunteers working a 4-hour shift, the revenue adds up instantly.

Marketing Strategies to Drive More Requests

The primary reason volunteers don’t submit requests is simply that they don’t know they can. A robust marketing strategy creates multiple touchpoints to educate your supporters about the Volunteer Grant Requests process.

Leverage Your Website

Your website is your digital headquarters. You should have a dedicated “Ways to Give” or “Volunteer” page that explicitly mentions volunteer grants.

Embed a Search Tool: Allow volunteers to type in their employer’s name to instantly see if they are eligible for a grant.
Provide Instructions: List the steps clearly. “Did you volunteer today? Check if your company will pay us for your time!

Optimize Your Email Communication

Email has the highest ROI of any marketing channel. Use it to remind volunteers of the value of their time.

Post-Event Follow-Ups: After a volunteer shift, send a thank-you email that includes a P.S.: “Did you know your 4 hours today could be worth $100 to us? Click here to see if your employer offers volunteer grants”.
Newsletters: Periodically highlight “Volunteer Heroes” who have successfully submitted grant requests, showing others how easy the process is .

Social media is perfect for quick, educational bursts. Share graphics that explain the concept of “Dollars for Doers.”

Tag Companies: If you have a group from a specific company (e.g., Home Depot) volunteering, tag the company in your photos and mention their volunteer grant program. This validates the employees and reminds them to submit their requests .

Catch Them During Registration

The best time to get data is when the volunteer is signing up. Add an optional field to your volunteer registration forms asking for their employer. If they indicate they work for a grant-eligible company, you can trigger an automated email with submission instructions the moment they complete their shift.

Leveraging Technology to Automate Requests

Manual tracking of volunteer employment data can be overwhelming. Fortunately, technology can automate the identification and reminder process, ensuring no Volunteer Grant Requests fall through the cracks.

The Power of a Corporate Giving Database

Tools like Double the Donation’s database provide comprehensive information on thousands of companies. When a volunteer enters their employer’s name into the search tool, they are instantly presented with:

Minimum hour requirements.
Grant amounts per hour.
Links to the company’s electronic submission forms.

Seamless Integration

By integrating these tools into your volunteer management system or website, you create a frictionless experience. The volunteer doesn’t have to hunt for forms or ask HR; the information is served to them on a silver platter. This convenience significantly boosts the submission rate.

Furthermore, automated email streams can be set up to “nudge” volunteers who have reached a certain hour threshold. For example, if a volunteer hits 20 hours and you know they work for ExxonMobil, the system can automatically send an email congratulating them and providing the link to claim their $500 grant.

Wrapping Up & Next Steps

Volunteer Grant Requests offer a unique opportunity to double the impact of your supporters. They transform the time and energy already invested in your organization into unrestricted revenue to fund operations, programs, and growth. While the process relies on the volunteer to take the final step, the responsibility for education and encouragement lies with the nonprofit.

By understanding the anatomy of a request, identifying eligible donors through improved data collection, and leveraging automation to guide them through the submission process, you can unlock a sustainable revenue stream that grows alongside your volunteer base.

Ready to maximize your volunteer revenue?

Audit your forms: Add an “Employer” field to your volunteer sign-up sheets today.
Create a resource: Build a simple PDF guide with your nonprofit’s tax ID and contact info to hand out to volunteers.
Check your tech: Explore how tools like Double the Donation can automate the eligibility search for your supporters.

Don’t let your volunteers’ hard work go unmonetized. Start driving more Volunteer Grant Requests today and give your mission the funding it deserves. Plus, find out how Double the Donation Volunteering can help!

Navigating the Volunteer Time Off Process for Nonprofits

December 10, 2025/in Volunteer Time Off, Learning Center /by Erin Lavender

Volunteers are the engines that keep nonprofits running, fueling everything from event logistics to daily operations. But for many supporters, the biggest barrier to getting involved isn’t a lack of passion—it’s a lack of time. Between 9-to-5 jobs and personal responsibilities, finding hours to dedicate to your mission can be a challenge. This is where Volunteer Time Off (VTO) changes the game. By compensating employees for the time they spend volunteering, companies are removing the logistical hurdles that prevent supporters from showing up.

For nonprofits, understanding the Volunteer Time Off process is not just about logistics; it is about unlocking a massive, untapped reservoir of supporter bandwidth. When a company pays its employees to volunteer, your organization gains access to motivated, reliable, and often highly skilled help without the risk of donor burnout. However, simply hoping volunteers know about these benefits isn’t enough. You need a strategy to guide them through the administrative steps, ensuring they can utilize their benefits to support your cause.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

What Volunteer Time Off is and why it is surging in popularity
The breakdown of the standard Volunteer Time Off process
How to identify eligibility and guide supporters through pre-approval
Top companies offering generous VTO programs
Marketing strategies to promote VTO to your supporter base
Tools to automate and streamline the process

With 66% of employers now providing some form of paid time off program for volunteering, the opportunity is vast. Yet, without a clear roadmap, these hours often go unused. By mastering the nuances of the process—from registration to verification—your nonprofit can turn corporate policy into tangible impact.

What is Volunteer Time Off?

Volunteer Time Off, often abbreviated as VTO, is a type of employee benefit where team members receive a designated number of hours to volunteer with nonprofit organizations above and beyond their existing paid time off (PTO). Essentially, it is a mechanism through which employees partake in volunteer activities during work hours while still receiving their regular pay.

While corporate philanthropy often focuses on cash donations or matching gifts, VTO focuses on human capital. It removes financial and logistical barriers for volunteers, producing a larger pool of supporters for your organization to engage with. When supporters are compensated by their employers for their time, they are more likely to get involved initially and continue their support over the long term.

Did You Know? The number of companies offering VTO programs has increased by 2 in 3 over the last decade. Furthermore, 49% of individuals state that work commitments are their biggest obstacle to volunteering. Promoting the Volunteer Time Off process directly addresses this pain point!

Why the VTO Process Matters for Your Nonprofit

Understanding the mechanics of VTO is crucial because the burden of proof often falls on the volunteer. Unlike a direct corporate grant that might be handled between a CSR officer and your development director, VTO is an employee-driven benefit. If your volunteers don’t know the process, they likely won’t use the benefit.

By familiarizing your team with how these requests are made, approved, and verified, you can become an active partner in the process. You can provide the necessary documentation, offer shifts that align with corporate requirements, and remind volunteers to utilize their hours before they expire. This proactive approach transforms your organization from a passive recipient of help into a strategic partner for corporate employees.

Step 1: Registration and Employer Identification

The Volunteer Time Off process begins long before the volunteer arrives at your facility. It starts the moment a supporter expresses interest in an event or opportunity.

The Volunteer’s Role: The individual visits your website or volunteer portal to sign up for a specific shift. At this stage, they are looking for dates and times that fit their schedule.

The Nonprofit’s Role: Your primary goal here is data collection. You cannot assist a volunteer with their VTO request if you do not know where they work. During the registration process, integrate a field for employment information. This allows you to identify VTO opportunities immediately using employer data.

If you utilize volunteer management software or a corporate giving database, you can prompt volunteers to search for their employer while signing up for a shift. This is the most critical step in the funnel; catching the volunteer at the point of registration ensures that VTO is top-of-mind before they even check their calendar.

Step 2: Determining Eligibility for VTO

Once the volunteer has registered and provided their employer’s name, the next step in the Volunteer Time Off process is verifying that their specific company offers a VTO benefit and that your nonprofit is eligible to receive it.

Corporate Criteria: Every company has different guidelines. Some offer VTO only to full-time employees, while others extend it to part-time staff. Additionally, companies offer an average of 20 hours of paid volunteer time per year (equaling about 2.5 days), but this varies wildly.

Organization Eligibility: Companies may also have restrictions on the types of activities they support. While most 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible, some corporations may restrict VTO for political or religious activities.

How to Streamline This: Instead of asking volunteers to dig through their employee handbooks, you can use a corporate giving database to connect eligible supporters to volunteer time off opportunities instantly. These tools can populate eligibility requirements, minimum hours, and links to the company’s internal portal, effectively doing the research for the volunteer.

Step 3: Submitting the VTO Request and Pre-Approval

This is the step where many potential volunteers drop off if they are not properly supported. Before the volunteer shift occurs, the employee typically must submit a formal request to their employer.

The Request Workflow: In most corporate portals (such as Benevity, CyberGrants, or YourCause), the employee must log in and submit a request for “Volunteer Time Off.” They will need to provide:

The name of the nonprofit.
The date and time of the volunteer shift.
A brief description of the duties they will perform.
The number of hours requested.

Getting Pre-Approval: Most companies require this request to be approved by the employee’s direct manager or the HR department before the volunteering takes place. This ensures the employee’s absence won’t disrupt business operations.

Quick Tip: Create a “VTO Cheat Sheet” for your major corporate partners. If you know you have many volunteers from a specific local company (e.g., Home Depot or Target), draft a template email or PDF that gives them the exact description of duties and tax ID number they need to fill out their internal request forms.

Step 4: Completing the Volunteer Shift

With approval in hand, the volunteer arrives to complete their service. While this seems straightforward, it is a vital part of the Volunteer Time Off process because it is where the “transaction” of time occurs.

On-Site Experience: Ensure the volunteer has a positive experience! Remember, 62% of individuals report that the ability to volunteer during business hours is a top factor for a positive experience. If they are using VTO, they are effectively “on the clock” for their employer while serving your mission. Treat their time with the same respect you would a major donor’s money.

Tracking Hours: Accurate timekeeping is essential. Whether you use a digital check-in system or a paper sign-in sheet, you must have a verifiable record of exactly when the volunteer started and stopped their shift. This data will be required for the final step of the process.

Step 5: Verification and Proof of Volunteerism

The final step in the Volunteer Time Off process occurs after the shift ends. To ensure the employee is paid for their time (and not docked a vacation day), they usually need to provide proof of volunteerism to their employer.

Methods of Verification:

Digital Verification: Many CSR platforms will send an automated email to the nonprofit’s volunteer coordinator asking them to click a link and verify that the employee showed up.
Signed Forms: Some companies require a physical form signed by a nonprofit representative.
GPS/Geofencing: Newer platforms allow volunteers to check in via mobile app, verifying their location at your facility.

The “Double Dip” Opportunity: This verification stage is the perfect moment to ask about other corporate giving programs. If a company offers VTO, there is a high likelihood that they also offer Volunteer Grants (monetary donations based on hours served) or Matching Gifts. When verifying hours, ask the volunteer: “Does your company also donate money for the hours you just served?”

Top Companies with Standout VTO Programs

Familiarizing yourself with major employers that offer VTO can help you target your outreach. If you see volunteers registering with email addresses from these domains, you know they likely have access to a VTO benefit.

1. Patagonia

Patagonia is a leader in corporate activism. Their program offers up to 18 paid volunteer hours per year. Furthermore, they offer an environmental internship program where employees can take up to two months of paid time away from work to volunteer with an environmental group.

2. Thomson Reuters

This major information conglomerate offers two paid days (16 hours) of volunteer time each year. Their program is inclusive of company-sponsored volunteer activities and focuses on local community investment .

3. Microsoft

A giant in corporate philanthropy, Microsoft is known for its high matching gift limits, but they also support volunteerism vigorously. They focus on accessible legal knowledge and services and hack-for-good tech innovation events .

4. Deloitte

Professional services firms are among the most likely to offer paid VTO. Deloitte offers generous VTO, encouraging their highly skilled workforce to engage in skills-based volunteering .

5. GM Financial

GM Financial structures their VTO to encourage regular engagement, offering 8 hours per quarter for full-time staff and 4 hours per quarter for part-time staff . This quarterly structure is perfect for recurring volunteer roles.

Marketing the VTO Opportunity to Your Supporters

Even the most generous VTO program is useless if the employee doesn’t use it. Nonprofits play a vital role in marketing these benefits. Here are several strategies to promote the Volunteer Time Off process to your audience.

1. Create a Dedicated “Volunteers” Page

Your website should have a centralized hub for volunteer resources. If you already have a volunteer page, incorporate specific information about paid volunteer time off programs. Explain that volunteering during the workday is a valid and encouraged way to support the organization.

Example Post: “Did you know you could get paid to hang out with us? Many companies like [Company A] and [Company B] offer Volunteer Time Off. Check your benefits and spend a day giving back!”

3. Implement Personalized Outreach

If you have captured employer data during registration, use it! Implement personalized outreach that speaks directly to the donor’s employment status.

Strategy: Send an automated email to all volunteers who work at GM Financial, reminding them that their 8 hours of VTO resets every quarter.

4. Encourage Group Events

VTO is often used for team-building. Encourage your existing volunteers to organize group events. Sometimes, encouraging a single volunteer to rally their colleagues is all it takes to expand your reach significantly . Pitch a “Department Day of Service” where a whole team uses their VTO together.

Tools to Streamline the VTO Process

Managing the Volunteer Time Off process manually can be time-consuming, especially when dealing with multiple companies and verification methods. Investing in dedicated software can automate these steps and increase your revenue.

Double the Donation’s Solutions Tools like Double the Donation and its complete automation platform are not just for matching gifts. They maintain a massive database of over 24,000 company records that includes data on VTO and volunteer grants, too.

How Automation Helps:

Seamless Integration: The software integrates with your volunteer management system to prompt volunteers to search for their employer during sign-up.
Instant Education: The database connects eligible supporters to actionable next steps and forms immediately.
Automated Email Streams: You can set up automated email streams that drive supporters to claim their VTO or volunteer grants after they have registered.

By automating the identification and follow-up steps, you ensure that every eligible volunteer is aware of their benefit and knows exactly how to use it, without adding administrative burden to your volunteer coordinator.

Measuring Success and Optimizing Your Efforts

To ensure your focus on the Volunteer Time Off process is yielding results, you need to track the right metrics. Establish a baseline and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to refine your strategy.

Key Metrics to Track:

Corporate Volunteer Hours Logged: Track the total number of hours contributed by employees using corporate VTO programs.
Volunteer Grants Received: Since VTO often leads to volunteer grants, track the monetary value generated by these volunteers.
Employee Participation Rate: Monitor which companies in your area have the highest participation rates. This helps you identify where to focus your relationship-building efforts.

Continuous Improvement: Use the data you collect to solicit feedback from volunteers. Are they finding the internal approval process difficult? Are your volunteer shifts too short or too long for a standard VTO day? Use surveys to understand barriers and refine your donor journey.

Wrapping Up & Next Steps

Mastering the Volunteer Time Off process is a powerful way to diversify your support streams. It transforms the volunteer experience from a personal sacrifice of time into a professional benefit, allowing you to engage a workforce that is eager to give back but constrained by the 9-to-5 grind.

By understanding the steps—registration, eligibility, request, service, and verification—and actively marketing these opportunities, your nonprofit can build stronger relationships with corporate partners and secure the operational support you need to thrive.

Ready to start capitalizing on corporate volunteerism?

Audit your volunteer intake forms: Ensure you are collecting employer information.
Educate your team: Make sure your volunteer coordinators know how to verify hours for major local employers.
Leverage technology: Explore tools like Double the Donation to automate eligibility checks and outreach.

Don’t let these valuable hours go to waste. Start guiding your supporters through the VTO process today and watch your volunteer program grow. Plus, find out how Double the Donation Volunteering can help!

Maximizing Volunteer Time Off Requests for Nonprofits

December 10, 2025/in Volunteer Time Off, Learning Center /by Erin Lavender

The most valuable resource a nonprofit has is its people. Volunteers power events, drive programs, and provide the essential manpower needed to fulfill your mission. Yet, for many dedicated supporters, the desire to help is often hampered by the constraints of a traditional work schedule. This is where corporate philanthropy steps in to bridge the gap. Through Volunteer Time Off (VTO) programs, companies pay their employees to step away from their desks and into their communities. However, accessing this benefit requires navigating a specific administrative hurdle: Volunteer Time Off Requests.

For nonprofits, understanding how these requests work is not just administrative trivia; it is a strategic necessity. When you demystify the request process for your supporters, you remove the barriers standing between your organization and hundreds of hours of skilled, reliable, and “free” labor. Furthermore, because VTO programs are often tied to volunteer grants (in which companies donate money for hours served), facilitating these requests can directly increase revenue.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

The strategic value of VTO for your organization
The anatomy of a standard VTO request
A step-by-step guide to the request and approval lifecycle
Top companies with generous VTO policies
How to market VTO opportunities to your supporters
Tools to streamline and automate the process

By mastering the mechanics of Volunteer Time Off Requests, your nonprofit can transform corporate policies into tangible impact, ensuring that your volunteers can afford to give you the time you so desperately need.

The Strategic Value of Volunteer Time Off

Volunteer Time Off (VTO) is a type of employee benefit where team members receive a designated number of hours to volunteer with nonprofit organizations above and beyond their existing paid time off. Essentially, it is a mechanism through which employees partake in volunteer activities during work hours for regular pay.

For nonprofits, the rise of VTO is a game-changer. It provides operational support without added costs and produces a larger pool of supporters to engage with by removing financial and logistical barriers. When supporters are compensated by their employers for the time they spend with you, they are more likely to get involved and continue their support over time.

Moreover, the prevalence of these programs is skyrocketing. The number of companies offering VTO has increased by two in three over the last decade. With 66% of employers providing some sort of paid time off program for volunteering, the potential for your nonprofit to tap into this resource is massive.

Did You Know? Lack of time is the primary barrier to volunteerism. 49% of individuals state that work commitments are their biggest obstacle to volunteering. However, 62% of individuals report that the ability to volunteer during business hours would be the top factor for a positive experience. Promoting Volunteer Time Off Requests directly solves this problem.

The Anatomy of a Volunteer Time Off Request

To help your volunteers utilize their benefits, you must understand what they are required to submit to their employers. While every company has a slightly different portal or policy, a standard Volunteer Time Off Request generally requires specific data points to ensure the time is being used for legitimate charitable purposes.

This request is the formal internal process an employee must complete to get paid for their time away. It typically includes three main categories of information:

1. Employee and Policy Information

The company needs to verify that the requester is eligible for the benefit.

Employee Eligibility: Not all staff members may qualify. The request often cross-references the employee’s status (full-time vs. part-time) against the company’s guidelines.

Accrued Hours: The form will check the VTO hours the employee has accrued or is allotted for the year. For example, companies with paid VTO programs offer an average of 20 hours per year.

2. Nonprofit Information

The employer must verify that your organization is a valid charity.

Eligible Organizations: The request will ask for your nonprofit’s name and likely your tax ID or 501(c)(3) status to ensure you meet the company’s philanthropic criteria.

Contact Details: You may need to provide a contact name or email at your organization who can verify the volunteer’s attendance.

3. Volunteer Activity Information

This section details what the employee will actually be doing.

Qualifying Activities: The employee must describe the activity to ensure it aligns with the company’s values and VTO policy.

Date and Duration: The specific date of the shift and the number of hours requested are crucial for payroll giving purposes.

Quick Tip: Create a “VTO Cheat Sheet” for your volunteers. This simple PDF or webpage should list your organization’s legal name, Tax ID/EIN, a brief description of volunteer duties, and the contact info for your volunteer coordinator. When a volunteer opens their corporate portal to submit a Volunteer Time Off Request, having this info ready makes the process frictionless.

The Lifecycle of a VTO Request

Navigating the corporate bureaucracy can be intimidating for volunteers. By understanding the lifecycle of a request, your nonprofit can guide supporters through each stage, ensuring they don’t drop out of the process due to confusion.

Step 1: Identification and Registration

The process begins when a supporter registers for an event or shift with your nonprofit. At this stage, it is critical to identify where they work. If you know their employer, you can inform them of their VTO eligibility immediately.

Step 2: Submission of the Request

Before the volunteer shift occurs, the employee must log into their company’s HR or CSR portal to submit the formal request. They will input the dates, times, and your organization’s details. This acts as a request for time off, similar to asking for a vacation day, but coded specifically as volunteer service.

Step 3: The Approval Process

Once submitted, the request enters an internal approval process. This usually involves the employee’s direct manager approving the time away from work to ensure it doesn’t interfere with business operations. It may also involve the CSR department verifying that your nonprofit is an eligible 501(c)(3).

Step 4: Completing the Service

The volunteer completes their shift with your organization. This is the most important part! Ensure they sign in and out so you have an accurate record of their hours.

Step 5: Verification and Follow-Up

After the event, the employee may need to provide proof of service to their employer to finalize the VTO claim. Furthermore, this is the perfect moment to encourage the volunteer to check if their company also offers a volunteer grant (a monetary donation for hours served). 40% of Fortune 500 companies offer volunteer grant programs, so a VTO request often opens the door to further funding.

Top Companies with Standout VTO Programs

Familiarizing yourself with companies that offer generous VTO policies helps you target your outreach. If you see volunteers registering with email addresses from these domains, you should immediately encourage them to submit a Volunteer Time Off Request.

Patagonia

Thomson Reuters

GM Financial

GM Financial structures their VTO to encourage regular engagement. They offer 8 hours of VTO per quarter for full-time staff and 4 hours per quarter for part-time staff, focusing on strengthening communities.

Microsoft

A giant in corporate philanthropy, Microsoft is known for its high matching gift limits, but they also support volunteerism vigorously. While they focus heavily on pro bono services, they are a prime example of a company that integrates volunteering into its culture.

Sentinel Group

Sentinel Group offers two paid days of service (16 hours) each year, focusing on education, communities, and health and wellness.

Did You Know? Professional services, information technology, and financial services companies are the most likely to offer paid VTO programs. If your nonprofit is located near hubs for these industries, your VTO potential is likely very high.

Marketing Strategies to Drive Requests

Your volunteers likely don’t know they have VTO available, or they don’t know how to use it. It is up to your nonprofit to market the opportunity. Here are several strategies to promote Volunteer Time Off Requests to your supporter base.

1. Dedicate a Page on Your Website

Create a centralized “Volunteers” page on your website. If you already have one, update it to include specific information about paid volunteer time off programs. Explain that volunteering during the workday is a valid and encouraged way to support the organization and link to resources that explain the request process.

Social media is an excellent tool for inspiring action. Share information about VTO programs on your channels. Use engaging visuals and testimonials from volunteers who have successfully used their VTO days to “take a day off to do good”. This social proof can be the nudge other supporters need to submit their own requests.

3. Identify Opportunities with Employer Data

Your supporters’ employment data contains a wealth of information about available engagement opportunities. If you already know where a volunteer works, look into the company’s volunteer incentive programs. If you don’t have this data, consider using a corporate giving database tool or an employer append service to fill in the gaps.

4. Implement Personalized Outreach

Once you identify supporters who work for companies with VTO programs, initiate tailored communications. Don’t just reach out to current volunteers; engage donors who work for VTO companies as well. Focus your outreach on the benefits of paid volunteerism—a meaningful experience and a fun day out of the office.

5. Encourage Group Events

If you have existing supporters who work for companies with paid VTO policies, see if they would be willing to rally their colleagues. Encouraging a single volunteer to organize a group activity can expand your reach significantly. Corporate teams often look for VTO opportunities that accommodate groups, so positioning your nonprofit as “VTO-friendly” for groups is a smart strategy.

Leveraging Technology to Automate Requests

Managing the nuances of different corporate policies can be time-consuming. Fortunately, technology can streamline the Volunteer Time Off Request process, ensuring you capture every available hour without overburdening your staff.

Seamless Integration

Tools like Double the Donation integrate directly with your volunteer management software. When a volunteer registers for a shift, the system can prompt them to search for their employer. This captures employment data at the moment of highest intent.

Actionable Insights

Once the employer is identified, the database connects eligible supporters to volunteer grant and VTO opportunities. The system can provide the volunteer with their specific company’s guidelines, forms, and instructions, effectively automating the “how-to” portion of the request.

Automated Follow-Up

You can set up automated email streams to drive supporters to claim volunteer grants and VTO. For example, if a volunteer from Thomson Reuters signs up for a shift, the system can automatically send them an email reminding them that they have 16 hours of paid volunteer time available and linking them to the portal where they can submit their request.

Wrapping Up & Next Steps

Volunteer Time Off Requests represent a massive, underutilized opportunity for nonprofits to increase their capacity and deepen relationships with corporate partners. By shifting the perspective of volunteerism from a “nights and weekends” activity to a part of the professional work week, you open the door to a new demographic of skilled, energetic supporters.

The key to success lies in education and facilitation. Your volunteers want to help, but they need you to show them how to navigate the corporate process. By providing the right information, marketing the opportunity effectively, and leveraging technology to automate the nudges, you can turn corporate VTO policies into real-world impact for your mission.

Ready to start maximizing your corporate volunteer support?

Audit your forms: Ensure you are asking for employer information on your volunteer registration pages.
Create a guide: Build a simple VTO instruction sheet for your volunteers with your nonprofit’s tax ID and contact info.
Get the right tools: Explore Double the Donation to see how automation can help you identify and mobilize VTO-eligible supporters.

Don’t let these valuable hours go to waste. Start guiding your supporters through the VTO process today. Plus, find out how Double the Donation Volunteering can help!

Principal Gift Fundraising: Securing Transformational Gifts

December 7, 2025/in Learning Center, Nonprofit Basics /by Adam Weinger

Nonprofits thrive on the support of major donors. The most major of the major gifts a nonprofit might receive are called principal gifts.

Principal gifts bring transformational benefits and drive incredible impact, growing organizations’ capacities to run programs, serve constituents, and make a difference. They’re elusive but achievable when you have an intentional strategy to identify and secure them.

Note: Principal gifts are the highest tier of major gift fundraising, representing the top 0.1% of your donor pyramid. For a broader look at securing gifts at the major level, see our Ultimate Guide to Major Gifts.

What’s a Principal Gift?

Simply put, a principal gift is a large donation made to a nonprofit by a major donor.

Nonprofits commonly consider principal gifts to be worth $1 million or more, but it’s important to remember that their exact value is relative to the size of an organization’s average gifts. You can define a rough range for major giving for your organization by identifying your top 25 or so gifts received within the past five years and determining the median of this range. This number can serve as a minimum for defining major gifts. Principal gifts would fall at the very top of (or far above) this range.

So how do you snag a principal gift? What background knowledge and strategies do you need to succeed and start transforming your organization?

In this crash course, we’ll take a closer look at principal gifts, how to pursue them, and other ways to maximize the value of your development efforts through tactics like corporate philanthropy.

Understanding Principal Gift Fundraising

Before you can begin laying out a principal gift fundraising strategy, you’ll need to understand some important context.

Principal gifts vs. major gifts: What’s the difference?

When it comes to principal gifts and major gifts, there are a few key things you’ll want to know. While a principal gift is a major gift, a major gift is not necessarily a principal gift. (Think: all squares are rectangles, but not all rectangles are squares.)

As explained above, your organization’s definition of a major gift is highly relative to your donor base and average fundraising data. A principal gift is simply a large gift at the top of or above that range of major giving.

Nonprofits pursue major and principal gifts using similar tactics but note that principal gifts have an especially long lifecycle. The larger the gift, the more discussions, care, and due diligence that go into the process. This is also true because principal gifts can generate significant publicity when given by high-profile philanthropists. Options should be weighed carefully before nonprofits and principal donors make public “investments” in one another and link their images.

You may also encounter the term lead gift. These are also large major gifts, but they’re received specifically in the context of major fundraising campaigns. A capital campaign’s fundraising goal, for example, is traditionally topped by a large lead gift, followed by a couple of smaller (but still major) gifts, and then more and smaller gifts down the line in a pyramid structure. This approach is highly efficient, allowing nonprofits to focus first on the handful of highest-impact gifts that will push the campaign the furthest forward.

Who gives principal gifts?

Major donors give principal gifts to nonprofits.

Sometimes, but not always, these donors are high-profile, high-wealth philanthropists—think Mackenzie Scott making waves in the nonprofit world with a new mega-gift. This situation is often what nonprofits imagine when they hear the term “principal gift.”

But again, it’s important to remember that the value of major gifts is relative and that no two donors are alike. What they do have in common is the capacity and inclination to give major gifts, whatever that might mean for your organization.

If you’ve taken concrete steps to invest in prospect research and major gift fundraising, there’s a good chance you’re already in touch with (or in the orbit of) a potential principal gift donor for your organization’s major giving range.

How are principal gifts usually given?

Principal gifts are not usually given out of cash but rather from saved assets (or a mix of cash and assets).

These non-cash assets often include:

Real estate
Stocks and other tradable securities
In-kind gifts of valuables like jewelry or art
Grants from donor-advised funds (DAFs)
Planned gifts like trusts and annuities
Cryptocurrency

When you pursue large donations, it’s important to be flexible in the types of gifts you can accept. Wealthy donors often prefer to give from saved assets rather than from liquid cash, not only because this won’t affect their day-to-day finances but also for the unique tax benefits that different non-cash gifts can bring. We’ll explore this best practice in greater detail below.

How do nonprofits pursue these gifts?

Nonprofits pursue principal gifts as part of their development programs, typically overseen by a dedicated staff member.

Nonprofit development provides the core structure and processes for principal gift fundraising. Having a development approach in place is generally a prerequisite for success. (Keep in mind, though, that even small shops succeed with development with the right tools and prioritization tactics!)

The fundraising strategies used for principal gifts are similar to those for other major gifts but heightened in intensity. One-on-one engagement is even more important for principal gift fundraising, for example. Other best practices take increased emphasis, as well, like the importance of networking in the prospect identification process.

How can you frame a principal gift as a high-impact challenge match?

When soliciting a gift of this magnitude (such as $1M or more), you aren’t just asking for a donation. Instead, you are inviting the donor to become a strategic partner. One of the most effective ways to do this is by positioning the principal gift as the funding source for a multi-year challenge match campaign.

Instead of the money simply going into a building fund or endowment, it serves as “leverage” to inspire hundreds or even thousands of other donors. For example: “Your $1 million gift will be used to match every dollar raised from the community for the next three years, effectively turning your $1 million investment into $2 million of impact.”

This approach appeals to the entrepreneurial mindset of many principal donors. It offers them:

Amplified Impact: They see their gift doing “double duty.”
Legacy: They are credited not just with their own generosity, but with catalyzing a movement.
Partnership: They are not just writing a check; they are co-anchoring a powerful, ongoing campaign with you.

By presenting the gift in this light, you shift the conversation from simple philanthropy to strategic investment. This collaborative approach validates their financial acumen and often provides the final push a donor needs to commit to a transformational gift.

How to Build a Principal Gift Fundraising Program: 10 Key Steps

So you’re ready to get serious about pursuing and securing principal gifts for your nonprofit. How do you build a program to support that goal? We break it down into the following key steps:

1. Understand principal donor motivations.

First, take the time to understand why principal donors give such large gifts. As with other major donations, these gifts are motivated by a range of different personal reasons. These might include:

The simple desire to give back
Giving back to a personally meaningful cause or institution
Tapping into significant tax benefits
Simplifying estate and financial plans with bequests and in-kind donations of property
Public recognition for personal brand-building

Always keep in mind that philanthropists give strategically—of course, they choose to give to the specific causes and organizations that matter to them, but additional motivations usually come into play. Understand these, and you can better align your own goals with those of your prospects.

2. Audit your existing development practices.

Principal gift fundraising occurs as part of your other development practices. Review your current processes for major gift fundraising, planned giving, and other high-impact or nontraditional forms of one-on-one fundraising. Consider the entire major donor lifecycle and the steps, tools, and best practices you use at each stage. These include:

Prospect research and wealth screening
Prospect qualification
Gift cultivation and your messaging during this process
Your solicitation strategies
Your stewardship strategies and cadences
Your nonprofit’s gift acceptance policy (create one if needed!)

Pay extra attention to the logistical processes that drive this lifecycle, especially moves management and your CRM practices. You’ll rely on these for principal gift fundraising just as you do for other giving programs.

Ideally, you’ll have data to refer to. Check out your historical performance with major gifts. Is your prospect pipeline consistently full or running low? Are there stages in the lifecycle where many prospects seem to drop off? Are your qualification criteria appropriate and up-to-date?

Identify potential improvements and make them (and/or consider how you’ll adjust them for principal gifts).

3. Screen your database and research connections.

Next, you’ll begin identifying your first principal gift prospects.

Look to your existing base of support. A pre-existing relationship with your nonprofit is one of the most reliable indicators of giving likelihood. Run a wealth screening to find those donors and contacts with the means to give a gift in the upper half or so of your nonprofit’s defined range for major gifts.

It’s normal in major and principal gift fundraising to branch outside of your direct contacts to find prospects, as well. However, this doesn’t mean cold-calling individuals in your community who you know to be wealthy. Existing, organic connections will yield the best results. Look to your current major donors and consider what you know or could find out about:

Their families, friends, and community ties
Their careers, colleagues, and employers
Past nonprofits they’ve given to or volunteered for

Local histories, publications, social media (especially LinkedIn), the annual reports of other nonprofits, and more are all viable research routes. And remember, if you have strong working relationships with any major donors, don’t be afraid to just ask. Set up a call or lunch to let them know your organization is seeking more high-impact support. Do they have any friends, family, or colleagues who’d also be interested in your mission?

Top Tip: Using Advanced Employment Data for Verification

When vetting prospects for principal gifts, standard wealth screening often isn’t enough. Instead, you need to verify liquid capacity and career trajectory. This is where donor employment data becomes a critical, advanced tool.

After all, identifying a prospect’s specific industry, job title, and employer (e.g., “Senior Vice President at [Publicly Traded Company] in the tech industry”) allows you to look deeper than just real estate holdings. It unlocks insights into:

Executive Compensation: Base salary plus bonuses.
Stock Options: Access to liquid assets that can be gifted tax-free.
Matching Eligibility: While rare for principal gifts, some corporations will match executive gifts at higher ratios or caps.

By confirming employment details, you move a prospect from “suspected wealth” to “verified capacity,” ensuring you don’t waste time soliciting a principal gift from someone who is merely house poor.

4. Map out your relationships with major donors.

Review everything you’ve learned from researching top prospects and their connections. Then, map it out.

This might mean using a notebook or simple design tool to literally draw connections between your contacts and individuals you’d like to meet—whatever works! You’ll likely be surprised to find that many high-impact donors move in similar social circles, especially in smaller communities.

Visually look for connections and correlate them to your research insights. This process can yield some valuable results. For example, you might find several connections from existing donors pointing to one individual in the community. This person might be a prime candidate for outreach because of the organic personal or professional connections that you already have with them.

5. Review your donor qualification criteria.

Before finalizing a list of prospects, you need to qualify and prioritize them. Principal gift fundraising is highly time-intensive and requires one-on-one communication over extended periods. You’ll need to have a plan to spend your time wisely, that is, by focusing first on those most likely to give.

Qualification is the process of defining the characteristics of a strong giving prospect and using them to update your prospect lists for more efficient and targeted outreach. Qualification criteria can include:

Certain giving capacities (shaped by your organization’s definition of major gifts)
Stock ownership
Property ownership
Active engagement with your nonprofit
Active engagement with other nonprofits
Demonstrated interest in or personal connection to your cause
Direct, second-degree, third-degree, etc., connection to your nonprofit
Personal vs. professional indirect connections

Note that some criteria can (and often should) be weighted more heavily than others. Existing direct connections with your nonprofit should be prioritized over indirect connections, or you may learn over time that personal indirect connections are better indicators than professional ones.

Not every prospect will check every box, but this approach does allow you to tackle the prioritization process in a standardized, easily repeatable way. Many fundraising experts recommend making qualification a recurring activity for your development team to ensure continued effectiveness—Graham-Pelton’s donor qualification guide lays out why and how to do this.

You should also keep your qualification criteria up-to-date over time, and create different variations of them for different giving programs. For example, while principal gift donors, major donors, and planned gift donors might share some common characteristics, these are not perfectly overlapping groups. Qualification makes it easy to build in a more targeted approach from the very start.

6. Build a preliminary list of principal giving prospects.

Next, use your qualification criteria to screen the list of donors and prospects you identified in Steps 3 and 4.

Rank them according to your criteria, and you’ll have a handy, easy-to-use shortlist of your very top principal gift prospects.

7. Develop outreach strategies.

Now you can begin thinking about how you’ll get in touch with your prospects. Consider these tips:

Review known communication preferences of existing contacts.
Look back at previous conversations with existing contacts to refresh yourself on their personal life developments, career changes, etc., and use these to begin new conversations.
Ask your existing contacts for introductions to new prospects based on the mapping exercise in Step 4.
Create or update your nonprofit’s general case for support.
Create more context-specific cases for support if needed. For example, if you’re seeking a lead or principal gift as part of a major fundraising campaign, you’ll need talking points tailored to the campaign’s objectives.
Prepare some preliminary shareable resources like your annual report, one-pagers, and brochures about your nonprofit and its impact. You likely won’t need these until you’re closer to actually soliciting a gift, but it doesn’t hurt to be prepared.

With these tips in mind, take a closer look at everything you’ve learned about each prospect and conduct more research if needed. Use this information to lay out personalized outreach strategies for each individual.

8. Start reaching out to build relationships.

Begin reaching out! Work your way down your shortlist of prospects, starting conversations, having calls and meetings, and introducing them to your organization, its work, and its needs.

During this stage, take your time and follow standard gift cultivation best practices that you follow for other major gifts.

Take an interest in your prospects’ personal and professional lives, and work to show them how a partnership would drive impact in the community. Remember that gifts of any size can be restricted or unrestricted—if a prospect shows interest in one particular program or service that your nonprofit runs, lean into it.

You should also seek to learn more about your prospects’ giving motivations so that you can best tailor your eventual solicitations. For example, a wealthy middle-aged prospect might be nearing retirement age and interested in financial planning. You could explain to him or her that various types of planned gifts can actually provide donors with regular income payments while reducing their tax bills, making these arrangements ideal vehicles for principal donations.

9. Double down on moves management and record-keeping.

Throughout the cultivation and solicitation processes, keep close track of your touchpoints with prospects. Organized moves management is essential.

Use your CRM to record each touchpoint, add notes, and tag it with the appropriate prospect. This will take all the guesswork out of preparing for your next conversation and determining the right time to make the ask.

Check out our introduction to moves management for a quick overview of this process.

And aside from tracking your interactions with prospects, be prepared to handle other logistics once you make a successful solicitation. Finalizing a principal gift will involve working closely with the donor and perhaps their (and your) lawyer to hash out the details, especially for non-cash gifts that require legal transfers of ownership or other arrangements. Keeping tidy records of your organization’s finances is always important, and you’ll need to have crystal-clear records of your principal gifts.

10. Prioritize engagement and stewardship.

As you build relationships with principal gift prospects, introduce your giving programs, and lay out compelling cases for support, you’ll hopefully soon successfully solicit your biggest donation yet. Thank your donor, work out the fine print, thank them again, and begin facilitating the donation.

What next?

Ongoing engagement and stewardship are already important for your major donors—doubly so for principal gift donors. They are extremely valuable partners for your mission. You should have a plan to:

Stay in touch and aware of developments in their lives
Keep them up-to-date on the progress of your work and any specific campaigns or programs they funded
Offer ongoing opportunities to get involved with event invites, personal meetings, tours, and more
Offer new giving options over time that you think they may be interested in

By maintaining and growing your relationships with key supporters over time, you’ll retain their support, secure additional gifts in the future, and build a stellar reputation for your nonprofit. Who wouldn’t want to be known as an organization that inspires transformational gifts and fosters a thriving community?

Learn more about the essentials of donor stewardship

How to Make the Most of Your Development Strategies

You’ve built effective development strategies and are well on your way to securing a principal gift that will take your work to the next level. Your prospect pipeline is humming along, and everyone’s excited to drive your nonprofit’s goals forward. What next?

Stay on the lookout for ways to maximize the impact of your development work. There are all kinds of ways you can generate more value through your giving programs. For example:

1. Promote matching gifts, volunteer grants, and payroll giving. These employer-offered CSR perks are effortless ways to boost the value of your donations. Ask your donors (at all giving levels) to check their eligibility or have you research it for them. Nonprofits’ board members are also often significant donors—don’t forget that their board service might qualify for volunteer grants through their employers, as well!

Luckily, Double the Donation streamlines the entire process for you and creates easy value-adds up and down your donor pyramid. Learn more or request a demo to see our platform in action. For more information on how the platform works, check out this video:

2. Provide flexible giving options. As mentioned above, major and principal donors often like to give from assets rather than cash for numerous reasons. Be prepared to offer and discuss these giving options. Making it easy to give in a preferred way almost guarantees that you’ll raise more in the long run. Look for tools that simplify the process of accepting stock donations, gifts crypto, donor-advised fund grants, and more as needed.

3. Monitor federal and state tax changes. Tax incentives are powerful motivators for donors when large gifts are involved. Stay aware of developments at the federal and state levels so that you can have productive conversations with prospects. Help them understand the potential benefits of donating (but don’t give explicit financial advice—leave that to the financial and legal professionals).

4. Suggest gift-matching challenges to your top donors. Planning a new major fundraising campaign or giving day? Try asking a longtime major donor to offer a unique gift-matching challenge! This involves your major donor matching all gifts made to your organization within a specific timeframe, and it can be an easy way to supercharge your fundraising results in a short time. Plus, it’s an easy way to engage your major donor with a serious opportunity to drive impact.

5. Research further funding connections and opportunities. Keep researching your donors’ and prospects’ connections over time. Major supporters who are philanthropically active might have connections with foundations that you can tap into to get your foot in the door for new grant funding. Wealthy individuals might even eventually form their own private or family foundations—make sure your nonprofit is a preferred partner right from the start.

Additional Considerations of Principal Gift Fundraising

Principal gift fundraising can completely transform your nonprofit’s ability to pursue its mission. But it also comes with unique challenges and considerations to keep in mind:

By forging such a big partnership with an individual, you link your organization’s image with theirs. Consider their reputation, the publicity that an announced gift will generate, and whether you can (or want to) honor any restrictions that a donor places on their gift. You can turn down a gift in the best long-term interest of your mission. Think carefully about these factors long before soliciting a gift. Reference your gift acceptance policies, and create them now if you haven’t yet.
Prepare for the logistics of accepting non-cash gifts. You may need to liquidate stock, work with attorneys and accountants to make arrangements for complex planned gifts, or even handle accepting gifts of real estate. Consider these processes in advance and be prepared to invest in new tools, hire external professionals, and expand your bookkeeping practices as needed.

It’s also recommended to look for ways over time to build more business connections as your organization grows. By integrating corporate philanthropy into your development strategies, you can build extremely fruitful and resilient revenue sources for your nonprofit. Ask your major and principal donors about their careers. Learn more about their employers. Use your existing relationships to springboard new corporate partnerships or sponsorships—the sky’s the limit!

New to corporate philanthropy? Here’s the complete playbook.

Wrapping Up & Next Steps

Despite its nuances and unique considerations, principal gift fundraising is easily the highest-impact form of fundraising that a nonprofit can conduct. These particularly generous gifts are often the foundation of a successful capital campaign, providing the early momentum needed to go public. For a complete guide on how these gifts fit into that broader structure, see our Ultimate Guide to Capital Campaigns.

From there, understanding principal gift fundraising, its distinctions, and why major donors choose to give can go a long way. Build and improve upon your existing development strategies, and focus heavily on research and preparation. With the right plan in place and plenty of time to build relationships, you’ll be on your way to securing a transformational gift.

Want to learn more? Take a deeper dive with these related resources:

Double the Donation and MonkeyPod Partnership

Double the Donation and MonkeyPod Partner to Release Streamlined Corporate Matching Gifts Integration for Nonprofits

December 1, 2025/in Press Releases, Company Updates /by Peter Nadera

Double the Donation and MonkeyPod are excited to announce a new partnership helping nonprofits capture additional corporate matching gift revenue effortlessly. Through this new integration, MonkeyPod users can now leverage Double the Donation’s industry-leading matching gift automation tools to identify eligible donors post-donation and drive matches to completion.

“At MonkeyPod, we believe in empowering nonprofits with tools that handle the heavy lifting so they can focus on their mission,” said MonkeyPod CEO Adam Huttler. “Integrating Double the Donation aligns with our all-in-one philosophy. It seamlessly unlocks an additional revenue stream for our clients without adding more administrative burden.”

This integration enables donors to search their matching gift eligibility after giving and immediately access clear, guided next steps to submit their matching gift request. By streamlining the process for donors and removing guesswork, organizations can identify more matching gift opportunities that might otherwise go unrealized.

“We continue to see corporate giving programs grow, and we’re excited to make Double the Donation’s matching gift functionality available on MonkeyPod fundraising pages,” said Adam Weinger, President of Double the Donation. “Nonprofits are looking for effective ways to increase support, and corporate matching gifts are still one of the most underutilized opportunities. We’re hopeful this integration will make it even easier for organizations to unlock this additional funding.”

The Double the Donation Matching and MonkeyPod integration is available now for organizations looking to raise more from matching gifts. All mutual users of Double the Donation and MonkeyPod can leverage this integration at no additional cost. Follow our integration guide for more information on activating the MonkeyPod integration.

Ready to add matching gift automation to your MonkeyPod donation forms? Request a demo with Double the Donation today and let our team know you’re using MonkeyPod. Interested in elevating your matching gift strategy even further? Enroll in our Matching Gift Academy for in-depth guidance on growing your matching gift revenue!

And if you’re interested in learning how MonkeyPod can support your nonprofit’s fundraising efforts and more, request a demo. New MonkeyPod subscribers can get 20% off the first year of their subscription.

About MonkeyPod: MonkeyPod is a true all-in-one platform for nonprofits, natively unifying accounting, CRM, fundraising and more in a single system. Built by nonprofit veterans, MonkeyPod eliminates the cost and chaos of fragmented software by handling everything from donor relationships to audit-ready financial reporting. By automating busywork like bookkeeping and sending receipts, MonkeyPod frees organizations to focus on their mission, not the minutia.

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 Matching 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.

Companies in Austin that Offer Top Corporate Sponsorships

December 1, 2025/in In-Kind Donations, Corporate Sponsorships /by Adam Weinger

Austin, Texas, is widely recognized as a vibrant and rapidly growing city that serves as a major hub for business innovation and nonprofit activity. Its dynamic economy and diverse corporate landscape create a fertile environment for philanthropic partnerships. Many nonprofits have chosen Austin as their home base, drawn by the city’s strong corporate presence and the generosity of its business community.

Corporate sponsorships in Austin take many forms, including financial grants and in-kind donations, both of which provide essential support to local nonprofits. These sponsorships not only help organizations fulfill their missions but also foster a culture of giving that benefits the entire community. Understanding which companies offer these opportunities and how to access them is crucial for nonprofits seeking to maximize their impact.

What to Know About Major Austin Companies in the Corporate Giving Space
Companies in Austin That Offer Generous Corporate Grants
Austin Companies Providing In-Kind Donations to Nonprofits
Explore More Austin Sponsorship Programs with a Corporate Giving Database
Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts
Discover How to Raise More with Corporate Grants and In-Kind Gifts

What to Know About Major Austin Companies in the Corporate Giving Space

Austin stands out as one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the United States, ranking as the 11th largest city by population. Its economy is robust and diverse, making it a magnet for both startups and established corporations. This economic vitality has attracted a significant number of Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies, many of which have established headquarters or major operations in the city.

The presence of these companies has a direct influence on the nonprofit sector, as many of them maintain active corporate giving programs. These programs often include corporate grants and in-kind donations, which are vital resources for nonprofits looking to expand their services and outreach.

Number of Companies: Austin is home to hundreds of companies, including several Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 firms, reflecting its importance as a business hub.
Key Industries: Technology, energy, healthcare, and consumer goods dominate the local economy, with companies in these sectors frequently engaging in philanthropy.
Corporate Philanthropy: Many Austin-based companies prioritize community engagement through structured giving programs, supporting causes ranging from education and health to environmental sustainability.
Nonprofit Ecosystem: The city’s thriving nonprofit community benefits from this corporate generosity, creating a symbiotic relationship that strengthens Austin’s social fabric.

Understanding the landscape of corporate giving in Austin is essential for nonprofits aiming to tap into these sponsorship opportunities. The city’s business environment not only offers financial support but also fosters partnerships that can lead to long-term sustainability and growth for nonprofit organizations.

Companies in Austin That Offer Generous Corporate Grants

Corporate grants represent a significant avenue for nonprofits to secure funding, and many Austin companies have established grant programs designed to support local causes. These grants often come with specific eligibility criteria and focus areas, making it important for nonprofits to understand each company’s priorities and application processes.

Austin Football Club

Austin Football Club, a professional soccer team, is deeply invested in community development and engagement. Beyond the excitement of sports, the club offers corporate grants aimed at supporting nonprofits that promote youth development, health, and wellness in the Austin area.

Their grant program typically targets organizations that align with these themes, emphasizing initiatives that foster community cohesion and active lifestyles. Nonprofits interested in applying should prepare to demonstrate their impact in these areas and adhere to submission deadlines outlined on the club’s community engagement webpage. Grant sizes vary but are designed to provide meaningful support to local programs.

Panera Bread

Panera Bread, a well-known bakery-café chain, operates with a strong commitment to social responsibility. Their corporate grant program focuses on nonprofits that address hunger relief, nutrition education, and community wellness.

Eligible organizations are usually those that serve vulnerable populations within the Austin region. The application process requires detailed proposals that highlight program goals, expected outcomes, and community impact. Panera Bread’s grants often support both operational costs and specific projects, with clear guidelines on allowable uses of funds.

Booz Allen Hamilton

Booz Allen Hamilton, a global management consulting firm with a significant presence in Austin, offers corporate grants as part of its broader corporate social responsibility efforts. Their giving priorities include education, veteran support, and technology access.

Nonprofits that focus on STEM education, workforce development, and veteran services are particularly encouraged to apply. The company’s grant program involves a competitive application process, with deadlines announced annually. Grant amounts can be substantial, reflecting Booz Allen Hamilton’s commitment to making a measurable difference in the community.

Schneider Electric

Schneider Electric, a leader in energy management and automation, supports nonprofits through corporate grants that emphasize sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental stewardship.

Organizations working on renewable energy projects, conservation efforts, and community education about sustainable practices are prime candidates for these grants. Schneider Electric’s application process includes a review of project feasibility and alignment with their corporate values. Grant recipients often receive not only funding but also technical support and expertise.

Procter & Gamble

Procter & Gamble (P&G), a multinational consumer goods corporation, offers corporate grants focusing on health, hygiene, and community well-being. Their programs aim to improve quality of life through support for nonprofits addressing these critical areas.

Nonprofits serving diverse populations in Austin can apply, with preference given to those demonstrating innovative approaches and measurable outcomes. P&G’s grant program is competitive, with clear application guidelines and deadlines. Funding levels vary depending on the scope and impact of the proposed initiatives.

Austin Companies Providing In-Kind Donations to Nonprofits

In-kind donations are a vital form of corporate sponsorship that provide nonprofits with goods, services, or expertise rather than direct financial support. Many Austin companies actively contribute in-kind resources, which can significantly reduce operational costs and enhance program delivery for nonprofits.

Austin Football Club

In addition to corporate grants, Austin Football Club offers in-kind donations such as event tickets, merchandise, and access to facilities for nonprofit fundraising events. These contributions help organizations engage their supporters and raise awareness.

Nonprofits interested in receiving in-kind donations from the club should inquire about availability and eligibility, as these donations are often tied to community engagement initiatives and special events.

Microsoft

Microsoft’s Austin office provides in-kind donations that include software licenses, technology support, and volunteer expertise. Their programs aim to empower nonprofits through access to cutting-edge technology and digital skills training.

Eligible nonprofits can apply for these resources through Microsoft’s corporate giving platform, with priority given to organizations focused on education, workforce development, and digital inclusion.

Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market, headquartered in Austin, is known for donating food products and catering services to nonprofits. Their in-kind donations support hunger relief efforts, community events, and wellness programs.

Nonprofits can request donations through the company’s community relations team, with guidelines specifying donation limits and types of events supported.

Tesla

Tesla’s Austin Gigafactory contributes in-kind donations such as electric vehicle use for nonprofit events, technology demonstrations, and sustainability workshops. These donations align with Tesla’s mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy.

Nonprofits focused on environmental education and clean energy initiatives are encouraged to explore partnership opportunities with Tesla’s community engagement team.

Panera Bread

Panera Bread also provides in-kind donations including food items for nonprofit events and volunteer support from employees. These contributions help organizations reduce event costs and enhance volunteer engagement.

Requests for in-kind donations are typically handled locally, with Panera Bread prioritizing nonprofits that address hunger and community wellness.

Trader Joe’s

Trader Joe’s offers in-kind donations primarily in the form of food products for community events and food banks. Their support is crucial for nonprofits working to alleviate food insecurity in Austin.

Nonprofits can contact local Trader Joe’s stores to inquire about donation policies and scheduling.

PepsiCo

PepsiCo provides in-kind donations such as beverages, branded merchandise, and event sponsorship support. Their contributions often enhance nonprofit fundraising events and community outreach programs.

Nonprofits seeking in-kind support from PepsiCo should submit requests through the company’s corporate social responsibility channels, adhering to guidelines on donation frequency and eligibility.

Target Brands

Target Brands offers in-kind donations including retail products, gift cards, and event space access. Their support is geared toward nonprofits focused on education, family services, and community development.

Applications for in-kind donations are reviewed periodically, with Target emphasizing partnerships that align with their corporate values and community impact goals.

Explore More Austin Sponsorship Programs with a Corporate Giving Database

Beyond the companies highlighted here, Austin hosts a wide array of businesses offering diverse corporate philanthropy programs. These include both monetary grants and in-kind donations, providing nonprofits with numerous avenues to secure support.

Utilizing a corporate giving database like Double the Donation can be a game-changer for nonprofits seeking to uncover these opportunities. Such databases compile comprehensive information on corporate giving programs, making it easier to identify companies that align with a nonprofit’s mission and values.

Benefits of Using a Corporate Giving Database

Comprehensive Search: Quickly find companies offering grants, in-kind donations, matching gifts, and volunteer programs.
Targeted Outreach: Identify businesses whose philanthropic priorities match your nonprofit’s focus areas.
Efficiency: Streamline the process of researching and applying for corporate sponsorships, saving valuable time and resources.
Employee Data Integration: Leverage supporter employment information to unlock workplace giving opportunities within companies you already engage.

By tapping into these databases, nonprofits can expand their network of corporate partners and increase their chances of securing meaningful sponsorships that drive their missions forward.

Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts

The corporate giving landscape in Austin is rich with opportunities for nonprofits to secure both financial grants and in-kind donations. Companies such as Austin Football Club, Panera Bread, Booz Allen Hamilton, Schneider Electric, and Procter & Gamble exemplify the city’s commitment to community support through structured corporate sponsorship programs.

In-kind donations from industry leaders like Microsoft, Whole Foods Market, Tesla, and others further enhance the resources available to nonprofits, enabling them to reduce costs and expand their impact. These initiatives, combined with the strategic use of corporate giving databases, empower nonprofits to build sustainable partnerships and maximize their outreach.

Nonprofits in Austin and beyond are encouraged to actively explore these corporate giving programs, leveraging the generosity of local businesses to fuel their missions and create lasting community change.

Discover How to Raise More with Corporate Grants and In-Kind Gifts

With our industry-leading corporate giving database, you can quickly identify companies that offer financial sponsorships, in-kind donations, and corporate grants—giving you a data-driven edge in building meaningful partnerships. Whether you’re planning a gala, community fundraiser, or school initiative, Double the Donation makes it simple to source high-value in-kind donations so you can focus on what matters most: delivering impact.

From auction items and catering to branded merchandise and venue support, we help you connect with companies ready to give. But we don’t stop at donations. Our platform helps you leverage supporter employment data to uncover corporate sponsorship potential and unlock deeper forms of workplace giving like matching gifts and employee volunteer programs—often through the same companies you’re already engaging.

Companies in Dallas that Offer Top Corporate Sponsorships

December 1, 2025/in In-Kind Donations, Corporate Sponsorships /by Adam Weinger

Dallas stands as a vibrant epicenter of commerce and culture, making it a prime location for businesses and nonprofits alike. The city’s dynamic economy and diverse corporate landscape create fertile ground for philanthropic partnerships that benefit the community in meaningful ways. Many nonprofits have found a supportive home in Dallas, thanks to the city’s robust corporate presence and commitment to social responsibility.

Corporate sponsorships in Dallas take many forms, from financial grants to in-kind donations, providing nonprofits with essential resources to advance their missions. Understanding which companies offer these opportunities and how to engage with them can unlock significant funding and support. This article explores the leading Dallas-based companies that provide top-tier corporate sponsorships, highlighting how nonprofits can tap into these valuable programs.

What to Know About Major Dallas Companies in the Corporate Giving Space
Companies in Dallas That Offer Generous Corporate Grants
Dallas Companies Providing In-Kind Donations to Nonprofits
Explore More Dallas Sponsorship Programs with a Corporate Giving Database
Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts
Discover How to Raise More with Corporate Sponsorships

What to Know About Major Dallas Companies in the Corporate Giving Space

Dallas is not only one of the largest cities in the United States by population but also a major hub for business and innovation. Its strategic location, diverse economy, and thriving corporate sector make it a magnet for both Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies. This strong corporate presence fuels a vibrant nonprofit ecosystem, as many organizations benefit from the generosity and community focus of local businesses.

Key facts about Dallas’s corporate landscape include:

Dallas is home to over 20 Fortune 500 companies, reflecting its status as a powerhouse in the national economy.
The city ranks among the top metropolitan areas in the U.S. for economic output, driven by industries such as technology, finance, telecommunications, and transportation.
Major sectors dominating Dallas’s economy include energy, healthcare, technology, and professional services, all of which have strong traditions of corporate philanthropy.
Many Dallas-based companies have established formal corporate giving programs, including grants and in-kind donations, to support local nonprofits and community initiatives.
The city’s business-friendly environment encourages partnerships between corporations and nonprofits, fostering a culture of giving that benefits a wide range of causes.

These factors combine to create a fertile environment for corporate sponsorships. Nonprofits in Dallas can leverage this ecosystem by aligning their missions with the priorities of local companies, thereby accessing funding and resources that can significantly amplify their impact.

Companies in Dallas That Offer Generous Corporate Grants

Corporate grants represent a critical avenue for nonprofits seeking financial support. Many Dallas-based companies have dedicated grant programs designed to fund projects and initiatives that align with their corporate values and community goals. Below, we explore some of the most notable companies offering corporate grants in Dallas, detailing their focus areas and application processes.

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks, a professional basketball team, are deeply invested in community development and youth empowerment. Their corporate grant program focuses on nonprofits that promote education, health, and wellness, particularly those serving children and families in the Dallas area.

Eligible organizations typically include those with programs in youth sports, academic support, and community health initiatives. The application process involves submitting a detailed proposal outlining the nonprofit’s mission, program goals, and budget. Grants vary in size but generally support projects with measurable community impact. Deadlines are announced annually, and priority is given to organizations demonstrating strong local engagement.

FC Dallas

FC Dallas, a Major League Soccer team, supports nonprofits through grants that emphasize youth development, sports accessibility, and community engagement. Their corporate grant program is designed to fund initiatives that encourage active lifestyles and provide opportunities for underserved populations.

Nonprofits focusing on youth sports programs, health education, and community outreach are encouraged to apply. The application process requires a clear description of the program’s objectives, expected outcomes, and alignment with FC Dallas’s community values. Grant amounts vary, and applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with specific deadlines posted on their website.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines, headquartered in Dallas, is renowned for its commitment to community support and employee engagement. Their corporate grant program targets nonprofits that focus on education, veterans’ services, and disaster relief.

Eligible organizations must demonstrate a strong community impact and alignment with Southwest’s core values. The application process includes submitting an online form with detailed information about the nonprofit’s programs and funding needs. Grants are awarded annually, with amounts tailored to the scope and scale of the proposed projects.

Capital One

Capital One, a major financial services company with a significant presence in Dallas, offers corporate grants aimed at financial literacy, education, and economic empowerment. Their grant program supports nonprofits that provide innovative solutions to improve community financial health.

Nonprofits working in education, workforce development, and economic inclusion are prime candidates for these grants. The application process is competitive and requires a comprehensive proposal, including program metrics and sustainability plans. Grant sizes vary, and deadlines are typically announced quarterly.

Walmart

Walmart, with numerous stores and distribution centers in Dallas, provides corporate grants focusing on hunger relief, health and wellness, and community development. Their grant program supports nonprofits that address critical social issues and improve quality of life.

Eligible nonprofits must align with Walmart’s philanthropic priorities and demonstrate measurable outcomes. The application process involves submitting an online request form, with grants awarded throughout the year. Funding amounts depend on the project scope and community impact.

Panera Bread

Panera Bread, a well-known bakery-café chain headquartered in the Dallas area, offers corporate grants to nonprofits focused on hunger relief, nutrition education, and community wellness. Their grant program aims to support organizations that combat food insecurity and promote healthy living.

Nonprofits serving local communities with programs related to food access and nutrition are encouraged to apply. The application process requires a detailed proposal and evidence of community impact. Grants are awarded annually, with specific deadlines communicated on Panera Bread’s corporate website.

Dallas Companies Providing In-Kind Donations to Nonprofits

In-kind donations are a vital form of corporate sponsorship, offering nonprofits non-cash resources such as products, services, or expertise. Many Dallas companies provide these valuable contributions, helping nonprofits reduce costs and enhance program delivery. Below is an overview of Dallas companies known for their in-kind donation programs.

Dallas Mavericks

The Dallas Mavericks extend their community support through in-kind donations including event tickets, merchandise, and access to facilities. These donations help nonprofits with fundraising efforts and community engagement activities.

Nonprofits interested in receiving in-kind support must typically submit a request outlining their event or program needs. The Mavericks prioritize organizations that align with their community focus areas, such as youth development and health.

Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys, a leading NFL team, offer in-kind donations such as game tickets, branded merchandise, and promotional support. These contributions assist nonprofits in fundraising and awareness campaigns.

Eligibility criteria include alignment with the Cowboys’ philanthropic priorities and the ability to demonstrate community impact. Requests are reviewed periodically, with a focus on organizations serving the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

Dallas Stars

The Dallas Stars, an NHL team, provide in-kind donations including event tickets, sports equipment, and access to team events. These donations support nonprofits focused on youth sports, education, and health.

Nonprofits must submit detailed requests and demonstrate how the in-kind support will enhance their programs. The Stars prioritize local organizations with strong community ties.

FC Dallas

In addition to grants, FC Dallas offers in-kind donations such as tickets, sports gear, and promotional materials. These donations help nonprofits engage supporters and raise funds.

Requests are accepted through an application process that evaluates the nonprofit’s mission and community impact. Priority is given to organizations promoting youth sports and healthy lifestyles.

Dallas Wings

The Dallas Wings, a professional women’s basketball team, contribute in-kind donations including game tickets, merchandise, and event access. These donations support nonprofits focused on women’s empowerment, youth development, and health.

Nonprofits can apply for in-kind support by submitting a request that details their program goals and community reach. The Wings prioritize organizations that align with their values and community initiatives.

Microsoft

Microsoft’s Dallas office provides in-kind donations such as software licenses, technology support, and employee volunteer expertise. These resources help nonprofits enhance their technological capabilities and operational efficiency.

Nonprofits seeking Microsoft’s in-kind support must demonstrate a clear need for technology solutions and alignment with Microsoft’s philanthropic focus areas. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

GlaxoSmithKline

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) offers in-kind donations including medical supplies, health education materials, and professional expertise. These donations support nonprofits working in healthcare and community wellness.

Eligibility requires alignment with GSK’s health-focused mission and the ability to demonstrate community impact. Requests are evaluated regularly, with priority given to local health initiatives.

Walmart

Walmart provides a broad range of in-kind donations such as food products, retail merchandise, and event support. These donations assist nonprofits addressing hunger, disaster relief, and community development.

Nonprofits can apply through Walmart’s community giving portal, with eligibility based on alignment with Walmart’s philanthropic priorities. Donations are distributed throughout the year.

Panera Bread

Panera Bread offers in-kind donations including food items, catering services, and event support. These donations help nonprofits combat food insecurity and support community events.

Requests are accepted via Panera’s community relations team, with priority given to organizations focused on hunger relief and nutrition education.

Ross Store

Ross Store contributes in-kind donations such as retail merchandise and gift cards. These donations support nonprofits in fundraising and direct community assistance.

Nonprofits must submit requests outlining their needs and how the donations will be used. Ross prioritizes organizations with strong local impact.

PepsiCo

PepsiCo offers in-kind donations including beverages, event sponsorship, and promotional materials. These donations support nonprofits hosting community events and health initiatives.

Eligibility requires alignment with PepsiCo’s community engagement goals. Requests are reviewed periodically, with a focus on local nonprofits.

Explore More Dallas Sponsorship Programs with a Corporate Giving Database

While the companies highlighted above represent some of the most prominent corporate sponsors in Dallas, many other businesses also offer valuable sponsorship opportunities. These include both monetary grants and in-kind donations that can significantly benefit nonprofits.

Using a corporate giving database like Double the Donation can be a game-changer for nonprofits seeking to uncover these opportunities. Such databases provide comprehensive, up-to-date information on companies offering corporate philanthropy programs, making it easier to identify potential partners whose values align with your mission.

Key advantages of leveraging a corporate giving database include:

Streamlined search capabilities to quickly find companies with relevant sponsorship programs.
Access to detailed information about grant criteria, application deadlines, and donation types.
Insights into employee giving programs, including matching gifts and volunteer initiatives.
Ability to target companies based on industry, location, and philanthropic focus areas.
Enhanced efficiency in building and managing corporate partnerships, saving valuable time and resources.

By integrating a corporate giving database into your fundraising strategy, your nonprofit can uncover hidden sponsorship gems and build stronger, more impactful relationships with Dallas-based companies and beyond.

Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts

Dallas’s vibrant corporate landscape offers a wealth of opportunities for nonprofits seeking to expand their impact through corporate sponsorships. From generous corporate grants to valuable in-kind donations, companies in Dallas demonstrate a strong commitment to supporting community initiatives and social causes.

Nonprofits can leverage these opportunities by understanding the specific programs offered by local companies and aligning their missions accordingly. Utilizing tools like corporate giving databases further enhances the ability to identify and secure these partnerships, unlocking new streams of support.

By actively engaging with Dallas’s corporate giving culture, nonprofits can boost their resources, extend their reach, and ultimately deliver greater impact to the communities they serve. Taking the initiative to explore and apply for these sponsorship programs is a critical step toward sustainable growth and success.

Discover How to Raise More with Corporate Sponsorships

Corporate sponsorships and in-kind donations are critical to the success of nonprofit events and programs, but sourcing the right partners can be time-consuming and overwhelming. Raise more with corporate grants and in-kind gifts. Double the Donation streamlines the entire process, helping your team find, secure, and manage corporate support with ease. With our industry-leading corporate giving database, you can quickly identify companies that offer financial sponsorships, in-kind donations, and corporate grants—giving you a data-driven edge in building meaningful partnerships.

Whether you’re planning a gala, community fundraiser, or school initiative, Double the Donation makes it simple to source high-value in-kind donations so you can focus on what matters most: delivering impact. From auction items and catering to branded merchandise and venue support, we help you connect with companies ready to give. But we don’t stop at donations. Our platform helps you leverage supporter employment data to uncover corporate sponsorship potential and unlock deeper forms of workplace giving like matching gifts and employee volunteer programs often through the same companies you’re already engaging.

Companies in San Diego that Offer Top Corporate Sponsorships

December 1, 2025/in In-Kind Donations, Corporate Sponsorships, Nonprofit Basics /by Adam Weinger

San Diego stands as a vibrant city known not only for its beautiful coastline and rich cultural heritage but also for its dynamic business environment. As a major hub for innovation, technology, and healthcare, the city attracts a diverse array of companies that actively engage in corporate philanthropy. These companies play a crucial role in supporting local nonprofits through various sponsorship programs, including corporate grants and in-kind donations.

Nonprofits based in San Diego benefit greatly from this strong corporate presence, which fosters a culture of giving back to the community. By partnering with these companies, nonprofits can access vital resources that help them expand their programs and increase their impact. Understanding which companies offer these opportunities and how to engage with them is essential for any nonprofit looking to thrive in the San Diego area.

What to Know About Major San Diego Companies in the Corporate Giving Space
Companies in San Diego That Offer Generous Corporate Grants
San Diego Companies Providing In-Kind Donations to Nonprofits
Explore More San Diego Sponsorship Programs with a Corporate Giving Database
Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts
Discover How Double the Donation Can Help You Raise More

What to Know About Major San Diego Companies in the Corporate Giving Space

San Diego is a thriving metropolitan area recognized as the eighth-largest city in the United States by population. It boasts a robust economy fueled by diverse industries such as biotechnology, telecommunications, defense, tourism, and manufacturing. This economic diversity has attracted numerous corporations, many of which have established headquarters or significant operations within the city.

Key facts about San Diego’s corporate landscape include:

Home to over 1,000 companies, including several Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 firms.
Strong presence of industries like healthcare, defense contracting, and technology, which are known for their philanthropic initiatives.
A growing number of startups and established companies that prioritize corporate social responsibility and community engagement.
San Diego’s nonprofits benefit from this corporate ecosystem, which supports a wide range of causes from education and health to environmental conservation and social services.

Corporate giving in San Diego typically takes two primary forms: monetary grants and in-kind donations. These sponsorships are vital for nonprofits seeking to fund programs, acquire resources, or gain access to specialized services. The city’s corporate culture encourages businesses to invest in their communities, making San Diego a fertile ground for nonprofit partnerships.

Understanding the local corporate giving landscape helps nonprofits identify potential sponsors whose values align with their missions. It also enables organizations to tailor their grant applications and donation requests to meet the specific criteria set by these companies, increasing their chances of success.

San Diego’s Economic Drivers and Their Philanthropic Impact

Biotechnology and Healthcare: Companies in this sector often support health-related nonprofits, medical research, and community wellness programs.
Defense and Aerospace: Firms here contribute to veteran services, STEM education, and technology innovation initiatives.
Tourism and Hospitality: These businesses frequently sponsor cultural events, environmental conservation, and local community projects.
Technology and Telecommunications: Tech companies provide grants and in-kind donations focused on education, digital inclusion, and workforce development.

By leveraging these industry strengths, San Diego companies create a robust network of corporate sponsorships that nonprofits can tap into for funding and resources.

Companies in San Diego That Offer Generous Corporate Grants

Corporate grants are a cornerstone of many companies’ philanthropic efforts in San Diego. These grants provide nonprofits with essential funding to support programs, expand services, and achieve strategic goals. Below, we explore some of the leading companies in San Diego that offer corporate grant programs, detailing their focus areas, eligibility criteria, and application processes.

Sempra Energy

Sempra Energy is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company headquartered in San Diego. It operates in the utilities sector, providing electricity and natural gas services across North America. Sempra is deeply committed to corporate social responsibility, focusing on sustainability, community development, and education.

The Sempra Energy Foundation offers corporate grants primarily to nonprofits working in environmental stewardship, energy education, and community resilience. Eligible organizations typically include those based in or serving communities within Sempra’s service areas. The application process involves submitting a detailed proposal outlining the project’s objectives, budget, and expected impact. Grant sizes vary but generally range from $10,000 to $100,000 annually. Deadlines are announced on the foundation’s website, and priority is given to programs that align with Sempra’s strategic focus areas.

Learn more about the program here.

Walgreens

Walgreens is a leading pharmacy and retail company with a significant presence in San Diego. Beyond its retail operations, Walgreens actively supports health and wellness initiatives through its corporate giving programs.

The Walgreens Corporate Grant Program targets nonprofits that promote health equity, access to healthcare, and community well-being. Eligible organizations include those focused on underserved populations and public health education. The grant application requires nonprofits to demonstrate measurable outcomes and community impact. Grants typically range from $5,000 to $50,000, with applications accepted on a rolling basis. Walgreens also emphasizes partnerships that foster long-term community health improvements.

Learn more about the program here.

Disney

Disney, a global entertainment leader, maintains operations in San Diego and supports a variety of philanthropic efforts. The company’s corporate grant program is designed to enhance children’s education, creativity, and well-being.

Disney’s grants often support nonprofits that provide arts education, youth development, and family services. Eligibility criteria include nonprofit status and alignment with Disney’s mission to inspire and entertain. The application process involves submitting a grant request form along with supporting documentation. Grant amounts vary widely depending on the scope and scale of the project. Disney prioritizes innovative programs that engage children and families in meaningful ways.

Learn more about the program here.

Southwest Airlines

Southwest Airlines, known for its customer service and community involvement, operates a corporate grant program that supports education, military families, and community development initiatives.

Nonprofits eligible for Southwest’s grants typically focus on youth education, veteran support, and disaster relief. The application process requires a clear description of the nonprofit’s mission, program goals, and how the grant funds will be used. Grants generally range from $10,000 to $75,000, with deadlines announced annually. Southwest values partnerships that demonstrate community impact and sustainability.

Learn more about the program here.

Booz Allen Hamilton

Booz Allen Hamilton is a management and technology consulting firm with a strong presence in San Diego. The company’s corporate giving program emphasizes STEM education, veteran services, and community resilience.

The Booz Allen Hamilton Foundation provides grants to nonprofits that align with these focus areas. Eligible organizations must demonstrate a commitment to innovation and community engagement. The grant application process includes submitting a proposal and financial statements. Grant sizes vary, with an emphasis on supporting scalable programs. The foundation encourages collaboration and long-term partnerships with grantees.

Learn more about the program here.

Motorola Solutions

Motorola Solutions, a leader in communication technology, supports public safety and community development through its corporate grant program. The company is headquartered in Chicago but has significant operations in San Diego.

Motorola Solutions Foundation grants focus on public safety education, disaster preparedness, and technology access. Nonprofits eligible for funding include those serving first responders, youth, and underserved communities. The application process requires detailed project descriptions and expected outcomes. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $100,000, with deadlines posted on the foundation’s website. Motorola Solutions values innovative solutions that enhance community safety and resilience.

Learn more about the program here.

San Diego Companies Providing In-Kind Donations to Nonprofits

In-kind donations are a vital form of corporate sponsorship that provide nonprofits with goods, services, or expertise instead of cash. These contributions can significantly reduce operational costs and enhance program delivery. Several San Diego-based companies are known for their generous in-kind donation programs, supporting nonprofits with a variety of resources.

San Diego Zoo

The San Diego Zoo is a world-renowned zoological park and conservation organization. Beyond its public exhibits, the zoo supports local nonprofits through in-kind donations such as educational materials, event tickets, and access to facilities for fundraising activities.

Nonprofits eligible for these donations typically focus on wildlife conservation, environmental education, and community outreach. The application process involves submitting a request detailing the intended use of the donation and the nonprofit’s mission. Donation limits and frequency vary depending on availability and organizational priorities.

Learn more about the program here.

San Diego Padres

The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team with a strong commitment to community engagement. The team provides in-kind donations including game tickets, merchandise, and event space to nonprofits.

Eligible organizations often include youth sports programs, education initiatives, and health-related nonprofits. Requests for in-kind donations are reviewed based on the nonprofit’s impact and alignment with the Padres’ community goals. Donations are typically provided for fundraising events and community programs, with limits set to ensure broad access.

Learn more about the program here.

Microsoft

Microsoft, a global technology leader with offices in San Diego, offers in-kind donations primarily in the form of software licenses, cloud services, and technical support. These resources help nonprofits enhance their operational efficiency and digital capabilities.

Nonprofits seeking Microsoft’s in-kind support must demonstrate a clear technology need and capacity to utilize the resources effectively. The application process includes an assessment of the nonprofit’s mission and technology strategy. Microsoft’s donation program is ongoing, with eligibility criteria designed to maximize impact across sectors.

Learn more about the program here.

Walgreens

In addition to its corporate grants, Walgreens provides in-kind donations such as health products, wellness kits, and promotional materials to nonprofits focused on health and community well-being.

Eligible nonprofits include those addressing public health, disease prevention, and underserved populations. Requests are evaluated based on program alignment and community reach. Walgreens offers these donations regularly, supporting events, health fairs, and educational campaigns.

Learn more about the program here.

Chipotle

Chipotle Mexican Grill, with locations throughout San Diego, supports nonprofits through in-kind donations of food and catering services for fundraising events and community programs.

Nonprofits eligible for Chipotle’s donations typically focus on hunger relief, education, and youth development. The application process requires advance notice and details about the event or program. Donation frequency and size depend on availability and organizational fit.

Learn more about the program here.

Henry Schein

Henry Schein is a global distributor of healthcare products and services headquartered in San Diego. The company provides in-kind donations such as medical supplies, dental products, and equipment to health-focused nonprofits.

Eligible organizations include clinics, health education programs, and community health initiatives. Requests for donations are reviewed based on need, impact, and alignment with Henry Schein’s mission. Donation limits vary, with priority given to programs serving underserved populations.

Learn more about the program here.

Columbia Sportswear

Columbia Sportswear, an outdoor apparel and gear company with operations in San Diego, offers in-kind donations of clothing and equipment to nonprofits promoting outdoor education, environmental conservation, and youth development.

Nonprofits interested in Columbia’s in-kind support must submit a request outlining their program goals and how the donations will be used. The company evaluates requests based on alignment with its corporate values and community impact. Donations are typically provided seasonally and for specific initiatives.

Learn more about the program here.

Explore More San Diego Sponsorship Programs with a Corporate Giving Database

San Diego’s corporate giving landscape is rich and varied, with many companies offering a wide array of sponsorship programs beyond those highlighted here. These include both monetary grants and in-kind donations that can significantly benefit nonprofits. However, identifying and navigating these opportunities can be challenging without the right tools.

Corporate giving databases like Double the Donation provide nonprofits with a powerful resource to uncover sponsorship programs offered by companies in San Diego and across the country. These databases compile detailed information about corporate philanthropy initiatives, making it easier for nonprofits to find potential partners whose values and giving priorities align with their missions.

Benefits of Using a Corporate Giving Database

Comprehensive Search: Quickly identify companies offering grants, in-kind donations, matching gifts, and employee volunteer programs.
Targeted Outreach: Focus efforts on businesses that support causes similar to your nonprofit’s mission, increasing chances of successful partnerships.
Employee Data Integration: Leverage supporter employment information to unlock workplace giving opportunities from companies your donors work for.
Streamlined Application Process: Access up-to-date guidelines, deadlines, and contact information to simplify grant and donation requests.

By utilizing a corporate giving database, nonprofits can maximize their fundraising potential and build sustainable relationships with corporate sponsors in San Diego and beyond.

Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts

San Diego’s vibrant corporate community offers a wealth of opportunities for nonprofits seeking to enhance their impact through corporate sponsorships. From substantial corporate grants provided by industry leaders like Sempra Energy and Walgreens to valuable in-kind donations from organizations such as the San Diego Zoo and Microsoft, the city’s companies demonstrate a strong commitment to giving back.

Nonprofits that understand the landscape of corporate giving in San Diego and actively pursue these partnerships can secure critical funding and resources. Leveraging these opportunities not only supports program growth but also fosters long-term community engagement and collaboration.

Exploring corporate sponsorship programs, utilizing tools like corporate giving databases, and aligning with companies whose values resonate with your mission are essential steps toward building successful partnerships. By doing so, nonprofits can unlock new avenues for support and drive meaningful change in the communities they serve.

Discover How Double the Donation Can Help You Raise More

Corporate sponsorships and in-kind donations are critical to the success of nonprofit events and programs—but sourcing the right partners can be time-consuming and overwhelming. Double the Donation streamlines the entire process, helping your team find, secure, and manage corporate support with ease. With our industry-leading corporate giving database, you can quickly identify companies that offer financial sponsorships, in-kind donations, and corporate grants—giving you a data-driven edge in building meaningful partnerships.

Whether you’re planning a gala, community fundraiser, or school initiative, Double the Donation makes it simple to source high-value in-kind donations so you can focus on what matters most: delivering impact. From auction items and catering to branded merchandise and venue support, we help you connect with companies ready to give. But we don’t stop at donations. Our platform helps you leverage supporter employment data to uncover corporate sponsorship potential and unlock deeper forms of workplace giving like matching gifts and employee volunteer programs—often through the same companies you’re already engaging.

To learn more about how your nonprofit can maximize corporate sponsorships and in-kind gifts, Raise more with corporate grants, in-kind gifts.

Companies in San Antonio that Offer Top Corporate Sponsorships

December 1, 2025/in In-Kind Donations, Corporate Sponsorships, Nonprofit Basics /by Adam Weinger

San Antonio stands as a vibrant city with a rich blend of culture, history, and a booming economy. It is not only a popular destination for tourists but also a thriving hub for businesses and nonprofits alike. The city’s dynamic corporate landscape plays a crucial role in supporting local communities through various sponsorship programs, including corporate grants and in-kind donations. These programs provide essential resources that empower nonprofits to expand their reach and impact.

Many companies headquartered or operating in San Antonio recognize the importance of giving back. Their corporate sponsorship initiatives are designed to foster community development, support education, health, and social services, and promote sustainability. For nonprofits seeking funding or resources, understanding which companies offer these opportunities and how to access them can be a game-changer in achieving their missions.

What to Know About Major San Antonio Companies in the Corporate Giving Space
Companies in San Antonio That Offer Generous Corporate Grants
San Antonio Companies Providing In-Kind Donations to Nonprofits
Explore More San Antonio Sponsorship Programs with a Corporate Giving Database
Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts
Discover How to Raise More with Corporate Grants and In-Kind Gifts

What to Know About Major San Antonio Companies in the Corporate Giving Space

San Antonio is one of the largest cities in the United States, ranking seventh by population and serving as a key economic engine in Texas and beyond. Its diverse economy is anchored by industries such as healthcare, military, tourism, finance, and technology. This economic diversity attracts a wide range of companies, many of which have established strong corporate giving programs to support the community.

The city is home to numerous Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies, which contribute significantly to the local nonprofit sector through various sponsorships. These companies understand that investing in the community not only benefits those in need but also strengthens their own business ecosystems.

San Antonio hosts over 20 Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies, reflecting its importance as a business hub.
Key industries include healthcare services, financial institutions, defense contractors, retail giants, and technology firms.
Many of these companies have dedicated corporate social responsibility (CSR) departments focused on grantmaking and in-kind donations.
The city’s nonprofits benefit from a culture of corporate philanthropy that encourages partnerships and long-term support.
Corporate sponsorships in San Antonio often target education, health and wellness, community development, and environmental sustainability.

Understanding the landscape of corporate giving in San Antonio is essential for nonprofits aiming to secure funding or resources. The city’s strong corporate presence creates numerous opportunities for organizations to engage with companies that share their values and goals.

Companies in San Antonio That Offer Generous Corporate Grants

Corporate grants are a vital form of sponsorship that provide nonprofits with financial support to carry out their missions. In San Antonio, several prominent companies offer structured grant programs designed to fund a variety of causes. These grants often come with specific eligibility criteria and application processes, making it important for nonprofits to be well-informed before applying.

McDonald’s Corporate Grant Program

McDonald’s, a global leader in the fast-food industry, has a strong presence in San Antonio with numerous franchise locations. The company’s corporate grant program focuses on supporting youth education, community development, and hunger relief initiatives.

Eligible nonprofits typically include those working in education, youth development, and food security. Applications are accepted through local franchisees or the corporate foundation, with deadlines varying by region. Grants usually range from $1,000 to $10,000, aimed at projects that demonstrate measurable community impact. McDonald’s prioritizes programs that engage youth and promote healthy lifestyles.

Learn more about the program here.

Walmart Corporate Grant Program

Walmart, a retail giant with multiple stores in San Antonio, offers a comprehensive corporate grant program through the Walmart Foundation. The program supports nonprofits focused on hunger relief, health and wellness, education, and workforce development.

Nonprofits must be registered 501(c)(3) organizations and demonstrate a clear plan for utilizing grant funds to improve community outcomes. Walmart’s grants often range from $5,000 to $50,000, with an emphasis on scalable and sustainable projects. The application process is competitive and requires detailed proposals outlining goals, budgets, and expected results.

Learn more about the program here.

Walgreens Corporate Grant Program

Walgreens, a leading pharmacy chain with numerous locations in San Antonio, supports community health initiatives through its corporate grant program. The company focuses on improving access to healthcare, promoting wellness, and supporting underserved populations.

Eligible nonprofits include those working in public health, disease prevention, and community outreach. Grants typically range from $2,500 to $25,000 and are awarded based on the alignment of the nonprofit’s mission with Walgreens’ health-focused priorities. Applications are submitted online, with deadlines announced annually.

Learn more about the program here.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Corporate Grant Program

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas, a major health insurance provider headquartered in San Antonio, offers grants aimed at improving health outcomes across the state. Their corporate grant program supports nonprofits working in chronic disease management, mental health, and health education.

Nonprofits must demonstrate a strong track record in health-related services and provide detailed program plans. Grant amounts vary but can be substantial, often exceeding $50,000 for large-scale initiatives. The application process includes a letter of intent followed by a full proposal for selected applicants.

Learn more about the program here.

Booz Allen Hamilton Corporate Grant Program

Booz Allen Hamilton, a global consulting firm with offices in San Antonio, supports nonprofits through grants focused on education, veteran services, and technology access. The company emphasizes programs that foster innovation and workforce readiness.

Eligible organizations include those providing STEM education, veteran support services, and digital literacy programs. Grants typically range from $10,000 to $100,000, with a rigorous application process that includes detailed project descriptions and impact metrics. Booz Allen Hamilton values partnerships that promote long-term community development.

Learn more about the program here.

San Antonio Companies Providing In-Kind Donations to Nonprofits

In-kind donations are non-cash contributions such as goods, services, or expertise that can be invaluable to nonprofits. Many companies in San Antonio offer in-kind donation programs that help organizations access resources they might otherwise struggle to afford. These donations can include everything from event space and technology to food and promotional materials.

San Antonio Zoo In-Kind Donation Program

The San Antonio Zoo, a beloved local institution, supports community nonprofits by providing in-kind donations such as event tickets, educational programs, and animal encounters. These donations help nonprofits enhance their fundraising events and educational outreach.

Nonprofits interested in receiving in-kind support must submit a request outlining their needs and how the donation will be used. The zoo prioritizes organizations that focus on education, conservation, and community engagement. Donation frequency and availability depend on the zoo’s event calendar and resources.

Learn more about the program here.

San Antonio Spurs In-Kind Donation Program

The San Antonio Spurs, a professional basketball team, contribute to the community by offering in-kind donations including game tickets, merchandise, and access to team events. These donations are often used by nonprofits for fundraising auctions and community programs.

Eligibility is generally limited to nonprofits with a strong local presence and a focus on youth development, health, or education. Requests must be submitted well in advance, and donations are subject to availability. The Spurs also engage in community outreach through volunteer programs and partnerships.

Learn more about the program here.

Microsoft In-Kind Donation Program

Microsoft, a global technology leader with offices in San Antonio, provides in-kind donations primarily in the form of software licenses, cloud services, and technical support. These resources help nonprofits improve their operational efficiency and digital capabilities.

Nonprofits must apply through Microsoft’s nonprofit portal and meet eligibility criteria including nonprofit status and mission alignment. Donations are typically granted annually and may include training and consulting services. Microsoft prioritizes organizations focused on education, workforce development, and technology access.

Learn more about the program here.

Walmart In-Kind Donation Program

In addition to grants, Walmart offers in-kind donations such as food products, event supplies, and promotional materials to nonprofits in San Antonio. These donations support hunger relief efforts, community events, and educational programs.

Nonprofits can request donations through Walmart’s local store managers or corporate giving team. Eligibility requires nonprofit status and a clear explanation of how the donations will be used. Donation limits and frequency vary by store and program.

Learn more about the program here.

PepsiCo In-Kind Donation Program

PepsiCo, a major food and beverage company with operations in San Antonio, provides in-kind donations including beverages, snacks, and event support. These donations help nonprofits host successful events and provide refreshments for community programs.

Nonprofits must submit requests through PepsiCo’s community relations department, with priority given to organizations focused on health, education, and community development. Donation availability depends on inventory and event schedules.

Learn more about the program here.

Target Brands In-Kind Donation Program

Target Brands, a retail leader with stores in San Antonio, offers in-kind donations such as merchandise, gift cards, and event support. These donations are valuable for fundraising auctions, holiday drives, and community outreach programs.

Nonprofits can apply for donations through Target’s local store giving programs or corporate community relations. Eligibility requires nonprofit status and alignment with Target’s giving priorities, including education, arts, and social services. Donation frequency and amounts vary.

Learn more about the program here.

Walgreens In-Kind Donation Program

Walgreens complements its grant program with in-kind donations including health products, wellness kits, and event support. These donations assist nonprofits in delivering health education and services to underserved populations in San Antonio.

Requests for in-kind donations are reviewed by Walgreens’ community engagement team, with priority given to health-focused nonprofits. Eligibility criteria include nonprofit status and demonstrated community impact. Donations are subject to availability and program guidelines.

Learn more about the program here.

Explore More San Antonio Sponsorship Programs with a Corporate Giving Database

Beyond the well-known companies in San Antonio, many other businesses offer corporate philanthropy programs that include both monetary grants and in-kind donations. Navigating this landscape can be challenging for nonprofits, especially when trying to identify the best potential partners. This is where a corporate giving database becomes an invaluable tool.

Using a corporate giving database like Double the Donation allows nonprofits to quickly and efficiently search for companies that provide sponsorships aligned with their mission. These databases compile detailed information on corporate giving programs, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and contact details, making it easier to target the right opportunities.

Benefits of Using a Corporate Giving Database

Access to comprehensive and up-to-date information on thousands of companies’ giving programs.
Ability to filter searches by location, industry, giving type, and focus areas.
Insight into employee matching gift programs and volunteer grant opportunities.
Streamlined process for identifying companies whose values align with your nonprofit’s mission.
Increased chances of securing corporate sponsorships by targeting the most relevant companies.

For nonprofits in San Antonio and beyond, leveraging a corporate giving database can transform the way they approach fundraising and partnership development. It empowers organizations to uncover hidden sponsorship opportunities and build meaningful, lasting relationships with corporate partners.

Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts

San Antonio’s robust corporate environment offers a wealth of opportunities for nonprofits seeking sponsorships through corporate grants and in-kind donations. The city’s major companies, spanning industries from retail and healthcare to technology and consulting, have established impactful giving programs that support a wide range of community needs.

Nonprofits can leverage these programs to secure essential funding and resources that amplify their impact. By understanding the specific criteria and application processes of each company’s sponsorship initiatives, organizations can tailor their approaches and increase their chances of success.

Additionally, utilizing tools like corporate giving databases can help nonprofits uncover even more opportunities, streamline their outreach efforts, and build strategic partnerships. Taking advantage of these powerful payroll giving initiatives and corporate philanthropy programs is key to sustaining and growing nonprofit missions in San Antonio and beyond.

Discover How to Raise More with Corporate Grants and In-Kind Gifts

Corporate sponsorships and in-kind donations are critical to the success of nonprofit events and programs—but sourcing the right partners can be time-consuming and overwhelming. Raise more with corporate grants, in-kind gifts. Double the Donation streamlines the entire process, helping your team find, secure, and manage corporate support with ease. With our industry-leading corporate giving database, you can quickly identify companies that offer financial sponsorships, in-kind donations, and corporate grants—giving you a data-driven edge in building meaningful partnerships.

Whether you’re planning a gala, community fundraiser, or school initiative, Double the Donation makes it simple to source high-value in-kind donations so you can focus on what matters most: delivering impact. From auction items and catering to branded merchandise and venue support, we help you connect with companies ready to give. But we don’t stop at donations. Our platform helps you leverage supporter employment data to uncover corporate sponsorship potential and unlock deeper forms of workplace giving like matching gifts and employee volunteer programs—often through the same companies you’re already engaging.

Why the Volunteer Grant Process Matters for Your Nonprofit

Step 1: The Volunteer Shift and Employer Data Collection

Completing the Volunteer Shift

Collecting Employer Data

Essential Data Collection Points:

Step 2: Determining Volunteer Grant Eligibility

Utilizing a Volunteer Grant Database

Segmenting Your Volunteer Base

Step 3: The Volunteer Grant Request and Submission

Delivering Company-Specific Next Steps

The Volunteer’s Task

Step 4: Securing the Corporate Grant Funding

Corporate Review and Approval

Grant Disbursement and Tracking

Marketing Strategies to Promote the Volunteer Grant Process

Promote on Your Website

Utilize Email and Social Media

Engage Local Business Partners

Measuring Success and Optimizing Your Volunteer Grant Strategy

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Continuous Optimization

Wrapping Up & Next Steps

What is a Volunteer Grant Request?

The Anatomy of a Volunteer Grant Request

1. Employee Information

2. Nonprofit Information

3. Volunteer Activity Information

The Volunteer Grant Request Process: Step-by-Step

Step 1: The Volunteer Act

Step 2: Determining Eligibility

Step 3: Submitting the Request

Step 4: Verification

Step 5: Fulfillment and Payout

Top Companies with Standout Volunteer Grant Programs

Microsoft

ExxonMobil

Verizon

Allstate

Disney

Marketing Strategies to Drive More Requests

Leverage Your Website

Optimize Your Email Communication

Social Media Awareness

Catch Them During Registration

Leveraging Technology to Automate Requests

The Power of a Corporate Giving Database

Seamless Integration

Wrapping Up & Next Steps

What is Volunteer Time Off?

Why the VTO Process Matters for Your Nonprofit

Step 1: Registration and Employer Identification

Step 2: Determining Eligibility for VTO

Step 3: Submitting the VTO Request and Pre-Approval

Step 4: Completing the Volunteer Shift

Step 5: Verification and Proof of Volunteerism

Top Companies with Standout VTO Programs

1. Patagonia

2. Thomson Reuters

3. Microsoft

4. Deloitte

5. GM Financial

Marketing the VTO Opportunity to Your Supporters

1. Create a Dedicated “Volunteers” Page

2. Leverage Social Media

3. Implement Personalized Outreach

4. Encourage Group Events

Tools to Streamline the VTO Process

Measuring Success and Optimizing Your Efforts

Wrapping Up & Next Steps

The Strategic Value of Volunteer Time Off

The Anatomy of a Volunteer Time Off Request

1. Employee and Policy Information

2. Nonprofit Information

3. Volunteer Activity Information

The Lifecycle of a VTO Request

Step 1: Identification and Registration

Step 2: Submission of the Request

Step 3: The Approval Process

Step 4: Completing the Service

Step 5: Verification and Follow-Up