Page 44 – Double the Donation

This guide explains the basics of Dollars for Doers programs, so your nonprofit can leverage these programs.

Dollars for Doers 101: How to Boost Your Volunteers’ Impact

Around 63 million Americans volunteer, making up one-third of the nonprofit workforce. Chances are, your nonprofit relies on volunteers who work hard to fulfill your mission. The value they provide is already incalculable, but what if there was a way for them to take their impact even further at no additional cost? Dollars for Doers grant programs can help your volunteers amplify their impact even more!

Dollars for Doers grants can substantially boost your fundraising revenue and grow volunteer engagement. To tap into these corporate volunteer programs, your organization needs to understand the basics, and we’re here to help.

In this article, we’ll break down the definition of Dollars for Doers grants and guide you through effective strategies for raising more. Specifically, we’ll cover:

What are Dollars for Doers Grants?
How Dollars for Doers Programs Work
The Impact of Volunteer Grant Programs
Top Dollars for Doers Companies
How to Get Dollars for Doers Grants

From educating volunteers to discovering necessary tools to invest in, you’ll know exactly how to find and take advantage of these programs. Let’s first start with a basic definition.

What are Dollars for Doers Grants?

A Dollars for Doers program is a corporate giving program in which companies provide monetary donations to nonprofit organizations based on the volunteer hours contributed by their employees. When employees volunteer their time to eligible nonprofits, the company matches this volunteer effort with a financial grant to the organization, thereby enhancing the impact of the employee’s volunteer work.

Dollars for Doers grants are also frequently referred to by other names, such as:

Volunteer Grants
Matching Time Programs
Dollar-for-Hour Programs
Grants for Time Programs
Community Service Grants
Volunteer Match Programs

These programs encourage corporate philanthropy, increase employee engagement, and provide valuable financial resources to nonprofits.

However, Dollars for Doers programs are often overlooked due to a lack of awareness by both nonprofits and volunteers. Nonprofits don’t always know whether their volunteers work for companies that offer these grants, and volunteers are often unaware their companies even offer such a program.

How Dollars for Doers Programs Work

While every company has its own participation requirements, all volunteer grant programs generally follow the same blueprint. So that your nonprofit can fold these grants into its volunteer management approach, here’s how they work:

An individual volunteers with a nonprofit. Dollars for Doers programs require employees to initiate by volunteering like normal. At this stage, eligible supporters volunteer like any other member of your team.
The individual submits a request for a Dollars for Doers grant to their employer. To earn funding from a Dollars for Does program, employees need to alert their employer to their volunteer hours, usually by submitting an application through their employers’ CSR software.
The employer verifies the hours volunteered with the nonprofit. During this stage, some employers may accept employees’ reported volunteer hours without further question, while others might contact you for confirmation. In either case, be prepared by having accurate hour reports.
The employer sends a check to the nonprofit. If the volunteer’s request is approved, your nonprofit should receive a payment from their employer. This payout may come from the business or a CSR software vendor depending on what technology they use to manage their Dollars for Doers program.

It’s that simple! Share this process with your volunteers, let them know you’re there to help, and meticulously track volunteer hours with your volunteer management tools. In no time, you’ll see the volunteer grants start rolling in.

Common Dollars for Doers Criteria

While most Dollar for Doers programs follow similar processes, each company that offers a Dollars for Doers program has unique requirements and guidelines.

These guidelines typically outline:

Nonprofit eligibility requirements. Typically, most types of nonprofits, such as arts organizations, health and human services groups, and environmental organizations, will be accepted. The most common types of ineligible nonprofits are political organizations, churches and religious groups, and nonprofits owned by the participating employee or a member of the employee’s family.
The minimum number of volunteer hours required to be eligible. There are usually two types of minimum-hour requirements. Some volunteer grant companies provide contributions based on a per-hour basis. Others require employees to volunteer for a certain number of hours in exchange for a flat donation.
Grant amounts per volunteer hour or per threshold passed. Most companies put a cap on the number of volunteer hours or the total amount they will donate per employee per year to keep their budgets in check.
Employee eligibility requirements. Not every employee who works for a company with a volunteer grant program will be eligible. For instance, some companies may only offer the program to full-time employees who have worked for the business for a certain number of years. In contrast, other organizations may make their program available to part-time employees and retirees.

Here’s an example of a company profile with these criteria:

Dollars for Doers grants depend on a few factors, and it might not be apparent how much of an impact they can make on your nonprofit. In the next section, we’ll outline some eye-opening statistics that demonstrate why your organization should tap into this powerful form of corporate philanthropy.

Types of Dollars for Doers Frameworks

As you start researching different Dollars for Doers companies, you’ll notice a few common frameworks. So that you’re prepared to leverage these opportunities, here are the three approaches you might encounter:

Grant Based on Service Hours: Companies match volunteer hours with donations to the same nonprofit based on an hourly rate. For example, 20 hours at $10/hour equals a $200 donation. Requirements may include minimum hours, budget caps, and organization eligibility.
Credit Grant Per Service Hour (to Any Nonprofit): This is similar to the first framework, but employees can direct the grant to any nonprofit. For example, 20 hours at $10/hour equals a $200 credit grant for any eligible nonprofit. This framework supports company-sponsored volunteer events while also recognizing and supporting causes that employees are passionate about.
Milestone Grant for Volunteer Goal (Can Be Restricted or Open): Employees become eligible for grants after reaching a set number of volunteer hours. For example, an employee becomes eligible for a $250 grant after volunteering a minimum of 20 hours.

Understanding these frameworks will allow your team to better engage with corporate partners and encourage employee participation in volunteer programs. Make sure your team members fully understand these frameworks, so they can help volunteers when the time comes to request a grant!

The Impact of Volunteer Grant Programs

Not convinced that Dollars for Doers programs should be part of your fundraising strategy? Check out these stats that our team at Double the Donation has uncovered:

40% of Fortune 500 companies offer Dollars for Doers programs, indicating that a significant portion of influential companies support employee volunteerism.
The average corporate volunteer rate participation rate is 33%, meaning your nonprofit has a substantial opportunity to engage with active corporate volunteers.
About 63 million Americans volunteer each year, totaling 7.7 billion hours, which equates to approximately $175 billion annually.
80% of companies with Dollars for Doers programs provide between $8-15 per volunteer hour, showing that the majority of Dollars for Doers companies offer generous financial contributions.

Dollars for Doers programs are incredibly impactful because they energize volunteer engagement, drive recruitment, and improve retention by rewarding volunteers for their time. Moreover, they can significantly boost nonprofit revenue and forge stronger, mutually beneficial connections with companies, amplifying your organization’s impact and support network.

These statistics show how common Dollars for Doers programs actually are and how many individuals volunteer annually. Chances are good that at least a few of your volunteers are eligible for a volunteer grant and just need your help in learning about them.

Top Dollars for Doers Companies

Many companies offer generous volunteer grants. For examples of what Dollar for Doers programs look like in action, check out these examples from three top companies:

Google

Overview of This Dollars for Doers Company

Google needs little introduction, but for reference, it’s a multinational technology company specializing in Internet services and products, including a search engine, online advertising, software, hardware, and more.

To cultivate a positive reputation, create a positive work environment, and do good in the world, Google has multiple CSR programs, such as volunteer grants, Google for Nonprofits, and the Google Ad Grant.

Dollars for Doers Grant Information

For every hour of volunteer work a Google employee performs, the company will provide a $10 grant to the nonprofit. The minimum hours requirement is just 1 hour, meaning volunteers start earning for your cause immediately.

LEARN MORE ABOUT GOOGLE’S CORPORATE GIVING PROGRAMS!

Microsoft

Overview of This Dollars for Doers Company

Microsoft is also a major international player in the technology space. It’s a multinational company that develops computer software, consumer electronics, personal computers, and more.

Similar to Google, Microsoft offers a range of CSR initiatives to engage employees, including a Dollars for Doers program.

Dollars for Doers Grant Information

With no minimum amount of hours required for a grant, Microsoft awards $25 per hour to nonprofits where their employees volunteer.

LEARN MORE ABOUT MICROSOFT’S CORPORATE GIVING PROGRAMS!

Verizon

Overview of This Dollars for Doers Company

Verizon is the second-largest wireless carrier in the United States, serving more than 144 million customers.

Dollars for Doers Grant Information

Verizon offers a Dollars for Doers program with unique requirements. Employees are required to volunteer for 50 hours to earn a $750 grant for a nonprofit. However, each employee can then volunteer another 50 hours at a different nonprofit to earn $750 for that organization each year. This encourages employees to work with multiple causes.

LEARN MORE ABOUT VERIZON’S CORPORATE GIVING PROGRAMS!

How to Get Dollars for Doers Grants

Now that you understand the fundamentals, the next step is to determine whether any of your volunteers work for a Dollars for Doers company.

To ensure as many eligible volunteers as possible earn volunteer grants, nonprofits should invest in software. A volunteer management platform is a great start for storing accurate volunteer information!

Then, go one step further and research matching gift and volunteer grant databases. This type of software provides your volunteers with access to an extensive database of corporate giving programs, including matching gifts and Dollars for Doers programs. The database can help volunteers discover guidelines, grant amounts, hour requirements, and more, so they have exactly the information they need.

When it comes to comprehensive, up-to-date, and user-friendly software, we have to recommend our volunteer grant solution, which is part of the broader Double the Donation ecosystem of workplace fundraising tools for nonprofits.

Double the Donation

Double the Donation maintains an extensive corporate giving database that contains up-to-date information on corporate giving programs for 99% of United States businesses and 95% of Canadian companies. It’s the ideal solution for all sorts of nonprofits and universities looking to double their matching gift revenue and tap into Dollars for Doers programs.

When supporters donate on your website or sign up to volunteer, Double the Donation can automatically scan the information they provide, such as their email domain or employer details, to determine their eligibility for corporate giving programs. Depending on their eligibility, the platform triggers customizable emails to the supporter detailing the appropriate next steps to submit either a matching gift or Dollars for Doers grant request. Check out this video to see how our solution works:

Our software will alert supporters about their eligibility, follow up to drive requests to completion, and thank supporters for submitting an application to their employer, so you don’t have to. Thanks to 100+ integrations with leading nonprofit software, you can rest assured that you’re finding as many volunteer grant and matching gift opportunities as possible!

Explore our industry-leading software!

Marketing Dollars for Doers Grants

Matching gift software ensures these revenue opportunities don’t slip through the cracks, but it’s still important to promote Dollars for Doers grants to your volunteers. After all, many supporters are likely unfamiliar with volunteer grants and will need your nonprofit to give them that initial push to check their eligibility.

Here are some helpful ways to market Dollars for Doers grants:

On your website. Create informational content on your website about Dollars for Doers grants. You might include details about these programs on your volunteer information page, add a section to your Ways to Give page about volunteer grants, or create a new page dedicated to corporate giving programs like Dollars for Doers.
In your email outreach. In your newsletters, spotlight volunteer grants to encourage your subscribers to research their eligibility. Link them to educational content on your website and let them know they can reach out to you if they have any questions.
On social media. Regularly post information about Dollars for Doers grants, and just like with your email outreach, link to your informational content on your website.
In direct mail outreach. Include an insert in your direct mail outreach that explains volunteer grants and how volunteers can search for their company’s program guidelines.
In volunteer thank-you letters. When thanking volunteers for their hard work, let them know they might be able to take their impact further through their employers’ volunteer grants program.

The easiest way to market available opportunities is by using software like Double the Donation to embed an employer search tool into your website and volunteer registration forms. By directing your supporters to it across your outreach, they’ll be able to find their employers’ Dollars for Doers program information and successfully submit grant requests. Essentially, the easier it is to submit an application, the more supporters will do it, and Double the Donation can make the process as streamlined as possible.

Additional Dollars for Doers Resources

Dollars for Doers programs are underutilized funding resources. Set your nonprofit up to secure the grants your volunteers have earned with proper hours recording policies, a volunteer grant education campaign, and the right corporate giving database.

To learn more about volunteer grants and how they impact the social good sector, explore these resources:

Maximizing Impact With Corporate Volunteer Grant Programs. Our essential guide breaks down even more of the basics of Dollars for Doers programs. Explore it to learn even more about these valuable grant opportunities.
Top 10 Volunteer Grant Companies: Increase Corporate Dollars. This list will help you find out if any of your volunteers are linked to top Dollars for Doers companies.
Top 50+ Popular Companies That Donate to Nonprofits. Explore several leading companies that give back to nonprofits via matching gifts, volunteer grants, and other philanthropic programs.

A Deep Dive into Marketing Volunteer Time Off for Nonprofits

May 17, 2024/in Donor communications, Learning Center, About Double the Donation, Marketing Strategies /by Gabe Dinardi

Paid Volunteer Time Off (VTO) programs continue to gain traction as companies boost their CSR while engaging employees in meaningful community activities. These initiatives not only reflect a company’s commitment to social impact but also empower organizations to make the most of their volunteer base. However, despite the growing prevalence of VTO, there’s a significant knowledge gap regarding workplace giving initiatives⁠—even among eligible supporters. And that’s where a well-thought-out plan for marketing volunteer time off to your audience will come in handy!

In this post, we’ll dive into the world of Volunteer Time Off for nonprofits and share key recommendations for effectively promoting VTO. Here’s what we’ll cover:

What Is Volunteer Time Off?
Why Does Marketing Volunteer Time Off Matter?
8 Top Strategies For Marketing Volunteer Time Off at Your Org
Bonus: Free Sample Volunteer Time Off Marketing Materials

Read on to explore the transformative impact corporate volunteer initiatives like these can have on your organization, its mission, and your community as a whole.

Let’s get started!

What Is Volunteer Time Off?

Volunteer Time Off (also referred to as VTO, paid-release volunteer time, or employer-sponsored volunteerism) is a unique benefit that allows employees to spend their typical work hours volunteering with charitable causes without sacrificing their regular pay. This type of program supplies additional time off, above and beyond any existing vacation or sick leave, and is specifically designated for team members to participate in volunteer activities.

VTO programs vary among companies in terms of eligibility criteria, time off granted, submission processes, and more. Some companies offer a set number of VTO hours per year, while others allow employees to use VTO on a flexible basis. The types of volunteer activities permitted can also range from community service projects to skills-based volunteerism and more.

Why Does Marketing Volunteer Time Off Matter?

As a form of corporate partnership, the purpose of Volunteer Time Off is multi-fold. First, the programs enable companies to demonstrate commitment to social responsibility and engage employees in meaningful ways. At the same time, employees are presented with a unique opportunity to give back to their communities and support their favorite causes (like yours⁠) without missing out on a day’s wages. This fulfills individuals’ desires to make a positive impact and fosters a sense of purpose in their work inside and outside the office.

For nonprofits, the availability of volunteer time off widens the prospective supporter pool, incentivizing individual involvement and significantly increasing engagement. This can be especially beneficial when it comes to sourcing supporters for those hard-to-fill weekday volunteer slots! However, many employees are unaware of the VTO programs offered by their employers, leading to a missed opportunity for companies and nonprofits alike.

That’s why marketing the programs is so essential, and why organizations like yours are taking increasingly proactive steps to drive awareness among their audiences. When done well, simply highlighting VTO opportunities in donor- and volunteer-facing materials will allow you to bridge the knowledge gap and unlock a new avenue for community involvement.

8 Top Strategies For Marketing Volunteer Time Off at Your Org

Crafting an effective Volunteer Time Off marketing plan is crucial for organizations seeking to boost volunteerism and engage supporters with corporate incentives. So, how, specifically, will you increase awareness of the programs among your audience to maximize participation? We recommend implementing the following strategies and best practices in your efforts.

1. Establish Volunteer Time Off metrics and KPIs to track.

When it comes to marketing just about anything⁠, including volunteer time off⁠ and other corporate giving programs, to your supporters, determining which KPIs⁠ (or Key Performance Indicators⁠) your team will track is an essential first step. Implementing the appropriate metrics in your promotional plan enables you to measure the effectiveness of VTO in relation to your mission and identify opportunities for improvement in your nonprofit’s strategy.

These metrics might include:

Volunteer participation rates (how many employees from partner organizations are participating)
Number of existing volunteers using VTO
Number of first-time volunteers using VTO
Total number of hours donated through VTO programs
Average number of VTO hours used by volunteers
Number of companies offering VTO for your volunteers
Volunteer retention rate among those using VTO
Tangible impact of projects supported by VTO
Digital engagement metrics (email clicks, social media likes, etc.) related to VTO efforts

By ensuring your organization tracks these indicators and more, you can supercharge your efforts with data-driven decisions, demonstrate the value of Volunteer Tie Off to stakeholders, and optimize volunteer engagement. And that will set you up for successful marketing as you begin promoting the opportunities to supporters.

2. Provide an overview of VTO basics on your nonprofit website.

One of the best ways to promote volunteer time off to your supporters is to share information about the programs on your nonprofit’s or school’s website. After all, your website is an invaluable resource for volunteers and donors looking to get further involved with your organization. It makes sense for VTO to be a featured opportunity!

If you already have a Volunteers’ page on your site, be sure to add a blurb about Volunteer Time Off there, along with instructions on how individuals can locate their company’s guidelines (or an embedded volunteer database for easy searching). You can also include information on your workplace giving or “Ways to Give” pages, or even dedicate a brand new page to all things VTO.

Regardless, a clear and concise overview can serve as an essential incentive for volunteer engagement. By making this information easily accessible on your site, you can educate visitors, encourage more individuals to take advantage of VTO, and reduce barriers to participation.

Your website is also a great place to promote volunteer grant opportunities! Many companies that provide volunteer time off programs also offer dedicated volunteer grants to the organizations their employees support, so it’s a good idea to highlight both opportunities, and how they work together, here. Here’s how the University of South Carolina promotes the programs:

3. Share impact-focused volunteer time off content on social media.

Another way to spread the word about Volunteer Time Off programs is by sharing information from your organization’s social media profiles. For the best results, the content you publish should highlight the benefits of volunteerism on your cause and emphasize the convenience with which individuals can support your efforts.

Try scheduling a combination of informational content, mission impact stories, volunteer testimonials, statistics and research, participating companies, step-by-step instructions, and more. Across all your posts, keep in mind platform-specific best practices, such as those related to multimedia materials, hashtags, linking strategies, and other relevant considerations.

Here’s how one school’s Parent Teacher Association promoted volunteer time off on their Facebook page to fill weekday volunteer slots:

For a head start on your social media efforts, check out Double the Donation’s ready-built workplace giving marketing templates, available directly within the platform for users.

Remember: Social media is a powerful tool. Use it to show supporters how they can do even more to move your mission forward in tangible, hands-on ways. As a result, you can amplify your organization’s message, attract new supporters, and build a growing community around your cause.

4. Look at examples of other organizations’ VTO marketing efforts.

If your organization has yet to start promoting volunteer time off to your audience, it can be a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure where to begin. Fortunately, studying successful examples from your peers and other organizations’ VTO marketing efforts can provide valuable insights and inspiration.

Take a look at the following examples from nonprofits sharing information about Volunteer Time Off programs with their supporters:

Example #1

This nonprofit shared photos from a recent Volunteer Time Off event with a corporate partner. This was a great way to shout out the partner, show appreciation for employees who got involved, and encourage others to do the same!

The post is paired with vibrant photos of volunteers engaging in farming and agricultural activities, making it visually appealing and tangible for readers. By focusing on real-life volunteer experiences, Farming with Friends demonstrates how engaging in such activities can be rewarding both for the individual and the community. The caption emphasizes how easy it is for employees to use their VTO to support meaningful causes, making it actionable for those considering getting involved.

Example #2

This second nonprofit kicks off its social post with real statistics about volunteer time off and encourages supporters to use their VTO with the organization. It demonstrates key benefits of VTO programs and informs potential volunteers about how they can get involved.

This campaign creatively taps into both education and action. By addressing the potential mental health benefits of VTO and encouraging employees to take time off to engage in meaningful, outdoor activities, they broaden the conversation about volunteerism and wellness. The nonprofit’s strategic use of eye-catching visuals, such as vibrant garden photos, combined with a clear and accessible call to action, makes the post both informative and inviting. The use of hashtags such as #VolunteerTimeOff and #CommunityStrong further encourages engagement and conversation around the topic.

Example #3

This nonprofit shared information about VTO as part of a “50 ways in 50 days” campaign, educating its followers about the prevalence of volunteer time off and how they can use their hours to support the organization.

The post also served as a call to action for other supporters to find out if their employers offer VTO and get involved. Using real images of employees volunteering helps put a personal touch on the post, making it relatable for potential volunteers. Displaying these real moments of teamwork and community engagement humanizes the nonprofit’s mission and inspires others to get involved.

Each example here provides an essential overview of the VTO opportunity, and analyzing their strategies can help identify best practices, innovative ideas, and common pitfalls to avoid. Try conducting a search on your favorite social platform (e.g., LinkedIn, Facebook, or even X) to see what other organizations are saying about Volunteer Time Off!

5. Mention VTO on your volunteer registration form.

In order to locate opportunities for supporters to take VTO while volunteering with your cause, you’ll first need access to their employment data. It should be a no-brainer that you’ll want to know where your volunteers work⁠. However, you shouldn’t overlook the VTO potential of your financial donors, either! Most organizations’ donors and volunteers overlap significantly, and volunteer incentives like VTO can help encourage even more donors to give their time.

So, how can you get the information if it’s not already available? One of the easiest ways is to request employment data directly within your volunteer registration forms, donation pages, and other relevant platforms. However, additional identification methods may include the usage of a matching gift company search tool, email domain screening, data appends service, and more.

6. Inform volunteers about VTO opportunities within onboarding.

Ensure that volunteers are familiar with the concept of volunteer time off from the start of their engagement to prevent available opportunities from going unclaimed. For this, we recommend incorporating VTO information directly within the onboarding or training processes.

Here are some ideas for effectively establishing volunteer time off within the onboarding experience:

Dedicated VTO Orientation: Include a section in your onboarding presentation or welcome materials that specifically covers VTO programs. Explain how the programs work, who is eligible, and how volunteers can access them. Highlight the benefits of using VTO during initial training or orientation, emphasizing how it supports employee volunteerism and aligns with your nonprofit’s mission.
Incorporate in Volunteer Handbook: Ensure that your volunteer handbook or digital resource includes a section on VTO details and the steps to access these opportunities, ensuring volunteers have easy access to the information at any time.
Promote Through Welcome Emails: Send a follow-up email after volunteers complete onboarding that includes information about VTO opportunities, making sure they know how to get started with the programs. Include a frequently asked questions section to address common queries and reduce barriers to participation.
Clear Instructions on How to Apply: Provide detailed instructions on how volunteers can submit their VTO requests, who to contact for approval, and any necessary documentation required to track hours or participation.

This approach helps set expectations, drives immediate engagement, and encourages volunteers to see if they qualify. Early education about VTO can also enhance volunteer retention and satisfaction by making it easy for eligible supporters to receive compensation while supporting your cause.

7. Send personalized follow-ups after volunteer registration.

Personalized follow-ups help build a stronger relationship between each volunteer and the nonprofits they support, thus increasing the likelihood of ongoing engagement and retention. As you begin implementing a plan for marketing volunteer time off for your cause, you don’t want to overlook the power of personalized communication.

Here’s how this can work:

Let’s say your organization gains a new volunteer who works for Warner Media, which you know offers a generous amount of VTO. After the individual registers for their first volunteer shift, you decide to send a tailored thank-you note. This note should demonstrate your appreciation of the individual’s upcoming support and remind them about their company’s volunteer incentives.

When the individual reads the message, they’re ultimately inspired to complete the request process for their employer to count their hours (or upcoming shifts) toward the Volunteer Time Off program.

If you have access to program guidelines or submission instructions (made available through Double the Donation’s database, for example), that information can help simplify the experience for your volunteer as well.

8. Encourage VTO-eligible supporters to organize group events.

Sometimes, the most effective way to promote volunteer time off is by leveraging word-of-mouth marketing. To demonstrate the value, let’s say a volunteer continues supporting your organization with their VTO. One of the best methods for attracting more VTO-eligible supporters is to empower existing volunteers to organize group events with their peers.

Here are a few ways you can do so:

Empower Volunteers as VTO Ambassadors: Approach engaged volunteers who have been actively using VTO and invite them to take on a leadership role within their workplace community. Position them as VTO ambassadors, giving them the responsibility and tools to organize group volunteer events within their workplace. Offer support by providing event planning resources, volunteer guides, and a point of contact to ensure smooth execution.
Host Company-Specific Volunteer Days: Work with VTO-eligible volunteers to create dedicated volunteer days that involve their entire company or department. These group events can take place during work hours, where employees use their VTO to contribute to your nonprofit’s cause together. Promote these events as team-building opportunities that not only allow giving back but also provide a fun and meaningful way to engage with colleagues.
Offer Incentives for Group Participation: Provide additional incentives for group participation, such as offering a small thank-you gift for the first 10 volunteers from a specific company who sign up for the event. This could be something as simple as a branded item or a recognition certificate for their corporate support.
Highlight Group Impact: Showcase the collective impact of these group volunteer events. Share success stories, photos, and testimonials from volunteers who participated, showing the tangible difference they made together. This not only serves as a thank-you but also acts as a visual and emotional motivator for others who may consider using their VTO hours in the future.

This community-driven approach not only drives the use of VTO but also fosters a deeper sense of purpose, teamwork, and belonging within the workplace. As a result, your nonprofit can tap into a larger pool of VTO-eligible supporters who are ready and eager to make a difference, without the burden of lost wages.

Bonus: Free Sample Volunteer Time Off Marketing Materials

Ready to jump into marketing volunteer time off to your audience, but not sure where to begin? Feel free to use these sample graphics as a starting point.

Sample #1: General VTO Overview

Here’s what this example does well:

With an attention-grabbing header and concluding with a clickable CTA button, this sample focuses on driving action among volunteers. When users click the button to learn more, they should be directed to a VTO resource on your site. There, it should provide an overview of the opportunity in detail and instruct supporters on how to determine their eligibility for the programs.

Sample #2: Informational Infographic

Here’s what this example does well:

An infographic can be an excellent way to share tons of important information in an engaging and visually appealing manner. This sample content highlights a few key insights from our Volunteer Time Off statistics page, offering a helpful snapshot of the opportunities available to nonprofits and their supporters.

Sample #3: Defining Volunteer Time Off

Here’s what this example does well:

Your audience needs to have a solid understanding of VTO programs before they can effectively participate. Therefore, starting at the beginning with an easy-to-understand definition allows you to ensure all stakeholders are on the same page.

Sample #4: VTO Company Spotlight

Here’s what this example does well:

One of the best ways to ensure supporters understand the VTO opportunity is to highlight real examples of the programs. This sample marketing material excels by sharing specific guidelines and insights regarding the highlighted company’s programming. Additionally, it encourages the organization’s audience to self-identify as eligible for the specific program.

Wrapping Up & Next Steps: Start Growing VTO

Volunteer Time Off programs can drive significant social impact for nonprofits, their supporters, and the companies interested in giving back. As a result, the opportunity should not be overstated.

Start by encouraging your audience to tap into VTO and other workplace giving initiatives. From there, your team can harness the power of employee volunteerism to advance its mission more effectively than ever before.

Interested in supercharging your organization’s corporate engagement strategy? Check out these recommended resources for further reading:

Volunteer Time Off Companies | Top Programs to Know. Tons of businesses offer VTO opportunities for their employees. Explore our compilation of leading companies with volunteer time off to see examples.
Maximizing Impact With Corporate Volunteer Grant Programs. Volunteer incentives can go beyond volunteer time off, too. Learn all about volunteer grants, or Dollars for Doers, in this complete guide.
Free Download: The Ultimate Guide to Corporate Matching Gifts. Matching gifts are one of the most widely available forms of corporate giving. See how your nonprofit can maximize its fundraising here!

Revolutionizing Your ROI: A Guide to Monthly Giving Programs

May 15, 2024/in Fundraising Ideas /by Adam Weinger

What if you could cut the guesswork and accurately predict how much fundraising revenue you’ll have at your disposal each month? You’d be able to plan your finances effectively, allocate funds where they’re most needed, and achieve mission-critical goals.

Adopting a monthly giving program is a win-win-win for your nonprofit, beneficiaries, and donors—you get a consistent revenue stream, your beneficiaries get high-quality programs, and your donors can make budget-friendly donations at regular intervals.

In this guide, we’ll help you access this powerful revenue stream with this information:

Monthly Giving Program FAQs
10 Tips to Create a Monthly Giving Program
5 Examples of Monthly Giving Programs

As we review these tips, consider your nonprofit’s current donor base and how they would respond to a monthly giving program. Or, if you already offer one, think about how you could improve it to yield a higher return. Let’s dive in!

Monthly Giving Program FAQs

What is a monthly giving program?

A monthly giving program is a recurring donation program where supporters give regularly throughout the year. Most recurring giving programs are structured around a monthly schedule (which is why it’s our focus for this content), but supporters could make contributions on a biweekly, bimonthly, or even semiannual basis.

What are the benefits of a monthly giving program?

There are numerous advantages to having a monthly giving program, such as:

Consistent and predictable revenue. Monthly donors provide a stable and reliable source of income. This consistency helps in budget planning and ensures nonprofits can better allocate resources.
Increased lifetime value. Monthly donors tend to give more over the long term compared to one-time donors. Their cumulative contributions add up, increasing their lifetime value. In fact, the average recurring donor gives $287 per year while one-time donors give $192.
Reduced fundraising costs. Acquiring new donors can be expensive and time-consuming. Monthly giving programs often have lower acquisition costs because once a donor is signed up, they continue to give without the need for additional outreach.
Improved donor retention. Monthly donors tend to have higher retention rates than one-time donors. They are more invested in the organization’s mission and are less likely to lapse. Additionally, many monthly donors have their donations given automatically, limiting the chances they’ll forget to donate and increasing reliability.

Not to mention, a monthly giving program enhances donor engagement by making supporters feel a stronger connection to your organization. Because monthly donors actively support your work on an ongoing basis, they will be more inclined to participate in your organization’s other campaigns, attend events, and advocate for your cause.

How do you turn one-time donors into recurring donors?

Converting one-time donors into recurring donors requires a thoughtful and strategic approach. Here are some steps you can take to encourage donors to make ongoing contributions:

Express gratitude. Make donors feel valued and connected to your organization. Show appreciation for their initial donation promptly with personalized thank-you emails or letters.
Share impact stories. Regularly communicate the impact of their donation. Use success stories, testimonials, and updates to illustrate how their support makes a difference.
Educate about monthly giving. Share information about your program in your communications. Explain the benefits of becoming a recurring donor, such as having a more significant and sustained impact on your cause.
Highlight convenience. Let donors know that monthly giving is an easy way to support your cause without making a large upfront financial commitment.
Market your monthly giving program. Pull all of these elements together in marketing materials for your program. Use your website, social media, email, and other digital marketing channels to spread the word about your program.

According to eCardWidget’s donor retention guide, it’s also more cost-efficient for your nonprofit to deepen relationships with existing donors than to acquire new ones.

10 Tips to Create a Monthly Giving Program

Define Clear Objectives

Start by setting clear goals for your program. Determine what you want to achieve in terms of:

Revenue
Donor retention
Impact on your mission

Along with these targets, consider any milestones your organization might reach along the way. Share these relevant accomplishments related to these goals with potential donors to encourage them to get involved. For example, you might share how a hundred donors have chosen to make monthly gifts, allowing your nonprofit to launch a new mission-related program.

Brand Your Monthly Giving Program

Make your program stand out by giving it a distinct identity. Encourage supporters to become invested in being monthly donors by creating a program name related to your mission. Then, design a logo and thematic elements to help promote the brand cohesively across materials.

As you develop engaging marketing materials related to your program, incorporate social proof to cultivate a sense of community. For example, testimonials and photos of current monthly donors can encourage other supporters to become part of something bigger by committing to monthly giving.

Add a Monthly Giving Option to your Donation Page

Only 14% of organizations prompt donors to make a recurring gift during the donation process, meaning there might be a missed opportunity right on your donation page to capture donors’ long-term support.

Your donation page should prominently display an easy-to-select option for recurring gifts. Here are a few ways you can highlight monthly giving on your donation page:

Contextualize the option: Briefly explain the impact of monthly giving on your donation page.
Set it as the default gift type: Encourage donors to opt in by making monthly giving the default gift type. Just make it easy to switch to one-time giving and clear how to opt-out so donors don’t feel tricked into giving monthly.
Use clickable buttons: Allow users to opt in with just the click of a button right from your donation page.

To further maximize the impact of these gifts, integrate with matching gift software to add the ability to easily match gifts. Auto-submission technology by Double the Donation automatically informs donors whether they’re eligible and submits the match request for them.

Develop a Compelling Case for Support

Craft a compelling and emotionally resonant case for support. This message should clearly articulate why monthly donations are essential for your organization and how they will make a difference.

No matter the platform you share it on, you can create a compelling case for support by including:

Emotional and logical appeals: Balance emotional narratives with data and statistics that prove the effectiveness of your program. This approach captures your audience’s attention while reinforcing the program’s mission.
Answers to common objections: Be transparent about the program, acknowledging potential concerns your donors may have. For example, note that monthly giving can be a significant financial commitment, but assure donors that they can cancel or adjust the monthly contribution at any time.
Sense of belonging: Make donors feel like partners to your organization. Thank them for their participation, create a special name for monthly donors, and offer perks like access to blogs and webinars.

Remember to tailor your message to your audience to make it uniquely compelling to each donor. For example, short emotional appeals tend to do better on social media, while thorough research reports are better left on your blog and can be linked to in external communication.

Segment Your Donor List

Use donor data to segment your existing supporter list and identify potential monthly donors. Divide them into groups based on shared characteristics such as:

Interests and affinities, or their interest in your specific projects or initiatives
Demographics, including trends related to age, gender, or income level
Communication preferences, such as email, social media, or text.
Engagement level, which refers to the frequency at which donors interact with your nonprofit

Then, use these groups to effectively target your outreach. For example, you might ask annual donors to spread their annual gift across the year in monthly donations, instead. For donors who give occasionally, urge them to switch to a more consistent donation frequency.

Offer Multiple Giving Levels

Help donors determine how much to give by offering different giving levels or suggested monthly donation amounts. This allows donors to choose a level that fits their budget.

Suggested giving levels can motivate upgrades in giving, especially when you explain what each level achieves. For example, a $50 donation might cover the cost of a month’s worth of food for a dog at an animal shelter. The shelter could recommend $50 as a giving level, explaining that donors could feed a dog for a month simply by increasing their gift size.

Communicate Clearly

Clearly explain how your monthly giving program works from beginning to end. Remember to include instructions for:

The donation process
Payment options
How donors can manage their recurring gifts
Ways to further their impact, such as matching gifts

Also, provide regular updates about the program’s success to donors who participate in it. Strengthen relationships with your monthly donors by sharing the specific impact that was made with their gift and thanking them for their dependability.

Showcase Success Stories

Illustrate how monthly donations have positively affected your cause. Share the specific successes achieved by your program through testimonials, case studies, and other illustrative stories that showcase your work.

To make a compelling success story, be sure to include:

A clear problem and solution: Identify the issue that your nonprofit hopes to address and the potential consequences of ignoring it. For example, a food bank might provide the number of people affected by malnutrition every year and how many people in their community received food as a result of the organization’s fundraising efforts.
Relatable characters: Introduce a human element by mentioning real people that potential donors can relate to. To make your story truly resonate, highlight their dreams and emotions as they relate to the problem at hand. For example, the food bank might tell the story of a beneficiary, using quotes or a complete testimonial to communicate their struggles and hopes.
Measurable results: Demonstrate your nonprofit’s success by providing data and statistics to show your organization’s real, measurable results. Using our example of the food bank, the organization could include data about the number of community members served and the dollars spent on groceries for beneficiaries. To go one step further, the food bank might share before and after pictures of a beneficiary (with the individual’s consent.)

Above all, ensure your stories are authentic by using real quotes and credible statistics where possible.

Offer Incentives

Incentivize recurring giving by offering perks or benefits to motivate donors to join your monthly giving program. Incentives may include:

Exclusive content
Early access to events
Special recognition

Incentives not only encourage donors to engage in monthly giving but also boost donor retention by exciting donors about their continued support! For example, a nonprofit might provide donors with exclusive merchandise sales codes, or a museum might offer discounted tickets.

Promote through Various Channels

Use multiple communication channels to promote your monthly giving program in various formats. Create marketing materials for your:

Website: Create a landing page about your recurring giving program, ideally separate from your existing donation page and listed as one of your “Ways to Give.” This should serve as the go-to resource for all information concerning your program, and all other channels should link back to this page.
Email campaigns: Use compelling subject lines, such as “We urgently need your help,” and strong visual elements like pictures of beneficiaries to explain the program in your email newsletters. Educate readers about the process and direct them to your website for more information.
Social media channels: Capture your audience’s attention with visually appealing social media content, such as posts that include images, videos, and infographics. Consider shareability as you craft each post so your followers will spread it to their followers and so on.

A multichannel approach expands the reach of your promotional materials and allows you to leverage the strengths of each platform to convey your message.

5 Examples of Monthly Giving Programs

American Red Cross

The monthly giving page on the American Red Cross’s website uses the organization’s strong brand colors to encourage donations. Along with using brand colors, this form reinforces supporters’ connection to the Red Cross by referring to monthly donors as “Red Cross Champions” and calling out their important role in the organization’s mission.

The page also makes it easy for visitors to give by limiting form fields to just one prompt: the giving amount. After selecting a suggested giving level, donors are taken to a new page where they can opt-in to cover the donation’s processing fees, select a specific effort to support, and input their payment information.

UNICEF USA

On their monthly giving page, Unicef gives thorough background information on how monthly giving works. The page explains the process step-by-step and even provides an email address and phone number to contact in case visitors have questions.

This page helps donors understand why their repeated support is important and how it will be used. Plus, it showcases the simplicity of recurring giving, making visitors more likely to sign up when they realize how easy the process is.

The Nature Conservancy

The Nature Conservancy’s monthly giving page positions recurring donors as “Conservation Champions,” who receive membership benefits, including:

Monthly updates on the organization’s conservation efforts
A year-long subscription to the organization’s magazine
An annual calendar featuring photos of nature for each month

These incentives entice donors to engage in monthly giving. Beyond these tangible benefits, the page also highlights the ease and efficiency of recurring giving.

charity: water

Visitors get a glimpse into the impact of their donations on charity: water’s monthly giving page. The donation form offers suggested giving amounts that, when selected, display the number of people who receive clean water as a result of that donation amount. This draws a direct connection between the donation and its impact so donors know they’re truly making a difference.

The form also notes that 100% of the donation funds water projects, reinforcing donors’ confidence that their gift will be put toward the nonprofit’s mission. Coupled with strong visuals, the form entices donors to give (and give more) by emphasizing the gift’s importance.

American Heart Association

The American Heart Association creates a sense of urgency on its monthly giving page by noting the opportunity to have a donation matched for double the impact. By using language like “Don’t miss out” and “Save more lives by giving now,” this page encourages donors to commit to monthly gifts immediately!

Also, the page includes a photograph of a heart disease survivor and urges visitors to “keep a family’s loved one,” like the woman pictured, alive by donating. This helps donors see the potential impact of their donation and the importance of maximizing the amount they’re able to give.

Final Thoughts on Monthly Giving

Successful monthly giving programs can mean the difference between unpredictable donations and consistent, sustainable support for your organization. Develop a monthly giving program tailored to your nonprofit’s unique supporter base and needs to increase donation amounts, strengthen relationships, and fund your work for years to come.

For more tips on securing monthly support, check out the following resources:

Improving Your Donor Development Approach: 15 Expert Tactics. Donor development is a key element of securing monthly support. Learn how to steward donor relationships in this guide!
Understanding the Fundraising Cycle: 5 Ways to Raise More. The fundraising cycle allows nonprofits to steward donors and secure their continued support. Plan the strategic steps you’ll take to boost fundraising using the tips in this guide.
Building Trust and Loyalty: Mid-Level Donor Program Basics. To recruit supporters for your monthly giving program, you’ll first need to identify and retain mid-level donors. Read our guide to learn the basics!

Designing a Successful Fundraising Calendar + Free Template

May 15, 2024/in Donor communications, Nonprofit Basics, Fundraising Ideas /by Adam Weinger

The end of the year is always a busy time for fundraising, and your nonprofit tries to start planning months in advance. But the planning phase may take longer than anticipated, leaving you scrambling in October and November to figure everything out in time.

If your nonprofit relates to this situation, then you need an annual fundraising calendar stat. With a fundraising calendar, your entire fundraising strategy for the year can be laid out in as much detail as you need. With this preparation tool, your team can approach your fundraising goals confidently and follow clear plans to achieve them.

To help you get started with this essential nonprofit planning tool, this guide will explore:

Annual Fundraising Calendar FAQ
How to Create an Annual Fundraising Calendar
How to Maintain an Annual Fundraising Calendar
Annual Fundraising Calendar Template

First, let’s answer a few questions about fundraising calendars and how they fit into any nonprofit’s organizational strategy.

Annual Fundraising Calendar FAQ

What is an annual fundraising calendar?

An annual fundraising calendar is a planning tool used by nonprofits to outline and schedule their fundraising activities and campaigns throughout the year. Fundraising calendars may include details about:

Donor engagement activities
Fundraisers communication plans
Key dates and deadlines
Fundraising goals
Program costs
Staff and volunteer hours

Fundraising calendars are highly customizable, and your nonprofit’s calendar should include the information and level of detail that helps your team. For example, your nonprofit might already have a separate content management calendar for marketing initiatives. In this case, you might just add key marketing activities to your fundraising calendar, such as campaign kick-offs, but leave off granular details, such as when social media posts go live.

What are the benefits of an annual fundraising calendar?

Ultimately, your fundraising calendar’s effectiveness depends on how your team uses it. A well-planned and executed fundraising calendar allows you to reap the following benefits:

Organized strategic planning
Better decision-making
Clear sense of purpose
Enhanced time management
Improved staff and board management
Greater ability to engage donors

Your fundraising calendar is your nonprofit’s roadmap for the year, and if you follow that map, you’ll ideally reach your fundraising goals’ destination.

If something does come up and you need to deviate from your plan, do not throw out your calendar. Instead, treat it like a living document and make necessary edits. This will allow you to consider future outcomes and successfully shift plans for how to achieve your fundraising goals.

When should nonprofits create a fundraising calendar?

Ideally, your nonprofit should have its annual fundraising calendar ready well in advance of the upcoming fiscal or calendar year, depending on how you manage your operations. For some nonprofits, this means having a calendar that outlines activities from July 30th to June 1st. For others, this means January 1st through December 31st.

Whichever way you set it up, plan to create your calendar at least a month in advance of when you will actually start using it. This way, you can avoid playing catch-up and start preparing for long-term projects right away.

How to Create an Annual Fundraising Calendar

Set Clear Goals and Objectives

We’ve discussed the types of general activities that your annual fundraising calendar can document, but the content on your calendar should be dictated by your goals for the year. Think of your calendar as not just a checklist of activities for the year but a plan for achieving specific goals.

As such, your first step in designing your fundraising calendar is to define your nonprofit’s fundraising goals for the year. These goals should:

Align with your overall mission and financial needs. Talk with your team, especially your executive director and program managers, to identify what your nonprofit needs to accomplish this year. For some nonprofits, this might mean planning a growth strategy, while others might seek to raise enough funding to maintain current operations.
Be practical based on past years’ performance. Evaluate your organization’s past fundraising activities and campaigns to identify what worked well, what needs improvement, and what should not be repeated. This ranges from social media strategies and events to sponsorships and grant applications.
Consider expected trends and events. Is there anything your nonprofit can predict will happen in the coming year that will impact your fundraising efforts? This might include trends in corporate funding, major political events, and seasonal activities. For example, every nonprofit should consider the heightened philanthropic activity around the end of the year.

Use these goals as guidelines for your entire fundraising calendar. When adding activities, consider how each proposed initiative helps your overall goals. If something doesn’t clearly align, consider if it’s still necessary or even if it takes resources away from other activities.

Identify Key Fundraising Activities

Next, use your goals to determine the types of fundraising activities and campaigns you plan to undertake during the year. A few campaigns you might add to your fundraising calendar include:

Matching Gift Campaigns

Fundraising calendars help nonprofits plan specific fundraising activities that need to take place at specific times, but they can also help track and coordinate ongoing fundraisers. For example, your nonprofit might add reminders to continually promote matching gifts.

Matching gifts are a passive fundraiser in that once a nonprofit has matching gift software enabled on its donation page, the fundraiser essentially runs itself. However, you can earn more from matching gifts by remembering to regularly promote it to donors, so they in turn remember to fill out and submit matching gift requests to their employers.

To learn more about matching gifts and why you should add a matching gift campaign to your annual fundraising calendar, check out this video from the Double the Donation team:

There are also events and specific time frames related to matching gifts that you may want to add to your fundraising calendar. For example, if you organize a matching gift challenge with a sponsor, you should add notes to your fundraising calendar about when this period begins and ends, as well as plans to market it to donors.

Major Gift Cultivation

It’s common knowledge in the nonprofit sector that approximately 80% of the average nonprofit’s funding comes from just 20% of donors. Recent reports show this trend has only been exacerbated with 90% of donation revenue coming from 10% of donors.

This means if your nonprofit does not already have a formal process for courting major donors, now is the time to start planning one.

On your annual fundraising calendar, add directions for your major gift officers. As they develop relationships with major donors, the donation cultivation process will become highly individualized, and major gift officers will need to create their own schedules for each prospect. However, your fundraising calendar should document steps for your major giving program as a whole.

For example, you might add core activities such as:

Conduct prospect research
Reach out to new prospects
Cultivate relationships by inviting major donors to special events
Make asks for a major upcoming project to donors likely to convert

Putting these activities on your calendar will help you continually refresh your database of prospects, grow your major giving program, and ensure major gifts come through at key times of the year.

Events

From booking a venue to organizing a marketing campaign, events require significant planning but can also bring in significant revenue. For major events, consider breaking their planning into multiple steps, such as:

Initial planning. Early planning stages for events depend on the event type, such as an auction requiring an extensive item procurement period. However, for most events, major activities to add to a fundraising calendar include organizing sponsorships, booking venues, planning activities, and making necessary software and resource purchases.
Marketing. Event marketing should start at least several weeks before a major event and requires planning beforehand. Consider scheduling time for market research and marketing asset creation, as well as creating an outreach schedule for when promotions go live. For example, you might plan time to hire a graphic designer to create invitation eCards, then use eCard software to schedule their delivery.

Marketing. Event marketing should start at least several weeks before a major event and requires planning beforehand. Consider scheduling time for market research and marketing asset creation, as well as creating an outreach schedule for when promotions go live. For example, you might plan time to hire a graphic designer to create invitation eCards, then use eCard software to schedule their delivery.

Hosting. Unless an unexpected emergency comes up, you should schedule a specific date to host the event early on. This enables bookings in advance for venues, entertainment, and catering.

For events, pay special attention to staff time and what types of staff you will need. Some events may be able to rely heavily on volunteers, whereas others might require a significant amount of work from staff and even external vendors.

Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Campaigns

In many ways, peer-to-peer campaigns run themselves, but they need coordination to get off the ground and make an impact. For your peer-to-peer campaign, add the following items to your fundraising calendar:

Software purchases. If your nonprofit does not already have peer-to-peer software, plan to begin the purchasing process in advance of your campaign. Be aware that some software purchases, such as platforms that are major investments or require significant customization, may require months-long implementation processes.
Volunteer recruitment. Determine how and when you will recruit participants. You may start making open calls early on and then plan to ramp up recruitment as your campaign’s start date nears.
Onboarding. Schedule time to create a formal onboarding process for volunteers in advance. You should have a style guide for how to present your nonprofit online and a walkthrough for how to use your peer-to-peer software.

Be aware that if you are hosting a rolling peer-to-peer campaign, you will have no set dates, and your timeline will be looser. Whether your campaign is scheduled or rolling, add reminders to regularly check in with your peer-to-peer fundraisers to provide encouragement, answer questions, and thank them for their participation.

Giving Tuesday Campaign

Giving Tuesday is one of the most important fundraising days of the year with almost $3.1 billion raised in 2022. If your nonprofit wants to participate in Giving Tuesday, start planning your campaign early.

Many nonprofits use Giving Tuesday as an opportunity to try new fundraising strategies to reach new audiences and stand out from the crowd. Whether your nonprofit is using an old strategy or trying something new, remember to pencil in research time for your campaign plan. Use the period several months in advance of Giving Tuesday to determine what fundraising strategies donors are responding to, if nonprofits in your field are using them, and if they are feasible for your organization.

Then, schedule time to assemble a team, establish your strategy, purchase and implement any needed software, and create necessary marketing materials. If you don’t have a separate content management calendar, consider adding notes about when to post announcements and send out promotional materials to your annual fundraising calendar.

Determine Timing and Scheduling

You now know what activities you want to put on your fundraising calendar, but when should those activities happen?

For every activity, assign a specific date or time frame based on:

Seasonality. Certain times of the year lend themselves to certain fundraisers. For example, the end-of-year holiday season is likely to be packed with marketing campaigns and events, whereas the fall may primarily be dedicated to planning those upcoming activities.
Donor behavior. Consider how donors are likely to respond to future activities based on previously scheduled ones. For instance, at the end of the year, you may make a major push to acquire new donors. In the following months, you would then shift gears to prioritize retention efforts to maintain as many of those donors as possible. This factor is especially important when it comes to establishing major giving practices.
Relevant external factors. Are there any upcoming challenges or opportunities you are currently aware of that might impact your schedule? For instance, if your marketing head is going on maternity leave, you may need to schedule a training period for the replacement to get up to speed.

Additionally, consider how much time should be dedicated to each activity. For example, while an event might only last for a few hours on a single day, you might need well over 100 hours of staff time to prepare for that event. This will help you balance schedules and avoid overwhelming any one team or person at your nonprofit.

Allocate Resources

In addition to the time activities will take, consider what other resources are needed. This may include budgeted funds, as well as which personnel is assigned to what activities to avoid double-booking or overextending resources.

Alternatively, consider what resources each activity is likely to bring in. For example, a volunteer recruitment drive will increase available volunteer time while an expected renewed grant will provide more funds for various programs.

How to Maintain an Annual Fundraising Calendar

Meet regularly with your team

Your annual fundraising calendar’s effectiveness is contingent on your team following it and adapting it as needed. Meet with your team about this year’s fundraising calendar regularly to:

Create your calendar. Unless your nonprofit is a one-man team, you need input from the rest of your team to determine which activities to prioritize, what resources you need for those activities, and who should be responsible for them. For instance, you might initially assume your IT team can handle your website redesign single-handedly, but after input from the rest of your nonprofit realize they need to work in tandem with your marketing team.

Ensure ownership. Every task on your fundraising calendar should be assigned to a specific person or group of people. Meet with various teams so they are aware of their responsibilities each month.

Make necessary adjustments. The people carrying out your various fundraising activities will be the first to sound the alarm if adjustments need to be made. Keep lines of communication open so team members can report delays, needed additional resources, and shortfalls. On a more positive note, team members might also report that certain activities earned more or were wrapped up in less time than expected.

By talking to various members of your staff, you will gain a broader perspective of your nonprofit’s current operations and capacity. This will improve your understanding of what your team can reasonably accomplish in a given year and help you stay on track to hit your fundraising goals.

Track Progress

As mentioned, your annual fundraising calendar is a roadmap for achieving your goals for the year, and that roadmap may need to add a few detours here and there. These hiccups should not derail your entire calendar. Instead, be ready to be flexible and make adjustments as needed.

Track fundraising activities in relation to your annual goals. For example, if you have a target amount you want to raise this year, you might focus on how much your fundraisers, events, and major donors bring in throughout the year. If a fundraising event has lower attendance than expected due to weather, consider how you can adjust other activities planned in future months to make up for that revenue shortfall.

Consistently engage donors

While your calendar likely only lists major activities, don’t forget the small everyday activities that keep your donors engaged. For instance, you can’t predict when every new donor will decide to give, so you need a flexible strategy that allows you to show appreciation and recognize donors at a moment’s notice.

Annual Fundraising Calendar Template

If you search the web for fundraising calendars, you’ll likely find results that look like a regular calendar you might hang up in your kitchen. These are not annual fundraising calendars and have limited use for nonprofits.

Rather, your fundraising calendar should take the form of a spreadsheet to be more useful to your team. Here’s an example and breakdown of the core elements of an annual fundraising calendar:

Month. Annual fundraising calendars are usually broken down by month to avoid making them too unwieldy. If there are specific activities that need to happen on specific dates, such as hitting a grant submission deadline, add a note to your calendar.
Activities. What activities are taking place this month? Usually, these are overall activities for the month, such as “plan Giving Tuesday campaign” or “start contacting potential annual gala sponsors.”
Costs. To the best of your ability, estimate how much each activity is expected to cost. This includes software purchases, vendor costs, and staff time. If you haven’t already prepared it, consider crafting your nonprofit’s annual budget in tandem with your fundraising calendar. This helps you keep track of where your money is going and ensure you have enough funds allocated for the entire year.
Staff. Determine who at your nonprofit will be responsible for what activities. This can be names of specific individuals or groups, such as your marketing team, major gift officers, or volunteers. Additionally, estimate approximately how much time you expect staff to spend on any one activity.
Expected income. Ultimately, your fundraising calendar is about earning money for your nonprofit. As such, for applicable activities, do your best to estimate how much they are expected to earn. This is especially necessary if your nonprofit’s annual goal is related to hitting a specific fundraising target.
Notes. If there are any extra reminders you want on record about a planned activity, add them to your notes section. This might include a reminder about the staff member going on maternity leave or a note emphasizing a strict deadline for a certain task.

To keep your nonprofit on track for the entire year, consider adding an optional “Goals” section to the top of your fundraising calendar. This should be a statement of what you hope to accomplish during the year that you can always refer back to at a glance each time you look at your calendar.

Annual Fundraising Calendars: Wrap Up

With a well-thought-out plan, any nonprofit can start its fundraising year off right. Annual fundraising calendars can help your organization do just that by creating timelines, allocating resources, and helping to focus your goals. To get started with your annual fundraising calendar, use our template or create your own. Then, meet with your team and start planning.

For more fundraising and organizational resources, explore these guides:

Conduct a Fundraising Feasibility Study: 7 Steps to Success. Capital campaigns are major fundraisers, and to prepare, your nonprofit needs to conduct a feasibility study. Learn how these studies work in this guide.
Donor Stewardship: How to Retain Support Effectively. Donor stewardship is an ongoing activity. Learn how to retain your supporters for years to come with these tips.
Get on the Path to Earning Grants: 10 Grant Research Tools. Grants have hard deadlines and take substantial time to prepare. Start planning your annual grant priorities with the help of these recommended research tools.

[Free Download] 10 Quick Steps to Matching Gift Success

May 15, 2024/in About Double the Donation, Learning Center /by Adam Weinger

What is 10 Quick Steps to Matching Gift Success?

Double the Donation’s 10 Quick Steps to Matching Gift Success is a streamlined resource designed to help nonprofits and other fundraising organizations quickly identify and implement strategies to maximize their matching gift potential.

This checklist provides a clear, step-by-step approach for effectively incorporating corporate matching gifts into an organization’s fundraising efforts, helping to boost donations without a complicated or lengthy process.

Why download 10 Quick Steps to Matching Gift Success?

Get actionable insights fast.

This resource is designed to provide straightforward, easy-to-follow steps for implementing a successful matching gift strategy, making it perfect for organizations looking for quick, practical solutions.

Boost fundraising efficiency.

By following the concise steps in the guide, nonprofits can enhance their matching gift efforts with minimal time and resources, ensuring they capitalize on every match-eligible donation.

Streamline donor engagement.

Uncover clear techniques for identifying and engaging match-eligible donors, helping your team to improve donor relations and maximize giving without adding complexity to the process.

GET MY FREE DOWNLOAD TODAY

Additional Recommended Resources

The Power of Email Domain Screening For Matching Gifts

May 10, 2024/in Learning Center, About Double the Donation, Marketing Strategies /by Adam Weinger

Find out how email domain screening can bring your organization’s matching gift fundraising to new heights.

Matching gifts supply a powerful revenue source that allows nonprofits to amplify individual generosity by leveraging corporate philanthropy. These programs, through which corporations match employees’ donations to charitable causes, hold immense potential for bolstering fundraising and driving growth.

However, despite the widespread availability of matching gift programs, nonprofits often struggle to fully capitalize on this funding channel. Many supporters remain unaware of the opportunity, and identifying eligible donors on your own can be a time-consuming process.

Fortunately, there are a few ways organizations can uncover match-eligible gifts in their donor base with varying levels of ease. In this guide, we’re going to focus on one in particular: email domain screening.

Table of Contents

What is Email Domain Screening?
The Email Domain Screening Process
How Email Domain Screening Uncovers More Matching Gifts
Other Ways to Identify Matching Gift Opportunities

By reading this guide, you’re already on your way to identifying and collecting more matching gifts. Now, let’s dive in to explore the role that email domain screening can play in this endeavor.

What is Email Domain Screening?

As donors give online, they’re generally asked to provide an email address within an organization’s donation form. While some choose to share a personal email (think: addresses ending in gmail.com, yahoo.com, outlook.com, etc.), others opt to use their business emails (e.g., name@company.com) to make their gifts.

This can be a great way to uncover match-eligible gifts using an email domain screening process.

So, how does it work? When it comes to uncovering matching gifts, email domain screening involves an organization (or a dedicated software solution it enlists) checking for donations made using corporate email addresses.

Domain screening streamlines the identification of eligible donors using information your supporters are already sharing. In the end, it simplifies the matching gift process for donors and maximizes the funds your organization collects through the programs.

The Email Domain Screening Process

The better your team understands the email domain screening process, the more equipped you’ll be to boost your organization’s matching gift revenue. Take a look at the following walkthrough to learn more about each stage involved.

Step #1: Data Collection
As donors give online, the software collects their personal information, including email addresses and other contact information. The system also captures employment-related data, such as the donor’s employer name, if provided, and the associated email domain.
Step #2: Domain Extraction
The software extracts the domain part of each donor’s email address. For example, if a donor makes a gift using the email john.doe@homedepot.com, the extracted domain would be homedepot.com. From there, the organization can establish that the individual (likely) works for the Home Depot, and update its records accordingly.
Step #3: Database Matching
From there, transaction records for individuals who do provide corporate emails are scanned against known matching gift suppliers. This is generally done using a matching gift database (complete with guidelines and documentation for thousands of participating companies) or a list of top companies to uncover vital employment and eligibility insights.

Then, donors whose email domains match with participating companies are identified as potentially eligible for matching gifts!
Step #4: Retrieval of Company Info
For each eligible donor, the organization or software retrieves employer-specific matching gift information. These insights generally include minimum and maximum donation amounts, match ratios, submission deadlines, and direct links to online request forms based on the company extracted from the individual’s corporate email address.
Step #5: Personalized Donor Outreach
Once matching gift information is retrieved, the organization or software solution generates targeted communications for eligible donors. (Hint: if you’re looking to save staff time, an automation tool is a must-have!)

These communications should inform donors about their eligibility for matching gifts and provide guidance on how the recipient can initiate the matching gift process. Whenever possible, this should include instructions on how to submit a match, any relevant forms or links, and additional documentation required by the employer.

Email domain screening process

How Email Domain Screening Uncovers More Matching Gifts

Email domain screening can significantly benefit an organization’s matching gift strategy. In fact, vetting donations made using a corporate email address can result in tons of new donors being flagged as matching gift eligible. All in all, that leads to more than a 1% increase in total revenue for nonprofits each year.

Let’s see what this means by the numbers for a few types of organizations:

Small nonprofits ⁠raising $100,000–$250,000 a year ⁠tend to see a return of $1,000 to $2,500 from email domain screening.
Medium nonprofits ⁠raising between $250,000 and $1 million a year ⁠⁠tend to see a return of $2,500 to $10,000 from email domain screening.
Large nonprofits ⁠raising over $1 million a year ⁠tend to see a return of $10,000 or more from email domain screening.

But the benefits don’t end there, either! In addition to direct financial returns, email domain screening also empowers fundraisers to…

Learn more about the supporters in their networks while building out increasingly well-rounded donor profiles
Encourage individual donors to take advantage of available corporate matching gift opportunities
Implement tailored communications using employment insights gathered from corporate email addresses
Maximize fundraising performance by streamlining the matching gift identification process
Allocate resources more efficiently, freeing up staff time to focus on other valuable fundraising and mission-relevant activities
Identify some of their most valuable corporate partners with which they share key audiences

Email domain screening helps identify matching gifts

The best part is that, with the right matching gift software, conducting an email domain screening requires little to no added effort from a nonprofit’s fundraising team. By enlisting this strategy to uncover more match-eligible gifts, organizations like yours can amplify their impact and achieve their goals more effectively than ever before.

Other Ways to Identify Matching Gift Opportunities

So far, we’ve talked a lot about email domain screening in this guide⁠. And while it’s a sound strategy for organizations looking to give their matching gift efforts a boost, it’s certainly not the only way to determine donors’ eligibility.

On average, nonprofits report that between 5% and 7% of donors use corporate email domains when completing their initial gifts. So, what can you do to supplement domain screening and engage with the remaining portion of your supporter base?

Let’s quickly walk through some other leading ways nonprofits can uncover matching gifts from within their networks. Keep in mind that the more screening mechanisms you enlist, the greater the likelihood that you’ll capture every opportunity without letting matches fall astray.

Enlisting multiple identification methods allows fundraisers to identify up to 30% more match-eligible donors.

Source: https://doublethedonation.com/matching-gift-statistics/

The benefits of using email domain screening along with other identification methods

1. Embed a company search tool on your donation form.

Make it as easy as possible for donors to provide employment information directly as they give⁠—even if they opt not to use a corporate email address. When an individual makes a contribution through your online donation form, ensure they encounter a field where they can input the name of the company they work for. Even better would be an auto-completing search tool, such as the one powered by Double the Donation!

In addition to email domain screening, a company search tool can help identify matching gifts

(P.S. Our company database search tool integrates with nearly all leading donation platforms and CRMs, making it a seamless opportunity to connect the solutions.)

DIVE INTO THE MOST COMPREHENSIVE MATCHING GIFT DATABASE

2. Add a matching gift widget to your confirmation screen.

After donors complete their gifts, they’ll generally be directed to a confirmation page on your site. Here, they should be thanked for their gift and provided with recommended next steps. And when you incorporate a matching gift tool on your confirmation screen, donors will have yet another chance to supply employment data.

Such a widget allows each donor to quickly search for their employer’s matching gift program by typing in the business name. If a program from their employing company is found, the individual can be marked as match-eligible in real time and encouraged to complete a matching gift request on your behalf.

Besides email domain screening, your confirmation page is another great place to identify matching gifts

FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN IMPLEMENT MATCHING GIFTS IN THE DONATION PROCESS

3. Enlist email follow-up outreach.

Following a donor’s contribution, send a personalized follow-up email thanking them for their support and inviting them to provide their employment information if they haven’t already.

This email should also supply instructions on how donors can uncover their own eligibility⁠—such as by reaching out to their company’s HR department or CSR team.

After email domain screening, follow up with a tailored matching gift reminder

EXPLORE TIPS AND TRICKS FOR MARKETING MATCHING GIFTS IN EMAIL COMMUNICATIONS

4. Consider an employer append service.

Regardless of the methods you use to collect employment information and identify match-eligible gifts, you’re going to have some gaps in your donor records. And that’s where a data enhancement service⁠—specifically an employer append⁠—can come in handy.

All you need to do is partner with a data appends provider and supply the company with the information you have in your existing records. From there, the appending company conducts a variety of enrichment processes to augment each profile with fresh insights gleaned from a wide array of data sources⁠—including employment information and matching gift eligibility.

Besides email domain screening, a data append is another great way to identify matching gifts

SEE HOW YOU CAN APPEND EMPLOYER DATA TO YOUR DONOR RECORDS

5. Conduct a bulk matching gift screening.

If you already have accurate and up-to-date employment information for your donors, there’s another type of data enhancement service you can consider. That’s a bulk matching gift screening, where you provide an appends provider with your donors’ names, the companies they work for, and other data insights. Then, the appending company screens your donor profiles against its database of matching gift information and indicates each individual’s likely matching gift eligibility.

Besides email domain screening, a bulk match screening is another great way to identify matching gifts

LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR BULK MATCHING GIFT SCREENING SERVICES

Wrapping Up

Email domain screening offers nonprofits an invaluable opportunity to uncover more matching gifts and transform their fundraising endeavors. By utilizing this technology, organizations like yours can tap into the vast pool of matching gift opportunities provided by corporate employers.

In doing so, you’ll reap benefits like streamlined identification practices (driving operational efficiency), heightened donor engagement, and increased revenue for your mission.

Interested in learning more about matching gifts and other fundraising strategies? Check out these recommended resources:

Top 20+ Matching Gift Companies: Leaders in Corporate Giving. Explore this list of companies leading the way in corporate giving. Check out examples of generous matching gift employers and see if your donors work for them!
Free Download: The Ultimate Guide to Marketing Matching Gifts. Master the art of marketing matching gifts with the complete downloadable guide. Learn proven strategies and tips for promoting matching gift programs to your donors effectively.
Matching Gift Process | A Complete Step-by-Step Guide. Understanding the ins and outs of matching gifts is essential for guiding donors through the process. Walk through each step to learn what’s required of you and your supporters.

Nonprofit Data Collection: How to Gather The Right Insights

May 9, 2024/in Donor communications, Learning Center /by Adam Weinger

From local communities to global movements, effective nonprofit data collection is a silent hero. Collecting nonprofit data involves systematically gathering, analyzing, and using information to track performance, enhance decision-making, and amplify impact. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about understanding your organization’s needs, measuring progress, and strategizing to meet local and global challenges.

Collecting the right data helps organizations like yours understand what works so you can do more good in the world. That way, you can use your resources more efficiently to reach the right supporters and beneficiaries.

In this ultimate guide, we’ll share how nonprofits can collect data effectively and explain how that data can serve as the fuel for transformative action. Here’s what we’ll cover:

How Do Nonprofits Collect Data?
The Importance of Efficient Nonprofit Data Collection
Key Types of Nonprofit Data to Collect
Tips to Improve Your Nonprofit Data Collection

With the right insights, your nonprofit can make a greater impact on the world, whether you’re focused on improving your corporate partnerships, marketing segmentation, finance management, or programs. Let’s dive in!

How Do Nonprofits Collect Data?

Nonprofits can collect data through various methods, depending on their goals, resources, and the nature of the data they need. Here are some common methods and types of data collection software for nonprofits:

Forms: Your nonprofit can use donation forms, volunteer applications, event registrations, and intake forms to gather supporter and beneficiary information. Each form is designed to collect data about different types of recipients. For example, donation forms collect donor data like contact information, donation amount, payment information, employer information for matching purposes, and gift designations.
Surveys and Questionnaires: Nonprofits can use surveys to gather feedback from beneficiaries, donors, and the general public. These questionnaires can be distributed online, via email, social media, or in person.
Marketing Platforms: Nonprofits can view metrics within their digital marketing platforms to understand audience behaviors and tailor messaging. For example, Google Analytics provides information about website visitors, including how much time they spend on specific pages, what content they engage with, and what channels drive them to the site. Meanwhile, email marketing tools provide insights on open rates, click-through rates, and conversions which explain which content and calls to action resonate.
Financial Management Software: Specialized software helps manage and report on financial data like revenue and expenses, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
CRM Systems: Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems like Salesforce for Nonprofits, Bloomerang, and Blackbaud store all interactions with supporters and corporate partners, including communications, contact information, contributions, and feedback.

How you collect data depends on which metrics you want to focus on to ensure long-term sustainability and increase impact. Decide on which data will best support your organization and put systems in place to gather it.

Qualitative vs. Quantitative Nonprofit Data

There are two categories of nonprofit data you can collect:

Quantitative data refers to information that can be quantified, meaning it can be measured and expressed numerically. Examples include the number of volunteers who participated in an event, the amount of money raised from a fundraiser, the number of website visits, and the number of acquired donors in a certain time frame.
Qualitative data is descriptive data that cannot be assigned a numerical value. This includes information like donor names, anecdotal survey responses, and preferred contact methods.

By leveraging both types of data, nonprofits can gain a more comprehensive understanding of their impact, tailor their services more effectively, and better communicate their successes and challenges to stakeholders.

The Importance of Efficient Nonprofit Data Collection

Nonprofits are expected to compete for time, attention, and money with companies and peer organizations. In fact, the average person sees roughly 5,000 ads per day. Standing out requires speaking to the right people at the right time with the right message. Nonprofit data makes that possible!

Here’s a rundown of the most important benefits of nonprofit data:

Measure impact and see which programs are working
Better understand how to effectively allocate resources (e.g., time, money, and personnel)
Make informed decisions, such as planning new programs based on community needs assessments
Demonstrate accountability by sharing how funds are being used
Deliver timely appeals based on past engagement data to inspire action, raise funds, and cultivate relationships
Send powerful messages at the optimal time by segmenting communications based on interests and preferred communication channels
Communicate program impact and challenges to stakeholders

For an example of nonprofit data in action, imagine an organization dedicated to providing clean water across continents. By collecting data on water quality, community health, and usage patterns, the nonprofit can tailor its initiatives to each region’s specific needs, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and that the solutions are sustainable.

By processing and analyzing data, nonprofits can create targeted interventions, monitor outcomes, and adapt strategies—activities that are crucial in a world where resources are limited and stakes are high.

Key Types of Nonprofit Data to Collect

There are endless types of nonprofit data you can collect, but some are much more helpful than others. For example, you don’t need to know which elements a user hovered over but didn’t click on your website. Unless this metric directly tied to improving user experience, collecting this nonprofit data will only bog down your software.

Let’s explore six types of nonprofit data you should collect.

Supporter Data

Data can tell you a lot about your donors, volunteers, and corporate sponsors. The more you know about your supporters, the better you can tailor your appeals to resonate with them.

Some of the most helpful supporter data to collect includes the following:

Full name, including preferred name and title
Geographic location to send relevant appeals, such as nearby events
Date of birth so you can segment communications based on age and reach out on supporters’ birthdays
Contact information, including email addresses, phone numbers, and postal mailing addresses
Employment details to locate corporate giving opportunities and estimate giving potential
Education, including areas of study to reveal causes they’re likely to support
Giving history such as donation amounts, frequency, gift designations, attended events, and volunteer involvement
Hobbies and interests to understand what opportunities inspire donors
Charitable involvement with other organizations, such as board service or donations

Here’s a sample donor profile to give you an idea of what this data might look like:

Sufficient nonprofit data collection practices will enable you to easily segment your supporters into groups to improve your outreach. The good news is that if some of this information is missing or outdated, data appending services can fill it in. We’ll explore this type of nonprofit data collection service later.

Marketing Data

You know who your supporters are, but do you know how to communicate with them? Collecting marketing data will help you understand what messages resonate and encourage your audience to get involved.

Key marketing data to collect includes:

Website traffic: Pay attention to how many people visit your site, how they get there, what pages they visit, and how long they stay. This information will help you optimize the user experience and set your website up to convert.
Social media engagement: Impressions, likes, shares, and comments tell you whether your social media posts are reaching your audience and encouraging engagement.
Email open and click rates: Are your subscribers opening your emails and clicking through to your site? These metrics let you know how effective your email marketing is. If your open rates are low, experiment with your subject lines and send emails under a real person’s name, like your fundraising director.
Advertising data: If your nonprofit advertises, look at keyword volume and competition. Getting Attention recommends choosing keywords with high search volume and low competition. For your ads themselves, nonprofit data like impressions, ad conversions, click-through rate (CTR), and cost per click (CPC) tell you how well your ads are performing and how much they’re costing you.

To collect this nonprofit data, audit your past marketing efforts and review what information your marketing software automatically collects. In turn, you can learn which platforms and messages drive supporter engagement to set future outreach up for success.

Campaign Data

Collecting campaign data will help evaluate your nonprofit’s effectiveness and better plan campaigns in the future. Important nonprofit campaign data to collect includes:

Donor and volunteer retention rates: Track how many donors or volunteers continue engaging with your organization over time. A donor or volunteer is considered “lapsed” if they haven’t given or volunteered within the past 12 months, but the length of time is up to your organization. High retention rates often indicate strong relationships and effective engagement strategies. Compare your nonprofit data with industry data to gauge success. For instance, Fundraising Report Card’s donor research indicates that the average donor retention rate is approximately 35%.
Event attendance: Measuring attendance at events helps your nonprofit gauge interest and engagement levels and assess the effectiveness of promotion strategies.
Campaign conversions: Monitor data on how many people took the desired action as a result of a campaign, such as donating, signing up to volunteer, or registering for an event. Also, pay attention to how many people your campaign converts into first-time supporters vs. recurring supporters.
Fundraising totals: Track the total funds raised per campaign to assess financial success and allocate your budget to future campaigns.

By systematically collecting campaign data, you can continuously improve your campaigns and invest in the most successful campaigns.

Financial Data

Nonprofits often operate on tight budgets, so keep a close eye on your finances by tracking:

Expenses: Monitor costs associated with delivering programs and running fundraising campaigns. Also, use your financial data collection software to monitor operational and capital costs like salaries, rent, utilities, major equipment, and buildings.
Revenue: Track your income via donations, grants, event fees, product sales, membership sales, and other revenue sources.
Cash-on-hand: This is the total amount of accessible money at any given time from checking accounts or on-premise cash reserves that aren’t reserved or invested. This data indicates how long your nonprofit can survive without donations or funding.

Tracking this information will ensure your nonprofit’s financial health, help meet regulatory requirements, make informed management decisions, and maintain the trust of donors, volunteers, and other key stakeholders.

Corporate Partnership Data

Strong corporate partnerships help expand your nonprofit’s initiatives. Considering these relationships need to be mutually beneficial, you should track data related to your partnerships, such as:

Key contacts: Track the names, positions, and contact details of the primary contacts at the company.
Agreement terms and duration: Monitor the specific terms of the partnership agreements like the objectives and responsibilities of each party so you can fulfill all obligations. Also, know the start and end dates of the agreement.
Renewal conditions: Ensure you know the criteria your nonprofit must meet to have the partnership renewed at the end of the contract’s term.
Financial contributions: Track donation amounts, dates, and in-kind contributions such as goods, services, or expertise provided by the partner.
Employee engagement: Monitor corporate employees’ involvement in your nonprofit’s activities, including volunteer hours, participation in events, or matching donations.
Impact metrics: Collect and share quantitative and qualitative data demonstrating the impact of the partnership on your nonprofit’s goals.

By collecting the right nonprofit data for your partnerships, you can maximize companies’ impact and demonstrate the value of these partnerships to your corporate sponsors. This data-driven approach not only helps maintain current partnerships but also attracts new corporate sponsors by showcasing the tangible benefits of collaborating.

Data From External Studies

Your nonprofit can better understand the market and improve its programs by leveraging data from external studies. Consider collecting data from the following sources:

Public records: Collect demographic, economic, health, and educational statistics from public records to tailor services and understand the needs of your community. For example, a childhood education organization might collect demographic data from the U.S. Census Bureau to identify low-income areas with limited educational resources.
Privately funded surveys: Incorporate data from market surveys, impact assessments, and stakeholder surveys to inform marketing strategies, evaluate program effectiveness, and gather feedback from key constituents.
Research publications: Use academic research, industry reports, and policy analysis to gain evidence-based insights, understand industry trends, and navigate the regulatory landscape effectively. For instance, a health-focused nonprofit can use academic research from a university study that identifies effective strategies for reducing diabetes.
Sector benchmarks: Use benchmarks to evaluate your organization’s performance related to peers. For instance, an animal welfare nonprofit might review annual benchmarking reports from a national animal protection agency to compare their animal adoption rates, recovery rates from medical treatment, and rehoming success with similar organizations.

Collecting data from external sources can cut down on the amount you spend conducting research. Just make sure you entrust reliable sources.

Tips to Improve Your Nonprofit Data Collection

Building an efficient nonprofit data collection strategy can be a large undertaking, but it will ultimately drive greater success for your organization. Here are some industry best practices to collect data ethically and efficiently.

Use Software That Integrates.

Chances are, your nonprofit uses software to run fundraisers, collect donations, manage volunteers, hold events, and oversee every aspect of your organization. In terms of nonprofit data collection, choosing systems that integrate can reduce the time and effort required to manage data across different platforms.

Integrated software ensures that nonprofit data is consistent and accurate, which minimizes errors that occur when manually transferring information between systems. Plus, it enables real-time data updates, giving all team members access to the latest information to make decisions.

For example, our matching gift software integrates with 100+ leading nonprofit software platforms, including fundraising tools, workplace giving platforms, CRMs, and more. That helps minimize nonprofit data inconsistencies from manual data entry, guaranteeing that donor information and matching gift opportunities are current and accurate across all systems.

Use Ethical Nonprofit Data Collection Practices.

When it comes to nonprofit data collection, you should always respect the rights and privacy of your supporters. Here’s how you can accomplish that:

Obtain explicit consent from individuals before collecting their data. This involves explaining why their data is being collected and how it will be used.
Leverage secure databases and software that enable encryption.
Collect only necessary data and avoid gathering irrelevant sensitive information.
Give participants the right to access their own data, request corrections to inaccurate data, and opt out of your nonprofit data collection processes.
Follow nonprofit regulations regarding data protection and privacy.
Require employees to enable two-factor authentication, use a secure password management system, and routinely update passwords for your nonprofit’s software.
Only give certain employees access to sensitive data.

Collecting data ethically will not only help you comply with legal standards, but it will also build trust among your supporters. Pay attention to standards and best practices specific to your industry. For example, nonprofits that handle protected health information (PHI) in the United States must adhere to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA).

Routinely Clean Your Data.

As part of managing your nonprofit data, you’ll want to keep it clean. “Clean” data refers to data that’s not excessive, erroneous, inaccurate, outdated, mislabeled, or duplicated. The cleansing process helps maintain data hygiene and should be performed regularly, such as annually or bi-annually.

Some data collection software for nonprofits offers features like deduplication to make this process a breeze. Plus, data enhancement is always an option for updating or filling in missing information.

Imagine a nonprofit that continues to use community demographic data from ten years ago to design its youth education programs. Because the demographic profile (such as age distribution, income levels, and educational attainment) of the community can significantly change over the decade, relying on this outdated information could lead the nonprofit to offer programs that are no longer relevant or effective for the community’s current needs.

Next Steps for Your Nonprofit Data Collection

Ultimately, your nonprofit’s strength lies in its ability to make informed decisions that drive its mission forward. Effective data collection is the foundation of this strength, providing the insights needed to optimize resources, engage stakeholders, and measure the true impact of your work. As the sector continues to evolve, the organizations that prioritize data-driven decision-making will be the ones leading the charge toward a brighter future.

While you refine your nonprofit data collection processes, explore these resources to learn more:

Improving Your Donor Development Approach: Expert Tactics. Developing donor relationships hinges on your nonprofit data. Make sure you’re leveraging your data to grow supporter relationships.
Data Ethics and Privacy: Questions in Matching Gift Fundraising. Protecting donor data is essential for building trust and growing fundraising revenue. Follow the tips in this guide to ethically collect and protect data during the matching gift process.
Prospect Research: The Ultimate Guide for Nonprofits. Explore what types of data to collect during prospect research and how to use this information to find new supporters.

How to Craft a Heartfelt Gift Acknowledgment Letter

May 8, 2024/in Donor communications /by Adam Weinger

A swift thank you is all it takes for 34% of donors to give again. And beyond boosting retention, a gratuitous follow-up can help your nonprofit share its impact, adhere to compliance standards, and show donors the appreciation they deserve.

While your nonprofit may already have a donor recognition process in place, an important first step is to send a gift acknowledgment letter. Let’s explore why these letters are important and how your organization can craft one that’s both effective and heartfelt!

Gift Acknowledgement Letter FAQs

What is a gift acknowledgment letter?

A gift acknowledgment letter, also known as a donation acknowledgment letter, is a formal document sent by a nonprofit to donors to express gratitude for their contributions. This appreciation message also serves as a way for donors to claim tax exemptions and reap the financial benefit of giving to your cause.

Is a gift acknowledgment letter required?

The IRS (Internal Revenue Service) lays out specific guidelines for written acknowledgments for tax-deductible donations—meaning that gift acknowledgment letters are not only a best practice but are required in certain instances. Nonprofits are required to provide a written acknowledgment for any single donation of $250 or more, whether in cash or in-kind.

The acknowledgment should include certain details such as the amount of the donation, a description of any non-cash contributions, and a statement indicating whether the organization provided any goods or services in exchange for the donation.

Should gift acknowledgment letters be sent for matched gifts?

When donors make a contribution that’s matched by their employer, your nonprofit has two supporters to thank: the employee and the employer. Not only should you send a gift acknowledgment letter to the donor, detailing that their gift was matched, but you should also send a separate acknowledgment to their employer. This can open the door to a future partnership, or at the very least, ensure they continue matching contributions to your cause.

Donor appreciation is just one best practice to follow when working with matching gifts. For more tips, watch the following video:

Because matching gifts are such a highly engaging fundraiser, prompt follow-up is especially important to maintain the engagement.

How soon after donors give should it be sent?

While there is no hard and fast rule for the exact timeframe within which a gift acknowledgment letter should be sent, it’s generally recommended that it be sent as soon as possible. This way, donors can be confident that their gifts went through and have access to everything they need to claim a tax exemption.

What should be included in a gift acknowledgment letter?

A gift acknowledgment letter should include the following elements:

- Recipient’s information: Include the donor’s name in your salutation. This personal touch can help your organization establish strong connections with donors and help them feel valued.
- Statement of gratitude: Start with a warm and sincere expression of thanks. Make it clear that their support is valued and appreciated, and connect it back to your cause.
- Details of the donation: Specify the amount or nature of the donation (e.g., monetary contribution, in-kind donation, matched gift), as well as any restrictions or designations the donor may have specified.
- Tax information: If applicable, provide information about the organization’s tax-exempt status and confirm that the donation is tax-deductible. Include the organization’s Tax ID number (if in the U.S.) for the donor’s records.
- Impact of the donation: Briefly explain how the donor’s contribution will be used and the impact it will have on the organization’s mission or programs. This helps donors understand the importance of their support.
- Your organization’s name: Sign off with your organization’s name to indicate that this donation went toward your nonprofit’s cause. You can also sign the letter with the name of a staff member or a leader within the organization for an added personal touch.

If relevant, you may also invite the donor to further their involvement with your organization. Consider adding a sentence or two inviting the donor to an upcoming event or providing details about how they can continue receiving communications from your nonprofit.

How to Write a Gift Acknowledgment Letter

1. State the purpose of your letter

Start your gift acknowledgment letter with a confirmation of the donation. This introduces the recipient to the letter by reminding them of their gift. It should only take a sentence or two.

2. Make your letter visually engaging

Before you start crafting the content of your letter, determine how you’ll make it catch the recipient’s attention. After all, your gift acknowledgment letter is only beneficial if the recipient actually reads it!

Here are a few strategies to make your letter visually engaging:

Plan engaging formatting
Choose legible fonts
Use animations or images

To make this process easier, use a digital card creation service like eCardWidget. This solution allows you to customize premade templates or start from scratch with unique cards branded to your nonprofit. Then, you can send the card to donors via email.

Taking the online route for gift acknowledgment letters unlocks numerous opportunities to invigorate your cards with engaging content. You can include everything from fun animations to eye-catching images and reuse the cards in the future as needed.

3. Personalize your note

Personalizing a gift acknowledgment letter adds a special touch and shows your donors that you genuinely value their ongoing support. Use these best practices to personalize your letter:

Use the donor’s name: Address the donor by their name. Avoid generic salutations like “Dear Supporter” and instead use their actual name, such as “Dear [Donor’s Name].” This increases the likelihood of donors reading your letter and shows them that you recognize them for who they are and not just as another revenue source.
Reference the donation: In the letter, mention the specific donation amount or type (e.g., monetary donation, in-kind donation). This shows that you’ve taken the time to acknowledge their contribution individually.
Express genuine gratitude: Tailor your appreciation message to reflect the impact of the donor’s contribution. Instead of a generic thank-you, express gratitude for the specific ways their support will make a difference.
Share a personal story: If you have any personal anecdotes or connections with the donor, mention them in the letter. For example, if the donor has been a long-time supporter or if their donation aligns with a particular interest or passion, acknowledge that connection.
Highlight previous support: If the donor has supported your organization in the past, acknowledge their ongoing commitment and express gratitude for their continued support.

By personalizing your gift acknowledgment letters, you can show donors that their support is truly valued and strengthen the bond between them and your organization.

4. Explain the impact of the gift

Personalized outreach that highlights donor impact makes 41% of donors willing to give again. You can demonstrate the donor’s impact by including:

A detailed story about the work that was accomplished with the donor’s gift, incorporating quotes from beneficiaries and volunteers.
Statistics and data relevant to the project supported by the donation.
A summary of larger goals to show how the donation supports your nonprofit’s long-term plans.

Remember to keep the message donor-centric, highlighting the impact their gift will make. The letter should be about what the donor—not your nonprofit—accomplished with their gift.

5. Express heartfelt gratitude

Craft a sincere message by using emotive language to convey your gratitude. Depending on the method you use to send your letter, incorporate additional elements to make it more meaningful. Sending handwritten letters can enhance the personal feel of the message, but digital platforms may allow you to include visuals alongside your message for more vivid appreciation.

6. Invite supporters to stay involved

Your gift acknowledgment letter shouldn’t be the end of your communications with donors. Ensure they stay involved by offering additional engagement opportunities in your letter.

Invite supporters to upcoming events, highlight volunteer opportunities, and direct them to other ways to stay in touch, such as feedback surveys or social media channels. If you send a digital card, you can use links and buttons to make it easy for donors to explore your other communication channels.

Gift Acknowledgment Letter Template

To make sure you include everything that’s needed in your letter, use this template as a starting point:

Dear [Donor’s Name],

Thank you so much for your generous donation of $[amount] on [date]. This letter is to officially acknowledge the receipt of your donation, which we have designated to support our [specific program]. Your support is vital to our efforts and makes a significant impact.

Please keep this letter for your records as it may be used as official documentation for tax purposes. No goods or services were provided in exchange for your donation.

We are deeply grateful for your generosity and commitment to our cause. Your support not only helps us achieve [specific goals], but it also strengthens our community of advocates and changemakers. We would love to see you at [upcoming event] or work with you on our volunteer team. Please visit our website [website URL] or contact us directly for more information on how you can greatly enhance our collective impact.

Thank you once again for your commitment to [cause].

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Your Position]

[Organization’s Name]

Explore more templates for thanking your donors here!

Wrapping Up

A gift acknowledgment letter weaves together your nonprofit’s appreciation, engagement, and compliance efforts following a donor’s generosity. It provides an opportunity to deeply connect and foster lasting relationships with your treasured supporters.

If you’re looking for more information on how to inspire donors to give and cultivate meaningful relationships with them, check out the following resources:

Donor Retention: A Comprehensive Guide + 9 Strategies. Don’t stop at one thank-you letter! Retain donor support in the long run using the strategies in this guide.
Digital Marketing for Nonprofits: The Ultimate Guide. Keep in touch with donors beyond your gift acknowledgment letter by optimizing your communication efforts. Explore this guide to improve your digital marketing.
Donor Stewardship: How to Retain Support Effectively. After donors give once, inspire them to continue donating through effective donor stewardship strategies. Learn how to achieve this in our guide.

Key Volunteer Time Off Statistics to Grow Your Volunteerism

May 8, 2024/in Nonprofit Basics, Learning Center, Lists and Rankings /by Adam Weinger

Top VTO Companies 15 Volunteer Time Off Programs to Know

Top Volunteer Time Off Companies | 35 Programs to Know

May 7, 2024/in Learning Center, Company Spotlights, Lists and Rankings /by Adam Weinger

In today’s fast-paced corporate landscape, striking a balance between professional responsibilities and personal growth can be challenging for employees. However, an increasing number of companies are recognizing the importance of community engagement. As a result, more employers are offering Paid Volunteer Time Off⁠ programs as part of their staff compensation packages. In order to get better acquainted with the idea, we’ll highlight some top VTO companies below.

(Interested in a particular employer? Click on the ‘company name’ to skip to that section!)

COMPANY NAME	ANNUAL VTO CAP	SECTOR	EMPLOYEES	HEADQUARTERS
AppDynamics	40 hours	Media & Technology	~2,000	San Francisco, CA
Blue Cross	15 hours	Healthcare	~190,000	Chicago, IL
Cisco	80 hours	Media & Technology	~84,900	San Jose, CA
County of San Mateo	20 – 416 hours	Public	~4,800	Redwood City, CA
Deloitte	8 hours	Professional Services	~455,000	London, England
EOG Resources	8 hours	Energy & Power	~2,900	Houston, TX
Enel	16 hours	Energy & Power	~6,500	Rome, Italy
FirstBank	16 hours	Financial Services	~4,100	San Juan, Puerto Rico
Getty Images	8 hours	Media & Technology	~1,700	Seattle, WA
GM Financial	32 hours	Financial Services	~8,800	Fort Worth, TX
Hasbro	48 hours	Toy & Entertainment	~5,600	Pawtucket, RI
Heineken USA	36 hours	Food & Beverage	~8,500	White Plains, NY
Humana	8 hours	Healthcare	~67,600	Louisville, KY
Ibotta	8 hours	Media & Technology	~815	Denver, CO
Intuit	32 hours	Financial Services	~18,200	Montain View, CA
Johnson & Johnson	40 hours	Healthcare	~141,700	New Brunswick, NJ
KPMG	40 hours	Professional Services	~219,200	New York, NY
Lowe’s	8 hours	Home Improvement	~300,000	Mooresville, NC
Microsoft	24 hours	Media & Technology	~221,000	Redmond, WA
Nielsen	24 hours	Information	~44,000	New York, NY
Novo Nordisk U.S.	80 hours	Healthcare	~6,400	Plainsboro, NJ
Patagonia	18 hours	Fashion & Apparel	~3,000	Ventura, CA
PNC Financial	40 hours	Financial Services	~56,400	Pittsburgh, PA
PwC US	40 hours	Professional Services	~328,000	New York, NY
Salesforce	56 hours	Media & Technology	~79,400	San Francisco, CA
Sentinel Group	16 hours	Financial Services	~325	Wakefield, MA
ServiceNow	20 hours	Media & Technology	~22,700	Santa Clara, CA
Siemens USA	16 hours	Media & Technology	~303,000	Saint Paul, MN
S&P Global	16 hours	Financial Services	~40,000	New York, NY
Tapestry	8 hours	Fashion & Apparel	~17,300	New York, NY
Takeda	16 hours	Healthcare	~47,300	Cambridge, MA
Thomson Reuters	16 hours	Information	~25,600	Toronto, Canada
Timberland	40 hours	Fashion & Apparel	~50,000	Stratham, NH
University of Arizona	8 hours	Higher Education	~16,000	Tucson, AZ
Warner Media	40 hours	Media & Technology	~35,300	New York, NY

If you’re looking for a refresher on volunteer time off—and how to make the most of the programs for your organization⁠—check out our complete VTO guide here.

Otherwise, we’ve provided a quick summary of the benefits before jumping into the compilation of VTO companies below.

BENEFITS OF VTO FOR EMPLOYEES

The opportunity to give back to their communities, develop new skills, and support causes they are passionate about through volunteerism without missing out on a portion of a regular paycheck

BENEFITS OF VTO FOR NONPROFITS

Access to skilled volunteers who are motivated to make a meaningful impact, thus expanding their capacity, tapping into specialized expertise, and accomplishing more with limited resources

BENEFITS OF VTO FOR COMPANIES

Enhanced reputation as a socially responsible employer, strengthened corporate culture with heightened staff engagement, loyalty, and retention, leading to positive business outcomes

Read up on these programs to explore top companies offering paid volunteer time off for their employees. Then, see if your supporters qualify for the benefit! 🠟

AppDynamics

Sector: Media & Technology
Location: San Francisco, CA and worldwide
Employee count: ~2,000
VTO cap: 40 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔

AppDynamics, a leader in application performance management, believes in giving back to the community. Their VTO program reflects this value by allowing employees to take paid time off (up to a full week each year) to engage in volunteer activities with the charitable organizations of their choice.

By providing this opportunity, AppDynamics fosters a culture of social responsibility and actively encourages its employees to contribute to the betterment of society on a local and global scale.

Blue Cross Blue Shield

Sector: Healthcare
Location: Chicago, IL and nationwide
Employee count: ~190,000
VTO cap: 15 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔ (Can vary based on location)

Blue Cross Blue Shield, a network of independently owned health insurance companies across the U.S., demonstrates its commitment to improving health, going above and beyond medical care to include community well-being. Through their generous VTO program, employees are granted paid time off (equal to 15 hours, or nearly two full days of work) to volunteer for various philanthropy initiatives.

In investing in employee volunteerism, Blue Cross Blue Shield strengthens its ties to its community while supporting healthcare access for underserved populations and reinforcing its mission to promote health and wellness for all.

Cisco

Sector: Media & Technology
Location: San Jose, CA and nationwide
Employee count: ~84,900
VTO cap: 80 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔

At Cisco Systems, technology is not just about innovation. It’s also about making a positive impact on society. That’s why the company’s VTO program empowers employees to spend up to two weeks each year volunteering with nonprofit causes.

As it encourages employees to give back through incentivized volunteerism, Cisco cultivates a culture of collaboration and social responsibility. Through their VTO program, employees can also leverage their skills and expertise to support the communities in which they live and work, ultimately aligning with the company’s vision of technology as a force for good.

County of San Mateo

Sector: Public
Location: Redwood City, CA
Employee count: ~4,800
VTO cap: 20 – 416 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Payroll Deductions ✔

The County of San Mateo in Redwood City, California also values community engagement and aims to incentivize philanthropy among its staff. Through its VTO program, employees are granted paid time off to volunteer for local initiatives, with the number of hours each team member receives ranging from 20 to 416 annually.

By supporting employee volunteerism, the County further strengthens its ties with the community and fosters a sense of civic pride and responsibility among its workforce.

Deloitte

Sector: Professional Services
Location: London, England and worldwide
Employee count: ~455,000
VTO cap: 8 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔

Deloitte, a global leader in consulting and professional services, recognizes the importance of giving back to the communities it serves. It aims to increase its philanthropy efforts by offering paid volunteer time off, with team members encouraged to spend a full day each year supporting nonprofit causes.

Whether it’s providing pro bono consulting services to nonprofit organizations, participating in skills-based volunteering initiatives, or organizing fundraising events, Deloitte’s employees are empowered to make a positive impact beyond the office building.

EOG Resources

Sector: Energy & Power
Location: Houston, TX and nationwide
Employee count: ~2,900
VTO cap: 8 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔

EOG Resources, a leading energy company, believes in giving back to the communities where it operates. Through its VTO program, employees are provided with paid time off to volunteer for causes like environmental stewardship, community development, or disaster relief.

By supporting employee volunteerism with paid time off, EOG Resources demonstrates its commitment to corporate citizenship and sustainable development. Plus, it fosters a culture of giving and philanthropy among its workforce.

Enel North America

Sector: Energy & Power
Location: Andover, MA and worldwide
Employee count: ~6,500
VTO cap: 8 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Sustainability Projects ✔

Enel, a global energy company, is committed to sustainability and social responsibility. Enel employees have the opportunity to contribute to positive change in the world by spending one day each year out of the office, giving back to their communities.

Through its VTO program, employees are encouraged to use paid time off to volunteer for a range of environmental conservation and other philanthropic efforts. By investing in employee volunteerism, Enel strengthens its reputation as a responsible corporate citizen and aligns its business objectives with the needs of society and the planet.

FirstBank

Sector: Financial Services
Location: Lakewood, CO and nationwide
Employee count: ~4,100
VTO cap: 16 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔

FirstBank, a leading financial institution, believes in giving back to the communities it serves. Through its VTO program, employees are provided with paid time off to volunteer for charitable organizations and community projects two days out of the year.

Whether it’s serving meals at homeless shelters, tutoring students in underserved neighborhoods, or participating in financial literacy workshops, each employee has the opportunity to make a meaningful difference without losing out on any pay.

Getty Images

Sector: Media & Technology
Location: Seattle, WA and worldwide
Employee count: ~1,700
VTO cap: 8 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔

As a global leader in visual communication, Getty Images is committed to making a positive impact on society and engaging its workforce to do the same. Through its VTO program, employees are provided with paid time off to volunteer for causes, from arts and culture and education to humanitarian relief efforts.

In order to do so, Getty Images employees have the opportunity to leverage their skills and expertise to drive positive change for their nonprofit partners.

GM Financial

Sector: Financial Services
Location: Fort Worth, TX and nationwide
Employee count: ~8,800
VTO cap: 32 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Volunteer Grants ✔

GM Financial, the financial services arm of General Motors, believes in giving back to the communities it serves through volunteerism and other philanthropy programs. Through its VTO program, employees are provided with up to four days of paid time off for charitable volunteer initiatives.

By supporting employee volunteerism, GM Financial strengthens its corporate social responsibility efforts and supplies its workforce with the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the world.

Hasbro

Sector: Toy & Entertainment
Location: Pawtucket, RI and worldwide
Employee count: ~5,600
VTO cap: 48 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔

Hasbro is committed to making a positive impact on the world through a generous VTO program, providing employees with paid volunteer time off to devote to giving back. Corporate employees are granted four hours worth of time off each month, equating to six full days on an annual basis they can spend performing volunteer activities with a wide range of causes.

Heineken USA

Sector: Food & Beverage
Location: White Plains, NY and worldwide
Employee count: ~8,500
VTO cap: 36 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Volunteer Grants ✔

Heineken, a global brewing company committed to corporate social responsibility and sustainability, believes in raising a glass to community service and volunteerism. Through its company volunteer program, employees are provided with a total of 36 hours of paid time off each year to spend volunteering for causes they are passionate about.

Humana

Sector: Healthcare
Location: Louisville, KY and nationwide
Employee count: ~67,700
VTO cap: 8 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔

Leading health and well-being company, Humana, believes in giving back to the communities it serves, and it encourages its staff to do so as well. Every year, Humana employees are provided with paid time off (equal to one full day of work) to spend volunteering with the charitable organizations of their choice!

Ibotta

Sector: Media & Technology
Location: Denver, CO and nationwide
Employee count: ~815
VTO cap: 8 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Nonprofit Partnerships ✔

Ibotta, a leading mobile rewards platform, has also developed a VTO program designed to empower employees to spend time volunteering with nonprofit causes. Team members receive 8 hours of paid time off each year, providing them with the opportunity to make a positive difference in the world around them.

While the causes supported can range greatly, Ibotta staff have engaged with tons of organizations centered on hunger relief, education, and environmental sustainability.

Intuit

Sector: Financial Services
Location: Mountain View, CA and worldwide
Employee count: ~18,200
VTO cap: 32 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔

Intuit, a leading financial software company, believes in giving back to the communities it serves. Through its VTO program, employees are provided with paid time off to volunteer for charitable organizations and community projects. Whether it’s providing tax assistance to low-income individuals, mentoring small business owners, or participating in environmental conservation efforts, Intuit employees have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the world.

By supporting employee volunteerism, Intuit strengthens its corporate social responsibility efforts and reinforces its commitment to building stronger, more prosperous communities.

Johnson & Johnson

Sector: Healthcare
Location: New Brunswick, NJ and worldwide
Employee count: ~141,700
VTO cap: 40 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔

Johnson & Johnson, a global healthcare company, is committed to improving the health and well-being of people around the world through its pharmaceutical products and beyond. One key facet of its employee giving initiatives is a generous VTO program. Through the program, employees are able to use dedicated paid time off (up to a full week each year) to volunteer with the causes of their choice.

By supporting employee volunteerism in this way, Johnson & Johnson strengthens its commitment to the company’s founding principles of caring for the communities it serves.

KPMG

Sector: Professional Services
Location: New York, NY and worldwide
Employee count: ~219,200
VTO cap: 40 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔

KPMG, one of the world’s leading professional services firms, offers a standout VTO program designed to empower its employees to give back to the communities they serve. With paid volunteer time off, employees are encouraged to partake in volunteer projects during standard working hours (without losing out on any pay) for up to 5 days each year.

Talk about adding value to corporate citizenship!

Lowe’s

Sector: Home Improvement
Location: Mooresville, NC and worldwide
Employee count: ~300,000
VTO cap: 8 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Community Grants ✔

Lowe’s, a leading home improvement retailer, is committed to giving back to the communities it serves. Through its VTO program, more than 300,000 employees across the globe are provided with a day’s worth of paid time off specifically for volunteerism. Whether it’s building homes for families in need, renovating schools and community centers, or participating in disaster relief efforts, Lowe’s employees have the opportunity to develop and leverage new skills, make a meaningful difference, and contribute to the well-being of communities across the country.

Microsoft

Sector: Media & Technology
Location: Redmond, WA and worldwide
Employee count: ~221,000
VTO cap: 24 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔ Microsoft Ad Grants ✔

As a leading technology company, Microsoft believes in using its resources to make a positive impact on society. That includes its labor!

Through its VTO program, Microsoft employees are encouraged to participate in dedicated technology and innovation projects to use their skills and expertise for good (for up to three working days a year).

Nielsen

Sector: Information
Location: New York, NY and worldwide
Employee count: ~44,000
VTO cap: 24 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Volunteer Grants ✔

Nielsen is a global measurement and data analytics company, and it’s committed to making a positive impact on society through corporate philanthropy programs like paid volunteer time off and more. Each team member receives 24 hours of VTO annually, which employees can use to participate in fundraising events, community service initiatives, and other nonprofit activities.

Novo Nordisk U.S.

Sector: Healthcare
Location: Plainsboro, NJ and worldwide
Employee count: ~6,400
VTO cap: 80 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔

Novo Nordisk is a global healthcare company committed to driving change and improving the lives of people with chronic diseases. One way that it aims to do so is by engaging its employees in volunteer activities (such as hosting educational workshops, participating in fundraising events, or working at free medical clinics).

The company also boasts one of the highest annual limits, offering each employee up to two weeks of paid time to spend participating in nonprofit volunteer activities.

Patagonia

Sector: Fashion & Apparel
Location: Ventura, CA and worldwide
Employee count: ~3,000
VTO cap: 18 hours per year*
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔

Patagonia, a leading outdoor apparel company, is committed to environmental conservation and corporate activism. By offering paid volunteer time off for its employees, the business encourages philanthropy and enhances its impact on the planet.

Plus, in addition to the standard 18 hours of VTO each year, an employee can choose to spend up to two months volunteering with the environmental organization of their choice.

PNC Financial

Sector: Financial Services
Location: Pittsburgh, PA and worldwide
Employee count: ~56,400
VTO cap: 40 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔

PNC Financial Services is one of the largest diversified financial services institutions in the United States. It’s also a leader in corporate philanthropy and wholeheartedly believes in giving back to the communities it serves. For example, employees are provided with paid time off to spend volunteering with nonprofit organizations through the company’s VTO program. This empowers individual team members to get involved in social good, with a generous annual limit allowing for a full week of volunteer-related activities outside the office.

PwC US

Sector: Professional Services
Location: New York, NY and worldwide
Employee count: ~328,000
VTO cap: 40 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔

PwC is another of the world’s leading professional services firms. This company, as a way of committing to making a positive impact on society, also offers a generous VTO program in which employees are welcome to spend a full week’s time supporting the nonprofits of their choice. This often includes providing pro bono consulting services but can encompass a wide range of volunteer-focused activities.

Salesforce

Sector: Media & Technology
Location: San Francisco, CA and worldwide
Employee count: ~79,400
VTO cap: 56 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔

As a global leader in customer relationship management software, Salesforce believes in the power and potential of using its technology for good. Through its VTO program, employees are empowered to use dedicated paid time off (up to 56 hours annually) to volunteer for their favorite causes.

Sentinel Group

Sector: Financial Services
Location: Wakefield, MA and nationwide
Employee count: ~325
VTO cap: 16 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts (with auto-submission enabled) ✔

Sentinel Group, also referred to as Sentinel Benefits and Financial Group, is a leader in risk management and security solutions. As a tangible way to give back to the communities it serves, the company has developed a generous VTO program, where employees are provided with paid time off (equal to two days annually) to volunteer with qualifying nonprofit groups.

ServiceNow

Sector: Media & Technology
Location: Santa Clara, CA and worldwide
Employee count: ~22,700
VTO cap: 20 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔

ServiceNow, a leading provider of digital workflow solutions, believes in using its technology to drive positive change. Through its VTO program, employees are encouraged to use paid time off to volunteer for causes they are passionate about, such as education, environmental sustainability, or social justice.

Whether it’s developing software solutions for nonprofit organizations, organizing volunteer events, or participating in service projects, ServiceNow employees have the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in their communities and beyond.

Siemens

Sector: Media & Technology
Location: Saint Paul, MN and worldwide
Employee count: ~303,000
VTO cap: 16 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Team Volunteer Grants ✔

Siemens, the global technology powerhouse, commits to engaging its employees by supplying 16 hours worth of paid volunteer time off every year for team members to support nonprofit causes. That’s in addition to the other giving programs the company established, which include matching employee donations and offering team-wide volunteer grants, too!

S&P Global

Sector: Financial Services
Location: New York, NY and worldwide
Employee count: ~40,000
VTO cap: 16 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔

S&P Global, a leading provider of financial market intelligence, engages its employee base in volunteerism (and other giving programs) by incentivizing their involvement. One such program offers paid VTO, or volunteer time off, where employees are given the opportunity to spend two days working with various organizations or projects on an annual basis.

Tapestry

Sector: Fashion & Apparel
Location: New York, NY and worldwide
Employee count: ~17,300
VTO cap: 8 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔

Tapestry is a leading house of modern luxury and lifestyle brands. The company is committed to making a positive impact on society in a number of ways, which include matching employee donations and offering paid time off for nonprofit volunteering. Specifically, through its VTO program, employees across Kate Spade, Coach, and Stuart Weitzman are gifted paid time off to volunteer for and make a positive impact on causes they are passionate about.

Takeda Pharmaceuticals U.S.A.

Sector: Healthcare
Location: Cambridge, MA and worldwide
Employee count: ~47,300
VTO cap: 16 hours per year*
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔

Takeda Pharmaceuticals is a global biopharmaceutical company committed to making the world a better place through strategic philanthropy, innovation, and more. Through its VTO program, the company’s employees are gifted paid time off to volunteer. The program provides two days of paid time off per year, though Takeda has been known to expand the program to offer up to five days in the event of a humanitarian crisis.

Thomson Reuters

Sector: Information
Location: Toronto, Canada and worldwide
Employee count: ~15,600
VTO cap: 16 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔

Thomson Reuters, a leading provider of business information services, believes in giving back through corporate volunteerism. In order to engage its employee base, the company provides an additional 16 hours of paid time off to volunteer for charitable projects.

Whether it’s providing pro bono legal services to low-income individuals, mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds, or participating in environmental conservation efforts, employees have the opportunity to build stronger, more resilient communities.

Timberland

Sector: Fashion & Apparel
Location: Stratham, NH and nationwide
Employee count: ~50,000
VTO cap: 40 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Volunteer Grants ✔

Timberland, along with other subsidiaries of VF Corporation like North Face, JanSport, Dickies, and more, is a global outdoor lifestyle brand committed to environmental conservation and social responsibility. Through its VTO program, employees are encouraged to use paid time off (a full week’s worth!) to participate in volunteer activities.

By supporting employee volunteerism, Timberland strengthens its commitment to corporate citizenship and reinforces its mission to inspire and equip people to step outside, work together, and make a difference in the world.

University of Arizona

Sector: Higher Education
Location: Tucson, AZ
Employee count: ~1,600
VTO cap: 8 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Scholarship Funds ✔ Research and Innovation ✔

The University of Arizona is a leading public research university. It’s also an institution that’s committed to serving the greater community and fostering social responsibility among its employees. One way that it does so is through its VTO program!

As a way to incentivize volunteerism among university faculty and staff, team members are encouraged to spend 8 hours of paid time off volunteering with nonprofit. In the end, the University strengthens its commitment to excellence and innovation, both on campus and beyond.

Warner Media

Sector: Media & Technology
Location: New York, NY and worldwide
Employee count: ~35,300
VTO cap: 40 hours per year
Other notable giving programs: Matching Gifts ✔ Volunteer Grants ✔

Warner Media, formerly Warner Bros. Discovery, is a leading global media and entertainment company devoted to driving positive change in society through various philanthropy efforts. One example of this is its VTO program, where employees are encouraged to use 40 hours of dedicated paid time off to volunteer for causes related to arts and culture, education, social justice, and beyond.

Wrapping Up

Corporate social responsibility continues to grow in terms of demand and execution alike, which means more companies participating than ever before. Volunteerism is one of the top ways for corporate employees to get involved, and paid volunteer programs from VTO companies like these offer a unique incentive for engagement.

Just remember: the companies selected above represent only a fraction of available opportunities. Encourage your volunteers, donors, and other supporters to look into their employers’ programming to see what possibilities lie in your network.

Interested in delving deeper into corporate volunteerism and other forms of workplace giving incentives? Check out the additional resources below:

Free Download: The Ultimate Guide to Matching Gifts. Unlock your full fundraising potential with matching gifts! This downloadable resource shares invaluable insights and tips to help navigate the world of matching gifts with ease.
Maximizing Impact With Corporate Volunteer Grant Programs. Volunteer grant programs provide charitable funds in response to employee volunteerism. Learn to identify opportunities, enhance engagement, and maximize financial support here.
Navigating Corporate Philanthropy | A Nonprofit Playbook. Gain a deeper understanding of corporate giving in this guide. From establishing partnerships to securing vital funding, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge and tools needed to succeed.