Page 8 – Double the Donation

Capital Campaigns: A Groundbreaking Guide to Success

November 19, 2025/in Fundraising Strategy, Learning Center, Fundraising Ideas /by Adam Weinger

Every nonprofit organization reaches a point where its vision outgrows its current capacity. Perhaps you need a new state-of-the-art facility, a substantial permanent endowment, or the resources to launch a massive program expansion that will transform your community. This moment, the leap from your current reality to your boldest future, is powered by a Capital Campaign.

A capital campaign is not just another annual appeal; it is the most ambitious and strategic fundraising effort a nonprofit can undertake. Successfully executed, it can permanently reshape your organization’s financial stability and physical infrastructure.

But where do you start? How do you ensure your multi-million dollar vision doesn’t turn into a multi-year headache?

In this comprehensive guide, we will walk you through every critical phase of the capital campaign process. From assessing readiness and securing your first major gifts in the quiet phase, to selecting the right consulting support and executing a flawless public launch, we’ll provide the roadmap you need to turn your organization’s biggest dreams into reality. This includes:

Capital Campaign FAQs
The Capital Campaign Process
Essentials for a Successful Capital Campaign
How to Use Challenge Grants as a Capital Campaign Multiplier
What to Know About Capital Campaign Consultants
Unique Capital Campaign Ideas

Let’s begin by answering a few frequently asked questions by nonprofits such as yours.

Capital Campaign FAQs

What Is a Capital Campaign?

At its core, a capital campaign is an extensive, drawn-out fundraiser.

But at a more complex level, a capital campaign is a concerted effort to raise substantial funds for a specific project or undertaking. According to Capital Campaign Pro, these campaigns typically take 2-3 years from start to finish, and most organizations conduct them every 10-15 years.

Because these are the most significant fundraising campaigns your nonprofit will ever take on, capital campaigns require coordination and cooperation from your entire organization and community. Without the support of board members, staff, and individuals who are dedicated to your cause, a capital campaign has little to no chance of succeeding.

Why Do Nonprofits Use Capital Campaigns?

As stated before, nonprofits generally use capital campaigns for large projects that require substantial financial backing. More often than not, capital campaigns are used to raise money for a new building or renovations to an existing building. But they can also be for:

Purchasing Lands or Buildings

The main reason many organizations wish to acquire land is the possibility of future expansion. Capital campaigns are thus used to help organizations raise enough funds to finance land purchases. Organizations may also campaign to buy a building they’ve rented for a long time when the space goes up for sale, to secure a safe future without rent increases.

Expanding an Existing Building

Large organizations such as hospitals and schools often need to regularly expand their facilities to accommodate a growing patient or student population. Such projects are massive undertakings that require substantial financial resources, which is why they are mostly funded through capital campaigns.

Funding New Programs or Increasing Staffing

Sometimes, in order to get a new program or initiative off the ground, your nonprofit needs an influx of funds to secure the necessary resources. You may even need funding to grow your team, ensuring your organization has the capacity to do more for its beneficiaries.

Building an Endowment

An endowment helps secure a bright future for your nonprofit, but it can be difficult to encourage giving to a capital campaign focused solely on an endowment, since the impact of that giving may not be immediate. This is why many organizations choose to include endowment funding as one element of a multifaceted capital campaign.

Purchasing Equipment or Supplies

Nonprofits sometimes need large-scale purchases to further their missions. A hospital, for example, may need to upgrade existing radiology equipment, or a university may require a high-powered telescope for the astronomy department. Capital campaigns can help fund these major purchases.

What Types of Organizations Run Capital Campaigns?

Any type of organization can run a capital campaign! Let’s highlight a few examples:

Hospitals

Many hospitals and healthcare nonprofits launch capital campaigns to raise funds for new wings or buildings, purchase new equipment, replace or repair outdated machines, or fund groundbreaking medical research.

Schools and Universities

Schools, colleges, and universities are another type of organization that frequently uses capital campaigns as a fundraising method. Education-related organizations use capital campaigns to raise funds for new buildings, scholarship programs, or equipment.

Community Organizations

These organizations often launch campaigns to build or expand physical centers that serve local residents, such as new food banks, youth centers, or recreational facilities. Their campaigns focus on scaling essential programs and infrastructure that directly improve the quality of life within a specific geographic area.

Civic Organizations

Civic groups often run capital campaigns to renovate or restore historical landmarks, establish memorials, or fund large-scale public works projects like parks and libraries. Their goals are usually tied to enhancing the public good and preserving shared community assets.

Environmental Nonprofits

Environmental organizations rely on capital campaigns to secure large tracts of land for conservation, establish permanent endowments for long-term stewardship, or build interpretive and educational facilities. These campaigns aim to protect natural resources and fund significant, enduring ecological projects.

Animal-Related Organizations

These nonprofits frequently seek capital funding to construct new shelters with modern veterinary facilities, establish sanctuaries for rescued animals, or expand kennel capacity. Their campaigns are often driven by the urgent need to upgrade facilities that provide direct animal care and housing.

Arts and Culture Nonprofits

Museums, theaters, symphonies, and galleries run capital campaigns to fund the construction of new performance halls, the acquisition or preservation of significant collections, or the renovation of historical venues. These efforts are crucial for expanding programming space and ensuring the long-term viability of cultural institutions.

Churches and Religious Organizations

Religious organizations commonly use capital campaigns to raise funds for major building projects, such as renovating or constructing new places of worship, expanding classrooms for faith-based education, or creating community outreach centers. These campaigns often tie the fundraising goal directly to the organization’s spiritual and community mission.

Who Can Help You Conduct a Capital Campaign?

Capital campaigns are significant undertakings, so nonprofits usually turn to professional fundraising consultants to help plan and execute them. A consultant or advisor can help with campaign planning, feasibility studies, prospect research, fundraising and solicitation, event planning, and more.

Our recommendation:

We suggest taking a hands-on approach to your capital campaign with our preferred expert: Capital Campaign Pro.

This innovative campaign support system gives you everything you need to plan and run your capital campaign: resources, expert guidance, templates, hands-on experience, and access to a community of other nonprofits also conducting campaigns.

The traditional consulting approach, while often effective, can be quite expensive and opaque, meaning your team won’t have access to all of the campaign tools or learn how all the pieces of the campaign fit together. Capital Campaign Pro offers an alternative approach that can yield immense benefits for your team, even long after your capital campaign comes to a successful end.

How Can You Market Your Capital Campaign?

A well-marketed capital campaign can launch big projects for your mission. Before entering the public phase of your campaign, make sure you have a well-thought-out marketing plan. Here are some core considerations as you brainstorm marketing strategies with your team.

Your Website

Your nonprofit’s website should serve as the single most critical communications hub for your entire capital campaign. For this reason, we suggest dedicating a prominent section or a separate landing page to the campaign, ensuring it clearly features the Case for Support, the running campaign total, a direct donation form, and compelling visuals of the project’s future impact.

Furthermore, for your top-tier major donors, it should be easy to launch challenge matches in support of your capital campaign straight from your website. Making this high-level participation seamless signals that you are prepared for transformational gifts and empowers leadership donors to instantly amplify the campaign’s public momentum.

Google Ads

Once your capital campaign information is live on your website, paid advertising is a wonderful way to get that content in front of potential prospects. Using the Google Grants program, you can receive up to $10,000 to spend on Google Ads for free each month. With careful keyword research, you can amplify your campaign’s landing page on Google Search and drive more traffic to it.

For the best results, we recommend working with a Google Grants consultant to create inspiring ads that target the right users on Google.

Brochures

A brochure gives you plenty of space to cover the key details of your capital campaign.

The most compelling brochures feature what your project will accomplish and who it’ll benefit, whether that’s building a shelter for the homeless, an animal sanctuary for endangered species, or something else. Paint a picture with words and images about how your work will create a difference. Then provide details on how to get involved, such as visiting your campaign page’s URL.

Email

Email has the highest ROI of any marketing channel, so include it in your outreach!

When you move into the public phase of your campaign, send regular emails to announce it. Then, provide updates along the way. You have seconds to get your point across, so keep your emails short and include a clear call to action in each one, giving the reader their exact next step. Then, top it all off with a subject line that encourages recipients to open the email.

What Does The Research Say About Capital Campaigns?

Especially if you’re preparing for your organization’s first capital campaign, you may be wondering, “What evidence is there that we can succeed?”

Capital Campaign Pro recently conducted a benchmark study, surveying nearly 300 U.S. and Canadian nonprofits with varying experiences with capital campaigns. Here are some of the insights from the study:

94% of organizations considered their capital campaign a success.
On average, nonprofits raise $8.9 million in a capital campaign.
For small organizations (nonprofits with < $1 million in annual revenue), campaign goals were smaller and raised about $3.5 million. These organizations typically had higher levels of major donor relationship building, fundraising system improvement, and more active executive directors and boards.
Other than raising money, nonprofits that had conducted a capital campaign cited the following benefits: strengthened relationships with major donors (72%), becoming more effective at soliciting large gifts (50%), increasing development staff effectiveness (39%), developing better fundraising systems (38%), and more board member engagement in fundraising (32%).

Download your free copy of the benchmark study to learn more.

The Capital Campaign Process

Planning a Capital Campaign

Your nonprofit needs to carefully plan its capital campaign before it begins fundraising to ensure the implementation process goes as smoothly as possible. Without a thorough plan in place, your team may not successfully anticipate issues before they arise and may realize too late that your fundraising strategy needs revision. Some tasks that should be completed in the planning phase include:

Determining objectives & working financial goal

The objectives of your campaign are the reasons you’re conducting your campaign. For instance, you may want to purchase new supplies and equipment or renovate your facility. Your financial goal will depend on the scope and size of the project your organization is undertaking. You should arrive at this number after careful calculation and accounting for hidden costs.

Conducting a feasibility study or report

We’ll go over the details of a feasibility report in a later section, but it’s vital to the success of your capital campaign. A feasibility report is essentially “product-testing” your campaign. You want to ensure the community will support your project, and a feasibility report helps you do just that.

Creating a gift range chart

Once you’ve tested the feasibility of your campaign and have a more solid financial goal, create a gift range chart. This visualization shows how many gifts your nonprofit needs to secure at different levels. You can take this a step further by developing a depth chart, which attaches specific prospect and donor names to each gift.

Establishing your communications strategy

Determine how you’ll get the word out about your campaign during both the quiet and the public phases. Review the strategies listed above, like using Google Ad Grants or creating a brochure, while also considering what you know about your community and the communications they’ve responded to in the past.

Developing your budget

Capital campaigns are used to raise money for large projects, but they also cost money to prepare and launch. You’ll need to account for marketing materials, event costs, and other fundraising expenses that may arise.

Setting a deadline

Your deadline will largely depend on your financial target and the pool of donors you expect to donate. You don’t want to make your deadline too soon and risk not reaching your goal. On the other hand, you don’t want to set a deadline that’s five years from now when it would only take two years to raise the money.

Implementing a Capital Campaign

After all of the hard work in the planning phase, it’s time to implement your capital campaign! There are two main segments within the implementation process:

The Quiet Phase

The quiet phase is not open to the public; instead, it relies on contributions from your major donors. During this stage, your committee members will reach out to your major donors and local businesses to solicit large donations. Usually, capital campaigns raise 50-70% of their total during the quiet phase, and it’s a great opportunity to kick off the prospect research and appending processes to learn more about your target donors.

The Public Phase

The public phase begins with a kickoff event, sometimes at the building site (when applicable). Once the public phase begins, donors can give as much as they want. Your committee can still solicit major gifts, but the focus should be on broad marketing to as many donors as possible.

Once you reach your goal in the public phase, it’s time to celebrate! However, don’t neglect important donor stewardship tasks, such as thanking your donors and continuing to communicate with them. Capitalize on the relationships you strengthened during your campaign in order to secure future engagement and support.

Essentials for a Successful Capital Campaign

A Feasibility Study

Feasibility studies are crucial to the success of any capital campaign. They essentially determine whether or not your donors and the community will be willing to support your organization’s project.

Think of your feasibility study as a critical must-have instead of an optional step. It will help you get a leg up on your campaign from the get-go. In fact, Capital Campaign Pro found that organizations that conducted a feasibility study raised, on average, 115% of their original campaign goal, compared with 101% for those that did not.

During a feasibility study, your organization’s leaders or an outside consultant will sit down and interview 30 to 40 individuals from the community. The experts at Capital Campaign Pro recommend taking a hands-on, guided approach in which your nonprofit’s leaders conduct the interviews personally with the support of a campaign advisor. You’ll then work together to distill insights and recommendations.

We recommend interviewing a combination of:

Community leaders: Mayors, local representatives, and company board members will have valuable insight into the feasibility of your capital campaign. Test the waters by talking to the movers and shakers of your local community. Make sure to get leaders from a variety of industries and sectors.
Current and past board members: Your current and past board members can offer valuable perspectives and opinions on whether the capital campaign will be successful. Previous board members can do the same, and they may also be able to offer good advice if they have experience with capital campaigns during their tenure.
Staff members: It’s important to gather their thoughts on your capital campaign before you launch it. They might have insights or reservations that you hadn’t thought of before. Depending on the size of your nonprofit, you might not be able to interview every single staff member. Instead, grab a leader from each department to talk to during your feasibility study.
Major donors: These donors will contribute the most to your capital campaign. It makes sense to interview them to get their input about your fundraising efforts. Talk to previous major gift donors as well as any prospects in your community who you think might want to donate to your capital campaign.

Questions to ask your interviewees during a feasibility study will range from personal (“What is your connection to the organization?”) to more broad (“Do you think this organization can raise the money for this project?”).

Here are a few questions to consider:

How do you feel about our case for support?
How do you feel about the project as a whole?
Do you think our goal and deadline are attainable and reasonable?
How do you think the community will respond to the project and campaign?
Who do you think will be the biggest supporters of this campaign?

By the end of the feasibility study, your organization should be able to determine whether or not you have the support needed to raise money for your capital campaign.

Powering your feasibility study with employment data

Modern fundraising best practices recognize that wealth indicators and philanthropic connections go hand in hand with professional background. Powering your feasibility study and quiet-phase outreach with up-to-date donor employment data is key to identifying top prospects and accurately assessing their capacity. Traditional wealth screening may only capture real estate or stock holdings, but sophisticated data tools, often powered by workplace giving providers, can pinpoint a prospect’s current employer, workplace giving potential, and more. This information is invaluable because it not only confirms their financial capacity but also reveals their eligibility for matching gifts and volunteer grants.

By combining internal giving history with comprehensive employment data, your team can prioritize outreach to individuals with the greatest capacity to make a transformational gift and simultaneously unlock matching funds from their employers.

A Capital Campaign Committee

Before you begin planning your capital campaign, you’ll first want to gather a committee of dedicated individuals around you to help with its planning and execution. People you should consider for your capital campaign committee include:

Board Members
Staff Members
Major Gift Donors
Challenge Match Leaders
Volunteer Leaders
Community Leaders

Don’t feel obligated to create a massive capital campaign committee that includes every board member, staff member, and major donor in your organization’s history. The committee should be big enough to handle the particulars of the capital campaign but small enough to give everyone an opportunity to voice their opinion.

Prospect Research

As a valuable tool you can leverage to better understand your donor base, prospect research can help you learn more about your donors. This includes their:

Past giving history to your organization
Previous donations to other nonprofits and political campaigns
Business connections
Employment information
Basic data like name, email address, and phone number

Having this information will help guide you toward your major donors. Because major gifts are going to drive the first half to two-thirds of your capital campaign, you’ll need to be well prepared to make those donation appeals.

With prospect research on your side, you’ll be more than ready to solicit those major donations from your supporters.

A Case for Support

A case for support is a document that outlines your nonprofit’s justification for hosting a capital campaign. It is useful for both your feasibility study and the quiet and public phases of the campaign.

For that reason, your case for support must be airtight and convincing! Convey a sense of urgency as concisely and clearly as possible. After all, donors want to know why they should support you and how they can help. Your case for support should include:

Your nonprofit’s background
Your cause and services
Your future goals
The reason for the capital campaign
An explanation of the capital campaign

A great case for support will be branded to your organization. Just take a look at this example from St. Ursula’s Academy.

Capital Campaign Case for Support Example

As this example from Aly Sterling’s Capital Campaign guide demonstrates, nonprofits can creatively showcase their financial goals while capturing the spirit of their cause! Specifically, the branded colors, the heartfelt text, and the easy-to-understand fundraising goals make this case for support tangible.

The Right Tools + Technology

The complexity and scale of a modern capital campaign require specialized technology to manage donor data, automate outreach, and capture every available dollar. While human relationship building is always paramount, smart technology ensures that no opportunity is left on the table, especially when dealing with thousands of donors and a high financial goal. The good news? The right tools help you move faster and raise more by streamlining complex tasks.

One of the most critical and often overlooked components of a capital campaign is the potential revenue stream from corporate matching gifts, which can easily amount to a multi-million-dollar mistake if ignored. This is where a tool like Double the Donation becomes a non-negotiable part of your campaign technology stack. Not to mention, the platform serves a dual strategic purpose. First, it automatically identifies matching gift eligibility on your donation forms and thank you pages, ensuring donors can easily double their contributions toward your capital goal.

Second, Double the Donation’s data-appending capabilities can power your major gift prospect research by identifying an individual’s employer and associated corporate giving potential. This workplace data is key to calculating capacity, finding corporate grant connections, and confirming eligibility for those high-value matching gifts, giving your team the essential intelligence they need for successful solicitations.

How to Use Challenge Grants as a Capital Campaign Multiplier

Challenge grants offer a core strategy for maximizing campaign success and urgency in a way that just about no other fundraising vehicle can match. A challenge grant is a type of funding awarded by a grant-making entity, often a foundation or wealthy individual, typically after a nonprofit completes a specific fiscal challenge. This challenge typically involves raising a specific amount of money from other sources within a defined period.

Here’s how it works:

Creating Capital Campaign Urgency and Momentum

The primary advantage of a challenge grant is the instant urgency it creates for a capital campaign. The concept is simple yet profoundly effective: the challenge only exists for a limited time, and the matching funds are often framed in a “use it or lose it” way. This structure transforms a general plea for support into a time-sensitive opportunity for donors to double the impact of their gift.

For the public phase of a campaign, announcing a $1 million challenge grant, for instance, provides a massive, irresistible hook for all communications, galvanizing lower- and mid-level donors to participate right away.

Framing the Ask: Leveraging Major Gifts for Broader Participation

Challenge grants do not just pull in general donors; they also leverage the major gifts already secured during the quiet phase. As discussed previously, asking a lead donor to be the source of the challenge match is a powerful framing tool. The initial major gift is then publicly announced as the Challenge Match, inspiring others to follow suit. This strategy ensures that the quiet-phase gifts do double duty: they serve as the foundational funding and the motivational fuel for the rest of the campaign.

A challenge grant will sometimes match the challenge amount at a ratio of 0.5:1 to 2:1, meaning your nonprofit could stand to more than double the funds that you raise during your campaign simply by strategically applying this leverage. Do some research to find out whether there are any challenge grants available in your local area, or whether you have major donors with challenge match potential, to help your campaign reach its goal!

Here’s an example:

Capital campaign matching challenge example

Did You Know? The challenge grant model is a psychological tool as much as a fiscal one. It reduces donors’ perceived risk because they see that a major gift has already been committed (the match), and it activates a sense of community achievement by requiring collective action to unlock the larger prize.

What to Know About Capital Campaign Consultants

How to Hire a Capital Campaign Consultant

Capital campaign consultants bring valuable expertise and a refreshing outside perspective to help you plan and execute your capital campaign. However, hiring a consultant can be rather involved. After all, you’re building a partnership and a long-lasting relationship with someone who can understand your mission, meet your needs, and get along well with your existing staff.

Here are some tips for making sure you get the right fit:

1. Determine your nonprofit’s needs.

Do you need a consultant to conduct a feasibility study, or to support your efforts throughout the campaign?

2. Do your research.

Look online for consultants who offer the specialty services that you need. Consider their location, cost, and core values. Ask other nonprofits in your network for recommendations.

3. Start a conversation with your top choices.

Speak with your top consultants on the phone or in person. Get a feel for their personalities and how they’d mesh with your nonprofit.

4. Request a proposal.

Request a proposal from your top choices. Look for a consultant who understands your nonprofit’s unique needs and brings new ideas to the table.

5. Check your consultant’s references.

Ask for former clients that you can speak with to better understand how each consultant can serve your nonprofit.

6. Finalize the details.

Once you’ve selected a consultant, you can discuss changes to their proposal and the engagement. Then, sign a contract that you’re both happy with and get to work!

Top Capital Campaign Consultants

The good news is that there are a ton of capital campaign consultants available to assist your organization with its upcoming campaign. Here are a few of our recommended firms and resources:

Averill Fundraising Solutions can be a huge help with capital campaigns.

Averill Fundraising Solutions

For organizations seeking comprehensive, on-the-ground support, Averill Fundraising Solutions provides a highly experienced consulting model. Averill focuses on maximizing campaign potential through proven strategies and professional execution, offering a partnership that guides your team from the early feasibility study through final gift closing.

Averill’s approach emphasizes rigorous planning, tailored case development, and personalized coaching for your leadership and staff. Their consultants integrate directly with your internal teams, lending expertise in major donor identification, volunteer training, and meticulous campaign timeline management.

Aly Sterling Philanthropy can be a huge help with capital campaigns.

Aly Sterling Philanthropy

Organizations that require strategic guidance across various stages of growth often turn to Aly Sterling Philanthropy. While offering comprehensive capital campaign consulting, their focus is on building long-term organizational health that supports fundraising success. They work with nonprofits to ensure the capital campaign is not just a temporary project, but a launchpad for sustained major giving.

Aly Sterling Philanthropy’s campaign services begin with a deep dive into organizational readiness, ensuring your board, staff, and major gift pipeline are robust enough to support a large-scale campaign. Their consultants provide tailored advice on board engagement, case-for-support development, and integrating campaign goals with the nonprofit’s long-term strategic plan.

Capital Campaign Pro can be a huge help with capital campaigns.

Capital Campaign Pro

For nonprofit leaders interested in taking a more hands-on approach to planning and running their campaigns, other capital campaign support options are available. For example, Capital Campaign Pro combines online campaign resources with expert advising for budget-friendly support that gives you the best of both worlds. By playing an active, direct role in your capital campaign, your team will learn invaluable skills related to campaign planning, donor stewardship, major gift solicitation, and more.

With Capital Campaign Pro, nonprofits are guided through an organized capital campaign plan. The step-by-step plan, resources and templates, and coaching calls all guide you to campaign success. Further, you’re able to have one-on-one advising with one of their expert capital campaign advisors for additional support.

Unique Capital Campaign Ideas

Capital Campaigns and Fundraising Events

Fundraising events can be a great opportunity for your nonprofit to directly interact with donors and build deeper connections. Because capital campaigns often run for months and even years, there is plenty of time for your nonprofit to host fun events that bring in more donations.

Obviously, the one event you’ll need to plan is the kickoff between the Quiet Phase and the Public Phase. But you can host all sorts of fundraisers to bring your community together and raise money for your campaign.

Check out some of our favorite fundraiser ideas here!

Capital Campaigns and Challenge Grants

A capital campaign committee may elect to apply for a challenge grant to take its fundraising efforts to the next level. Challenge grants are funds released by a grant-making entity after a nonprofit completes a challenge, typically a fiscal one, making them perfect additions to capital campaigns.

A challenge grant will sometimes match the challenge amount at a ratio of 0.5:1 to 2:1. This means that your nonprofit could stand to triple the funds that you raise during your capital campaign with the help of a challenge grant.

Do some research to find out whether there are any challenge grants available in your local area, or whether you have major donors with challenge match potential, to help your capital campaign reach its goal!

Explore our complete guide to challenge match fundraisers here.

Capital Campaigns and Employee Matching Gifts

Matching gifts can speed up your capital campaign by twofold. These corporate giving programs reward employee donations to nonprofits by doubling or, in some cases, tripling employees’ donations to eligible organizations.

Not every donor will work for a company that matches donations, and even if they do, every company has different guidelines and restrictions that must be followed before the matching funds are released. But your organization should still promote matching gifts to all of your capital campaign donors!

Why? Well, since 50-70% of your capital campaign funds will come from major gifts, those donations mean even more when they are doubled. It can’t hurt to remind your donors of matching gift programs.

Download our ultimate guide to matching gifts to learn more!

Capital Campaigns and Other Corporate Donations

Companies, big and small, are often willing to support nonprofit projects, such as capital campaigns. Not only does it allow them to be more philanthropic, but it also provides tax benefits and enables them to form meaningful partnerships with organizations.

Therefore, it’s a smart move for some members of your capital campaign committee to ask businesses for cash and in-kind donations for your capital campaign. Some companies will respond favorably and donate generously, while others will have guidelines on the types of nonprofits and projects they support. The best route to take is to research which companies offer grant programs and regularly donate to nonprofit organizations.

Check out the top companies that donate to nonprofits here!

Wrapping Up & Additional Resources

The journey through a capital campaign is perhaps the most ambitious, rewarding, and transformative endeavor a nonprofit can undertake. It requires meticulous planning, unwavering board commitment, and a willingness to embrace the strategic process.

The ultimate takeaway? Don’t go it alone. Use this guide as your roadmap, commit to thorough preparation, and step confidently into the process. The vision you hold for your organization’s future, that new facility, expanded endowment, or vital program expansion, is within reach.

Now, take this knowledge, choose your path forward, and prepare to make your organization’s boldest dreams a reality.

Interested in learning more with additional fundraising resources and guides? Here’s our recommended further reading:

Exceptional Capital Campaign Consulting Firms to Consider. Looking to get a capital campaign consultant on board for your upcoming initiative? Explore our list of leading firms to help in your search for the right pick.
Prospect Research: A Nonprofit’s Key to Better Fundraising. Prospect research can play a key role in capital campaigns and other fundraising successes. Dive into this complete guide to learn how your team can get started today.
Major Gifts: How to Unlock Your Donors’ Fullest Potential. A successful capital campaign will rely on a number of major gifts to reach its goal. Check out everything you need to know about major donor fundraising in this helpful guide!

Prospect Research: A Nonprofit’s Key to Better Fundraising

November 17, 2025/in Learning Center, Fundraising Strategy /by Adam Weinger

If your nonprofit is looking for a way to maximize its fundraising efforts, there’s one avenue you might not be paying enough attention to: prospect research.

Regardless of your organization’s size, gathering the right donor data via prospect research can have a huge impact on your nonprofit’s revenue. These funds can help you serve your mission, fund important projects, and work toward your goals.

In this guide, we’ll outline several important pieces of information you’ll need to successfully leverage prospect research, including:

The Basics of Prospect Research
Employment Data: The Most Powerful Piece of Modern Fundraising Intelligence
Other Data Points to Gather During Prospect Research
Primary Uses of Prospect Research
How Matching Gifts Can Aid in Prospect Research
How to Research Donors and Other Constituents
Types of Prospect Research Tools and Software
Fueling Your Prospect Research With Double the Donation

From learning the basics to soliciting your first prospects, a thorough understanding of prospect research can be a game-changer for your organization. Let’s get started!

The Basics of Prospect Research

What Is Prospect Research?

Prospect research is a process performed by a nonprofit’s development team to gather data about donors, volunteers, and other supporters. The process analyzes each individual’s giving capacity, motivations, and affinity for the cause. It helps determine an individual’s ability and desire to support that specific cause, as well as how to appeal to their interests.

Key factors nonprofits look for during prospect research include past giving, wealth markers, business affiliations, and philanthropic tendencies. Nonprofits can also use software or turn to prospect research companies to gather this data.

Wealth Screening vs. Prospect Research

You may have heard the term wealth screening in conjunction with prospect research. While the two terms are often used interchangeably, wealth screening is only one component of prospect research.

Wealth screening analyzes a donor’s financial profile, including real estate and stock holdings, as well as political giving. While it’s an essential part of prospect research, this only indicates an individual’s ability to give.

Prospect research goes a step further and uses both wealth and philanthropic indicators to determine a donor’s willingness and capacity to give. This provides nonprofits with a complete picture of each donor and helps make more informed solicitations. We’ll explore the complete range of data you should collect in the next section.

Who Uses Prospect Research?

A variety of organizations use prospect research to boost revenue and drive more meaningful relationships. These include:

Educational institutions: Thorough research can pinpoint alumni and parents with a strong financial capacity and a history of philanthropy. Educational institutions can then tailor fundraising appeals to promote scholarships, facilities upgrades, and special programs.
Healthcare organizations: Prospect research helps identify donors with personal connections to specific medical causes or who have previously donated to health-related initiatives. This allows these organizations to focus on potential donors likely to fund state-of-the-art equipment or patient care facilities.
Arts and cultural organizations: Arts organizations can identify patrons with a keen interest in the arts and a history of supporting cultural initiatives. This information is crucial for targeting campaigns for exhibitions, performances, and educational workshops.
Environmental groups: These organizations can identify donors who are passionate about conservation, climate change, or specific regional environmental issues. Effective prospect research can lead to targeted campaigns that resonate deeply with donors’ values, driving funding for crucial projects and advocacy efforts.
Faith-based organizations: Prospect research helps identify individuals who have shown generosity to religious or spiritual causes, enabling faith-based organizations, such as churches, to personalize solicitations for funding new facilities and mission work.
Advocacy groups: Prospect research helps uncover supporters who are financially capable and deeply committed to specific causes like civil rights, education reform, or health policy. This insight helps mobilize resources for lobbying and public awareness campaigns.
Greek organizations: Fraternities and sororities can use prospect research to connect with alumni who have fond memories of their membership and might be interested in funding scholarships and chapter house renovations.

Prospect research can help all of these organizations (plus others!) become more focused in their outreach.

The Value of Thorough Prospect Research

40% of B2B salespeople say prospecting is the most challenging part of the sales process. When it comes to fundraising, nonprofits experience that same exact pain point. Prospect research can be incredibly helpful in sourcing and qualifying leads to avoid wasting time pursuing individuals without the affinity or capacity to give.

Beyond time savings, here are the most important benefits of researching supporters:

Improved Fundraising Efficiency: Prospect research helps nonprofits identify the most promising donors, focusing efforts on those who are most likely to contribute.
Tailored Appeals and Marketing: By understanding potential donors’ giving capacity, nonprofits can tailor asks to different supporter segments based on individual wealth indicators and giving history.
Better Supporter Relationships: Comprehensive prospect research enables nonprofits to understand supporters’ interests and passions, enabling personalized communication that resonates with each individual’s values and helps retain support.
Strategic Planning: Insights into supporters’ capabilities and preferences help nonprofits plan their projects more effectively.
Finding Your Next Challenge Match Leader: While many nonprofits view prospect research simply as a way to fill a pipeline with individual donors, the most strategic organizations use it to find partners. The ultimate win is identifying a high-capacity donor who is willing to leverage their gift as a Challenge Match to inspire other donors as well.
More Reliable Data: Prospect research helps nonprofits gather comprehensive, accurate data on potential donors, including phone numbers, demographics, wealth indicators, and philanthropic interests. Reliable data is crucial for making informed decisions and staying connected with supporters.

Prospect research is essential for nonprofits looking to optimize their fundraising initiatives and build lasting relationships. Make sure you’re working with reliable tools and companies to gather supporter data, and you’ll set your team up for success.

Employment Data: the Most Powerful Piece of Modern Fundraising Intelligence

While real estate and stock holdings have traditionally been the “gold standard” of wealth screening, employment data has emerged as the single most valuable data point in modern fundraising.

Why? Because knowing where a donor works provides a dual layer of financial intelligence that no other data point can offer:

It Reveals Immediate Capacity: Job titles and employers are direct proxies for income and disposable assets. A Director at a Fortune 500 company or a Partner at a major law firm signals immediate major gift potential without needing to dig through property tax records.
It Unlocks Corporate Wallets: This is the hidden value. Employment data tells you exactly which donors are eligible for matching gifts, volunteer grants, and even sponsorship programs. When you identify a donor who works for a workplace giving company, you are effectively identifying a donor whose gift can be instantly doubled or tripled, with even greater partnership potential down the road.

In today’s landscape, employment data is the bridge between individual giving and corporate philanthropy. By prioritizing employment information in your prospect research, you aren’t just assessing a donor’s personal checkbook; you are assessing their ability to direct corporate funds to your mission.

Other Data Points To Gather During Prospect Research

Since prospect research involves collecting both wealth and philanthropic indicators, it’s important to understand the common data points under each umbrella.

1) Philanthropic Indicators

Philanthropic indicators represent an individual’s willingness to give to your organization. These include:

Previous Donations to Your Nonprofit

Past giving is the best indicator of future giving because it means the supporter is interested in your cause and has already contributed. Prospect research helps uncover prior donations so your organization can reach out again.

Donations to Other Organizations

If your donors are philanthropically minded, they probably aren’t only giving to your nonprofit. Let prospect research unveil past giving to organizations with causes similar to yours.

Nonprofit Involvement

Giving isn’t the only indicator of an individual’s philanthropic mindset. With prospect research, you can identify other forms of nonprofit involvement, such as advocacy, volunteerism, and board membership.

Personal Information

Collecting personal data will give you a more holistic understanding of each donor and how to connect with them on a deeper level. Craft more targeted appeals and deliver those appeals successfully by gathering this donor data:

Full and preferred name and title
Gender
Marital status
Contact information, like email addresses, phone numbers, and postal addresses
Hobbies and interests
Dates of birth

Much of this information can be collected online or through data appending services, helping you identify ideal prospects.

2) Wealth Indicators

Wealth indicators represent an individual’s ability to give to your organization. These include:

Real Estate Ownership

The quality and quantity of real estate someone owns are wealth indicators your fundraising team should pay attention to. Individuals with notable real estate have large giving capacities that you can capitalize on in your nonprofit’s fundraising initiatives.

Business Affiliations

Prospect research can help you detect existing business connections among your donors. This research includes details about a donor’s career, such as salary estimates, which can indicate wealth and ability to give. You may also discover information about a donor’s employer’s corporate giving program, which can provide insights into potential matching gift opportunities.

Stock Ownership/SEC Transactions

Knowing about a contributor’s stock ownership can give you even more insight into their wealth and capacity to donate to your organization.

Political Contributions

Chances are that an individual who has made sizable donations to a political campaign also has the giving capacity to donate major gifts to your nonprofit. By using prospect research to target this group, you can focus on winning over prospects with the potential to make generous contributions.

Primary Uses of Prospect Research

Prospect research can impact several areas of your mission. Let’s explore common ways nonprofits use the data they gather.

Major Giving

Prospect research is the perfect tool for identifying major gift prospects hidden in your existing donor database. It can help you uncover past giving and involvement and track giving patterns that may predict major giving.

For instance, you might have a faithful donor whose contributions have steadily increased over the past five years. With prospect research, you can examine that donor’s history and figure out the best strategy to ask for a major donation.

Capital Campaigns

A capital campaign is a long-term fundraising effort that’s usually tied to a large project, such as the construction of a new building or the development of an endowment.

Capital campaigns typically rely on a set number of major gifts during the “quiet phase” before fundraising is opened to everyone in the “public phase.” Prospect research can help uncover ideal donors for both the quiet and public phases.

Challenge Matches

A challenge match (wherein a major donor pledges a large sum contingent on the nonprofit raising an equal amount from other supporters) creates urgency and excitement. Prospect research can be vital for identifying a lead donor for this strategy by uncovering individuals who not only have high financial capacity but also a leadership profile and deep affinity for the cause.

Identifying these “Challenge Match Leaders” is a powerful way to turn a single major gift into a revenue multiplier for your entire campaign, far exceeding the value of a standard one-time donation.

Annual Giving

Annual giving is what keeps your organization’s wheels turning. Without it, you wouldn’t be able to complete your day-to-day operations.

While your organization likely already asks all supporters to contribute to your annual fund, you can now search for new annual donors via prospect research tools. In addition, you’re more likely to uncover potential supporters by looking into someone’s past giving to organizations that align with your own.

Corporate Giving Opportunities

Prospect research is instrumental in identifying and understanding potential corporate partners whose philanthropic interests align with your nonprofit’s mission. Collecting employer data also helps pinpoint untapped opportunities. Examples include:

Matching gifts: Many companies match their employees’ donations to eligible nonprofits. Knowing where your supporters work can help you identify match-eligible donors, so you can follow up and double those individuals’ contributions.
Volunteer grants: Businesses also provide volunteer grants to nonprofits where their employees volunteer regularly. Prospect research can help pinpoint these opportunities.
Volunteer Time Off: Tons of companies offer their employees bonus PTO to participate in volunteer activities with organizations like ours. Use prospect research to identify volunteers (or prospects) who work for companies with these programs.
In-Kind Donations: Companies can provide non-monetary support in the form of goods or services. Prospect research helps identify potential donors who can offer in-kind contributions relevant to your nonprofit’s needs, such as technology, office supplies, or professional services.

Once you identify these opportunities, your nonprofit can reach out to supporters who are eligible to participate in their companies’ corporate giving programs.

Planned Giving

Identify donors who are in a position to make significant long-term commitments, such as bequests, trusts, or annuities.

Researching a donor’s financial background and giving history enables your nonprofit to tailor conversations about legacy opportunities that resonate on a personal level, helping you secure future funding and ensure the donor’s lifelong engagement with your mission.

How Matching Gifts and Prospect Research Work Together

Matching gifts and prospect research are both powerful strategies that, when combined, can significantly enhance your fundraising efforts.

As mentioned, prospect research helps identify donors who are affiliated with companies that offer matching gift programs, potentially doubling their donations without requiring extra effort from the donors themselves. This synergy not only boosts your fundraising capacity but also deepens donor engagement, as donors feel their contributions have a greater impact.

Here are some key ways that matching gifts and prospect research can work together to dramatically increase your fundraising success:

A matching gift search tool can help you identify corporate and individual prospects from a list of people who have already made matching gifts to your nonprofit.
Matching gifts can encourage prospects to give more to your organization by inspiring them to double their impact. In fact, one in three donors is more likely to donate if a match is offered.
Prospect research and matching gifts can grow your corporate engagement efforts by pinpointing companies with generous programs.
Focusing on individuals with matching gift potential doubles the value of that donor’s potential support.

To manage this strategy effectively, consider using specialized tools like Double the Donation Matching. This software simplifies tracking and verifying matching gift eligibility and submissions, ensuring you make the most of every donation opportunity.

How to Research Donors and Other Constituents

Once you’ve decided to perform prospect research, you might be wondering where you should start. Here are the general steps you can take to gather supporter data.

1) Choose your prospect research method.

Your first step is to plan how you’ll approach your research process by asking yourself about your fundraising goals, current strategies, and timeline. Once you understand what you need out of your research, choose one of these methods:

Do It Yourself: For smaller or newer nonprofits with tighter budgets, a do-it-yourself prospect screening approach is a good option. Use free or low-cost prospect research tools to examine donors’ giving and philanthropic histories.
Prospect Research Consultants: Prospect research consulting firms are extremely valuable resources for nonprofits. They offer advice and comprehensive screenings for nonprofits of all shapes and sizes.
Prospect Screening Companies: Every prospect screening company is different, but most compare your donors against a variety of databases to create a comprehensive profile for each supporter. This will help your organization track, sort, and evaluate all of your supporters.

Make sure you know exactly which data you need to collect and how quickly you need to collect it, so you can pick the right method.

2) Form a prospect research team.

If you’ll conduct prospect research in-house, you’ll need to build an effective prospect research team of individuals with complementary skills. The following roles are critical to your team’s success:

Director: This individual leads the team, sets strategic goals, and ensures alignment with your nonprofit’s broader objectives. They oversee the entire research process and ensure the team has the necessary tools to conduct research.
Prospect Researcher: This team member is responsible for gathering data about potential and current supporters. They’re tasked with creating detailed profiles by digging into donor data using various sources, such as databases, public records, and social media.
Data Analyst: A data analyst focuses on interpreting data and trends from donor databases and external sources. They help the team understand giving patterns and identify potential high-value donors.
Development Officer: This individual uses insights from prospect research to cultivate and maintain donor relationships. They are typically involved in direct fundraising efforts and use data-driven strategies to approach potential donors, secure donations, and nurture ongoing donor relationships.
Legal/Compliance Officer: Given the sensitive nature of handling personal data, having someone knowledgeable about legal and ethical standards is crucial. This team member ensures that all prospect research activities comply with privacy laws and ethical fundraising practices.

Each role focuses on a specific aspect of the prospect research process, contributing to a comprehensive approach. While the structure of your team may vary, this suggested structure supports targeted fundraising efforts and helps build a robust foundation for long-term supporter engagement.

3) Clean up your data.

Before conducting prospect research, clean up your data to ensure the process runs smoothly and yields more accurate results. A few ways to maintain proper data hygiene include:

Identifying and removing duplicate records within your database
Standardizing data entries to maintain consistency across your database, such as by using uniform formats for dates, addresses, phone numbers, and names
Identifying and removing outdated or irrelevant information that no longer serves your fundraising strategies
Removing lapsed donors from your records
Scanning your database for typos

Your data doesn’t need to be perfect, but cleaning it up as much as possible will optimize your system for prospect research.

4) Check for accuracy.

Once you’ve actually conducted prospect research, verify the accuracy of the data gathered. This step involves cross-referencing information from multiple sources to confirm details such as contact information, philanthropic history, and financial capacity. Some prospect research companies will have an accuracy-check process, such as manually verifying appended emails and phone numbers.

Ensuring data accuracy helps prevent miscommunication and fosters trust by demonstrating diligence and respect for each prospect’s information. It also optimizes the efficiency of subsequent outreach efforts by reducing the time spent on addressing inaccurate or outdated information.

5) Analyze and make a plan for leveraging your new data.

After integrating the new data into your CRM, be sure to sift through the results to identify the most promising prospects by analyzing factors such as giving capacity, alignment with your nonprofit’s mission, and likelihood of giving. Based on this analysis, create a detailed plan for how to best use this data for outreach.

This plan should outline who to approach, the best ways to reach out to them, and the right time to do so. It involves deciding whether to meet someone in person, invite them to a special event, send them a personalized letter, or connect through online platforms based on their preferences and past donations.

During this stage, you’ll want to segment your supporters based on shared characteristics.

These may include:

Donation Level: Group donors based on the amount they contribute, such as major, mid-level, and low-level donors. This allows for tailored communication strategies that recognize the level of support.
Workplace Giving Eligibility: Targeting donors who qualify for matching gifts, volunteer programs, or payroll giving is a great way to make the most of your supporters’ uncovered connections. Be sure to use the information you’ve gathered (such as employer name and program guidelines) to further personalize your outreach.
Donation Frequency: Identify who gives regularly versus those who donate sporadically. Regular givers can be approached for recurring giving programs, while sporadic givers can be encouraged to give more consistently.
Geographic Location: Segmenting donors by location can help organize local events, understand regional interests, and tailor communications that resonate with local community values or needs.
Interests: By understanding what specific projects or aspects of the organization’s work a donor supports, nonprofits can tailor outreach to reflect donors’ interests.
Type of Support: Differentiate between types of supporters such as volunteers, advocates, corporate sponsors, and individual donors.
Demographics: Segmenting based on demographics helps choose messages and outreach strategies that are more likely to resonate with different groups.
Communication Preferences: Some supporters may prefer digital communication, while others might value traditional mail or personal calls. Segmenting by communication preference ensures supporters receive information in the way that is most accessible and engaging to them.

An effective plan ensures your team knows exactly what steps to take to engage each prospect, turning potential interest into actual support. From here, put your plan into action and start reaching out!

Types of Prospect Research Tools and Software

While the prospect research process may sound daunting, there are several prospect screening companies and platforms that nonprofits and educational institutions can use. Let’s explore a few recommended services and tools.

Data Enhancement

Also called data appending companies, data enhancement services improve the quality and depth of existing donor databases by pulling additional information, such as:

Contact information like email addresses, postal addresses, and phone numbers
Demographics like ages, birthdates, and geographic location
Employer data like company names and role titles

These services leverage external data sources to fill in gaps and update outdated information within your database. This ensures your nonprofit has accurate, comprehensive profiles for each prospect.

Prospect Research Database

Prospect research databases are specialized tools that provide access to a wealth of information on potential donors, including personal backgrounds, giving histories, wealth assessments, and affiliations.

These databases compile data from multiple public and proprietary sources, allowing fundraisers to quickly gather detailed insights about prospective donors’ capacity and propensity to give. Using this type of prospect research tool helps nonprofits identify and prioritize high-potential prospects.

Corporate Giving and Prospecting Software

Corporate giving software is designed to help nonprofits identify potential corporate donors. This type of software typically includes features for researching matching gift programs and volunteer grant information. Here are two types of tools that are most helpful:

Matching gift databases contain information on companies that offer matching gift programs. They store requirements for employee eligibility, nonprofit eligibility, and donation amounts. Plus, they provide relevant submission information such as available forms and deadlines.

Volunteer grant databases provide details on companies that offer grants to nonprofits where their employees volunteer. This prospect research tool stores records of individual companies’ programs, including volunteer hours, employee and nonprofit requirements, and instructions, along with links to application forms and deadlines.

Additionally, corporate prospecting software like Double the Donation leverages existing donor data to uncover hidden corporate potential. By uploading your current donor list for a quick employer append screening, the platform instantly identifies which of your supporters are eligible for workplace giving opportunities that can significantly grow your organization’s revenue. This transforms your standard donor list into a high-value prospect list, allowing your team to prioritize outreach to donors whose contributions can be immediately doubled, maximizing both individual donor value and overall fundraising efficiency before a major gift ask is even made.

These prospect research tools can help your nonprofit identify donors and volunteers eligible for their companies’ philanthropic programs. Plus, they can help you identify companies that offer generous corporate giving initiatives, which can open the door to strategic partnerships.

Donor News Alert Services

Donor news alert services are platforms that monitor and report news about prospective donors. Your nonprofit can use a platform like this to stay informed about donor activities that signal a willingness or ability to give. Even more importantly, these insights help nonprofits build deep, meaningful relationships with their donors, which may yield significant gifts in the future.

For example, these platforms monitor obituary data, meaning they can notify your nonprofit when a prospect or donor’s loved one passes away. Your fundraising team can then reach out with heartfelt condolences on behalf of your organization. Prospects will likely appreciate this personal outreach and attention to detail, and may be more willing to support your organization in the future.

Insightful Philanthropy is our recommended donor news alert service for its extensive information sourcing and timely notifications. This platform relies on 14,000 news and information sources from more than 200+ countries, and even taps into historical donor data from up to 40 years ago to give nonprofits a complete picture of their prospects.

Your Nonprofit’s CRM

Your nonprofit’s CRM is a fundamental tool for managing donor interactions and tracking engagement history. It stores critical data such as donation records, event attendance, volunteer activity, and communication preferences, which can be leveraged to build stronger relationships with supporters.

Effective use of a CRM helps personalize donor interactions and streamline fundraising activities, making it easier to cultivate and steward donor relationships.

SEC Investment Records

SEC investment records provide information about the investment activities of individuals and institutions, which can be particularly valuable in assessing the financial capacity of potential major donors.

By examining public filings such as insider trading reports and stock holdings, nonprofits can gauge prospects’ wealth level and philanthropic capacity. This is especially useful for identifying high-net-worth individuals and understanding their investment behaviors.

Predictive Modeling Solutions

Predictive modeling solutions use statistical techniques and algorithms to analyze historical data and predict future donor behaviors. These tools help nonprofits anticipate which prospects are most likely to donate, their expected donation amounts, and optimal times for solicitation.

Wealth Screening Tools

These tools help nonprofits assess potential donors’ financial capacity by analyzing data points such as real estate ownership, stock holdings, past charitable contributions, and other publicly available financial information. That way, you can focus on prospects with the means and propensity to give significantly.

As a top recommended prospect research service, DonorSearch blends philanthropic and wealth metrics so your organization can make informed decisions about prospects and plan effective outreach. Plus, the company offers a few choices of tools when it comes to conducting prospect research:

Charitable giving database. DonorSearch’s charitable giving database is comprehensive and constantly growing, housing tons of useful philanthropic data.
DSGiving search tool. DSGiving is a free prospect research tool that offers access to a smaller-scale version of DonorSearch’s philanthropic and political contributions data. Simply type in an individual’s name, state of residence, and gift type, and the tool will pull useful data.

DonorSearch helps your nonprofit learn more about your donors and create comprehensive donor profiles. Because the tools analyze philanthropic and wealth indicators, they yield more qualified leads for nonprofits to pursue.

Fueling Your Prospect Research With Double the Donation

Double the Donation is a leading fundraising tool for nonprofits, providing a range of matching gift solutions. Our complete automation platform can give your nonprofit the ability to maximize donations with matching gifts, volunteer grants, payroll giving, and more without lifting a finger.

Here’s an overview of our solution:

Double the Donation Matching: Using Double the Donation’s matching gift fundraising software, organizations can uncover valuable matching gift prospects by collecting employer information within the donation process. From there, the solution screens for matching gift eligibility and populates the appropriate forms and guidelines for submitting a match. Plus, Double the Donation Matching offers a real-time employer appends add-on that instantly scans donor records and automatically supplies company information if available. Check out this video for a closer look:

Double the Donation’s Workplace Giving Insights: This powerful new module takes your donor list and provides in-depth prospect research data focused solely on corporate giving potential. It screens donors’ employer affiliations to reveal which companies offer matching gifts, volunteer grants, and other workplace giving programs, transforming a scattering of individual donors into a prioritized list of corporate revenue opportunities.

Want to learn more about how our cutting-edge technology can support your prospect research and drive greater fundraising results? Reach out to our team for a free demo to see the complete platform in action!

Wrapping Up

Prospect research is an invaluable strategy that equips nonprofits with the insights needed to target donors effectively. By harnessing the power of detailed data analysis and strategic donor segmentation, your organization can unlock new opportunities and maximize the impact of its fundraising efforts.

If you’re looking for more information about prospect research, check out the additional resources below:

Top 15 Prospect Research Tools for Clever Fundraisers. Interested in getting started with innovative prospect research solutions that can help power your next initiative? Check out this list of our top recommendations.
Prospect Research and Matching Gifts: The Inside Scoop. Learn more about how prospect research and matching gifts go hand-in-hand. Discover key insights and best practices for making the most of these two opportunities.
How to Collect, Manage, and Use Your Nonprofit’s Donor Data. Are you getting the most out of your nonprofit’s donor data? Here’s what you can do to maximize your organization’s data-driven fundraising potential.

Top San Diego Companies that Offer Employee Payroll Giving

November 17, 2025/in Payroll Giving, Nonprofit Basics /by Adam Weinger

San Diego stands out as a vibrant city with a thriving economy and a strong culture of corporate philanthropy. Many leading companies headquartered or operating in this dynamic region have embraced employee payroll giving programs, enabling their workforce to contribute directly to charitable causes through convenient paycheck deductions. These initiatives not only empower employees to support nonprofits they care about but also amplify the impact of corporate social responsibility efforts across the community.

For nonprofits operating in San Diego, understanding which companies offer payroll giving programs is essential to unlocking new streams of funding and engagement. By partnering with these organizations and encouraging employee participation, nonprofits can benefit from increased donations and often from corporate matching gift programs that multiply the value of employee contributions. This article explores the major San Diego companies with payroll giving programs and how nonprofits can leverage these opportunities to boost their fundraising efforts.

What to Know About Major San Diego Companies in the Corporate Giving Space
Companies in San Diego That Offer Payroll Giving Programs
Explore More San Diego Payroll Donation Programs with a Workplace Giving Database
Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts
Discover How to Grow Your Payroll Giving Revenue with Double the Donation

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

San Diego is a major hub for business and nonprofit activity, making it a fertile ground for corporate philanthropy. The city’s strong economy and diverse industries have attracted numerous companies that prioritize giving back to the community through structured workplace giving programs. Many nonprofits call San Diego home, benefiting from this robust corporate presence and the culture of generosity it fosters.

Here are some key facts about San Diego’s business landscape and its connection to corporate giving:

San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States by population, positioning it as a significant economic and cultural center.
The city hosts over 30 Fortune 1000 companies, with several headquartered locally, reflecting its importance on the national business stage.
Key industries dominating San Diego’s economy include biotechnology, telecommunications, defense, software, and healthcare, all sectors known for active corporate social responsibility programs.
Many of these companies have established payroll giving programs, allowing employees to donate directly from their paychecks to eligible nonprofits.
Corporate philanthropy in San Diego extends beyond payroll giving to include matching gifts, volunteer grants, and other workplace giving initiatives, creating a comprehensive ecosystem of support for nonprofits.

This strong corporate presence and commitment to giving create a unique opportunity for nonprofits to engage with companies and their employees, fostering partnerships that can lead to sustained funding and community impact.

Companies in San Diego That Offer Payroll Giving Programs

Many companies in San Diego provide payroll giving programs, enabling employees to make charitable donations conveniently through automatic paycheck deductions. These programs often come with additional benefits such as corporate matching, which can significantly increase the total contribution to nonprofits. Below is an overview of some of the top San Diego companies with payroll giving initiatives, highlighting eligibility, contribution details, and matching policies.

Sempra

Sempra is a Fortune 500 energy services holding company headquartered in San Diego. It operates in the utilities sector, providing electricity and natural gas services across North America. Sempra’s commitment to community investment is reflected in its robust payroll giving program.

Employees at Sempra are eligible to participate in the payroll giving program, which allows them to designate a portion of their paycheck to qualified nonprofits. The company encourages participation by offering a matching gift program that typically matches employee donations dollar-for-dollar up to a specified annual limit. There is no minimum contribution requirement, making it accessible for all employees to get involved. Eligible charities include a broad range of 501(c)(3) organizations, ensuring flexibility for employee giving preferences.

Learn more about the program here.

Illumina

Illumina is a global leader in genomics and biotechnology, headquartered in San Diego. The company focuses on developing innovative sequencing and array-based solutions for genetic analysis. Illumina’s corporate philanthropy includes a comprehensive payroll giving program designed to support employee-driven charitable contributions.

All full-time employees at Illumina can participate in payroll giving, with options to contribute any amount from their paycheck. Illumina enhances employee donations through a matching gift program, typically matching contributions up to a certain annual cap. The company supports a wide range of nonprofit organizations, including those focused on science, education, and health, aligning with its corporate mission.

Learn more about the program here.

Apple

Apple, a global technology giant with a significant presence in San Diego, offers a variety of employee giving programs, including payroll giving. Known for its innovation in consumer electronics and software, Apple encourages its employees to engage in philanthropy through convenient workplace giving options.

Apple employees eligible for payroll giving can contribute a portion of their salary to nonprofits of their choice. The company often matches these donations, sometimes at a 1:1 ratio, with annual limits depending on the employee’s role and tenure. Apple’s program supports a broad spectrum of charitable organizations, emphasizing education, environment, and human rights causes.

Learn more about the program here.

Google

Google, part of Alphabet Inc., operates a major campus in San Diego and is renowned for its leadership in internet services and technology innovation. Google’s corporate culture strongly promotes philanthropy, including a well-established payroll giving program.

Eligible employees can participate in payroll giving with flexible contribution amounts deducted directly from their paychecks. Google matches employee donations, often doubling the impact through its matching gift program. The company supports a wide array of nonprofits, with a focus on education, technology access, and community development initiatives.

Learn more about the program here.

Intuit

Intuit, a financial software company with operations in San Diego, offers payroll giving as part of its broader corporate social responsibility efforts. Known for products like TurboTax and QuickBooks, Intuit encourages employees to support causes they care about through payroll deductions.

Employees can contribute to eligible nonprofits via payroll giving, with no minimum donation required. Intuit matches employee donations, typically at a 1:1 ratio, up to an annual limit. The company’s giving programs prioritize financial literacy, education, and community support organizations.

Learn more about the program here.

ServiceNow

ServiceNow, a cloud computing company with a presence in San Diego, integrates philanthropy into its corporate culture through payroll giving and other workplace giving programs. The company focuses on enabling employees to make a positive impact in their communities.

All eligible employees can participate in payroll giving, contributing any amount from their paycheck. ServiceNow offers a matching gift program that matches employee donations, often doubling the contribution up to a set annual maximum. The program supports a diverse range of nonprofits, including those focused on technology education and social services.

Learn more about the program here.

Microsoft

Microsoft, a global technology leader with offices in San Diego, has a long-standing commitment to corporate philanthropy. Its payroll giving program is a key component of its employee engagement and community support strategy.

Microsoft employees can contribute to nonprofits through payroll deductions, with no minimum contribution required. The company matches employee donations, frequently at a 1:1 ratio, with generous annual limits. Microsoft’s program supports a wide variety of causes, including education, environmental sustainability, and health initiatives.

Learn more about the program here.

Cisco

Cisco Systems, a multinational technology conglomerate with operations in San Diego, offers a comprehensive payroll giving program as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts. Cisco encourages employees to support nonprofits through convenient payroll deductions.

Eligible employees can participate by designating a portion of their paycheck to qualified charities. Cisco matches employee donations, often dollar-for-dollar, up to an annual cap. The company’s giving programs emphasize education, technology access, and community development.

Learn more about the program here.

Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson, a global healthcare company with a significant presence in San Diego, supports employee philanthropy through payroll giving and matching gift programs. The company’s commitment to health and community well-being is reflected in its workplace giving initiatives.

Employees eligible for payroll giving can contribute to a wide range of nonprofits directly from their paychecks. Johnson & Johnson matches these donations, typically at a 1:1 ratio, with annual limits in place. The program supports health-related causes, education, and community services.

Learn more about the program here.

Explore More San Diego Payroll Donation Programs with a Workplace Giving Database

Beyond the well-known companies listed above, many other organizations in San Diego and across the country offer a variety of corporate philanthropy programs. These include payroll giving, matching gifts, volunteer grants, and volunteer time off (VTO), all designed to encourage employee engagement and support for nonprofits.

Nonprofits seeking to maximize their fundraising potential should consider leveraging a workplace philanthropy database like Double the Donation. Such databases provide a centralized resource to discover companies offering payroll giving and other giving programs, making it easier to identify and connect with businesses aligned with their mission.

Using a workplace giving database offers several advantages:

Quickly search and filter companies by location, industry, and types of giving programs offered.
Access detailed information about eligibility, contribution limits, and matching gift policies.
Identify new corporate partners and engage employees of these companies more effectively.
Embed a user-friendly plugin on your nonprofit’s payroll giving page, allowing supporters to check their eligibility and get started with donations seamlessly.

By utilizing these tools, nonprofits can uncover hidden opportunities within the corporate giving landscape, streamline donor engagement, and ultimately increase their impact through sustained workplace giving partnerships.

Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts

San Diego’s vibrant business community offers a wealth of opportunities for nonprofits to engage with corporate payroll giving programs. Leading companies such as Sempra, Illumina, Apple, Google, Intuit, ServiceNow, Microsoft, Cisco, and Johnson & Johnson have established initiatives that empower employees to contribute directly to charitable causes through paycheck deductions. Many of these companies also enhance employee donations with matching gift programs, amplifying the impact of every dollar given.

Nonprofits that understand and actively pursue these payroll giving opportunities can unlock new, reliable revenue streams and deepen relationships with corporate partners. Additionally, exploring broader workplace giving programs through comprehensive databases can reveal even more avenues for support, including volunteer grants and VTO programs.

By tapping into the powerful payroll giving culture in San Diego and beyond, nonprofits can boost their fundraising efforts, engage supporters more effectively, and create lasting community impact.

Discover How to Grow Your Payroll Giving Revenue with Double the Donation

Double the Donation’s Payroll Giving Module empowers nonprofits and schools to tap into a powerful but underutilized source of recurring support—payroll donations. With minimal lift, you can identify eligible donors, alert them of their eligibility and next steps, and unlock new, sustained corporate giving revenue. The Payroll Giving Module is powered by our Matching Gift and Volunteer Grant tools, and is a valuable tool to complete your workplace giving strategy—turning a single piece of employment data into multiple revenue opportunities.

With Double the Donation’s full suite of tools, your organization can uncover payroll giving eligibility automatically through supporter employment data, provide donors with clear, actionable next steps through a website plugin, and streamline follow-up with in-platform insights, dashboards, and built-in marketing templates. These features drive recurring donations that lead to longer-term corporate engagement and sponsorships.

Key benefits include instant access to payroll donation data, an easy-to-use payroll giving plugin for your website, a comprehensive dashboard for managing payroll essentials, and a resources tab filled with ready-to-use marketing templates. Double the Donation’s Payroll Giving Module works seamlessly alongside Matching Gifts and Volunteer Grant tools, ensuring you never miss a chance to drive more support from employers.

To explore how your nonprofit can leverage these powerful tools, Learn how you can grow payroll giving revenue.

Top Dallas Companies that Offer Employee Payroll Giving

November 17, 2025/in Payroll Giving, Nonprofit Basics /by Adam Weinger

Dallas stands as a vibrant and dynamic city, renowned not only for its booming economy but also for its strong commitment to corporate social responsibility. Many leading companies headquartered in Dallas have embraced employee payroll giving programs, enabling their workforce to contribute directly to charitable causes through convenient paycheck deductions. This culture of philanthropy reflects the city’s dedication to fostering positive community impact while supporting nonprofit organizations.

Employee payroll giving programs in Dallas are a testament to the city’s thriving business environment and its companies’ desire to give back. These initiatives provide a seamless way for employees to support nonprofits they care about, often enhanced by corporate matching gifts that amplify the impact of each donation. For nonprofits, understanding which Dallas companies offer these programs can unlock significant fundraising opportunities and deepen partnerships with local businesses.

What to Know About Major Dallas Companies in the Corporate Giving Space
Companies in Dallas That Offer Payroll Giving Programs
Explore More Dallas Payroll Donation Programs with a Workplace Giving Database
Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts
Discover How to Maximize Your Payroll Giving Potential with Double the Donation

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

Dallas is a major hub for business and nonprofits alike, making it a fertile ground for corporate philanthropy. The city’s economic strength and diverse industries have attracted a wide range of companies that actively participate in workplace giving programs. Many nonprofits have established roots here, benefiting from the generosity and engagement of Dallas-based corporations.

Key facts about Dallas and its corporate landscape include:

Dallas is the ninth-largest city in the United States by population, underscoring its significance as a major metropolitan area.
The city hosts headquarters or major operations for over 20 Fortune 500 companies, highlighting its role as a national business powerhouse.
Dallas is home to numerous Fortune 1000 companies, spanning industries such as technology, telecommunications, finance, and healthcare.
Key industries dominating the local economy include technology, telecommunications, energy, and financial services, all of which have strong ties to corporate philanthropy.
Many Dallas companies have well-established corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs that include payroll giving, matching gifts, volunteer grants, and other workplace giving initiatives.
The city’s thriving economy supports a robust nonprofit sector, which benefits from the generosity of corporate partners and their employees.

Understanding this corporate giving environment is essential for nonprofits seeking to engage with Dallas companies. The presence of large employers with structured payroll giving programs means nonprofits can tap into recurring donation streams and matching gift opportunities, enhancing their fundraising efforts and community impact.

Dallas as a Business and Philanthropic Hub

Dallas’s strategic location and business-friendly climate have attracted a diverse array of companies, many of which prioritize giving back to the community. This philanthropic spirit is reflected in the widespread adoption of payroll giving programs, which allow employees to make regular, tax-efficient donations to nonprofits directly from their paychecks.

These programs are often supported by corporate matching gift policies, which multiply the impact of employee contributions. For nonprofits, this means that cultivating relationships with Dallas-based companies can lead to increased funding and sustained support.

Corporate Giving Trends in Dallas

Dallas companies tend to focus their giving on areas such as education, health and human services, community development, and environmental sustainability. Payroll giving programs are a key component of these efforts, providing a steady source of funding for nonprofits aligned with these causes.

Moreover, many Dallas corporations integrate payroll giving with other workplace giving initiatives, creating comprehensive programs that encourage employee engagement and maximize philanthropic impact.

Companies in Dallas That Offer Payroll Giving Programs

Many prominent companies in Dallas have established payroll giving programs, enabling employees to support charitable organizations conveniently and consistently. These programs often include matching gift components, further incentivizing employee participation and boosting nonprofit donations.

Microsoft

Microsoft, a global leader in technology and software development, has a strong presence in Dallas. The company offers a comprehensive payroll giving program open to all full-time employees. Participants can designate a portion of their paycheck to eligible nonprofits, with no minimum contribution required.

Microsoft enhances employee donations through a matching gift program, typically matching contributions dollar-for-dollar up to a set annual limit. The company supports a wide range of charitable organizations, including education, health, and environmental causes. Employees can also participate in volunteer grant programs, further amplifying their impact.

Learn more about the program here.

Cisco

Cisco Systems, a multinational technology conglomerate specializing in networking hardware and telecommunications equipment, operates a robust payroll giving program for its Dallas employees. Eligible employees can contribute to nonprofits directly from their paychecks, with flexible contribution amounts and no minimums.

Cisco matches employee donations at a 1:1 ratio, up to a generous annual cap. The company’s giving programs emphasize support for STEM education, disaster relief, and community development. Cisco also offers volunteer grants, rewarding employees who dedicate time to nonprofit causes.

Learn more about the program here.

AT&T

AT&T, a telecommunications giant headquartered in Dallas, provides an extensive payroll giving program accessible to its workforce. Employees can elect to donate a portion of their salary to qualified nonprofits, with options for one-time or recurring contributions.

AT&T matches employee donations, typically at a 1:1 ratio, with a substantial annual matching limit. The company prioritizes causes such as education, veterans’ services, and digital inclusion. Additionally, AT&T offers volunteer time off (VTO) and volunteer grant programs to encourage employee engagement beyond financial contributions.

Learn more about the program here.

Apple

Apple, a global leader in consumer electronics and software, maintains a significant presence in Dallas through retail and corporate operations. The company’s payroll giving program allows eligible employees to contribute to nonprofits via paycheck deductions, with flexible giving options and no minimum contribution requirements.

Apple matches employee donations, often at a 1:1 ratio, up to a defined annual limit. The company focuses its philanthropic efforts on education, human rights, and environmental sustainability. Apple also supports volunteerism through grants and time-off policies.

Learn more about the program here.

Ericsson

Ericsson, a multinational networking and telecommunications company, offers a payroll giving program to its Dallas-based employees. The program enables staff to make regular donations to eligible nonprofits directly from their paychecks, with no minimum contribution thresholds.

Ericsson matches employee contributions, typically at a 1:1 ratio, up to a specified annual maximum. The company’s giving priorities include technology education, disaster relief, and community health initiatives. Volunteer grants and corporate sponsorships complement the payroll giving program.

Learn more about the program here.

Google

Google, a global technology leader specializing in internet-related services and products, has a growing presence in Dallas. The company’s payroll giving program allows employees to donate to nonprofits through automatic paycheck deductions, with flexible contribution levels and no minimums.

Google matches employee donations at a 1:1 ratio, with a generous annual cap. The company supports a broad range of causes, including education, environmental sustainability, and social justice. Google also offers volunteer grants and encourages employee participation in community service.

earn more about the program here.

Hewlett Packard

Hewlett Packard (HP), a multinational information technology company, provides a payroll giving program for its Dallas employees. The program facilitates easy, recurring donations to eligible nonprofits via paycheck deductions, with no minimum contribution required.

HP matches employee donations dollar-for-dollar up to an annual limit. The company’s philanthropic focus areas include education, health, and technology access. Volunteer grants and employee volunteer programs further enhance HP’s community engagement efforts.

Learn more about the program here.

Intuit

Intuit, a financial software company known for products like TurboTax and QuickBooks, offers a payroll giving program to its Dallas workforce. Employees can contribute to nonprofits directly from their paychecks, with flexible giving options and no minimum donation amounts.

Intuit matches employee donations at a 1:1 ratio, up to a set annual maximum. The company emphasizes support for financial literacy, education, and community development. Volunteer grants and paid volunteer time off are also part of Intuit’s corporate giving portfolio.

Learn more about the program here.

Explore More Dallas Payroll Donation Programs with a Workplace Giving Database

Beyond the well-known companies discussed, many other Dallas-based businesses offer a variety of corporate philanthropy programs, including payroll giving, matching gifts, volunteer grants, and volunteer time off (VTO). These programs represent additional opportunities for nonprofits to connect with corporate partners and increase their fundraising potential.

Discovering these hidden gems can be challenging without the right tools. That is where workplace philanthropy databases like Double the Donation come into play. These databases provide nonprofits with an easy-to-use platform to search for companies offering payroll giving and other workplace giving programs, helping organizations identify potential corporate partners that align with their mission.

Using such a database, nonprofits can:

Quickly identify companies in Dallas and beyond that offer payroll giving programs and other corporate giving initiatives.
Access detailed information about eligibility, contribution limits, matching gift ratios, and program requirements.
Target outreach efforts more effectively by focusing on companies whose employees are likely to support their cause.
Embed a payroll giving plugin on their website, allowing supporters to check their eligibility and get started with donations seamlessly.
Leverage insights and analytics to optimize fundraising strategies and maximize corporate giving revenue.

By integrating a workplace giving database into their fundraising toolkit, nonprofits can unlock new revenue streams and deepen engagement with corporate donors. This approach not only simplifies the process of identifying payroll giving opportunities but also empowers nonprofits to build lasting partnerships with Dallas companies and their employees.

Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts

Dallas is home to a robust corporate community that actively supports philanthropy through employee payroll giving programs and other workplace giving initiatives. Companies like Microsoft, Cisco, AT&T, Apple, Ericsson, Google, Hewlett Packard, and Intuit exemplify this commitment by offering structured programs that encourage employees to contribute to nonprofits directly from their paychecks, often with generous corporate matching.

For nonprofits, these payroll giving programs represent a powerful avenue to secure recurring donations and amplify their impact through matching gifts and volunteer grants. Understanding the landscape of Dallas companies and their giving policies is crucial for organizations seeking to engage corporate donors effectively.

Moreover, leveraging workplace giving databases can help nonprofits uncover additional opportunities beyond the most prominent companies, enabling them to connect with a broader range of corporate partners. By tapping into these resources and fostering relationships with Dallas businesses, nonprofits can enhance their fundraising efforts and create meaningful community change.

Discover How to Maximize Your Payroll Giving Potential with Double the Donation

Key features and benefits include:

Payroll Donation Data in Database: Instantly identify companies offering payroll giving, matching gifts, and volunteer grants—no more manual research.
Payroll Giving Plugin for Your Website: Embed a simple, intuitive tool on your site that helps donors check eligibility and get started.
Payroll Essentials Dashboard: Whenever a donor enters your system, we automatically screen for payroll giving opportunities, flag them, and help you take action.
Resources Tab: Access ready-to-use templates for emails, social posts, and website copy to boost your payroll giving promotion with ease.

Double the Donation’s Payroll Giving Module is designed to work seamlessly alongside our Matching Gifts and Volunteer Grant tools—so you never miss a chance to drive more support from employers. From recurring gifts to corporate sponsorship leads, our tools connect the dots across all aspects of workplace giving. Learn how you can grow payroll giving revenue.

Top Austin Companies that Offer Employee Payroll Giving

November 17, 2025/in Payroll Giving, Nonprofit Basics /by Adam Weinger

Austin, Texas, is not only known for its vibrant music scene and cultural richness but also as a thriving hub for business innovation and corporate philanthropy. The city’s dynamic economy and strong presence of major corporations have fostered an environment where workplace giving programs, including payroll giving, flourish. These initiatives allow employees to contribute directly to nonprofits through convenient payroll deductions, amplifying the impact of charitable efforts across the community and beyond.

Many of the largest companies headquartered or operating in Austin have embraced payroll giving as a key component of their corporate social responsibility strategies. This commitment benefits both employees and nonprofits by creating sustainable streams of funding and encouraging a culture of generosity. Understanding which companies offer these programs and how they operate can help nonprofits strategically engage with corporate partners to maximize donations and community impact.

What to Know About Major Austin Companies in the Corporate Giving Space
Companies in Austin That Offer Payroll Giving Programs
Explore More Austin Payroll Donation Programs with a Workplace Giving Database
Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts
Discover How to Grow Your Payroll Giving Revenue with Double the Donation

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

Austin stands out as a major metropolitan area with a booming economy and a strong corporate presence that supports a wide range of nonprofit organizations. The city’s business landscape is characterized by a mix of technology giants, retail innovators, and service providers, all contributing to a vibrant ecosystem of philanthropy and community engagement.

Here are some key points to understand about Austin’s corporate giving environment:

Economic Significance: Austin ranks as one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, with a population exceeding 950,000 residents. Its economic output places it among the top metropolitan areas nationally, making it a critical player in both regional and global markets.
Corporate Headquarters: The city is home to over 50 Fortune 1000 companies, including several Fortune 500 firms. This concentration of large employers creates a fertile ground for workplace giving programs, including payroll giving, matching gifts, and volunteer initiatives.
Industry Leaders: Key industries dominating Austin’s economy include technology, software development, semiconductor manufacturing, and retail. Companies in these sectors often lead the way in corporate philanthropy, leveraging their resources to support community causes.
Nonprofit Ecosystem: Austin hosts thousands of nonprofit organizations spanning education, health, environment, arts, and social services. The strong corporate presence helps fuel these nonprofits through diverse giving programs, including payroll giving, which provides steady funding streams.
Corporate Philanthropy Culture: Many Austin-based companies have embedded philanthropy into their corporate culture, encouraging employees to participate in giving programs. This culture enhances employee engagement and strengthens community ties.

Understanding these factors is essential for nonprofits seeking to tap into Austin’s corporate giving potential. By aligning with companies that prioritize payroll giving, nonprofits can unlock new funding opportunities and build lasting partnerships.

Companies in Austin That Offer Payroll Giving Programs

Payroll giving programs are a popular way for employees to support charitable causes directly through paycheck deductions. In Austin, several major companies have established such programs, often complemented by corporate matching to amplify employee contributions. Below is an overview of some of the most prominent Austin-based companies offering payroll giving, along with details about their programs.

Dell

Dell Technologies is a global leader in computer technology and IT solutions, headquartered in Round Rock, just outside Austin. The company is known for its commitment to social responsibility and community engagement.

Dell’s payroll giving program allows eligible employees to donate a portion of their salary to qualified nonprofits. Participation is open to full-time and part-time employees, with no minimum contribution requirement, making it accessible to a broad workforce. Dell also offers a generous matching gift program, typically matching employee donations dollar-for-dollar up to a certain annual limit. This matching extends to payroll giving contributions, effectively doubling the impact of employee generosity.

Eligible nonprofits include a wide range of 501(c)(3) organizations, with a focus on education, health, and community development. Dell’s payroll giving program is integrated with its broader corporate giving strategy, encouraging sustained employee involvement and community impact.

Learn more about the program here.

Apple

Apple, a global technology giant with a significant presence in Austin, is renowned for its innovation and corporate philanthropy. The company supports various employee giving initiatives, including payroll giving.

Apple’s payroll giving program is available to all employees, including retail and corporate staff. Employees can designate donations to eligible nonprofits directly from their paychecks, with flexible contribution amounts. Apple enhances these donations through a matching gift program, often matching contributions at a 1:1 ratio, with some variations depending on the region and employee role.

The company prioritizes nonprofits focused on education, environmental sustainability, and human rights, reflecting its corporate values. Apple’s payroll giving program is part of a comprehensive employee engagement platform that encourages ongoing charitable participation.

Learn more about the program here.

Google

Google’s Austin office is part of the company’s extensive global network, known for fostering innovation and supporting community initiatives. Google offers a robust payroll giving program as part of its employee benefits.

Eligible employees can contribute to a wide array of nonprofits through payroll deductions, with no minimum contribution required. Google matches employee donations, typically at a 1:1 ratio, up to a specified annual cap. The company also supports volunteer grants and other workplace giving programs, creating multiple avenues for employee philanthropy.

Google’s payroll giving program emphasizes transparency and ease of use, allowing employees to manage their contributions through an online platform. The program supports nonprofits across various sectors, including education, technology access, and social justice.

Learn more about the program here.

Whole Foods Market

Whole Foods Market, headquartered in Austin, is a leader in natural and organic foods retail. The company has a strong commitment to community well-being and environmental stewardship.

Whole Foods offers a payroll giving program that enables employees to donate to eligible nonprofits directly from their paychecks. The program is open to all employees, with flexible contribution options. Whole Foods often matches employee donations, enhancing the impact of payroll giving.

The company focuses its philanthropic efforts on food security, sustainability, and local community support. Whole Foods’ payroll giving program is integrated with other corporate social responsibility initiatives, encouraging employees to engage in multiple forms of giving.

Learn more about the program here.

Microsoft

Microsoft’s Austin presence is part of its global operations, with a strong emphasis on technology innovation and corporate citizenship. The company’s payroll giving program is a key component of its employee giving strategy.

Microsoft employees can participate in payroll giving with no minimum donation requirement. The company matches employee contributions, often at a 1:1 ratio, up to a generous annual limit. Microsoft also offers volunteer grants and other giving programs that complement payroll giving.

The program supports a broad range of nonprofits, including those focused on education, technology access, and community development. Microsoft’s payroll giving platform is user-friendly, allowing employees to easily manage their donations and track impact.

Learn more about the program here.

Cisco

Cisco Systems, a global leader in networking technology, has a significant presence in Austin. The company is committed to corporate social responsibility through various employee giving programs.

Cisco’s payroll giving program allows employees to contribute to eligible nonprofits via paycheck deductions. The program is open to all employees, with flexible contribution amounts and no minimums. Cisco matches employee donations, typically dollar-for-dollar, up to an annual cap.

The company emphasizes support for education, disaster relief, and community development nonprofits. Cisco’s payroll giving program is part of a comprehensive workplace giving strategy that includes matching gifts and volunteer grants.

Learn more about the program here.

AMD

Advanced Micro Devices (AMD), a semiconductor company headquartered in Santa Clara but with a major Austin campus, supports employee philanthropy through payroll giving.

AMD’s payroll giving program is available to all eligible employees, allowing them to donate directly from their paychecks to qualified nonprofits. The company matches employee contributions, usually at a 1:1 ratio, up to a specified limit. AMD encourages employee participation by providing easy access to giving platforms and regular communication about program benefits.

The program supports nonprofits in education, technology, and community services, aligning with AMD’s corporate values and community engagement goals.

Learn more about the program here.

Nvidia

Nvidia, a leader in graphics processing technology with a growing presence in Austin, offers a payroll giving program as part of its employee benefits.

Employees can contribute to eligible nonprofits through payroll deductions, with no minimum contribution required. Nvidia matches employee donations, typically dollar-for-dollar, up to an annual maximum. The company also supports volunteer grants and other workplace giving initiatives.

Nvidia’s payroll giving program focuses on nonprofits in STEM education, environmental sustainability, and social equity. The program is designed to be accessible and impactful, encouraging sustained employee involvement.

Learn more about the program here.

Adobe

Adobe, a global software company with offices in Austin, promotes corporate philanthropy through a variety of employee giving programs, including payroll giving.

Adobe’s payroll giving program allows employees to donate directly from their paychecks to eligible nonprofits. The program is open to all employees, with flexible contribution options and no minimums. Adobe matches employee donations, often at a 1:1 ratio, up to a generous annual limit.

The company supports nonprofits focused on education, creativity, and community development. Adobe’s payroll giving program is integrated with its broader corporate social responsibility efforts, fostering a culture of giving among employees.

Learn more about the program here.

Explore More Austin Payroll Donation Programs with a Workplace Giving Database

While the companies highlighted above represent some of the most prominent payroll giving programs in Austin, many other businesses in the city and surrounding areas also offer a variety of corporate philanthropy initiatives. These include payroll giving, matching gifts, volunteer grants, and volunteer time off (VTO) programs, all designed to encourage employee engagement and support for nonprofits.

Discovering and connecting with these additional opportunities can be challenging without the right tools. That is where a workplace philanthropy database like Double the Donation becomes invaluable. Such databases provide nonprofits with a comprehensive resource to identify companies offering payroll giving and other workplace giving programs.

Using a workplace giving database allows nonprofits to:

Search for companies by location, industry, or program type to find the best matches for their mission.
Access detailed information about eligibility, contribution limits, and matching gift ratios to tailor outreach efforts.
Embed a user-friendly plugin on their payroll giving or donation pages, enabling supporters to quickly check their eligibility and take action.
Streamline communication and follow-up with employees of companies offering workplace giving programs, increasing the likelihood of securing donations.

By leveraging such databases, nonprofits can uncover hidden corporate giving opportunities, build stronger partnerships, and ultimately increase their fundraising success through payroll giving and related programs.

Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts

Austin’s vibrant corporate landscape offers a wealth of opportunities for nonprofits to engage with payroll giving programs and other workplace philanthropy initiatives. Major companies like Dell, Apple, Google, Whole Foods Market, Microsoft, Cisco, AMD, Nvidia, and Adobe have established robust payroll giving programs that empower employees to support charitable causes conveniently and consistently.

These programs often include generous matching gift components, amplifying the impact of employee donations and creating sustainable funding streams for nonprofits. By understanding the specifics of each company’s program, nonprofits can strategically target their outreach and maximize the benefits of corporate giving.

Beyond the well-known companies, many other businesses in Austin offer payroll giving and related programs. Utilizing workplace giving databases can help nonprofits discover these additional opportunities, streamline donor engagement, and boost overall fundraising efforts.

Nonprofits are encouraged to explore these payroll giving initiatives and integrate them into their broader fundraising strategies to enhance their impact and build lasting community partnerships.

Discover How to Grow Your Payroll Giving Revenue with Double the Donation

With Double the Donation’s full suite of tools, your organization can uncover payroll giving eligibility automatically through supporter employment data, provide donors with clear, actionable next steps through a website plugin, and streamline follow-up with in-platform insights, dashboards, and built-in marketing templates. These features help drive recurring donations that lead to longer-term corporate engagement and sponsorships.

Key features and benefits include instant identification of companies offering payroll giving, matching gifts, and volunteer grants, a payroll giving plugin for your website, a payroll essentials dashboard for actionable insights, and a resources tab with ready-to-use marketing templates. Double the Donation’s Payroll Giving Module works seamlessly alongside our Matching Gifts and Volunteer Grant tools, ensuring you never miss a chance to drive more support from employers. From recurring gifts to corporate sponsorship leads, our tools connect the dots across all aspects of workplace giving.

To explore how your nonprofit can leverage these powerful tools, Learn how you can grow payroll giving revenue.

Top San Antonio Companies that Offer Employee Payroll Giving

November 17, 2025/in Nonprofit Basics, Payroll Giving /by Adam Weinger

San Antonio is a vibrant city known for its rich history, cultural diversity, and rapidly growing economy. As one of the largest cities in Texas and the United States, it has become a significant hub for both business and nonprofit organizations. The city’s thriving corporate landscape supports a wide range of philanthropic initiatives, including employee payroll giving programs that empower workers to contribute directly to charitable causes through automatic paycheck deductions.

Many leading companies headquartered or operating in San Antonio have embraced payroll giving as part of their corporate social responsibility efforts. These programs not only encourage employees to support nonprofits but often include company matching contributions, amplifying the impact of individual donations. For nonprofits, understanding which companies offer payroll giving programs is essential to maximizing fundraising opportunities and building strong partnerships within the San Antonio community.

What to Know About Major San Antonio Companies in the Corporate Giving Space
Companies in San Antonio That Offer Payroll Giving Programs
Explore More San Antonio Payroll Donation Programs with a Workplace Giving Database
Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts
Discover How to Grow Your Payroll Giving Revenue with Double the Donation

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

San Antonio stands as a major economic and cultural center in Texas and the broader United States. It ranks as the seventh-largest city in the country by population, with a diverse economy that spans multiple industries. This dynamic environment has attracted a significant number of corporations, many of which are deeply involved in philanthropic activities, including payroll giving programs.

The city is home to a robust nonprofit sector, supported by a strong corporate presence. Many nonprofits choose San Antonio as their base due to the availability of corporate partnerships and a community that values charitable giving. The synergy between businesses and nonprofits here creates fertile ground for impactful workplace giving initiatives.

San Antonio hosts over 20 Fortune 1000 companies, with several Fortune 500 companies maintaining headquarters or major operations in the area.
Key industries driving the local economy include financial services, technology, healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics.
Companies in these sectors often lead the way in corporate philanthropy, offering comprehensive payroll giving programs to their employees.
The city’s economic size and population rank it as a critical player in national and global business networks, increasing the potential reach and impact of corporate giving.
Corporate giving in San Antonio frequently aligns with community needs, supporting education, health, veterans’ services, and environmental causes.

Understanding the corporate landscape and its philanthropic commitments is crucial for nonprofits aiming to engage with payroll giving programs. These companies not only provide financial support but also foster a culture of giving that benefits the entire community.

Companies in San Antonio That Offer Payroll Giving Programs

Many prominent companies in San Antonio have established payroll giving programs, enabling employees to donate to nonprofits directly from their paychecks. These programs often include matching gift components, which can significantly increase the total contributions made to charitable organizations. Below, we explore some of the key companies offering these programs, detailing eligibility, contribution guidelines, and matching policies.

USAA

USAA is a leading financial services company headquartered in San Antonio, primarily serving military members and their families. Known for its commitment to community support, USAA offers a robust payroll giving program that encourages employees to contribute to a wide range of nonprofits.

All full-time and part-time employees are eligible to participate in USAA’s payroll giving program. There is no minimum contribution requirement, making it accessible for employees at all giving levels. USAA matches employee donations dollar-for-dollar up to a specified annual limit, typically around $5,000 per employee. The company supports a broad spectrum of eligible charities, with a focus on veteran services, education, and community development.

Learn more about the program here.

Apple

Apple, a global technology giant with a significant presence in San Antonio, offers a comprehensive payroll giving program as part of its corporate philanthropy efforts. Apple’s program is designed to empower employees to support causes they care about through convenient paycheck deductions.

Eligible employees include full-time staff and certain contractors. The minimum contribution is generally set at $10 per pay period. Apple matches employee donations at a 1:1 ratio up to $10,000 annually. The company’s program supports a wide variety of nonprofits, including those focused on education, environmental sustainability, and human rights.

Learn more about the program here.

Google

Google, a leader in technology and innovation, maintains a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility in San Antonio. Its payroll giving program allows employees to make regular donations to nonprofits directly from their paychecks, fostering a culture of giving within the company.

All employees are eligible to participate, with no minimum donation amount required. Google matches donations at a 1:1 ratio, with an annual cap of $7,500 per employee. The company supports a diverse range of charitable organizations, emphasizing education, technology access, and community development initiatives.

Learn more about the program here.

Microsoft

Microsoft, a global software and technology leader, offers an extensive payroll giving program to its employees in San Antonio. The program is part of Microsoft’s broader commitment to philanthropy and community engagement.

Full-time and part-time employees can participate, with a minimum contribution of $5 per pay period. Microsoft matches employee donations dollar-for-dollar up to $12,000 annually. The company’s giving program supports nonprofits focused on education, digital inclusion, and environmental sustainability.

Learn more about the program here.

Cisco

Cisco Systems, a multinational technology conglomerate with operations in San Antonio, provides a payroll giving program that encourages employees to support charitable causes through automatic paycheck deductions.

Eligible employees include full-time staff members. The minimum contribution is $10 per pay period. Cisco matches donations at a 1:1 ratio up to $6,000 annually. The company prioritizes nonprofits working in education, technology access, and disaster relief.

Learn more about the program here.

Total Quality Logistics

Total Quality Logistics (TQL), a major logistics company headquartered in Cincinnati but with a strong operational presence in San Antonio, offers a payroll giving program to its employees. The program reflects TQL’s commitment to community involvement and charitable support.

All employees are eligible to participate, with no minimum donation requirement. TQL matches employee donations at a 50% rate up to $3,000 annually. The company supports a variety of nonprofits, including those focused on health, education, and community services.

Learn more about the program here.

Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota Motor Corporation, a global automotive manufacturer with significant operations in San Antonio, provides a payroll giving program as part of its corporate social responsibility initiatives. The program encourages employees to contribute regularly to charitable organizations.

Eligible employees include full-time and part-time workers. The minimum contribution is $5 per pay period. Toyota matches donations at a 1:1 ratio up to $8,000 annually. The company supports nonprofits in areas such as education, environmental conservation, and community development.

Learn more about the program here.

Explore More San Antonio Payroll Donation Programs with a Workplace Giving Database

Beyond the well-known companies listed above, many other businesses in San Antonio and across the country offer a variety of corporate philanthropy programs. These include payroll giving, matching gifts, volunteer grants, and volunteer time off (VTO). For nonprofits seeking to maximize their fundraising potential, discovering these additional opportunities is crucial.

Using a workplace philanthropy database like Double the Donation can help nonprofits uncover these hidden gems. Such databases provide an easy-to-use platform where organizations can search for companies offering payroll giving and other workplace giving programs. This enables nonprofits to connect with businesses that align with their mission and values.

These databases simplify the process of identifying and targeting relevant companies and their employees. By embedding a workplace giving database plugin on your payroll giving page, you can make it accessible to your supporters, helping them quickly determine their eligibility for payroll giving and other corporate giving programs. This streamlined approach enhances donor engagement and increases the likelihood of securing recurring donations and matching gifts.

Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts

San Antonio’s corporate landscape offers powerful payroll giving initiatives that benefit both employees and nonprofits. Companies like USAA, Apple, Google, Microsoft, Cisco, Total Quality Logistics, and Toyota Motor Corporation have established programs that make it easy for employees to contribute to charitable causes directly from their paychecks. These programs often include generous company matches, amplifying the impact of individual donations.

For nonprofits, understanding and leveraging these payroll giving opportunities is essential to boosting fundraising efforts and deepening community engagement. Additionally, exploring broader corporate giving initiatives such as matching gifts, volunteer grants, and VTO can further enhance nonprofit impact.

By actively engaging with these programs and utilizing tools like workplace giving databases, nonprofits can unlock new revenue streams and build lasting partnerships with businesses in San Antonio and beyond. Taking action to explore and promote these valuable programs will help organizations maximize their mission-driven work and create meaningful change.

Discover How to Grow Your Payroll Giving Revenue with Double the Donation

Double the Donation’s Payroll Giving Module empowers nonprofits and schools to tap into a powerful but underutilized source of recurring support—payroll donations. With minimal lift, you can identify eligible donors, alert them of their eligibility and next steps, and unlock new, sustained corporate giving revenue. The Payroll Giving Module is powered by our Matching Gift and Volunteer Grant tools, making it a valuable addition to your workplace giving strategy. It turns a single piece of employment data into multiple revenue opportunities.

With Double the Donation’s full suite of tools, your organization can uncover payroll giving eligibility automatically through supporter employment data, provide donors with clear, actionable next steps via a website plugin, and streamline follow-up with in-platform insights, dashboards, and built-in marketing templates. These features drive recurring donations that lead to longer-term corporate engagement and sponsorships.

Key benefits include instant access to payroll donation data, an easy-to-embed payroll giving plugin for your website, a comprehensive Payroll Essentials Dashboard, and a Resources Tab filled with ready-to-use templates for emails, social posts, and website copy. Double the Donation’s Payroll Giving Module works seamlessly alongside Matching Gifts and Volunteer Grant tools, ensuring you never miss a chance to drive more support from employers.

To explore how your nonprofit can benefit from these powerful tools, Learn how you can grow payroll giving revenue.

Top Philadelphia Companies that Offer Employee Payroll Giving

November 17, 2025/in Payroll Giving, Nonprofit Basics /by Adam Weinger

Philadelphia stands as a vibrant city with a rich history and a dynamic economy, making it a prime location for both businesses and nonprofits. The city’s unique blend of industries, from healthcare and technology to finance and manufacturing, creates a fertile environment for corporate philanthropy. Many companies headquartered or operating in Philadelphia have embraced employee payroll giving programs, allowing their workforce to contribute directly to charitable causes through convenient paycheck deductions.

These payroll giving initiatives not only empower employees to support nonprofits they care about but also often include company matching programs that amplify the impact of each donation. For nonprofits operating in Philadelphia or seeking support from companies in the region, understanding which organizations offer payroll giving programs is essential. This knowledge can unlock new funding streams and deepen partnerships with local businesses committed to social responsibility.

What to Know About Major Philadelphia Companies in the Corporate Giving Space
Companies in Philadelphia That Offer Payroll Giving Programs
Explore More Philadelphia Payroll Donation Programs with a Workplace Giving Database
Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts
Discover How Double the Donation Can Help You Grow Payroll Giving Revenue

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

Philadelphia is more than just the birthplace of American independence; it is a major hub for commerce, innovation, and philanthropy. The city’s strategic location and diverse economy have attracted a wide array of corporations, many of which are deeply invested in giving back to their communities through structured workplace giving programs.

Here are some key points to understand about Philadelphia’s corporate landscape and its connection to nonprofit support:

Economic Significance: Philadelphia ranks as the sixth-most populous city in the United States and is a critical economic engine in the Mid-Atlantic region. Its metropolitan area boasts a GDP that places it among the top urban economies nationally.
Corporate Headquarters: The city is home to over 30 Fortune 1000 companies, spanning industries such as healthcare, technology, finance, and consumer goods. This concentration of major corporations fosters a competitive and philanthropic business environment.
Industry Leaders: Key sectors include healthcare and pharmaceuticals, with companies like Merck & Co and Johnson & Johnson; technology and software, represented by Microsoft and SAP; and insurance and financial services, including Independence Blue Cross.
Nonprofit Ecosystem: Philadelphia hosts thousands of nonprofits, many of which benefit from corporate partnerships and employee giving programs. The city’s strong nonprofit presence is supported by the generosity of local businesses and their employees.
Corporate Philanthropy Culture: Many Philadelphia companies have embedded philanthropy into their corporate culture, offering payroll giving, matching gifts, volunteer grants, and other workplace giving initiatives to encourage employee participation.

Understanding these factors is crucial for nonprofits aiming to engage with Philadelphia’s corporate sector. The city’s robust economy and philanthropic spirit create fertile ground for payroll giving programs that can significantly boost nonprofit funding and community impact.

Companies in Philadelphia That Offer Payroll Giving Programs

Many leading companies in Philadelphia provide payroll giving programs, enabling employees to make charitable donations directly from their paychecks. These programs often include matching gift components, which can double or even triple the impact of employee contributions. Below is an overview of some of the most prominent Philadelphia-based companies offering payroll giving opportunities.

Independence Blue Cross

Independence Blue Cross is a major health insurance provider headquartered in Philadelphia. As a leader in the healthcare industry, the company is committed to supporting community health and wellness through various philanthropic initiatives.

Their payroll giving program allows eligible employees to contribute a portion of their salary to qualified nonprofits. Participation is open to full-time employees, with no minimum contribution required, making it accessible to a broad range of staff. Independence Blue Cross also offers a matching gift program that matches employee donations dollar-for-dollar up to a specified annual limit, effectively doubling the impact of each gift.

Eligible charities typically include health-related organizations, educational institutions, and community service nonprofits, aligning with the company’s mission to improve health outcomes in the region.

Learn more about the program here.

SAP

SAP, a global leader in enterprise software headquartered in the Philadelphia area, fosters a culture of giving through its comprehensive employee philanthropy programs. The company’s payroll giving initiative enables employees to designate a portion of their paycheck to support nonprofits of their choice.

All full-time employees are eligible to participate, with a minimum contribution amount set to encourage meaningful donations while maintaining accessibility. SAP enhances employee contributions through a matching gift program, often matching donations at a 1:1 ratio up to a certain annual cap.

The company supports a wide range of nonprofit sectors, including education, environmental causes, and social services, reflecting its commitment to corporate social responsibility and community engagement.

Learn more about the program here.

Apple

Apple, a global technology giant with a significant presence in Philadelphia, offers a robust payroll giving program as part of its broader corporate philanthropy efforts. Employees can elect to have donations deducted directly from their paychecks to support eligible nonprofits.

The program is available to all employees, with flexible contribution options and no strict minimums, encouraging participation across all levels of the organization. Apple also provides a generous matching gift program, typically matching employee donations dollar-for-dollar up to a substantial annual limit.

Eligible nonprofits span a variety of causes, including education, health, and environmental sustainability, aligning with Apple’s values of innovation and social impact.

Learn more about the program here.

Merck & Co

Merck & Co, a global pharmaceutical company headquartered in the Philadelphia region, is deeply invested in community health and scientific advancement. Their payroll giving program allows employees to contribute to nonprofit organizations directly through paycheck deductions.

Participation is open to full-time employees, with a minimum contribution threshold designed to encourage consistent giving. Merck & Co enhances employee donations through a matching gift program, often matching contributions at a 1:1 ratio up to a defined annual maximum.

The company prioritizes nonprofits focused on health, education, and community development, reflecting its mission to improve global health outcomes.

Learn more about the program here.

Johnson & Johnson

Johnson & Johnson, a multinational healthcare company with a strong Philadelphia presence, offers an employee payroll giving program that supports a wide range of charitable causes. Employees can opt to have donations automatically deducted from their paychecks, facilitating convenient and sustained giving.

The program is available to all eligible employees, with flexible contribution amounts and no minimum required. Johnson & Johnson also matches employee donations, typically at a 1:1 ratio, up to a generous annual limit, amplifying the impact of each gift.

The company supports nonprofits in healthcare, education, and community services, consistent with its commitment to advancing health and well-being worldwide.

Learn more about the program here.

Microsoft

Microsoft, a global technology leader with offices in Philadelphia, provides a comprehensive payroll giving program as part of its employee engagement and corporate social responsibility initiatives. Employees can designate a portion of their salary to support eligible nonprofits through automatic paycheck deductions.

All full-time employees are eligible to participate, with no minimum contribution required. Microsoft matches employee donations, often at a 1:1 ratio, up to a significant annual cap, encouraging generous giving.

The company’s philanthropic focus includes education, technology access, environmental sustainability, and social equity, reflecting its broader mission to empower every person and organization on the planet.

Learn more about the program here.

AstraZeneca

AstraZeneca, a global biopharmaceutical company with a strong presence in Philadelphia, offers a payroll giving program that enables employees to support charitable organizations through convenient paycheck deductions.

Eligible employees can participate with flexible contribution amounts, and AstraZeneca matches employee donations, typically at a 1:1 ratio, up to a specified annual limit. This matching program significantly increases the total funds directed to nonprofits.

The company focuses its philanthropic efforts on health, education, and community development, aligning with its commitment to improving patient outcomes worldwide.

Learn more about the program here.

Cisco

Cisco, a multinational technology conglomerate with operations in Philadelphia, supports employee giving through a payroll giving program that facilitates direct donations from paychecks to eligible nonprofits.

Participation is open to all full-time employees, with no minimum contribution required. Cisco matches employee donations, usually at a 1:1 ratio, up to a generous annual limit, maximizing the impact of employee generosity.

The company’s philanthropic priorities include education, technology access, disaster relief, and community development, reflecting its dedication to leveraging technology for social good.

Learn more about the program here.

Explore More Philadelphia Payroll Donation Programs with a Workplace Giving Database

While the companies highlighted above represent some of the most prominent payroll giving programs in Philadelphia, many other businesses in the city and beyond offer a variety of corporate philanthropy initiatives. These include not only payroll giving but also matching gifts, volunteer grants, and volunteer time off (VTO) programs.

For nonprofits seeking to maximize their fundraising potential, discovering these additional opportunities can be a game-changer. However, manually researching each company’s giving programs can be time-consuming and complex.

This is where a workplace philanthropy database like Double the Donation’s platform becomes invaluable. Such databases provide nonprofits with an easy-to-use tool to search for companies offering payroll giving and other workplace giving programs. By leveraging this resource, nonprofits can identify and connect with businesses that align with their mission and donor base.

Key benefits of using a workplace giving database include:

Comprehensive Company Listings: Access detailed information about thousands of companies’ giving programs, including eligibility criteria, contribution limits, and matching gift ratios.
Streamlined Donor Engagement: Quickly identify which donors are eligible for payroll giving and matching gifts, enabling targeted outreach and personalized communication.
Website Integration: Embed a payroll giving plugin directly on your nonprofit’s donation page, allowing supporters to instantly check their eligibility and take action.
Data-Driven Insights: Utilize dashboards and analytics to track engagement, optimize fundraising strategies, and increase revenue from corporate giving programs.

By incorporating a workplace giving database into your fundraising toolkit, your nonprofit can uncover hidden corporate giving opportunities, deepen relationships with business partners, and ultimately increase the impact of your mission.

Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts

Philadelphia’s vibrant corporate landscape offers a wealth of opportunities for nonprofits to engage with employee payroll giving programs. From healthcare giants like Merck & Co and Johnson & Johnson to technology leaders such as Microsoft and Cisco, many companies in the city have embraced payroll giving as a key component of their corporate social responsibility efforts.

These programs not only facilitate convenient employee donations but often include matching gift components that significantly boost the total funds directed to charitable causes. For nonprofits, understanding the nuances of each company’s payroll giving program is essential to effectively engage employees and maximize donations.

Beyond the major players, numerous other companies in Philadelphia and across the country offer workplace giving programs that can be uncovered through specialized databases. Leveraging these tools enables nonprofits to identify new corporate partners, streamline donor engagement, and grow their fundraising revenue sustainably.

By tapping into the powerful payroll giving initiatives available in Philadelphia and beyond, nonprofits can enhance their impact, build lasting corporate relationships, and secure vital resources to advance their missions.

Discover How Double the Donation Can Help You Grow Payroll Giving Revenue

The Payroll Giving Module is powered by our Matching Gift and Volunteer Grant tools, and is a valuable tool to complete your workplace giving strategy—turning a single piece of employment data into multiple revenue opportunities. With Double the Donation’s full suite of tools, your organization can uncover payroll giving eligibility automatically through supporter employment data, provide donors with clear, actionable next steps through a website plugin, streamline follow-up with in-platform insights, dashboards, and built-in marketing templates, and drive recurring donations that lead to longer-term corporate engagement and sponsorships.

Key features and benefits include:

Payroll Donation Data in Database: Instantly identify companies offering payroll giving, matching gifts, and volunteer grants—no more manual research.
Payroll Giving Plugin for Your Website: Embed a simple, intuitive tool on your site that helps donors check eligibility and get started.
Payroll Essentials Dashboard: Whenever a donor enters your system, we automatically screen for payroll giving opportunities, flag them, and help you take action.
Resources Tab: Access ready-to-use templates for emails, social posts, and website copy to boost your payroll giving promotion with ease.

Top Phoenix Companies that Offer Employee Payroll Giving

November 17, 2025/in Payroll Giving, Nonprofit Basics /by Adam Weinger

Phoenix, Arizona, stands as a vibrant and growing metropolitan area known for its dynamic economy and diverse corporate landscape. As one of the largest cities in the United States by population, Phoenix has become a significant hub for business innovation, technology, and philanthropy. This thriving environment has fostered a strong culture of corporate social responsibility, with many companies actively engaging in employee payroll giving programs to support local and national nonprofits.

Employee payroll giving programs allow workers to contribute a portion of their paycheck directly to charitable organizations, often with the added benefit of employer matching contributions. In Phoenix, several major companies have embraced these initiatives, recognizing the positive impact they can have on communities and the causes their employees care about. This article explores some of the top Phoenix-based companies offering payroll giving programs, providing valuable insights for nonprofits looking to engage with these corporate partners.

What to Know About Major Phoenix Companies in the Corporate Giving Space
Companies in Phoenix That Offer Payroll Giving Programs
Explore More Phoenix Payroll Donation Programs with a Workplace Giving Database
Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts
Unlock More Payroll Giving Potential with Double the Donation

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

Phoenix is not only a bustling city with a rich cultural heritage but also a powerhouse in the corporate world. Its strategic location, favorable business climate, and growing population have attracted numerous companies, making it a fertile ground for corporate philanthropy and nonprofit collaboration.

Understanding the corporate giving landscape in Phoenix requires a look at the city’s economic and business profile. Here are some key points to consider:

Economic Significance: Phoenix ranks as the fifth-largest city in the United States by population, with a metropolitan area that supports a diverse economy spanning technology, finance, manufacturing, and healthcare.
Corporate Headquarters: The city is home to over 20 Fortune 1000 companies, including several Fortune 500 firms, underscoring its importance as a corporate hub.
Key Industries: Technology, financial services, telecommunications, and software development dominate the local economy, with companies like American Express, GoDaddy, and Cisco leading the way.
Nonprofit Presence: The strong corporate presence has attracted a vibrant nonprofit sector, with many organizations headquartered or operating extensively in Phoenix, benefiting from corporate partnerships and employee giving programs.
Corporate Philanthropy Culture: Many Phoenix companies have established formal workplace giving programs, including payroll giving, matching gifts, volunteer grants, and more, reflecting a commitment to social responsibility and community engagement.

This robust ecosystem creates a fertile environment for nonprofits to connect with corporate donors and employees who are eager to support charitable causes through payroll giving and other workplace philanthropy initiatives.

Corporate Giving Statistics in Phoenix

Over 20 Fortune 1000 companies operate in the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Several companies rank within the Fortune 500, highlighting the city’s economic clout.
Employee participation rates in payroll giving programs tend to be higher in companies with strong corporate social responsibility policies.
Many Phoenix-based companies offer matching gift programs that complement payroll giving, doubling or even tripling employee donations.

These factors combine to make Phoenix a prime location for nonprofits seeking to maximize their fundraising potential through corporate partnerships and employee giving programs.

Companies in Phoenix That Offer Payroll Giving Programs

Many leading companies in Phoenix have embraced payroll giving programs as part of their broader corporate philanthropy strategies. These programs enable employees to make charitable contributions directly from their paychecks, often with the added incentive of employer matching. Below, we explore some of the most prominent companies in Phoenix offering these programs, detailing their eligibility criteria, matching policies, and other relevant information.

American Express

American Express is a global financial services company with a significant presence in Phoenix. Known for its credit card, travel, and financial products, American Express has a strong commitment to corporate social responsibility.

The company offers a comprehensive payroll giving program available to all full-time employees. Participants can designate a portion of their paycheck to eligible nonprofits, with a minimum contribution amount typically set at $10 per pay period. American Express matches employee donations at a 1:1 ratio, effectively doubling the impact of each gift.

Eligible charities include a wide range of 501(c)(3) organizations, with some restrictions on political or religious entities. The program encourages employees to support causes aligned with their values, and the company often promotes special giving campaigns during the year to boost participation.

Learn more about the program here.

Apple

Apple, a global leader in technology and innovation, maintains a significant workforce in the Phoenix area. The company’s philanthropic efforts include a robust payroll giving program designed to empower employees to contribute to charitable causes easily.

Apple’s payroll giving program is open to all employees, with no minimum contribution required, allowing for flexible giving options. The company matches employee donations up to $5,000 annually, with a 1:1 match ratio. This generous matching policy encourages sustained employee engagement in philanthropy.

Apple also supports a broad spectrum of nonprofits, focusing on education, environmental sustainability, and human rights. Employees can select from a curated list of eligible organizations or nominate new ones for inclusion in the program.

Learn more about the program here.

Microsoft

Microsoft, a global software and technology giant, has a strong presence in Phoenix and is known for its extensive corporate giving initiatives. The company’s payroll giving program is a key component of its employee engagement strategy.

Eligible employees can contribute a portion of their paycheck to qualified nonprofits, with a minimum contribution threshold of $5 per pay period. Microsoft matches employee donations dollar-for-dollar up to $10,000 annually, making it one of the more generous programs in the region.

The program supports a wide array of charitable causes, including education, technology access, and community development. Microsoft also offers additional giving opportunities such as matching gifts and volunteer grants, complementing the payroll giving program.

Learn more about the program here.

GoDaddy

GoDaddy, a leading web hosting and domain registration company headquartered in Scottsdale near Phoenix, offers a payroll giving program that reflects its commitment to community support and employee involvement.

The program is available to all full-time employees, with a minimum contribution of $5 per paycheck. GoDaddy matches employee donations at a 1:1 ratio, doubling the impact of each gift. The company emphasizes support for local nonprofits, particularly those focused on education, entrepreneurship, and technology access.

Employees can choose from a list of pre-approved charities or suggest new organizations for inclusion. GoDaddy also promotes volunteer opportunities and other workplace giving initiatives to complement payroll donations.

Learn more about the program here.

Google

Google, a global technology leader with offices in Phoenix, offers a comprehensive payroll giving program as part of its broader corporate philanthropy efforts. The company encourages employees to support causes they care about through convenient payroll deductions.

All full-time employees are eligible to participate, with no minimum contribution required. Google matches employee donations at a 1:1 ratio up to $10,000 annually. The company supports a wide range of nonprofits, including those focused on education, technology, and social justice.

Google’s payroll giving program is integrated with its matching gift platform, allowing employees to maximize their charitable impact. The company also offers volunteer grants and other giving opportunities to foster employee engagement.

Learn more about the program here.

SAP

SAP, a global leader in enterprise software headquartered in Germany but with a significant presence in Phoenix, offers a payroll giving program designed to encourage employee philanthropy and community involvement.

The program is open to all employees, with a minimum contribution of $10 per pay period. SAP matches employee donations at a 1:1 ratio, doubling the value of each gift. The company focuses on supporting education, environmental sustainability, and social innovation through its giving initiatives.

Employees can select from a broad list of eligible nonprofits or propose new organizations for inclusion. SAP also promotes volunteerism and other corporate social responsibility activities to complement payroll giving.

Learn more about the program here.

Cisco

Cisco, a global leader in networking technology with a strong presence in Phoenix, offers a well-established payroll giving program as part of its commitment to corporate citizenship.

Eligible employees can contribute a portion of their paycheck to qualified nonprofits, with a minimum contribution of $5 per pay period. Cisco matches employee donations at a 1:1 ratio up to $10,000 annually, encouraging sustained employee participation.

The program supports a wide range of causes, including education, disaster relief, and technology access. Cisco also offers matching gifts, volunteer grants, and other workplace giving programs that complement payroll donations.

Learn more about the program here.

Explore More Phoenix Payroll Donation Programs with a Workplace Giving Database

While the companies highlighted above represent some of the most prominent payroll giving programs in Phoenix, many other businesses in the region and beyond offer a variety of corporate philanthropy initiatives. These include matching gift programs, volunteer grants, volunteer time off (VTO), and more, providing nonprofits with numerous opportunities to engage corporate partners and their employees.

Discovering and leveraging these opportunities can be challenging without the right tools. That is where a workplace philanthropy database like Double the Donation becomes invaluable. Such databases compile comprehensive information about companies’ giving programs, making it easy for nonprofits to identify potential corporate partners and understand the specifics of their payroll giving and other philanthropy initiatives.

Using a workplace giving database allows nonprofits to:

Search for companies offering payroll giving programs and other corporate giving opportunities in Phoenix and nationwide.
Access detailed eligibility criteria, contribution limits, and matching gift ratios to tailor outreach efforts effectively.
Identify and target companies whose philanthropic priorities align with the nonprofit’s mission.
Embed a user-friendly database plugin on their payroll giving or donation pages, enabling supporters to quickly check their eligibility and maximize their impact.

By integrating such a database into their fundraising strategy, nonprofits can streamline their corporate engagement efforts, increase donations, and build lasting partnerships with businesses committed to social responsibility.

Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts

Phoenix’s vibrant corporate landscape offers a wealth of opportunities for nonprofits to engage with companies through employee payroll giving programs and other workplace philanthropy initiatives. Major companies like American Express, Apple, Microsoft, GoDaddy, Google, SAP, and Cisco have established robust payroll giving programs that empower employees to support charitable causes conveniently and effectively.

These programs often include employer matching contributions, amplifying the impact of employee donations and providing nonprofits with a valuable source of recurring support. Beyond payroll giving, many companies also offer matching gifts, volunteer grants, and other philanthropic programs that nonprofits can leverage to boost their fundraising efforts.

Nonprofits looking to maximize their impact in Phoenix and beyond should explore these corporate giving opportunities actively. Utilizing tools like workplace giving databases can simplify the process of identifying and connecting with companies that align with their mission, unlocking new streams of support and fostering meaningful partnerships.

Unlock More Payroll Giving Potential with Double the Donation

Key features and benefits include:

Payroll Donation Data in Database: Instantly identify companies offering payroll giving, matching gifts, and volunteer grants—no more manual research.
Payroll Giving Plugin for Your Website: Embed a simple, intuitive tool on your site that helps donors check eligibility and get started.
Payroll Essentials Dashboard: Whenever a donor enters your system, we automatically screen for payroll giving opportunities, flag them, and help you take action.
Resources Tab: Access ready-to-use templates for emails, social posts, and website copy to boost your payroll giving promotion with ease.

Top Houston Companies that Offer Employee Payroll Giving

November 17, 2025/in Payroll Giving, Nonprofit Basics /by Adam Weinger

Houston stands as a vibrant economic powerhouse, home to a diverse array of industries and a thriving corporate landscape. This dynamic city is not only a hub for business innovation and energy production but also a beacon for philanthropic efforts. Many of Houston’s leading companies have embraced employee payroll giving programs, enabling their workforce to contribute directly to charitable causes through convenient paycheck deductions.

These payroll giving initiatives reflect a broader culture of corporate social responsibility that permeates Houston’s business community. By facilitating employee donations and often matching these gifts, companies in Houston are fostering a spirit of generosity that benefits countless nonprofits. Understanding which companies offer these programs and how they operate can empower nonprofits to engage more effectively with corporate partners and maximize their fundraising potential.

What to Know About Major Houston Companies in the Corporate Giving Space
Companies in Houston That Offer Payroll Giving Programs
Explore More Houston Payroll Donation Programs with a Workplace Giving Database
Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts
Discover How to Maximize Payroll Giving Revenue with Double the Donation

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

Houston is recognized as one of the largest cities in the United States, ranking fourth by population and serving as a critical node in both national and global economies. Its strategic location and diverse economy have attracted a multitude of corporations, many of which are leaders in their respective industries. This robust corporate presence has cultivated a fertile environment for philanthropy and nonprofit growth.

Key points about Houston’s corporate and nonprofit landscape include:

Houston hosts over 20 Fortune 500 companies, with many more Fortune 1000 firms operating within the city limits.
The city’s economy is anchored by major industries such as energy, technology, healthcare, aerospace, and manufacturing.
Houston’s strong corporate sector supports a wide range of nonprofits, from health and education to environmental and social services organizations.
Corporate philanthropy in Houston often includes payroll giving, matching gifts, volunteer grants, and other workplace giving programs.
Many companies leverage their payroll giving programs to engage employees in sustained charitable giving, enhancing community impact.

This thriving ecosystem of business and philanthropy creates significant opportunities for nonprofits to partner with corporations. By tapping into payroll giving programs, nonprofits can secure steady streams of donations and benefit from corporate matching funds, amplifying their fundraising efforts.

Houston’s Economic and Philanthropic Significance

Houston’s position as a global energy capital is complemented by its growing technology and healthcare sectors. This economic diversity translates into a broad base of corporate donors with varied interests and giving priorities. The city’s philanthropic culture is further strengthened by its large and diverse workforce, many of whom participate in workplace giving programs.

Nonprofits in Houston benefit from this environment by aligning their missions with corporate social responsibility goals. Understanding the landscape of payroll giving programs offered by Houston’s top companies is essential for nonprofits seeking to maximize their fundraising potential and build lasting corporate partnerships.

Companies in Houston That Offer Payroll Giving Programs

Many leading companies headquartered or operating in Houston provide payroll giving programs that allow employees to donate directly to nonprofits through automatic paycheck deductions. These programs often include matching gift components, enhancing the impact of employee contributions. Below is an overview of some of the most prominent Houston-based companies offering payroll giving opportunities.

City of Houston

The City of Houston, as a major municipal employer, offers a payroll giving program that enables city employees to support local nonprofits. This program is open to all full-time city employees, with no minimum contribution required, making it accessible to a broad range of workers. The City of Houston often matches employee donations dollar-for-dollar up to a specified annual limit, encouraging greater participation and community support.

Eligible charities typically include local nonprofits focused on community development, health, education, and social services. The city’s payroll giving program is a cornerstone of its broader commitment to civic engagement and philanthropy.

Learn more about the program here.

Chevron

Chevron is a global energy leader headquartered in Houston, known for its extensive corporate social responsibility initiatives. Chevron’s payroll giving program allows eligible employees to contribute to a wide range of nonprofit organizations directly from their paychecks. The program is available to full-time employees and retirees, with flexible contribution amounts starting as low as $5 per paycheck.

Chevron enhances employee donations through a matching gift program, typically matching contributions at a 1:1 ratio up to a generous annual cap. The company supports a broad spectrum of causes, including education, environmental conservation, and community development, reflecting its commitment to sustainable philanthropy.

Learn more about the program here.

Halliburton

Halliburton, a leading provider of oilfield services, offers a payroll giving program designed to engage its workforce in charitable giving. Eligible employees can designate contributions to qualified nonprofits, with options to adjust donation amounts throughout the year. The minimum contribution is generally set at $10 per pay period.

Halliburton matches employee donations at varying rates depending on the nonprofit sector, often providing a 1:1 match. The company prioritizes causes related to education, health, and community welfare, aligning its giving programs with employee interests and corporate values.

Learn more about the program here.

Hewlett Packard

Hewlett Packard (HP), a major technology company with a significant presence in Houston, offers a comprehensive payroll giving program. Employees can contribute to eligible nonprofits through automatic payroll deductions, with no minimum contribution required. HP encourages participation by matching employee donations, typically at a 1:1 ratio, up to a set annual limit.

The program supports a wide range of charitable causes, including STEM education, environmental sustainability, and social equity initiatives. HP’s payroll giving program is integrated with other corporate philanthropy efforts, providing employees with multiple avenues to support their communities.

Learn more about the program here.

Microsoft

Microsoft, a global technology giant with offices in Houston, provides a robust payroll giving program for its employees. The program allows eligible staff to make recurring donations to nonprofits directly from their paychecks. Microsoft requires a minimum contribution of $10 per pay period and offers a generous matching gift program, often matching donations dollar-for-dollar.

The company’s philanthropic focus includes education, digital inclusion, and environmental stewardship. Microsoft’s payroll giving program is part of a broader workplace giving strategy that includes volunteer grants and other employee engagement initiatives.

Learn more about the program here.

Google

Google’s Houston office participates in the company’s global payroll giving program, enabling employees to support nonprofits through payroll deductions. Eligible employees can contribute any amount, with no minimum required, and Google matches donations at a 1:1 ratio up to a specified annual limit.

Google’s corporate giving priorities include education, technology access, and community development. The payroll giving program is complemented by matching gifts and volunteer grant opportunities, creating multiple channels for employee philanthropy.

Learn more about the program here.

Apple

Apple, with its expanding presence in Houston, offers a payroll giving program that encourages employees to contribute to charitable organizations. The program is open to all full-time employees, with flexible contribution options and no minimum donation amount. Apple matches employee donations, typically at a 1:1 ratio, up to a generous annual cap.

Apple’s philanthropic efforts focus on education, human rights, and environmental initiatives. The payroll giving program is integrated with other corporate social responsibility programs, providing employees with comprehensive giving options.

Learn more about the program here.

Honeywell

Honeywell, a diversified technology and manufacturing company headquartered in Houston, provides a payroll giving program for its employees. Eligible employees can make contributions to qualified nonprofits through payroll deductions, with minimum contributions generally starting at $5 per pay period.

Honeywell matches employee donations, often at a 1:1 ratio, up to a specified annual limit. The company supports a wide range of causes, including education, safety, and community development, reflecting its commitment to corporate citizenship.

Cisco

Cisco, a global leader in networking technology with operations in Houston, offers a payroll giving program that allows employees to donate to nonprofits directly from their paychecks. The program is available to full-time employees, with no minimum contribution required. Cisco matches employee donations at a 1:1 ratio, up to a generous annual limit.

The company’s philanthropic focus includes education, disaster relief, and technology access. Cisco’s payroll giving program is part of a comprehensive workplace giving strategy that encourages employee engagement and community impact.

Learn more about the program here.

Jacobs

Jacobs, a global provider of technical, professional, and construction services headquartered in Houston, offers a payroll giving program for its employees. Eligible staff can contribute to a variety of nonprofits through payroll deductions, with minimum contributions typically starting at $10 per pay period.

Jacobs matches employee donations, often dollar-for-dollar, up to an annual cap. The company supports causes related to education, environmental sustainability, and community development, aligning its giving programs with employee values and corporate goals.

Learn more about the program here.

Explore More Houston Payroll Donation Programs with a Workplace Giving Database

Beyond the well-known companies listed above, many other Houston-based and national corporations offer a variety of corporate philanthropy programs. These include payroll giving, matching gifts, volunteer grants, and volunteer time off (VTO) programs. Nonprofits seeking to maximize their fundraising potential should consider exploring these additional opportunities.

Workplace philanthropy databases, such as those provided by Double the Donation, serve as invaluable tools for nonprofits. These databases compile comprehensive information about companies offering payroll giving and other workplace giving programs, making it easier to identify potential corporate partners.

Key benefits of using a workplace giving database include:

Quickly searching for companies that offer payroll giving programs and other corporate philanthropy initiatives.
Accessing detailed information about eligibility, contribution minimums, matching gift ratios, and program restrictions.
Targeting companies and employees whose giving priorities align with the nonprofit’s mission.
Embedding a payroll giving plugin on your nonprofit’s website to help supporters check their eligibility and get started with donations.
Streamlining outreach and follow-up efforts with built-in insights, dashboards, and marketing templates.

By leveraging these databases, nonprofits can uncover hidden payroll giving opportunities and build stronger relationships with corporate donors. This strategic approach enhances fundraising efforts and fosters long-term corporate engagement.

Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts

Houston’s corporate landscape is rich with companies that actively support employee payroll giving programs. These initiatives provide nonprofits with a reliable source of recurring donations and often include matching gift components that significantly increase the impact of employee contributions. From municipal employers like the City of Houston to global corporations such as Chevron, Microsoft, and Apple, the city’s companies demonstrate a strong commitment to philanthropy.

Nonprofits can leverage these payroll giving programs to boost their fundraising efforts by understanding program details, eligibility requirements, and matching gift policies. Additionally, exploring workplace giving databases can reveal even more opportunities for engagement beyond the most prominent companies.

By tapping into Houston’s vibrant corporate giving culture, nonprofits can secure sustained support, deepen community impact, and build lasting partnerships that benefit both donors and recipients alike.

Discover How to Maximize Payroll Giving Revenue with Double the Donation

Double the Donation’s Payroll Giving Module empowers nonprofits and schools to unlock a powerful yet often underutilized source of recurring support—payroll donations. With minimal effort, your organization can identify eligible donors, notify them of their eligibility and next steps, and unlock new streams of sustained corporate giving revenue.

This module integrates seamlessly with Double the Donation’s Matching Gift and Volunteer Grant tools, completing your workplace giving strategy by turning a single piece of employment data into multiple revenue opportunities. With features like automatic payroll donation eligibility screening, an easy-to-use website plugin, and comprehensive dashboards, your nonprofit can streamline donor engagement and boost recurring donations.

To explore how your organization can grow payroll giving revenue and enhance corporate giving initiatives, learn how you can grow payroll giving revenue.

Top Chicago Companies that Offer Employee Payroll Giving

November 17, 2025/in Payroll Giving, Nonprofit Basics /by Adam Weinger

Chicago stands as a vibrant epicenter of commerce and culture in the United States, renowned for its dynamic economy and diverse corporate landscape. This bustling metropolis is home to a multitude of major companies that not only drive economic growth but also foster a culture of philanthropy through employee payroll giving programs. These initiatives empower employees to contribute directly to charitable causes via convenient payroll deductions, amplifying the impact of corporate social responsibility efforts.

As a city with a rich history of business innovation and community engagement, Chicago’s corporate sector plays a pivotal role in supporting local and national nonprofits. The presence of numerous Fortune 500 and Fortune 1000 companies headquartered or operating in the city creates fertile ground for workplace giving programs. These programs not only benefit the nonprofits receiving donations but also enhance employee satisfaction and community relations for the companies involved.

What to Know About Major Chicago Companies in the Corporate Giving Space
Companies in Chicago That Offer Payroll Giving Programs
Explore More Chicago Payroll Donation Programs with a Workplace Giving Database
Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts
Unlock the Potential of Payroll Giving with Double the Donation

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

Chicago’s significance as a major hub for business and nonprofits cannot be overstated. The city’s thriving economy and strategic location have attracted a wide array of industries, making it a magnet for corporate philanthropy. Many nonprofits choose Chicago as their base due to the strong presence of companies committed to social impact and community investment.

Key facts about Chicago’s corporate and nonprofit landscape include:

Chicago ranks as the third-largest city in the United States by population, underscoring its importance as a major urban center.
The city hosts over 30 Fortune 500 companies, reflecting its robust economic environment and corporate diversity.
More than 50 Fortune 1000 companies operate within Chicago, spanning industries such as technology, finance, manufacturing, healthcare, and retail.
Industries dominating the local economy include technology, finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services, all of which have strong traditions of corporate giving.
Chicago’s corporate philanthropy culture is deeply intertwined with its economic sectors, with many companies offering comprehensive workplace giving programs including payroll giving, matching gifts, volunteer grants, and more.
The city’s nonprofits benefit from this ecosystem by gaining access to a wide network of corporate donors and employee-driven fundraising initiatives.

Understanding this landscape is essential for nonprofits aiming to engage with Chicago-based companies. The city’s corporate giving culture offers numerous opportunities for nonprofits to increase donations and build lasting partnerships through payroll giving programs and other workplace philanthropy initiatives.

Chicago’s Economic and Philanthropic Influence

Chicago’s economy is one of the largest in the nation, with a gross metropolitan product exceeding $700 billion. This economic strength translates into significant philanthropic potential, as companies leverage their resources to support community development and social causes. The city’s strategic location as a transportation and logistics hub further enhances its appeal to multinational corporations, many of which incorporate payroll giving into their employee benefits packages.

Nonprofit Sector Synergy with Corporate Giving

The nonprofit sector in Chicago is extensive and diverse, ranging from arts and culture organizations to health and human services agencies. The synergy between nonprofits and corporations is fostered through workplace giving programs that encourage employee participation and corporate matching. This collaboration not only increases funding for nonprofits but also raises awareness of social issues among corporate employees.

Companies in Chicago That Offer Payroll Giving Programs

Many leading companies in Chicago have embraced payroll giving programs as a key component of their corporate social responsibility strategies. These programs allow employees to make charitable contributions directly from their paychecks, often with the added benefit of employer matching. Below, we explore some of the top Chicago-based companies offering payroll giving, detailing their programs and eligibility criteria.

Google

Google, a global leader in technology and innovation, maintains a significant presence in Chicago. Known for its commitment to social responsibility, Google offers a payroll giving program that enables employees to donate to eligible nonprofits through automatic paycheck deductions.

Eligibility for participation typically includes full-time employees, with no minimum contribution required, making it accessible to a broad range of staff. Google also matches employee donations, often at a 1:1 ratio, effectively doubling the impact of each gift. The company supports a wide variety of charitable organizations, with few restrictions on eligible nonprofits, encouraging diverse philanthropic engagement.

Learn more about the program here.

Apple

Apple, a pioneer in consumer electronics and software, operates a robust payroll giving program for its Chicago-based employees. The program allows employees to designate a portion of their salary to qualified nonprofits, fostering a culture of giving within the company.

Participation is open to all employees, with flexible contribution amounts and no mandatory minimum. Apple matches employee donations, typically dollar-for-dollar, up to a specified annual limit. The company emphasizes support for education, environmental causes, and community development, aligning its giving priorities with broader corporate values.

Learn more about the program here.

Microsoft

Microsoft’s Chicago operations include a comprehensive payroll giving program designed to encourage employee philanthropy. Employees can contribute to a wide range of nonprofits directly from their paychecks, with the option to adjust their giving amounts throughout the year.

Eligibility extends to full-time and part-time employees, with a minimum contribution threshold that is generally low to encourage participation. Microsoft matches employee donations, often at a 1:1 ratio, and occasionally offers enhanced matching during special campaigns. The program supports a broad spectrum of charitable causes, reflecting Microsoft’s commitment to global social impact.

Learn more about the program here.

SAP

SAP, a leader in enterprise software solutions, offers a payroll giving program to its Chicago workforce that facilitates easy and consistent charitable contributions. Employees can select from a curated list of nonprofits or suggest organizations aligned with SAP’s philanthropic goals.

The program is available to all employees, with no minimum donation required. SAP matches employee gifts, typically at a 1:1 ratio, and encourages participation through internal campaigns and recognition programs. The company prioritizes education, technology access, and sustainability in its giving initiatives.

Learn more about the program here.

Cisco

Cisco, a global technology conglomerate, supports employee payroll giving in Chicago as part of its broader corporate citizenship efforts. The program enables employees to contribute to eligible nonprofits via payroll deductions, with the added benefit of corporate matching.

All employees are eligible to participate, with flexible contribution options and no minimum amount. Cisco matches donations dollar-for-dollar up to an annual cap, enhancing the value of employee gifts. The company focuses on causes related to technology education, disaster relief, and community development.

Learn more about the program here.

Motorola Solutions

Motorola Solutions, a key player in communications technology, offers a payroll giving program to its Chicago employees that encourages ongoing charitable support. The program is designed to be user-friendly, allowing employees to set up recurring donations with ease.

Eligibility includes full-time employees, with no minimum contribution required. Motorola Solutions matches employee donations, typically at a 1:1 ratio, and occasionally increases matching during special initiatives. The company supports a wide range of nonprofits, including those focused on public safety and education.

Learn more about the program here.

Nike

Nike, a global leader in athletic footwear and apparel, extends its commitment to social responsibility through a payroll giving program for its Chicago-based employees. The program facilitates employee donations to nonprofits aligned with Nike’s values.

Participation is open to all employees, with flexible giving options and no minimum contribution. Nike matches employee donations, often dollar-for-dollar, up to a set annual limit. The company emphasizes support for youth programs, sports initiatives, and community health.

Learn more about the program here.

Abbott

Abbott, a healthcare and medical devices company headquartered in Chicago, offers a payroll giving program that enables employees to support health-related and other charitable causes. The program is integrated into the company’s broader employee engagement and wellness initiatives.

All employees are eligible to participate, with no minimum donation required. Abbott matches employee contributions, typically at a 1:1 ratio, and promotes the program through internal communications. The company prioritizes health, education, and community welfare in its philanthropic efforts.

Learn more about the program here.

Exelon Corporation

Exelon Corporation, a leading energy provider based in Chicago, supports employee payroll giving as part of its commitment to community investment. The program allows employees to contribute to a variety of nonprofits directly from their paychecks.

Eligibility includes full-time employees, with flexible contribution amounts and no minimum threshold. Exelon matches employee donations, usually dollar-for-dollar, and encourages participation through company-wide campaigns. The company focuses on environmental sustainability, education, and community development.

Learn more about the program here.

JLL

JLL, a global real estate services firm headquartered in Chicago, offers a payroll giving program that empowers employees to support charitable organizations of their choice. The program is part of JLL’s broader corporate social responsibility strategy.

All employees are eligible to participate, with no minimum donation required. JLL matches employee contributions, typically at a 1:1 ratio, and promotes the program through internal engagement efforts. The company supports causes related to housing, education, and community revitalization.

Learn more about the program here.

Explore More Chicago Payroll Donation Programs with a Workplace Giving Database

Beyond the well-known companies discussed above, many other organizations in Chicago and across the country offer a variety of corporate philanthropy programs. These include payroll giving, matching gifts, volunteer grants, and volunteer time off (VTO), all designed to encourage employee engagement and support for nonprofits.

Nonprofits seeking to maximize their fundraising potential should consider leveraging workplace philanthropy databases such as Double the Donation. These databases provide comprehensive, up-to-date information on companies offering payroll giving and other workplace giving programs, making it easier to identify and connect with potential corporate partners.

Benefits of Using a Workplace Giving Database

Quickly search for companies that offer payroll giving programs and other corporate philanthropy initiatives.
Identify eligibility criteria, matching gift ratios, and program restrictions to tailor outreach efforts effectively.
Discover lesser-known companies with generous giving programs that may align closely with your nonprofit’s mission.
Access detailed insights and data that help prioritize corporate engagement strategies and maximize fundraising outcomes.
Embed a user-friendly database plugin on your nonprofit’s payroll giving page, enabling supporters to check their eligibility and participate easily.

By utilizing such tools, nonprofits can uncover hidden opportunities within the corporate giving landscape, build stronger relationships with businesses, and ultimately increase the impact of their fundraising campaigns.

How to Integrate a Workplace Giving Database

Embedding a workplace giving database plugin on your website’s payroll giving page provides a seamless experience for donors. Supporters can instantly verify their eligibility for payroll giving and other corporate giving programs, receive guidance on next steps, and contribute with confidence.

This integration not only simplifies the donation process but also enhances donor engagement by providing personalized, actionable information. It empowers nonprofits to tap into a broader network of corporate philanthropy opportunities, driving sustained support and long-term partnerships.

Wrapping Up & Final Thoughts

Chicago’s corporate landscape offers a wealth of payroll giving initiatives that present significant opportunities for nonprofits to increase their funding and deepen community impact. The city’s major companies, spanning technology, healthcare, energy, and real estate sectors, have embraced payroll giving as a key element of their corporate social responsibility strategies.

By understanding the specific programs offered by companies such as Google, Apple, Microsoft, SAP, Cisco, Motorola Solutions, Nike, Abbott, Exelon Corporation, and JLL, nonprofits can tailor their engagement efforts to maximize donations and secure valuable matching gifts. These programs not only facilitate employee philanthropy but also amplify the reach and effectiveness of nonprofit fundraising campaigns.

Moreover, exploring additional payroll giving opportunities through workplace philanthropy databases can uncover even more avenues for support. Nonprofits are encouraged to leverage these resources to identify and connect with companies that align with their mission, thereby expanding their donor base and enhancing their impact.

Taking proactive steps to engage with Chicago’s corporate giving culture can lead to sustained revenue growth and stronger community partnerships, ultimately advancing the mission of nonprofits and enriching the lives of those they serve.

Unlock the Potential of Payroll Giving with Double the Donation

With Double the Donation’s full suite of tools, your organization can uncover payroll giving eligibility automatically through supporter employment data, provide donors with clear, actionable next steps through a website plugin, and streamline follow-up with in-platform insights, dashboards, and built-in marketing templates. This drives recurring donations that lead to longer-term corporate engagement and sponsorships.

Key features and benefits include:

Payroll Donation Data in Database: Instantly identify companies offering payroll giving, matching gifts, and volunteer grants—no more manual research.
Payroll Giving Plugin for Your Website: Embed a simple, intuitive tool on your site that helps donors check eligibility and get started.
Payroll Essentials Dashboard: Whenever a donor enters your system, we automatically screen for payroll giving opportunities, flag them, and help you take action.
Resources Tab: Access ready-to-use templates for emails, social posts, and website copy to boost your payroll giving promotion with ease.