Payroll giving (also called automatic payroll deductions or Give As You Earn) allows employees to donate a portion of their salary to nonprofit organizations directly through paycheck deductions. This method provides a recurring, automated way for donors to give, making it easier for employees to contribute regularly. For nonprofits, payroll giving offers a steady stream of funding and strengthens connections with corporate partners who support workplace giving programs. It’s a simple, consistent, and effective way to engage donors year-round.
UNDERSTANDING PAYROLL GIVING
What is payroll giving?
How does payroll giving work?
Do companies match payroll donations?
PROMOTING & LEVERAGING PAYROLL GIVING
How do payroll giving programs help with our fundraising goals?
Payroll giving offers a steady, predictable revenue stream for your nonprofit, reducing reliance on one-time fundraising events or campaigns. Since donations are recurring and automated, you can lower administrative costs while building deeper donor relationships.
Payroll giving donors tend to have higher retention rates, giving you a more loyal donor base. As donations become a regular habit, you can expand engagement by upselling other giving opportunities or engaging donors’ employers in broader corporate giving programs.
Should we nurture payroll giving donors?
Absolutely! Payroll giving donors, even though the process is automated, are often among your most dedicated supporters. Using tools like Double the Donation’s search, you can track other corporate giving programs their employer offers. This allows you to personalize outreach, letting donors know about additional opportunities like matching gifts. By recognizing their commitment, you’ll build stronger relationships and increase the likelihood that donors will continue or even increase their contributions over time.
How can we make payroll giving a part of our year-end fundraising push?
Payroll giving can be a great complement to year-end fundraising efforts, especially since many companies have December 31 deadlines for matching payroll donations. Use this to create a sense of urgency by reminding donors to start or increase their payroll contributions before the year ends. If your supporters’ employers offer matching, consider highlighting this benefit in your year-end campaigns to boost giving. Combining payroll giving with matching gifts can significantly amplify your fundraising efforts at the close of the year.
How can we increase participation in payroll giving across our donor base?
Raising awareness is key to increasing participation in payroll giving. Many donors may not know their company offers this benefit, so add an employer lookup tool (like Double the Donation’s) to your donation forms and supporter portals. Make it easy for donors to see if they qualify. By using Double the Donation’s payroll donation insights, your nonprofit can uncover opportunities and encourage more people to participate. Highlight the potential tax benefits and matching gift opportunities to motivate donors to give through payroll.
How do we make sure our nonprofit supporters understand the benefits of payroll giving?
Clear communication is essential for educating your supporters about payroll giving. Start by creating a dedicated payroll giving page that explains the tax benefits, ease of enrollment, and the potential for company matching. Use real examples to show how small deductions can add up (e.g., $5 per paycheck = $130/year + match = $260!), and include FAQs to address common concerns (e.g. “Can I change or cancel?” “Is it pre-tax?”).
You can also add a payroll gift lookup tool like Double the Donation to your website to help donors instantly check if their company participates. You can also use and customize DTD’s marketing templates to create visuals, infographics or decision flows to make the process even easier to understand.
PAYROLL GIVING WORKFLOWS
How do we get payroll donations at our nonprofit?
To start receiving payroll donations:
- Register your nonprofit with common payroll giving platforms that your donors’ employers use.
- Once registered, promote payroll giving to your current donor base and encourage them to either ask their employer about the program or enroll through their workplace system.
- You can also embed eligibility lookup tools like Double the Donation on your donation forms or supporter portal to easily convert regular donors into payroll givers.
- Finally, collaborate with corporate partners and HR/CSR teams to encourage them to adopt or expand payroll giving options that include your nonprofit.
How do we track payroll giving eligibility and donations across multiple companies?
To track payroll giving eligibility and donations across multiple companies, use a workplace giving database like Double the Donation, which associates employer names with payroll giving programs. This gives you visibility into which of your recent donors are eligible for payroll giving, helping you identify new revenue opportunities and engage these donors in meaningful ways. With easy access to your donor data, you can automatically track donations and identify those eligible for workplace giving programs.
How can we integrate payroll giving with our nonprofit’s existing corporate giving programs?
Treat payroll giving as a complementary channel alongside your nonprofit’s other corporate giving programs, like matching gifts, volunteer grants, and in-kind donations. Use a platform like Double the Donation to display all workplace giving opportunities (payroll giving, matching gifts, volunteer grants) to your supporters in one place. You can cross-promote these programs in your communications, encouraging donors to “double your impact” by pairing payroll giving with matching gifts, especially if their employer offers a match.
How can we figure out which of our donors’ employers offers payroll giving?
Start by using a workplace giving database like Double the Donation to automatically flag donors whose employers offer payroll giving programs. You can also directly ask donors for their employer information through surveys or emails and inquire if their company participates in payroll giving. With Double the Donation’s platform, you can embed an employer lookup tool in your donor portal or forms so supporters can check their eligibility themselves. Lastly, review CSR reports or employer giving disclosures to find payroll giving opportunities in your local area.
What’s the best way to communicate the impact of payroll giving to supporters?
To communicate the impact of payroll giving, frame it in terms of cumulative contributions. Show donors how small, regular deductions add up over time (e.g., $5 per paycheck x 24 = $120/year + match = $240 for our cause). Use real donor stories and testimonials to showcase the difference payroll giving makes in your programs. Through platforms like Double the Donation, you can also use and customize templates to create infographics and visualize your donors’ growing impact. Lastly, emphasize the flexibility of payroll giving (i.e. donors can increase, pause, or cancel their contributions at any time), ensuring your supporters feel in control.
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