Employers in Minneapolis, Minnesota, that Match Donations

Minneapolis, often called the “City of Lakes,” is the economic engine of the Upper Midwest. With a GDP estimated at around $200 billion and one of the highest concentrations of Fortune 500 headquarters per capita in the United States, the Twin Cities region offers a fertile landscape for nonprofit fundraising. Many of these corporations have woven philanthropy into their company culture, offering robust employee matching gift and volunteer grant programs.

If a nonprofit has donors working for any of these companies, their donations could be doubled or even tripled. Yet, billions of dollars in matching gift funds go unclaimed every year simply because donors are unaware of the benefits available to them.

Check out this comprehensive list of companies in the Minneapolis area that have some of the best matching gift programs in the nation.

Retail and Consumer Goods Powerhouses

Minneapolis is arguably the retail capital of the Midwest, hosting the headquarters of some of the world’s most recognizable consumer brands. These companies employ tens of thousands of locals and have structured giving programs designed to support the communities where their team members live.

Target Corporation

As one of the largest employers in downtown Minneapolis, Target is synonymous with the city itself. While their program has evolved over the years, their commitment to community support remains a core pillar of their corporate identity. They utilize a platform often referred to as “Target Givers” to manage employee engagement.

Program Type: Volunteer Grants and Employee Giving.
Volunteer Grants: Target offers a competitive volunteer grant program where eligible employees can earn grants for the nonprofits they serve. The rate is generally calculated at $10 per hour.
Eligibility: Most 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible to receive these funds, provided they meet Target’s non-discrimination policies.

For nonprofits, the key with Target is volume. Because they employ so many people in the region, even a small percentage of Target employees volunteering at your organization can add up to significant revenue. Encourage your volunteers to log their hours in the internal portal, as the threshold for earning a grant is relatively low compared to other major corporations.

Read more about Target’s matching gift program.

Best Buy

Headquartered in nearby Richfield but deeply integrated into the Minneapolis economy, Best Buy offers a unique matching program that rewards both financial contributions and volunteer time. Their program is designed to be accessible to both full-time and part-time employees.

Match Ratio: 0.4:1 (Matches 40% of the donation).
Match Limits: Matches up to $3,000 annually.
Volunteer Grants: Best Buy offers generous volunteer grants. For every 10 hours volunteered, an employee can earn a $100 grant for the nonprofit.

While the 40% match ratio for cash gifts is lower than the standard 1:1, the volunteer grant program is exceptional. The 10-hour threshold is very achievable for regular volunteers. If you have a Best Buy employee who helps out once a month, they will likely qualify for multiple $100 grants throughout the year, making them highly valuable supporters.

Read more about Best Buy’s matching gift program.

General Mills

Headquartered in Golden Valley, General Mills is a global food giant with a massive philanthropic footprint. They have a long-standing commitment to strengthening their local communities through the General Mills Foundation, with a specific focus on food security and sustainable agriculture.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $1,000 per employee, per year (limits may vary by employment level).
Eligibility: Most 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible.

General Mills makes it easy for employees to give. Their program is well-publicized internally, so a simple reminder to these donors is often all that is needed to trigger a match request. Nonprofits working in hunger relief often find General Mills to be a particularly eager partner, given the alignment with the company’s corporate mission.

Read more about the General Mills matching gift program.

Hormel Foods

While historically associated with Austin, Minnesota, Hormel has a significant impact on the entire Twin Cities region. Their matching gift program is tiered, offering different benefits depending on the type of organization receiving the funds.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $1,000 per year per employee for general nonprofits.
Education Bonus: Employees can donate significantly higher amounts to colleges and universities (up to $10,000 or more in some instances) and have the gift matched.

The distinction regarding educational institutions is vital for university fundraisers. If you represent a higher education institution, Hormel employees should be near the top of your prospect list due to this higher cap on educational giving. Always check the specific guidelines for the current year, as these caps can shift based on corporate performance.

Read more about Hormel’s matching gift program.

Healthcare and Medical Technology Leaders

Minnesota’s “Medical Alley” is home to some of the world’s most advanced healthcare and medical device companies. These organizations are often the most generous matching gift sponsors in the state, offering high caps and broad eligibility.

UnitedHealth Group

As one of the largest companies in the world by revenue, UnitedHealth Group has the resources to make a massive impact. Their “United for Giving” program is a model of corporate benevolence, offering one of the highest match caps in the entire industry.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $15,000 per employee, per year.
Volunteer Grants: They offer a “Dollars for Doers” grant of $10 per hour, up to $500 annually.
Accessibility: The match is available year-round, 365 days a year.

The $15,000 cap is the headline here. This means a mid-level donor at UnitedHealth Group has the potential to become a major donor for your organization instantly. If you are running a capital campaign, identifying UnitedHealth Group employees is essential, as their matching capacity far exceeds that of most other donors.

Medtronic

With operational headquarters in Fridley, Medtronic is a massive player in the local economy. As a leader in medical technology, their philanthropic efforts are among the most generous in the corporate world, supporting a vast array of health and human service organizations.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $50,000 per year for some employees, though standard limits are often around $5,000.
Volunteer Grants: Medtronic is famous for generous volunteer grants, often providing substantial grants after an employee volunteers for 25 hours.

The volunteer grant program at Medtronic is one of the most accessible in the region. The threshold of 25 hours is achievable for many regular volunteers, making this a reliable source of revenue for organizations that rely on volunteer labor. Furthermore, their incredibly high match cap for executives makes them prime targets for board recruitment.

Read more about Medtronic’s matching gift program.

Banking and Financial Services

Minneapolis is the financial hub of the Midwest, hosting major banks and wealth management firms that understand the value of financial leverage in philanthropy. These companies often view matching gifts as a way to invest in the economic health of their community.

U.S. Bancorp (U.S. Bank)

U.S. Bank is a pillar of downtown Minneapolis. Their “Community Possible” platform focuses on work, home, and play, and they back this up with a very active employee engagement program that encourages staff to get involved locally.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $1,000 – $3,000 annually, depending on the specific program year.
Volunteer Grants: The company offers a “Dollars for Doers” program that pays nonprofits approximately $5 per hour an employee spends volunteering.

Volunteer grants are a fantastic way to monetize volunteer time. If you have U.S. Bank employees serving on your board or organizing your events, ensure they are logging their hours. Those hours can translate into unrestricted checks for your organization, effectively paying you for the help they are already providing.

Read more about the U.S. Bancorp matching gift program.

Ameriprise Financial

Ameriprise Financial is another major downtown employer with a strong reputation for giving. They focus on meeting basic needs, community vitality, and volunteerism, often running specific campaigns to drive employee participation.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $1,500 annually per employee.
Annual Campaign: During their annual giving campaign, they often offer special incentives or increased matching opportunities.

Timing your appeals to coincide with the Ameriprise annual giving campaign can yield higher results. When the company is internally promoting philanthropy, employees are primed to give, and your request will land on receptive ears. Their system is also very user-friendly, reducing friction for the donor.

Thrivent Financial

Thrivent is a not-for-profit financial services organization with a unique structure based on Christian values. Their “Thrivent Choice” program allows eligible members to direct where Thrivent distributes some of its charitable grant funds.

Program: Thrivent Choice Dollars.
Impact: Members can direct “Choice Dollars” to enrolled nonprofits.
Gift Matching: They also offer traditional gift matching for employees.

Because Thrivent is member-owned, its program extends beyond just employees to their clients as well. Asking donors if they are Thrivent members can unlock “Choice Dollars” that cost the donor nothing but provide your nonprofit with significant funding. This is a rare example where you should ask your entire donor base, not just those employed by the company.

Read more about Thrivent’s matching gift program.

Securian Financial

Based in St. Paul but employing residents from across the Twin Cities metro, Securian Financial is a stalwart of the insurance and investment sector. Their foundation is highly active and encourages associates to support a wide range of nonprofits.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $2,000 per employee, per year.
Minimum Gift: The minimum gift eligible for a match is usually $25.

With a $2,000 cap, Securian offers double the matching capacity of many other standard programs. This makes their employees particularly valuable for mid-level giving campaigns. Their program generally covers arts, education, and social services, making it broadly applicable to most fundraising organizations.

Read more about Securian’s matching gift program.

Industry, Innovation, and Utilities

Beyond retail and finance, Minneapolis has a deep industrial base. These companies, ranging from chemical manufacturing to energy utilities, offer some of the most consistent and reliable matching programs.

3M

Technically headquartered in Maplewood, 3M is an inseparable part of the Twin Cities corporate landscape. Known for innovation, their giving programs are equally forward-thinking, supporting education and community vitality.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $1,000 per year.
Volunteer Grants: 3M offers a generous volunteer match program where eligible employees and retirees can earn grants for their time.
Retiree Eligibility: Uniquely, 3M has a very active retiree giving program.

The inclusion of retirees is a massive benefit for nonprofits. 3M has a large population of retired workers in the Twin Cities area who are often looking for ways to stay connected to their community. Unlike current employees who are busy with work, retirees often have more time to volunteer and give, making them a “hidden gem” demographic for matching gifts.

Read more about 3M’s matching gift program.

Ecolab

Ecolab creates fluid handling systems and hygiene products, and its foundation is deeply committed to the communities where its employees work. Their program is notable for its inclusivity regarding family members.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches contributions up to $1,000 annually.
Volunteer Bonus: The Foundation donates substantial grants to eligible nonprofits where an employee has volunteered significant hours.
Family Inclusion: In some program years, time that a spouse or dependent of an Ecolab employee volunteers counts toward the threshold.

The inclusion of spouses and dependents is a rare and valuable benefit. This means that if a teenager volunteers at your animal shelter and their parent works for Ecolab, those volunteer hours could still result in a grant for your nonprofit. This effectively triples your pool of potential “match-eligible” volunteers.

Read more about Ecolab’s matching gift program.

Xcel Energy

As the major utility provider in the region, Xcel Energy supports the communities they power. Their matching gift program allows employees to double their support for the causes they care about, with specific tiers for different types of organizations.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $750 for general nonprofits and up to $2,000 for higher education institutions.
Volunteer Grants: They also offer grants based on team volunteer projects.

Utility companies like Xcel often have stable, long-term workforces with low turnover. Engaging these donors can lead to years of sustained giving and matching, providing a predictable revenue stream for your annual fund. While the cap for general nonprofits is lower, the stability of the workforce makes up for it in longevity.

Read more about Xcel Energy’s matching gift program.

3 Strategies to Maximize Minneapolis Matches

Simply knowing that companies like General Mills and Medtronic match gifts is not enough. You must actively help your donors complete the process. The passive approach—waiting for donors to submit requests on their own—results in thousands of dollars left on the table. Here are three active strategies to boost your matching gift revenue.

1. Update Your Ways to Give Page

Your website is your 24/7 fundraiser. Ensure that your “Ways to Give” or “Donate” page includes a dedicated section for matching gifts. Donors often don’t think about their employer benefits while they are in the middle of making a personal donation.

Action: Add a blurb that says, “Do you work for a company like U.S. Bank, Medtronic, Target, or General Mills? Your gift could be doubled!”
Tool: Consider embedding a matching gift search tool that allows donors to type in their employer’s name and immediately access the forms they need.

By naming specific local employers, you catch the eye of the donor. Seeing their own employer’s name creates a moment of recognition that encourages them to investigate further. It moves the concept of matching gifts from abstract to personal.

2. The “September Surge” Appeal

Many companies in Minneapolis launch their internal employee giving campaigns in the fall (September and October). This is when HR departments are actively reminding employees to donate and logging into their corporate portals.

Action: Send a specific email appeal in late September, reminding donors to pledge to your organization through their workplace giving portal.
Script: “As the General Mills employee giving campaign begins, please remember that you can designate [Nonprofit Name] as your charity of choice.”

Riding the wave of the company’s internal marketing saves you effort. The company is already spending money to tell them to give. You just need to tell them who to give to. This is the path of least resistance for the donor.

3. Screen Your Donor List for Retroactive Matches

You likely have match-eligible donors in your database right now who have never submitted a match request. Most companies allow employees to request matches for donations made in the last 6 to 12 months.

Action: Look at the email addresses of your past donors. Sort them by domain name (e.g., @generalmills.com, @medtronic.com, @hormel.com, @target.com, @bestbuy.com).
Outreach: Send a personal note to these donors thanking them for their past support and providing the direct link to their company’s matching portal.

This “retroactive match” strategy can uncover thousands of dollars in unclaimed funds from donations that were already made. It is high-yield fundraising with very low cost, as you are not asking the donor for *new* money, but simply to help you claim money that is already available.

Conclusion

Minneapolis is more than just a business hub. It is a community that cares. Companies like Target, Hormel, and U.S. Bank have put the mechanisms in place to support your nonprofit, but they rely on their employees to initiate the process.

For development directors and fundraising professionals in the Twin Cities, understanding these programs is not just a bonus—it is a requirement for maximizing revenue. By educating your donors, streamlining the submission process, and identifying the hidden opportunities within your existing database, you can tap into these corporate philanthropy budgets and drive your mission forward.

Don’t leave this money on the table. Start identifying your corporate donors today and turn your local business community into your strongest partner.

Ready to learn more about corporate giving? Check out these recommended resources:

Corporate Giving Statistics: Understand the trends shaping the future of fundraising.
Top Matching Gift Companies: See who the national leaders are in employee matching.
Volunteer Grant Basics: A complete guide to turning volunteer hours into cash.