Corporate Matching-Gift Programs Make a Difference in Your Fundraising

If I were to ask every single nonprofit out there whether or not their organization participates in corporate matching-gift programs, I bet the odds would be very slim. The fact is that corporate partnerships present nonprofits with an exceptional way to increase their fundraising—because, believe it or not, for-profit companies do want to be a part of the social good movement.

NP Source reports that 90 percent of for-profit companies indicated that partnering with reputable nonprofits enhances their brand and 89 percent believe that partnering with nonprofits leverages their ability to improve the community.

A Corporate Partnership

A nonprofit’s revenue comes from four main sources: individuals, foundations, the government and corporations. According to “Giving USA 2018,” giving by corporations increased to $20.77 billion in 2017, an 8 percent increase from 2016.

There are two big ways that for-profit companies can partner with nonprofits: corporate sponsorships and matching-gift programs. CauseVox says that corporate sponsorships allow for-profit companies to donate money, materials or products to support a nonprofit in exchange for recognition. However, matching-gift programs allow not only for the company to be a part of the nonprofit, but their employees as well.

Corporate Matching-Gift Programs

There are many companies out there who offer their employees a gift-matching option, which means that the company will match whatever amount the employee decides to donate (in most cases, up to a certain amount). In fact, over 65 percent of Fortune 500 companies offer matching-gift programs.

This is a benefit that should be reaped in overall fundraising strategies—but especially in peer-to-peer fundraising strategies. It gets the donor involved and their employer involved, enabling a substantial boost in fundraising revenue. Unfortunately, not enough nonprofits are reaping this benefit. In NonProfit PRO’s “2018 Peer-to-Peer Fundraising Study,” we found that 40 percent of nonprofits aren’t asking their donors if they are eligible for corporate gift matching through their employer.

By taking that extra step and ask your donors if their employer offers a matching-gift program, your nonprofit would benefit from an additional revenue stream—one that could make all the difference toward its mission.

In 2019, it’s important to ensure that your nonprofit is taking the fundamental steps to get the most of corporate partnerships. As the social sector grows, the for-profit’s interest in being a part of the movement will grow as well. Make sure your nonprofit is out there finding companies that offer opportunities for corporate partnership and build off that relationship to not only grow your nonprofit’s revenue, but also its reputation within the for-profit sector.