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Imagine this: You bake a dozen cookies for a bake sale, and a friend says, “I’ll match whatever you sell—double the cookies, double the money!” Suddenly, your impact skyrockets without extra effort.

That’s exactly how matching gift programs work for nonprofits—except instead of cookies, it’s donations. Billions of dollars in matching funds go unclaimed every year simply because donors (and nonprofits!) don’t know they exist or how to use them.

The good news? Tapping into these programs is easier than you think. Here’s how to turn “Thanks for donating!” into “Your gift just doubled!”—and boost your fundraising without begging for more money.

1. What Are Matching Gift Programs? (And Why You’re Missing Out)

The Basics:
Many companies (like Microsoft, Disney, and Starbucks) match employee donations to nonprofits, often dollar-for-dollar. Example:

Donor gives $100 → Their employer matches $100 → Your org gets $200.

The Problem:
$4–7 billion in matching funds goes unclaimed annually (according to Double the Donation).

78% of donors don’t know if their employer offers matching (NonProfit PRO).

💡 Translation: You’re leaving free money on the table. Let’s fix that.

2. How to Unlock Matching Gifts: 6 Actionable Steps

Partner With Local Businesses

Why it works: Small/medium businesses often have matching programs but don’t promote them.

How to do it:

• Research companies in your area (start with banks, tech firms, and community-minded brands).
• Reach out to HR or CSR teams with a pitch like:
  “We’d love to highlight your matching gift program to our donors—it’s a win for your employees, your brand, and our cause!”

📌 Pro Tip: Offer to recognize them in your newsletter or social media as a “Community Partner.”

Promote Matching Opportunities (Everywhere!)

Donors can’t claim what they don’t know exists.

Where to shout about it:

• Email campaigns: Add a bold P.S.: “Did you know your gift could double? Check with your employer!”
• Social media: Post a carousel like: “Tag your company—do they match gifts?”
• Donation receipts: Include a link to search for matching programs.

🎯 Example:  Charity:Water’s donation page says: “Over 26,000 companies match gifts—could yours?”

Add Matching Gift Info to Donation Pages

Make it impossible to miss:

Embed a matching gift search tool (like Double the Donation’s plugin).

Include a short explainer video or GIF (e.g., “See how Jane doubled her $50 gift!”).

🚨 Avoid: Hiding matching info in a footer or FAQ. Put it where donors are giving.

Create a List of Participating Employers

Why it helps: Donors are more likely to check if you name-drop their company.

How to do it:

• Compile a list of top employers in your area (or national brands).
• Add it to your website: “These companies match gifts—is yours on the list?”
• Update it annually (HR policies change!).

Follow Up After Donations

Timing matters: Send a friendly reminder 2–3 days post-donation.
Sample email subject lines:

“Psst… Your gift could go twice as far!”
“Did you know [Company] might match your donation?”

📧 Template:

“Hi [Name], Thanks again for your generous gift of $[Amount]! Many employers match donations—click here to check if yours does (it takes <2 minutes!). Let us know if you need help!”

Celebrate Matching Donors

Positive reinforcement = more matches.

Ways to recognize them:

• Feature them in a “Donor Spotlight”: “Meet Sarah—her $50 gift became $100!”
• Send a handwritten thank-you: “You’re a matching gift rockstar!”
• Share stats: “Together, matching donors raised $XX,000 this year!”

🏆 Bonus: Thank the companies too—they’ll promote it to employees.

Real-World Success: How One Nonprofit 2X’d Donations

The Challenge: A small animal shelter averaged $5K/month in donations—but knew matches could double it.

Their Strategy:

• Added a matching gift search tool to their donation page.
• Sent 1 follow-up email to donors with a direct link to check eligibility.
• Featured “Matched Donor of the Month” on Instagram.

The Result: $12K/month (+140%) within 6 months—with zero extra fundraising effort.

Common Myths (Debunked)

❌ “Only huge corporations match gifts.”
✅ Truth: 65% of Fortune 500 companies + thousands of small businesses do.

❌ “It’s too much admin work.”
✅ Truth: Tools like 360MatchPro automate 80% of the process.

❌ “Donors don’t care.”
✅ Truth: 84% are more likely to donate if matching is offered (NextAfter).

Your Action Plan: Start Today

• Add a matching gift search tool to your website
• Promote matches in your next email/social post.
• Follow up with 5 recent donors this week.

💡 Need Help? Book a free strategy call—we’ll help you set up a matching gift system in days.

Matching Gifts Are the Easiest Money You’ll Ever Raise

You wouldn’t ignore a “Buy 1, Get 1 Free” deal at the store. So why miss out on free donation matches? With a little hustle (and these tips), you could unlock thousands—or millions—in extra funding.

Ready to double your impact? Start today. Your mission (and budget) will thank you. 🚀

P.S. Know a nonprofit pro who’s leaving money on the table? Share this with them! #MatchingGifts #NonprofitTips #Fundraising