Year-End Matching Gift Guide: Double Your December Donations
Explore how matching gifts can significantly enhance year-end donations, especially in December, and learn effective strategies to maximize impact.
Did you know that 30% of annual donations happen in December, with 10% occurring in the last three days? Matching gifts are a simple way to double your impact during this critical time. Many companies match employee donations dollar-for-dollar, and nonprofits can see a 30% boost in revenue by promoting these programs effectively.
Key Takeaways:
- What are Matching Gifts? Companies match employee donations, typically 1:1, for eligible nonprofits.
- Why Now? Most matching gift deadlines fall on December 31st, creating urgency.
- How to Maximize Donations: Use tools like HelpYouSponsor to simplify the process and remind donors about matching opportunities.
Act now to make the most of this year-end giving season and help nonprofits achieve their goals.
Using Matching Gifts to Increase Year End Giving
What Are Matching Gifts and How Do They Work?
Matching gifts are a type of corporate giving where companies match their employees' charitable donations, usually dollar-for-dollar. This means individual contributions can have double the impact, especially during the December giving season.
How Matching Gift Programs Work
These programs generally follow a simple process: an employee donates to a nonprofit, submits a matching request to their employer, and the company verifies and processes the match.
Companies often set specific rules for their matching gift programs, such as:
| Program Element | Common Requirements |
|---|---|
| Match Ratio | 1:1 (most typical setup) |
| Annual Limits | Varies depending on company |
| Deadlines | Often December 31st |
| Eligible Organizations | 501(c)(3) nonprofits |
| Documentation | Proof of donation required |
Knowing how these programs function is just the start - making the most of them takes thoughtful planning and execution.
Why Matching Gifts Boost Fundraising
Nonprofits can see a 30% increase in revenue when they incorporate matching gift strategies into their fundraising efforts. This growth comes from effectively promoting and integrating matching gift opportunities.
For example, Save the Boundary Waters uses targeted communication tools like personalized emails and digital newsletters to raise awareness and encourage participation among their donors.
December is a key time for matching gifts since many companies set year-end deadlines for submissions. This urgency motivates donors to act fast. The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society takes advantage of this by highlighting matching gift opportunities prominently on their donation forms, ensuring donors don’t miss out.
Corporate matching gifts benefit everyone involved: nonprofits receive extra funding, employees see their contributions doubled, and companies enhance their community impact while engaging their workforce.
Steps to Run a Successful Year-End Matching Gift Campaign
Integrating Matching Gifts into Holiday Campaigns
Did you know that December accounts for 30% of nonprofit giving, with 10% of annual donations happening in the last three days of the year? This makes it the perfect time to include matching gifts in your holiday campaigns. Timing and clear messaging are everything.
Most matching gift deadlines fall on December 31st, creating a natural sense of urgency. To make the most of this, start your campaign early to allow for processing, emphasize the opportunity for donors to double their impact, and send reminders as the year winds down.
Once your campaign is ready, focus on spreading the word to ensure your donors know about these opportunities and feel motivated to take part.
Sharing Matching Gift Opportunities with Donors
Offering a match can increase donor participation significantly - donors are 84% more likely to give and contribute more when a match is available. The easier the process, the better. Use tools or platforms that help donors quickly check their eligibility and submit matching gift requests.
Combining corporate and major donor matching strategies can yield impressive results. For example, UWC-USA saw a 30% revenue increase by employing this approach.
While engaging donors is crucial, don’t overlook the value of building strong relationships with companies to expand your campaign’s reach.
Working with Companies to Maximize Matching Gifts
For organizations like child sponsorship nonprofits, forming corporate partnerships can provide long-term support for programs like education and healthcare. A focused approach can make all the difference:
- Identify local businesses with matching gift programs.
- Engage corporate giving officers with regular communication and updates on the impact of their contributions.
- Simplify the process with automated systems and clear instructions.
Children International's success highlights the importance of tracking efforts, maintaining consistent engagement, and streamlining processes. This strategy not only boosts participation but also reduces the administrative workload for both nonprofits and corporate partners.
sbb-itb-a630d3d
Tools to Manage and Simplify Matching Gifts
Nonprofits can use specialized tools to make managing matching gift campaigns easier while boosting donor participation.
HelpYouSponsor: Software for Child Sponsorship Programs
HelpYouSponsor provides solutions specifically designed for child sponsorship nonprofits. This platform helps manage matching gift campaigns effectively, ensuring vital programs like education and healthcare receive extra support, especially during the holiday season. With flexible pricing, it’s accessible to organizations of various sizes.
Key features include:
- Donor and sponsorship tracking
- Campaign analytics
- Automated communications
- Integration with existing fundraising systems
Other Platforms for Managing Matching Gifts
Tools like Double the Donation and 360MatchPro simplify the process of managing matching gifts. These platforms help nonprofits recover unclaimed matching gift funds by automating outreach and streamlining submission processes.
Some standout features include:
| Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Company Database | Access to major corporate matching gift programs |
| Automated Solutions | Identifies donors and sends follow-up communications |
| Analytics | Tracks campaign performance and generates reports |
| Integration Options | Works with existing fundraising tools |
To get the most out of these tools, nonprofits should prioritize gathering donor employment details during the donation process and maintain consistent follow-ups. By using these platforms, nonprofits can ensure they capitalize on every matching gift opportunity, amplifying their impact during key fundraising seasons.
Tips for Promoting and Using Matching Gifts Effectively
Creating Clear Messaging for Donors
Clear, focused communication is key when promoting matching gifts, especially during December when donations peak. Nonprofits should emphasize these core elements in their messaging:
| Message Component | Purpose | Example Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Value Proposition & Process | Explain the impact and how it works | "Your $100 donation becomes $200 through employer matching. Check eligibility → Submit form → We handle the rest." |
| Deadline Urgency | Encourage action with time limits | "Submit by December 31st to double your 2024 impact." |
Incorporate specific program results to help donors see how their matched contributions make a difference. While clear messaging gets donors involved, maintaining strong relationships ensures they stay engaged with your matching gift program over time.
Building Strong Relationships with Donors
Tailor follow-up strategies to address different donor groups:
| Donor Type | Communication Strategy | Timing |
|---|---|---|
| First-time Donors | Welcome series with matching gift details | Immediately after donation |
| Regular Donors | Quarterly updates with matching opportunities | Quarterly |
| Corporate Employees | Company-specific reminders about matching programs | Monthly |
A year-round engagement plan can include:
- Regular Impact Updates: Share stories showing how matched donations support your mission.
- Donor Recognition: Highlight donors whose employers matched their contributions.
- Educational Content: Provide easy-to-follow instructions for matching gift programs tied to major employers in your donor base.
Tools like HelpYouSponsor simplify personalized messaging and follow-ups, helping you connect with donors and promote matching gifts. Use employment data collected during the donation process to customize outreach and emphasize matching opportunities.
For workplace giving campaigns, partner with companies to include matching gift details in their employee giving programs.
Conclusion: Use Matching Gifts to Increase December Donations
Nonprofits can boost year-end donations by using matching gift campaigns effectively. Studies show that 84% of donors are more likely to contribute when a match is available. This makes matching gifts an excellent way to encourage larger contributions during the holiday season.
Real-world examples show how clear systems and easy-to-use processes make a difference. By helping donors quickly check their eligibility and simplifying the steps to submit a match, organizations can ensure funds are directed to the right programs. The goal? Make it easy for donors while highlighting the chance to double their impact.
To make the most of matching gifts, focus on these key actions:
- Simplify the process: Make it quick and easy for donors to verify eligibility and submit requests.
- Communicate clearly: Keep donors informed with consistent updates throughout December.
- Follow up: Track matching opportunities and remind donors as deadlines near.
- Collaborate with companies: Work with businesses to make matching procedures efficient.
