Ways to Support Our Work & Mission

Employer matching gift programs are a form of philanthropy in which companies financially match donations that their employees make to nonprofit organizations. When an employee makes a donation, they can request a matching gift from their employer, who then makes their own donation to the same nonprofit, effectively doubling the contribution. Here are the typical steps involved in obtaining employer matching for nonprofits or charities:

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1. Check Eligibility: Employees should first check if their company has a matching gift program and confirm the nonprofit's eligibility under their employer’s guidelines.

2. Make a Donation: The employee donates to the nonprofit organization of their choice.

3. Obtain a Matching Gift Form: This can usually be done through the company’s human resources or corporate social responsibility department. Some companies also have online portals where forms can be filled out.

4. Submit the Form: The employee submits the matching gift form, which may be a paper form or an electronic submission, to their employer along with proof of their donation.

5. Employer Verification: The employer verifies the donation with the nonprofit, ensuring it matches their criteria for matching gifts.

6. Employer Makes the Matching Donation: Once verified, the company makes its own donation to the nonprofit, matching the employee's original contribution according to the company's specified match ratio (often 1:1, but sometimes more).

7. Nonprofit Acknowledgement: The nonprofit typically acknowledges receipt of both the original donation and the matching gift, providing official receipts for tax purposes.