An estimated $4 to $7 billion in matching gift funds goes unclaimed every single year. That’s a staggering amount of money that could be fueling your nonprofit’s mission. The reason for this gap isn’t complicated; it comes down to a lack of awareness and a process that feels too difficult for donors. A well-promoted matching gift program is the key to closing this gap. By making a few simple adjustments to your fundraising, you can educate your supporters and make it easy for them to double their impact, ensuring that revenue ends up with your organization.

Key Takeaways

• Educate your donors about matching gifts: The main reason funds go unclaimed is a simple lack of awareness. Consistently remind supporters about this opportunity to double their donation, showing them how to increase their impact without extra cost.
• Simplify the submission process with tools: Donors will abandon a complicated process, so remove friction by adding a matching gift search tool to your donation page and using automated follow-ups to guide supporters through the final steps.
• Make matching gifts a core part of your fundraising: Treat matching gifts as a key strategy, not a bonus. Weave the "double your impact" message into all your communications, from social media campaigns to donation appeals, to create a consistent revenue stream.

What Is a Matching Gift Program?

Imagine doubling a donation without having to find a new donor. That’s the power of a matching gift program. It’s a form of corporate philanthropy where a company financially matches a donation made by one of its employees to a nonprofit. For your organization, this is one of the most effective ways to increase revenue from the supporters you already have. Instead of leaving money on the table, you can tap into these programs to amplify the impact of every single gift. It’s a straightforward concept that creates a win-win-win situation for your nonprofit, your donor, and their employer.

How Corporate Matching Works

The process is simpler than you might think. It all starts when one of your supporters makes a donation. After donating, the individual submits a match request to their employer, usually through an internal company portal. The company then verifies that the donation was made to an eligible nonprofit (that’s you!). Once confirmed, the company sends its own donation directly to your organization, matching the employee’s original gift. This simple flow turns a single act of giving into a much larger contribution, helping you fund your mission more effectively without adding extra fundraising work for your team.

Understanding Match Ratios

Most companies match donations on a 1:1 basis, which means they give one dollar for every dollar their employee donates. This effectively doubles the original gift. However, some companies are even more generous. It’s not uncommon to see 2:1 or even 3:1 match ratios, which can triple or quadruple a donation. A supporter’s $50 gift could instantly become $100, $150, or more. Understanding the different corporate matching gift programs and their ratios is key, as it helps you show donors the incredible potential their single contribution holds. It’s a powerful motivator that encourages supporters to complete the matching process.

Types of Matching Programs

The great news is that most registered 501(c)(3) organizations are eligible for matching gifts. This typically includes educational institutions, arts and cultural groups, environmental organizations, and health and human services. If your nonprofit falls into one of these categories, you’re likely able to receive matched funds. The main exceptions are usually political organizations and, in some cases, religious institutions. However, many companies will still match gifts to faith-based organizations if they provide community services to people of all backgrounds, like a food bank run by a church. It’s always worth checking a company’s specific guidelines to be sure.

How Do Matching Gift Programs Work?

Matching gift programs follow a simple, predictable path, but knowing the specific steps can help your nonprofit guide donors and secure more funding. Think of it as a three-way partnership between your donor, their employer, and your organization. When a donor gives to your cause, their company verifies the donation and sends a second gift, effectively doubling the original amount. It’s a powerful way to increase revenue without having to find new supporters.

The process isn’t automatic, which is where many nonprofits miss out. Each step requires a specific action, and the most critical one relies on your donor. By understanding this workflow, you can identify potential drop-off points and create a strategy to keep the process moving. From the initial donation to the final check from the company, your role is to make it as easy as possible for your supporters to complete their part. Let’s walk through exactly how it works.

Step 1: An Employee Donates

Everything starts with a single action: an employee at a company with a matching gift policy donates to your nonprofit. This is the foundational gift that qualifies for a match. The donation can come through any of your fundraising channels, whether it’s your main donation page, a peer-to-peer campaign, or a social media fundraiser. At this point, the donor may not even be aware that their gift is eligible to be matched by their employer. This is your first opportunity to step in and inform them about the potential to double their impact, turning a standard donation into a much larger contribution for your cause.

Step 2: The Donor Submits a Match Request

After making a donation, the donor must formally request the match from their employer. This is the most common step where the process stalls. Most companies have an online portal or a specific form that employees need to fill out to submit their request. The donor typically needs to provide proof of their donation (like a receipt) and information about your nonprofit. Because this step requires action from the donor, it’s essential to provide clear, simple instructions. You can use automated direct messaging to send a friendly reminder with a direct link to their company’s matching gift portal, removing friction and making it easy for them to follow through.

Step 3: The Company Verifies the Donation

Once the employee submits their match request, the company’s HR or corporate social responsibility department takes over. Their team will review the request to confirm that your organization is eligible under their corporate giving guidelines. Most companies require the nonprofit to be a registered 501(c)(3) organization. The company will then contact your nonprofit to verify that they received the original donation from the employee. This is usually a straightforward process handled via email or an online portal, confirming the donation amount and date. It’s a simple check to ensure everything is legitimate before they send their funds.

Step 4: Your Nonprofit Receives the Matched Gift

This is the final and most rewarding step. After the company verifies the donation and your nonprofit’s eligibility, it sends its matching donation directly to you. The timeline for receiving the funds can vary from a few weeks to a few months, as some companies process matching gifts on a quarterly or annual basis. This second gift officially doubles (or sometimes even triples) the donor's original contribution, amplifying their impact without requiring you to spend more on acquisition. This is a great time to thank your donor again and share how their effort successfully secured a matching gift, reinforcing their connection to your mission and building long-term support.

Why Matching Gifts Are a Win-Win

Matching gift programs are one of the simplest ways to increase your fundraising revenue without asking your supporters for more money. It’s a true win-win-win scenario: your nonprofit receives double the funds, your donors get to double their impact, and companies get to fulfill their corporate social responsibility goals. By making matching gifts a core part of your fundraising strategy, you can create a sustainable revenue stream and build deeper connections with both your individual donors and corporate partners.

Raise More Money, Not More Donors

The most obvious benefit of matching gifts is that they directly increase your revenue. When a donor’s gift is matched, you receive twice the amount from a single transaction. Think of it as “free money” that amplifies the generosity of your existing supporters. This is incredibly valuable because it allows you to raise more funds without spending additional time and resources on donor acquisition. Instead of constantly searching for new supporters, you can focus on getting more from the donations you already receive. This approach helps you build a more efficient and sustainable fundraising model, which our customer stories show is key to long-term growth.

Improve Donor Retention and Engagement

Matching gifts don’t just bring in more money; they also make your donors feel more connected to your cause. Research shows that 84% of donors are more likely to give if they know a match is available, and one in three say they would give a larger amount. Why? Because matching makes their contribution feel more significant. When a donor sees their $50 gift turn into $100, they feel like they’ve made a bigger difference. This positive feeling strengthens their emotional connection to your nonprofit, making them more likely to give again in the future. You can use direct messaging to personally thank donors and remind them to submit their match requests, further strengthening that relationship.

Help Donors Double Their Impact

From a donor’s perspective, matching gifts are a fantastic opportunity. It’s a simple way for them to make their generosity go twice as far without any extra cost to them. A matching gift program empowers your supporters by giving them a tool to multiply their impact. For example, an employee can donate $100, and their employer might contribute another $100, turning their initial gift into a $200 donation for your organization. By promoting matching gifts, you’re not just asking for money; you’re offering your donors a chance to be even more heroic. This simple act can make giving more exciting and fulfilling, which is a powerful motivator for any supporter.

Build Stronger Corporate Partnerships

Matching gift programs are a cornerstone of many companies’ philanthropic efforts. When you actively promote matching gifts, you’re helping these companies demonstrate the value of their corporate social responsibility programs. This creates a positive feedback loop. The more you engage employees and secure matching funds, the more visible your nonprofit becomes to that company. This can be the first step toward building a deeper relationship that goes beyond matching gifts, potentially leading to sponsorships, volunteer grants, or other forms of corporate support. Our fundraising playbooks offer more ideas on how to cultivate these valuable relationships for your organization.

Who Is Eligible for a Matching Gift?

Matching gift eligibility isn't a simple yes or no. It depends on a few key factors: your nonprofit’s status, your donor’s employer, and the specific rules of the company’s program. Understanding these pieces helps you identify which donations can be doubled and guide your supporters through the process. Let’s break down what makes a nonprofit, a donor, and a donation eligible for a match.

What Makes a Nonprofit Eligible?

The good news is that most nonprofits qualify for corporate matching gift programs. Generally, any organization with a 501(c)(3) status is eligible. This includes a wide range of causes, from K-12 schools and universities to arts and cultural institutions like museums and theaters. Community groups such as animal shelters, environmental organizations, and health services are also commonly eligible.

While about two-thirds of companies will match donations to nearly any registered charity, some have more specific guidelines. A company might choose to only support causes that align with its corporate mission, like a tech company funding STEM education programs. It’s always a good idea to check the specific company’s policies, but you can feel confident that most of your donations will be match-eligible. You can learn more about the different types of corporate giving programs to see where your nonprofit fits.

What Makes a Donor Eligible?

Eligibility usually starts with the donor's current employer, but it often doesn’t end there. While full-time and even part-time employees are the most common groups eligible for matching gifts, many companies extend their programs to a wider circle. This is a huge, often-missed opportunity for nonprofits.

Many corporate programs will also match donations made by retirees, allowing your long-term supporters to continue doubling their impact even after they’ve left the workforce. Some companies even match gifts from employees' spouses. When you’re communicating with your donors, be sure to mention these possibilities. A simple prompt like, "Don't forget to check if your or your spouse's employer will match your gift, even if you're retired!" can help you secure more matching funds.

Key Restrictions and Deadlines

While most nonprofits are eligible, there are a few common restrictions to keep in mind. Many companies do not match gifts to political organizations or houses of worship. However, there’s an important exception: faith-based organizations that serve the broader community, like a food pantry run by a church, are often eligible for a match. It’s the nature of the service, not the affiliation, that matters.

Time is also a critical factor. Every company sets its own deadline for submitting a matching gift request, and these can vary widely. Some require submission within 30 days of the donation, while others offer a full year or more. This is why clear and timely communication is so important. You can prevent donors from missing out by sending automated reminders and making the submission deadline a clear part of your follow-up process.

Why Are So Many Matching Gifts Left Unclaimed?

It’s a frustrating reality: an estimated $4 to $7 billion in matching gift funds goes unclaimed every year. That’s a staggering amount of money left on the table that could be fueling your mission. When you see a number that big, it’s easy to assume the reasons are complex and out of your control. But the truth is, the barriers are often surprisingly simple and entirely solvable.

Most unclaimed matches aren't lost because of strict corporate rules or ineligible nonprofits. They’re lost in the quiet gaps of awareness, process, and communication. Donors either don’t know the opportunity exists, find the process too confusing to bother with, or mistakenly believe the match happens automatically. Understanding these common hurdles is the first step to closing the gap and making sure your organization claims every dollar it's owed. By addressing these issues head-on, you can build a system that makes it easy for donors to double their impact.

Donors Don't Know They Can Get a Match

The most significant reason matching gifts go unclaimed is also the simplest: donors don't know their company has a matching gift program. It’s a classic case of “you don’t know what you don’t know.” A supporter can’t take advantage of a benefit they aren’t aware of, no matter how generous their employer’s program is. Even your most loyal donors, who are otherwise highly engaged with their workplace, may be completely in the dark about their company’s philanthropic initiatives.

This lack of awareness is the first and biggest hurdle to overcome. While companies share some responsibility for promoting their own programs, your nonprofit can’t afford to be passive. Educating your supporters about the existence of corporate matching gift programs is a critical part of your fundraising strategy.

The Submission Process Feels Too Complicated

For a donor who knows about their matching gift benefit, the next major obstacle is friction. The traditional submission process can feel like a chore. It often involves the donor hunting down the right form on a clunky corporate intranet, printing it, filling it out by hand, and sending it to your nonprofit for verification. Each step adds another layer of effort, and many well-intentioned donors abandon the process somewhere along the way.

This complexity isn't just a problem for donors. As one study notes, fundraising teams often don't fully understand how matching gifts work, which makes it impossible for them to guide supporters. When the process is cumbersome and confusing for everyone involved, it’s no wonder so many potential matches fall through the cracks. Simplifying this journey is key to seeing more matches through to completion, as many successful nonprofits have discovered.

Donors Think It's Automatic

Another common misconception is that the matching process is automatic. A surprising number of donors believe that if their company offers a program, their donation will be matched without any action on their part. In fact, research shows that 78% of employees don't know if their company even offers a matching gift program, which highlights just how widespread this confusion is. They might assume their employer’s system automatically flags their contribution and sends the funds.

Unfortunately, that’s almost never the case. The vast majority of programs require the donor to take the first step by submitting a match request. This is a critical piece of information that many nonprofits fail to communicate clearly. Simply letting your donors know that they need to initiate the match can make a huge difference in how many of them follow through.

Gaps in Communication

Ultimately, all of these issues point to one central problem: gaps in communication. The matching gift process involves three parties (the donor, their employer, and your nonprofit), and a breakdown anywhere along the line can cause the entire thing to fail. Your nonprofit might not know who a donor works for, making it impossible to send a targeted reminder. At the same time, companies may not do enough to regularly inform their employees about the program.

This creates a communication void where billions in funding disappear each year. The solution is to build bridges across these gaps. By proactively asking for employer information and using tools like direct messaging for nonprofits, you can deliver personalized, timely reminders that guide donors through the process. When you make communication clear and easy, you empower your supporters to complete their match and double their donation.

How to Promote Matching Gifts to Your Donors

Even the best matching gift program won’t succeed if your donors don’t know about it. Since most unclaimed matches are simply the result of a lack of awareness, your promotion strategy is just as important as the program itself. The key is to make information about matching gifts easy to find and simple to understand. By weaving these opportunities into your existing communications, you can make the process feel like a natural next step for your supporters. Here are a few straightforward ways to get the word out and help your donors double their impact.

Add a Matching Gift Section to Your Donation Page

The best time to ask for a gift match is right after someone has decided to donate. Their motivation is at its peak, and you have their full attention. Adding a matching gift search tool directly to your donation form or thank-you page is a simple and effective way to capture this opportunity. This allows donors to instantly check if their employer offers a matching program without ever leaving your page. By removing this small bit of friction, you make it significantly more likely that they will follow through and submit a match request. It’s a small addition to your donation flow that can produce a major return.

Create a Dedicated Matching Gift Page

Think of this as your central hub for all things related to matching gifts. A dedicated page on your website gives you a place to explain how corporate matching works, answer common questions, and provide clear, step-by-step instructions for submitting a match. You can also include a search tool here for donors who want to check their eligibility before they donate. This page serves as a valuable resource that your team can link to in emails, social media posts, and other communications. It ensures donors have a single, reliable place to find the information they need, which builds trust and encourages them to complete the matching process.

Send Automated Reminders

Life gets busy, and even the most well-intentioned donors can forget to submit their matching gift requests. That’s where automated reminders come in. A gentle nudge via email or a social media direct message can make all the difference. You can set up a simple automated workflow to follow up with donors who indicated they were eligible for a match but haven’t completed the process. These timely messages serve as a helpful prompt, guiding supporters back to the submission form and ensuring more matched donations make their way to your nonprofit. It’s a low-effort way to recover potentially lost revenue and show your donors you’re there to help.

Weave Matching Gifts into Campaigns

Don’t treat matching gifts as a separate, isolated ask. Instead, integrate them into your broader fundraising campaigns. Mentioning the power of a matched gift in your appeals can dramatically increase response rates. For example, when you’re running a Facebook Challenge, you can remind participants to check if their donations can be doubled by their employer. Phrases like, “Your $50 gift could become $100!” are powerful because they show donors a clear path to multiplying their impact. This approach reframes the ask from a transactional step to an exciting opportunity for supporters to do even more good.

Train Your Team on Matching Gifts

Your team is your greatest asset in promoting matching gifts, but they can’t champion what they don’t understand. Make sure everyone on your staff, from fundraisers to social media managers, knows the basics of how your matching gift program works. They should be able to answer simple questions and, most importantly, know where to direct donors for more detailed information (like your dedicated matching gift page). When your entire team is aligned and knowledgeable, you create a consistent and supportive experience for your donors. This internal education ensures that no opportunity to secure a matched gift is missed.

Tools to Make Matching Gifts Easier

You can’t expect donors to hunt down matching gift information on their own. If the process feels like a chore, they’ll simply move on, and potential revenue disappears. The good news is you don't have to manually guide every donor through the process. Several tools can automate and simplify matching gifts for your team and your supporters, making it much more likely that you’ll see that extra revenue come through.

By integrating the right software, you can answer a donor’s questions before they even have to ask. These tools work by embedding information directly into your giving process, sending timely reminders, and taking the guesswork out of eligibility. Instead of treating matching gifts as an afterthought, you can make them a seamless part of the donation experience. This not only secures more funding but also shows donors you value their time and effort, which strengthens your relationship with them. It’s about removing every possible barrier between their intention to give and the final matched donation landing in your account. Let’s look at a few key tools that can make this happen.

Use a Matching Gift Database

A matching gift database is an essential starting point. These are comprehensive online libraries that contain details on thousands of corporate matching gift programs. They store information on minimum and maximum donation amounts, match ratios, submission deadlines, and links to the necessary forms for each company. By giving your donors access to a database, you empower them to find the answers they need in seconds. Instead of searching through their employer’s intranet or giving up, they can quickly confirm their eligibility and understand the next steps, making them far more likely to follow through.

Add a Search Tool to Your Donation Form

To make things even easier, you can add a matching gift search tool directly to your donation form or confirmation page. This small widget allows donors to type in their employer’s name and instantly see if their company offers a matching program. Placing this tool within the donation path is key because it catches people while they are actively engaged and thinking about their contribution. It removes the friction of having to open a new tab and start a search from scratch. This simple step streamlines the entire process and keeps the momentum going, turning a donor’s initial gift into double the impact.

Automate Your Communications

Even with the right tools, donors get busy and forget to submit their match requests. That’s where automated communication comes in. Using matching gift software, you can identify donors who are likely eligible for a match (often based on their corporate email address) and send them automated reminders. These gentle nudges can provide direct links to their employer’s matching gift forms and offer clear instructions. This kind of personalized, automated follow-up is incredibly effective. It’s the same principle behind using social direct messaging to nurture supporter relationships, ensuring no opportunity is missed just because someone got distracted.

How to Track Your Matching Gift Success

Launching a matching gift program is a fantastic first step, but how do you know if it’s actually working? Tracking your success isn't about getting lost in spreadsheets; it's about understanding your program's health so you can make smart decisions. By focusing on a few key areas, you can see what’s resonating with donors, identify where you can improve, and ultimately, bring in more revenue for your cause. A solid tracking strategy helps you prove the value of your efforts and gives you the data you need to grow your program year after year. It all comes down to knowing your numbers, staying organized, and sharing your wins with the people who made them possible: your donors.

Key Metrics to Track

To get a clear picture of your program's performance, you’ll want to focus on a few important numbers. Start by monitoring specific metrics like the total number of match requests submitted and the total dollar amount you’ve received from corporate matches. These two figures tell you the direct financial impact of your program. It’s also helpful to track employee participation rates from different companies. This shows you which corporate partners are the most engaged and where you might have opportunities to build stronger relationships. These metrics give you valuable insight into what’s working well and where you can focus your promotional efforts for the biggest return.

Keep a Match Status List

Staying organized is essential, especially when you’re waiting for funds to come in. One of the simplest and most effective matching gifts best practices is maintaining a match status list. Think of it as a master checklist for all your expected matches. This list should track each donation, the date the match was requested, the company involved, and the status (pending, approved, or received). Having this information in one place prevents potential revenue from slipping through the cracks. It allows your team to easily see which requests need a follow-up, ensuring you can gently nudge companies or donors to complete the process and secure those valuable funds.

Share the Impact with Donors

Don’t let the final step of receiving a matched gift be the end of the story. Closing the loop with your donors is crucial for building long-term loyalty. When you receive a matched donation, let the original donor know their gift was doubled and tell them what that extra funding helps you accomplish. For larger campaigns, share the total amount raised, including the portion that came from corporate matches. You can share these updates through email, social media, or even a personalized direct message. Seeing their multiplied impact in action makes donors feel incredible and shows them just how much their support matters, making them more likely to give again.

How Social Fundraising Amplifies Matching Gift Results

Social media is more than just a place to share updates; it’s a powerful channel for fundraising. When you combine social fundraising with a matching gift strategy, you create a powerful combination for increasing revenue. Instead of just collecting initial donations, you can use the personal, immediate nature of social media to guide donors through the matching gift process, capturing funds that might otherwise be left on the table. By using social media and direct messaging, you can overcome the common hurdles of donor awareness and follow-through, making it easier than ever for your supporters to double their impact.

Meet Donors Where They Are

A major reason matching gifts go unclaimed is that donors simply don’t know about them. Social media is the perfect place to solve this awareness gap. Your supporters are already scrolling through Facebook and Instagram every day, so why not bring the matching gift conversation to them? You can connect with supporters by weaving information about matching gifts into your regular content. Share posts that explain what a matching gift is, create graphics showing how a donation can be doubled, and add a link to your matching gift page in your bio. By making this information a consistent part of your social presence, you educate your audience and keep the opportunity top of mind.

Use DMs to Follow Up on Match Requests

Once a donor makes a contribution, the clock starts ticking on securing their matching gift. While email reminders are standard, they can easily get lost in a crowded inbox. Direct messaging offers a more immediate and personal way to follow up. With an automated Direct Messaging strategy, you can send a thank you message right after a donation and include a prompt to check for matching gift eligibility. You can also send friendly, automated reminders to donors who started the process but haven’t submitted their request. This gentle nudge in a channel they’re already using feels helpful, not pushy, and dramatically increases the chances of completion.

Turn Followers into Engaged Donors

Social media allows you to build a community, but the goal is to turn those followers into active supporters. Matching gifts can be a compelling reason for someone to make their first donation. Highlighting matching gift opportunities in your fundraising messages can lead to a 71% increase in response rates. You can run a campaign centered on the theme of "Double Your Impact," showing followers how their $25 donation can become $50 for your cause. This approach not only encourages new donations but also strengthens your relationship with existing supporters by showing them how to maximize their contributions. It’s a powerful way to build momentum and show the collective impact your community of supporters can have.

Build a Matching Gift Strategy That Works

Knowing about matching gifts is one thing; putting that knowledge into action is another. A successful strategy isn't about a single campaign, but about weaving

Find Corporate Matching Opportunities

Think about this: billions in unclaimed matching gift funds are left on the table every year. Why? The most common reason is that donors simply don't know their employer offers a matching gift program. Your first and most important job is to close this awareness gap. You don't need a complex system to get started; you just need to start talking about it. By consistently reminding your supporters to check their eligibility, you are not only educating them but also showing them a way to double their impact without reaching back into their own pockets. It’s one of the simplest ways to increase your fundraising results.

Engage Directly with Corporate Partners

Once a donor submits a match request, your work isn't quite done. This is your chance to build relationships with corporate partners that can lead to future support. Remember that companies set their own eligibility rules, often including part-time employees, retirees, and even spouses. When you receive a matching gift, make sure to thank the company in addition to the original donor. Acknowledging their contribution shows appreciation and keeps your organization top of mind for future corporate giving initiatives. Keeping clear records of these interactions helps you nurture these valuable connections over time, turning a one-time match into a long-term partnership.

Make Matching Gifts a Recurring Revenue Stream

To make matching gifts a consistent part of your revenue, you need to make the process easy and automatic. Mentioning matching gifts in your fundraising appeals can dramatically increase response rates, but only if the next step is simple. Integrate a matching gift search tool into your donation form and follow up with automated reminders. Use direct messaging and email sequences to guide donors through their employer’s submission process. By removing friction and providing clear, helpful instructions, you empower more donors to complete their match requests, creating a sustainable pipeline of new funds for your mission.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What's the single most important thing I can do to get more matching gifts? The biggest reason matching gifts go unclaimed is that donors simply don't know the opportunity exists. Your most important job is to close this awareness gap. Start talking about matching gifts consistently across all your channels. Add a section to your donation page, mention it in thank-you emails, and post about it on social media. Making it a normal part of your fundraising conversation is the most effective first step you can take.

How do I find out which of my donors work for companies with matching gift programs? You don't have to be a mind reader; the best approach is to simply ask. You can add an optional "Employer" field to your donation form to start collecting this information. An even better method is to use a matching gift search tool on your website. This empowers donors to check their eligibility on their own and provides you with valuable data without making them feel singled out.

The submission process seems complicated. How can I make it easier for my donors? You're right, a confusing process is a major reason why donors give up. Your goal is to make it as simple as possible for them. The best way to do this is by using tools that embed a search bar on your donation page, which can link supporters directly to their company's specific forms and guidelines. Following up with automated reminders via email or direct message also helps by providing a gentle nudge and clear instructions.

My nonprofit is small and we don't have a big budget. Can we still benefit from matching gifts? Absolutely. Matching gifts are one of the most cost-effective ways for any nonprofit to increase revenue. You don't need a large team or a fancy system to get started. Begin by creating a dedicated page on your website explaining the process and consistently mentioning the opportunity in your communications. Even these basic, low-cost efforts can help you secure funds you would have otherwise missed.

How long does it take to actually receive the matched funds from a company? The timeline for receiving funds can vary quite a bit, so it’s important to be patient. Some companies process payments monthly, while others might send checks on a quarterly or even yearly schedule. This is why keeping a simple tracking list of your pending matches is so helpful. It allows you to know what revenue to expect and gives you a clear record if you need to follow up with a company about a specific donation.