Matching Gift Databases: The 2021 Q&A Guide for Nonprofits
Taking advantage of corporate philanthropy is one of the best ways to increase fundraising revenue for your nonprofit. Thousands of employers offer matching gift programs in which the companies financially match donations by employees to eligible nonprofit organizations.
As you may know, matching gift programs host a variety of benefits for your nonprofit, including increased revenue and tailored outreach.
But it also offers perks to the donor, who knows that their gift will go twice as far, and to the employer, by boosting their corporate social responsibility efforts.
However, an estimated $4-7 billion in matching gift funds go unclaimed every year— the main reason being a lack of awareness about these corporate giving programs and donor eligibility.
One of the greatest tools for fighting back against this lack of awareness is a matching gift database.
What is a matching gift database?
A matching gift database is a collection of information on matching gift programs across thousands of companies and their employee giving and corporate philanthropy programs.
A centralized database of this information is invaluable for nonprofit organizations looking to tap into those funding sources efficiently. Without a matching gift database, pushing those matches to completion (and actually receiving the funds!) becomes much more difficult.
Are you ready to learn more? We’ve answered some of the top questions you might have, including:
- How do you use a matching gift database?
- What are important matching gift database features?
- What are the top matching gift software tools?
Now let’s jump in!
1. How do you use a matching gift database?
To really tap into the value of a matching gift database, you must first make sure that your supporters can and are accessing its information to determine their eligibility. This tool, while very handy, will do nothing for you if your donors never see it or are unable to access it.
It is a quick and easy process for a donor to use the database. These simple steps include the following:Â
- Access the database: The donor is presented with the matching gift database via an embedded search tool somewhere on your website.
- Search for employer: Donors simply search for their match eligibility by entering the name of their employer.
- View the results: A message pops up informing the donor of their eligibility status, minimum and maximum donations, match ratios, and eligible organizations.
- Decide on next steps: Donors are provided with next steps in the submission process, including links to online submission request forms or contact information for program facilitators.
Remember, you have to actively promote matching gift programs and, specifically, your database tool in order for donors to feel compelled to take advantage of them. Choose places on your site where the search tool will have the greatest impact!
Popular places to embed the widget include in ways to give pages, on the actual donation form, confirmation screens, follow-up messages, etc.— essentially anywhere before, during, or after the donation process.
As an organization, you may choose to incorporate the database in a variety of these locations, depending on what you think will work best for you. Once you have the behind-the-scenes part set up, your donors will be able to utilize the database to check on their own eligibility.
Matching gift programs are an excellent source of extra revenue and one that your nonprofit should be taking part in. Research shows that eligibility for matching gift programs may lead to an increase in the number and size of donations— 84% of supporters report being more likely to give, and 1 in 3 donors are inclined to give a bigger gift if they know a match is being offered.
You definitely don’t want to miss out on those gifts! The only effective, salable way to tap into them is to give your donors easy access to check their eligibility.
Fun fact: Soros Fund Management offers one of the most generous matching gift programs, with a 3:1 match ratio up to $300,00!
2. What are important matching gift database features?
When searching for a matching gift database, there are a few key characteristics you should be looking out for.
To fully maximize the power of corporate philanthropy in your nonprofit, consider the following key features when making your decision:
Simple setup
You’ll want a database that is easy to set up on your webpages. One of the main benefits of an employer search database is efficiency, so avoid complicated programs that seem like they’ll be too difficult to navigate.
An easy-to-use database can be added to a webpage in just a few minutes, even without advanced knowledge of web development.
Customizable interface
Although the plugin will be functional with just a few clicks of a button, you’ll still want to customize these pages to match your nonprofit’s personal style. This can include an updated color palette, integration of your own logo, and any other unique design you may choose.
When the plugin becomes a natural and seamless feature of your website, donors will be more likely to complete their search and request matching gift.
CRM integration
When donors provide their employer details and contact information to your search tool, you should be able to easily import that information back into your CRM, or Constituent Relationship Management system.
This easy integration will allow you to analyze that data to further improve your fundraising strategy. Look for a database option that will work efficiently with your current software.
Regularly updated data
Because thousands of nonprofits and donors rely on these databases, it is vital that the data is being constantly updated. Bringing donors to out-of-date webpages, broken links, and inaccurate contact information will not lead to many matches.
Be sure to find a database that is dedicated to regularly updating its data and ensuring the most accurate information concerning each donor and their employer.
Electronic matching gift forms
Finding a database that explicitly spells out the donor’s next steps will translate to an increase in the number of requests actually submitted. The best way to do this is through direct links to their employers’ electronic request forms, rather than a vague instruction to contact their employer.
Databases that use unclear calls-to-action will result in higher levels of match request abandonment, and ultimately fewer matches. Avoid this issue by selecting a database that focuses on clarifying the process.
Software support
Because software can be finicky sometimes, be sure to look for a database that comes with reliable tech support to fix any issues that arise. If a donor is directed to a broken web page, they are not likely to go back and search again later when it may be fixed.
Thus, you want to minimize any losses by ensuring you have a qualified support team that has your back— to catch issues quickly or even before they become problematic.
Volunteer grant database
One more way to take advantage of corporate giving is through volunteer grants. These are similar to matching gift programs, but with the employer making a financial gift to match the number of hours the employee volunteered rather than to match a donation.
The employer match rates vary, but 80% of employers participating in volunteer grant programs offer between $8 and $15 per volunteered hours. This means more free money!
A good matching gift database will include information on this aspect of giving as well, by including relevant details for the company.
Decide which of these elements to prioritize in order to make the best decision for your nonprofit, and choose a database with a good set of features to promote your success.
Look for a matching gift database that is easily accessible to you and your donors, and will provide enough information and guidance to enable success.
Check out this comparison of a few leading databases currently on the market to see which features are being offered and how they stack up!
3. What are the top matching gift software tools?
Double the Donation
For Growing Nonprofit Organizations
Double the Donation offers top tier matching gift software for small to mid-sized nonprofits looking to boost their matching gift revenue.
If this sounds like you, read all about what Double the Donation can do for your organization.
Some of the best qualities offered by this software platform include:
- Extensive coverage: Double the Donation is the most comprehensive matching gifts database on the market, including information on over 20,000 leading employers. As such, the tool is currently in use by over 8,500 organizations.
- Accessibility: Donors access the database through a plugin that can be eaisly embedded wherever you want it. All it takes is copy-and-pasting a section of code into your own webpages!
- Constant updates: The employer information in the database is being updated very regularly, with smaller updates occurring almost every day, and more major updates taking place quarterly and annually. You won’t have to worry about outdated policy information with this platform.
These are just a few key elements that push Double the Donation over the top. To learn more about what Double the Donation can offer your nonprofit, check out their website here.
360MatchPro
For Large Nonprofits & Higher Ed. Institutions
360MatchPro is the next step up and is perfect for nonprofits already bringing in $25,000+ in annual matching gifts and over $10 million in annual revenue.
Running a large nonprofit is a lot of work, so 360MatchPro has created a program that takes almost all of the manual labor out of matching gift fundraising— through matching gifts automation.
What is matching gifts automation?
Matching gifts automation is the process of automatically bringing in new matches by identifying elibible donors, sending out preconfigured messages, and tracking matches to completion. It takes all the guesswork out of pursuing matching gifts and ensures you don’t lose out on any potential opportunities for matches.
The process goes like this:
- 360MatchPro collects contact information during the donation process.
- The program scans for eligibility based on the donor’s email address.
- Customized email follow-ups may be sent out automatically as both a thank-you and a reminder to request a donation match.
- The software then drives these potential matches to completion.
360MatchPro is powered by Double the Donation, meaning you get complete access to their extensive database and webpage widget as well!
To learn more about how 360MatchPro can take your nonprofit to the next level, take a look at the website here.
With all of this newfound information concerning matching gift databases, your team is better equipped to make an important decision for your organization. The key to a successful matching gifts campaign is finding the tool that works best for you!
And when it comes to corporate philanthropy, matching gifts are just one aspect of a broader category. Consider implementing some of these other corporate giving programs that many employers take part in as well!
If you’re looking for more information about matching gift databases and how they can take your organization to the next level, check out these additional resources below:
- Corporate Matching Gift Programs: Understanding the Basics. Ready to become a matching gift expert? This guide will tell you what you need to know.
- Corporate Giving and Matching Gift Statistics. Check out these facts and figures that will have you convinced to incorporate matching gifts into your fundraising strategy!
- 131 Fundraising Ideas for Nonprofits and Individuals. These brilliant and unique fundraising ideas will boost your donor engagement and get supporters excited about your mission.
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