The Complete Guide to One-Off Matching Gift Programs

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The Complete Guide to One-Off Matching Gift Programs

One-off matching gift programs are powerful opportunities for nonprofits to maximize their fundraising efforts. Unlike traditional matching gift programs offered by companies to a wide range of organizations, one-off initiatives are typically tied to specific nonprofits, campaigns, or occasions. As a result, they offer nonprofits a unique way to amplify donor contributions while engaging with businesses that are eager to demonstrate their commitment to social impact.

In this guide, we’ll explore the ins and outs of one-off matching gift programs, from understanding their structure to maximizing their potential. Specifically, we’ll cover:

If you’re looking to bring your matching gift strategy to the next level, one-off programs can be the perfect way to do it. Let’s dive in to see how!

What are one-off matching gift programs?

One-off matching gift programs (also known as custom matching gifts or unique matching gift opportunities) are exclusive corporate giving initiatives where a company matches employee donations to a specific nonprofit⁠—and they’re often tied to an event, campaign, or limited time period.

Unlike standard matching gift programs, which are typically ongoing and generally associated with a company’s broader workplace giving strategy, one-off matching gift programs are designed to support a particular cause or occasion.

Standard versus custom matching gift programs

Key benefits of one-off matching gifts

One-off matching gift programs provide significant benefits for both nonprofits and companies that participate. After all, these limited-time initiatives can drive immediate impact, foster stronger relationships, and create a ripple effect of goodwill.

Let’s take a closer look at the advantages the programs can offer…

For Nonprofits

  1. Amplified Donations:
    Donations from supporters are effectively doubled or tripled, enabling nonprofits to make a greater impact in less time.
  2. Increased Donor Engagement:
    The urgency of one-off matching gift programs motivates donors to contribute quickly, leading to heightened participation and excitement.
  3. Support for Time-Sensitive Campaigns:
    These programs align perfectly with disaster relief, seasonal giving, or urgent funding needs, providing nonprofits with resources when they’re most needed.
  4. Corporate Relationship Building:
    Partnering on a one-off matching gift program can strengthen relationships with businesses, potentially opening doors to long-term partnerships.
  5. Attracting New Donors:
    These initiatives often bring in first-time donors who are drawn by the matching opportunity, increasing the nonprofit’s supporter base.

For Companies

  1. Enhanced Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR):
    One-off matching gift programs demonstrate a company’s commitment to timely and relevant causes, boosting its public image and CSR profile.
  2. Improved Employee Engagement:
    These programs encourage employees to give back, fostering a sense of pride and connection to the company’s values.
  3. Positive Brand Recognition:
    Supporting high-profile or impactful causes through matching gifts enhances a company’s reputation with customers, employees, and the public.
  4. Flexibility and Focus:
    Unlike ongoing programs, one-off matching gift initiatives allow companies to align their giving with specific events or corporate milestones, making their philanthropy more targeted.
  5. Opportunities for Community Impact:
    These programs enable companies to make a tangible difference in their communities or in response to global events, creating meaningful change.

By leveraging one-off matching gifts, nonprofits can raise critical funds while corporations can demonstrate their commitment to making a difference. This mutually beneficial model encourages collaboration and drives impact on both sides.

Best practices for impactful one-off matching gift initiatives

Ready to begin implementing one-off matching gifts in your organization’s overall workplace giving strategy? Incorporating the following expert-proven tips and tricks can help set your team up for success.

1. Identify the Best Prospective Match Partners.

The first step in pulling off a successful custom matching gift program is to determine the greatest potential partners with which to organize an initiative.

Our recommendation? Take a look at your donors’ employer data. After all, the companies your existing supporters work for will be some of your most valuable prospective partners! Those that don’t currently provide a matching gift program can offer an excellent place to begin your outreach.

2. Pitch the Benefits of the Opportunity.

Once you’ve determined which companies you’re targeting with a potential matching gift program, you’ll want to draft your elevator pitch. Remember, like with any corporate partnership, it’s important to focus on the advantages to the company⁠. This can include employee engagement (especially if a large number of their employees already support your cause!), enhanced brand reputation, tax benefits, and more.

3. Promote the Matching Gift Program to Supporters.

Once the program is approved by your corporate partner and you’re ready to go live with the opportunity, make sure to use email, social media, and your website to inform donors about the matching gift program. Otherwise, it won’t do you any good if nobody knows about the opportunity!

On the other hand, clear communication ensures donors know how to participate and encourages action before the deadline. As you do so, share stories, photos, or videos demonstrating how matched funds will make a difference. This emotional appeal inspires confidence in donors, making them more likely to give.

4. Engage Corporate Partners

Work closely with participating companies to coordinate program marketing efforts, co-brand promotions, and encourage employee participation. After all, strong collaboration maximizes results for both parties.

5. Thank and Recognize Donors

Express gratitude to the individual donors and companies that get involved in your one-off program. Public recognition, such as shoutouts on social media or event invitations, strengthens relationships and sets the stage for future support. Plus, it can encourage others to get involved, too!

6. Track and Report Results

Measure the program’s success by tracking participation rates and funds raised. Share these results with donors and corporate partners to highlight the initiative’s impact and foster ongoing engagement. The right numbers can demonstrate impact and even encourage repeat support, such as a yearly recurring custom matching gift initiative.

Examples of successful one-off matching gift programs

One of the best ways to learn about custom matching gift initiatives is by taking a look at other organizations that have successfully implemented the strategy. Check out a few examples of winning one-off programs below to kickstart your inspiration!

Danaher Corporation + LLS

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) has long been a trailblazer in corporate matching gift strategies, leveraging innovative tools to create custom matching gift opportunities with corporate partners. One standout collaboration is with Danaher Corporation, a global leader in science and technology dedicated to advancing healthcare innovation.

In 2022, Danaher launched a one-off matching gift program to support LLS’s Light the Night fundraising event. With over 70,000 employees engaged, the initiative boosted Danaher’s total giving by over 150%, surpassing its fundraising goals and demonstrating the power of strategic corporate philanthropy.

This partnership showcases the significant impact of one-off matching gift programs, blending corporate and nonprofit missions to drive meaningful change. Today, Danaher continues to grow its philanthropy efforts globally through the Danaher Foundation, exploring new avenues like skills-based volunteerism and Volunteer Time Off (VTO).

TBC Corporation + American Heart Association

In 2024, TBC Corporation partnered with the American Heart Association (or AHA) through a one-off matching gift initiative, contributing nearly $170,000 to support heart disease and stroke research.

More than 110 employees participated in the event alongside their communities, raising awareness and vital funds for health education, research, and community programs. Donations collected through TBC Corporation employees’ peer-to-peer fundraising efforts were doubled by the company, making their Heart Walk efforts stand out even more.

TBC Corporation was even recognized as the “Top Fundraising Company” at the event, with employees nationwide engaged in company-wide initiatives, surpassing their fundraising goal and showcasing the power of matching gifts to drive impactful philanthropy.

CL Tel + Guardian Group

CL Tel and Guardian Group joined forces in a one-off matching gift initiative designed to maximize support for a shared cause. The program incentivized employees to contribute by offering a matching gift for donations made during a specific fundraising campaign.

To streamline the donor experience, the initiative included a pre-filled matching gift form tailored with Guardian Group’s organizational details. This user-friendly feature minimized the steps required for employees to submit match requests, reducing barriers to participation and driving more matching gifts to completion overall.

This collaboration not only simplified the process for donors but also increased the overall impact of the campaign, demonstrating the value of seamless corporate-nonprofit partnerships in amplifying philanthropic efforts.

How matching gift software can power one-off matching gifts

Matching gift software streamlines the process of identifying, promoting, and managing one-off matching gift programs, making it easier for nonprofits and donors to maximize their impact. Here’s how it can help:

1. Streamlined Employer Identification

Matching gift software enables donors to easily check if their employer offers a one-off matching gift program. A searchable database integrated into the nonprofit’s website simplifies the process, increasing participation rates.

Not to mention, a tool like Double the Donation makes it easy to add one-off programs to an organization’s own unique database tool without it showing up for other ineligible nonprofits.

One-off matching gift program in a matching gift database

2. Automated Reminders

Matching gift software can send automated follow-ups to donors, reminding them to complete their employer’s matching gift request. This ensures that no matching opportunities are missed due to oversight.

3. Enhanced Donor Experience

By integrating matching gift forms and guidelines directly into the donation process, the software reduces friction and provides donors with a seamless giving experience.

4. Real-Time Tracking and Reporting

Matching gift software allows nonprofits to track donations and matches in real-time. This helps monitor progress toward goals and provides data for transparent reporting to corporate partners and donors.

By leveraging matching gift software, nonprofits can maximize the impact of one-off matching gift programs, ensuring efficient execution and a stronger return on investment.

Wrapping up & next steps for one-off matching gifts

As you plan your next campaign or corporate social responsibility initiative, don’t overlook the immense potential of one-off matching gift programs. With strategic planning, effective communication, and the right tools, you can make these programs a cornerstone of impactful giving.

Start exploring these opportunities today, and watch how they transform your fundraising efforts and corporate partnerships.

Interested in learning more? Check out these additional resources to continue growing your knowledge of all things matching gifts:

Earn more with one-off matching gift programs using Double the Donation.

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