Did you know that billions of dollars in corporate matching funds go unclaimed every year? 78% of donors are unaware if their company offers a matching gift program. For nonprofits like ours, dedicated to supporting foster kids’ education, this represents an incredible opportunity to amplify donations and create lasting change. Corporate matching gift programs empower employees to double their contributions, while companies demonstrate their commitment to social impact. Here’s how these programs work and why they’re an easy lift game-changer for our mission!
Ways to Double Your Impact
Corporate Matching Programs
Corporate matching gift programs are a fantastic way for companies to support their employees’ philanthropy. Here’s how they work: when an employee donates to a nonprofit, they can submit a request to their employer to match that donation. The company then makes an additional donation to the same nonprofit, often at a 1:1 ratio, though some companies offer higher matches like 2:1 or 3:1. This not only doubles the impact of the original donation but also encourages employees to give back to their communities.
Volunteer Grants (Dollars for Doers)
Volunteer grants, often referred to as Dollars for Doers programs, are another form of corporate philanthropy. These programs reward employees for volunteering their time by providing a monetary donation to the nonprofit where they volunteered. For example, a company might donate $10 to $15 for every hour an employee volunteers. This type of program not only supports nonprofits financially but also fosters a culture of volunteerism within companies. By recognizing and rewarding volunteer efforts, these programs can significantly boost fundraising revenue and enhance volunteer engagement.
Why Corporate Matching Programs and Volunteer Grants Matter
At Learning Bridge, we’re passionate about bridging the educational gap for foster and unhoused youth in Central Texas. Corporate matching programs and volunteer grants are invaluable tools in our mission to provide these deserving students with the support they need to thrive. Here’s why these programs are so important for us:
Corporate Matching Programs
- Double the Impact: When you donate to Learning Bridge, corporate matching programs can double your gift, turning a $100 donation into $200…or more! This means we can help more students, provide more resources, and create brighter futures for those who need it most.
- Increased Donor Engagement: Knowing that their contributions can be matched encourages donors to give more generously and feel more connected to our mission. In fact, 84% of donors are more likely to give if a match is available. Will you join the majority?
- Stronger Community Ties: By participating in matching programs, companies demonstrate their commitment to social impact, enhancing their reputation and fostering a culture of philanthropy.
Volunteer Grants (Dollars for Doers)
- Recognizing Volunteer Efforts: Volunteer grants reward employees for their time spent volunteering with us. This not only provides additional funding but also acknowledges the dedication of our volunteers, who are crucial to our success.
- Encouraging Volunteerism: By recognizing volunteer hours with monetary donations, these programs encourage more employees to get involved, fostering a sense of community and social responsibility.
- Enhanced Partnerships: Volunteer grants can lead to deeper partnerships with companies, opening doors for future collaborations and support.
How You Can Double Your Impact
- Check Your Employer’s Program: See if your company offers matching gifts or volunteer grants. Tools like Double the Donation can help you find out.
- Spread the Word: Encourage colleagues to take advantage of these opportunities, amplifying our impact together.
- Support Our Mission: Every matched donation and volunteer hour brings us closer to our goal of providing educational stability and opportunities for foster and unhoused youth.
By leveraging corporate matching programs and volunteer grants, we can make a more significant difference in the lives of these deserving students. Join us in bridging the gap and unlocking their full potential!
Check if your company is one of the top 20 leaders in corporate matching.
Check if your company offers volunteer grants.
Some tips:
- Eligibility Requirements Make sure your employment status with your company (full-time, part-time, or retired) is eligible for the volunteer grant.
- Restrictions Check that there are no restrictions, such as the type of nonprofit you can earn a volunteer grant for. For instance, some corporations will only allow grants for nonprofits that share their values (be it the environment/sustainability, etc.). However, companies generally have few restrictions and state that any 501(c)(3) nonprofit or school is eligible.
- Submission Deadlines Deadlines will vary by company, so be sure to check when you need to submit your volunteer grant request by. Standard volunteer grant submission deadlines include end of the calendar year, a set number of months after meeting the hour threshold, or the end of January, February, or March in the year subsequent to when the individual volunteered.
- Hours Required Companies may have a minimum hour requirement for volunteering. Some companies will provide grants to nonprofits per hour volunteered, or once a threshold number is reached.
- Corporate Donation Amount Determine the amount that will be granted to the nonprofit after the hours are completed, and also be sure you understand how many grants the company offers per employee per year.
- Logging Hours Companies will have their own process of having employees log their hours. Look for a link on the volunteer grant database to find the forms (printed or electronic) that allow you to log your hours and request the volunteer grant.
Happy giving!
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