Let’s be honest—corporate giving often gets stuck in a “we’ll donate when we can” mindset. Budgets tighten, priorities shift, and suddenly that generous giving plan turns into next year’s problem.
But there’s one ridiculously simple, low-effort, high-impact way for companies to give back without reinventing the wheel: Matching Gift Programs.
If you’re not already offering one, here’s why you should start—like, yesterday.
What Is a Matching Gift Program?
It’s exactly what it sounds like. Employees donate to a nonprofit they care about, and the company matches that donation—dollar for dollar, up to a certain limit. Some companies go beyond 1:1 and do 2:1 or even 3:1 matches (hello, corporate heroes!).
The beauty? The company doesn’t have to decide where to give. Employees choose the causes they care about, making philanthropy more personal and meaningful.
Why It’s a No-Brainer for Companies
If you’re a CEO, founder, or HR exec thinking, Great, another expense, hear me out.
✔ It Boosts Employee Engagement – People love working for companies that support their values. Matching gift programs show employees that their passions matter. And when employees feel valued? They stick around longer. (Translation: lower turnover, less hiring stress.)
✔ It Enhances Your Company’s Reputation – Customers and partners notice when companies are socially responsible. A strong giving program can set you apart from competitors (and let’s be honest, we all love a little good PR).
✔ It’s a Smart Use of Philanthropy Dollars – Instead of a one-time corporate donation that may or may not resonate with your team, matching gifts distribute funds in a way that’s directly meaningful to employees. Everyone wins.
✔ It’s Tax-Deductible – Yep. Your company can get tax benefits while making an impact. (Friendly reminder: check with your accountant for the fine print.)
Why Employees Love It
🚀 They Can Double Their Impact – A $100 donation instantly becomes $200. Who wouldn’t want their money to go twice as far?
🚀 It Encourages Giving – Knowing their company will match their donation motivates employees to give more often and to causes they truly care about.
🚀 It Feels Good – Giving back is rewarding, but knowing your workplace supports your generosity? That’s next-level workplace culture.
How to Launch (or Improve) Your Matching Gift Program
So, how do you get started? Or, if you already have a program, how do you make sure people actually use it?
1. Set Clear Guidelines – Decide on your match limit, eligible nonprofits, and how employees submit requests. (Pro tip: Keep it simple. Complicated forms = low participation.)
2. Spread the Word – If employees don’t know the program exists, they won’t use it. Mention it in onboarding, send reminders, and celebrate employees who participate.
3. Make It Easy to Use – The best programs have zero friction. Use platforms like Benevity or YourCause, or just make a simple online form.
4. Track and Share Impact – Show employees and leadership the difference their giving is making. “This year, our company matched $500K in employee donations” is the kind of stat that makes everyone feel proud.
The Bottom Line
Matching gift programs are one of the easiest, most effective ways to create a giving culture at your company. Employees love them. Companies benefit from them. And nonprofits get the support they need.
So, what’s stopping you? If your company isn’t offering a matching gift program, it’s time to change that. If you already have one, make sure your employees know about it.
Because giving back shouldn’t be complicated—it should be a win-win.
💡 Want to set up or optimize a matching gift program at your company? Contact The Shomer Foundation to discuss how we can help you build a program that makes an impact—easily and effectively.