The Prospect Researcher’s Guide to Corporate Matching Gifts

A Prospect Researcher’s Guide to Corporate Matching Gifts

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Prospect research professionals spend countless hours analyzing donor databases to uncover traditional wealth markers, real estate holdings, and stock portfolios. While identifying overall giving capacity is vital, a massive revenue stream routinely hides in plain sight within basic employer records. Millions of individual donors are currently employed by companies that offer robust corporate matching programs, yet billions of dollars in corporate philanthropy go completely unclaimed every single year. This sizable gap persists primarily because the everyday donor has no idea their employer matches gifts.

To close this gap and maximize fundraising yields, research teams must shift their analytical focus toward comprehensive workplace information. Relying exclusively on visible major gift indicators overlooks an immediate, frictionless path to increased organizational funding. By systematically identifying where a donor works, your development team can tap into established corporate social responsibility programs, effectively doubling or tripling the impact of existing donations without requiring supporters to dig deeper into their pockets.

Getting Started: What Are Corporate Matching Gifts?

Corporate matching gifts are a popular form of corporate philanthropy. In simple terms, they are a type of workplace giving program in which companies match the cash donations their employees make to eligible nonprofits.

The process is generally fairly straightforward:

  1. The Initial Gift: A donor makes a standard donation to your nonprofit.

  2. The Request: The donor submits a quick-match request to their employer, typically via a dedicated online company portal.

  3. The Match: The company reviews the request to verify the donation. Once approved, the company sends your organization a check for the matching amount.

Most companies match gifts at a 1:1 ratio, which means they double the original donation dollar-for-dollar. However, some companies match at even higher ratios, such as 2:1, 3:1, or even 4:1.

Why Matching Gifts Matter for Prospect Researchers

As a prospect researcher, you’re always on the lookout for new ways to connect with major donors and uncover hidden funding for your mission. Corporate matching gifts are a vital tool for your team because they allow your organization to maximize its existing donor data.

Consider these key statistics from the field:

  • Massive Reach: Over 26 million individuals work for employers that offer corporate matching gift programs.

  • Donor Incentive: 84% of donors say they are more likely to give if they know a match is available, and 1 in 3 would give a larger amount.

  • The Revenue Gap: Between $4 billion and $7 billion in matching gift revenue goes completely unclaimed every single year.

  • Fulfillment Bottlenecks: When it comes to matching gift fulfillment, 31% of surveyed nonprofits’ biggest bottleneck is a lack of donor employer data.

A massive amount of money stays left on the table because the vast majority of donors have no idea that their company offers these benefits. By focusing on employer enrichment during your donor research, you can identify high-capacity donors who can easily multiply their financial impact through corporate ties.

Imagine a prospect research team dedicating weeks to a deep-dive wealth screening project, unearthing hidden real estate assets, private foundation connections, and public stock holdings for a top-tier cohort of museum donors. While these traditional indicators accurately reflect historical wealth capacity, the team frequently overlooks an immediate, highly predictable revenue driver resting quietly within the employer fields of their CRM.

Turning Raw Employment Data Into Workplace Giving Intelligence

Transitioning from passive data collection to proactive data utilization requires a fundamental shift in how research departments view their donor records. Too often, employment tracking is treated as a secondary administrative task rather than a core fundraising catalyst. When an organization treats employer information as an active asset, they can design more precise outreach campaigns that maximize matching revenue.

Moving past basic employer tracking

Many organizations collect donor employer names as a compliance habit rather than a strategy. A list of company names in your database is just raw data. To make this data useful, prospect researchers must convert basic employment records into actionable workplace giving intelligence.

For instance, a regional environmental conservation trust discovered that simply holding the name of a major local employer in their database yielded zero financial return until they actively linked those records to the employer’s specific corporate philanthropy parameters.

The elements of true workplace giving intelligence

Workplace giving intelligence means pairing a donor employment record with specific corporate giving guidelines. This process moves your team from knowing where someone works to knowing exactly how that employer handles philanthropy. Therefore, researchers should focus on capturing specific data points to systematically uncover corporate matching gifts:

  • Corporate match ratios: Determine if a company matches gifts 1:1, 2:1, or higher, which immediately establishes the true financial impact of an individual donation.
  • Minimum and maximum thresholds: Identify the lowest donation amount a company will match and their annual employee limit to avoid soliciting gifts that fall outside corporate parameters.
  • Employee eligibility statuses: Confirm if the program applies to full-time staff, part-time workers, or even retirees, ensuring your outreach targets eligible individuals.
  • Submission deadlines: Track calendar-year-end rules or post-donation grace periods to ensure opportunities do not expire before the donor submits their paperwork.

For the best results, avoid relying exclusively on self-reported donor employment updates during annual appeals. Instead, establish a standardized data enrichment protocol that leverages verified business registries to automatically flag corporate matching gifts opportunities whenever a new constituent enters your donor management ecosystem.

How Matching Gift Eligibility Informs the Ask Strategy

A deep understanding of corporate match rules gives your development officers the insight they need to change their approach to major donors. Gift capacity models that focus solely on personal wealth often yield conservative asks that don’t fully leverage corporate philanthropy. When fundraisers know a company’s matching rules, they can confidently ask for larger gifts based on that combined impact.

Aligning matching gift parameters with donor gift capacity

Once you establish workplace giving insights for a particular prospect, you can design a more effective ask strategy. Rather than relying solely on traditional wealth capacity models, use the company guidelines to set your target donation amounts. For example, if a major donor prospect works for an enterprise-level financial institution with a high matching gift maximum, your request can reflect that combined amount, aligning the donor’s personal philanthropic goals with their employer’s corporate matching gifts framework.

Examples of data-driven solicitations

Knowing corporate eligibility allows your development team to customize appeals based on real financial leverage:

  • The leverage appeal: If a prospect works for an employer with a 2:1 match ratio, frame the request around tripled impact. A $5,000 ask effectively becomes a $15,000 impact conversation that expands programmatic capabilities.
  • The maximum threshold push: For donors nearing the end of the year, use corporate maximum limits to encourage an additional gift that fully utilizes their remaining corporate match balance before the corporate window closes.
  • The upgrade conversation: Use match eligibility to show mid-level donors how a slight increase in their personal giving tier can trigger a significantly larger corporate payout, elevating their donor status without straining their personal finances.

When preparing a briefing memo for an upcoming face-to-face solicitation, replace generic wealth estimates with a clear breakdown of the prospect’s corporate matching gift potential. Presenting a major donor with a customized impact scenario that shows how their personal contribution triggers an institutional match often shortens the cultivation timeline.

Integrating Workplace Giving Intelligence Into Your Daily Workflows

To build a sustainable corporate matching gifts program, you must embed workplace intelligence directly into your daily research workflows. Relying on occasional database sweeps means you will miss critical employment changes as your donor base grows.

By establishing structured screening practices, researchers ensure that every profile they hand off to development staff contains actionable corporate data.

Screening your database for matching gift opportunities

Your existing donor database is the best place to start looking for corporate revenue. Prospect researchers can systematically review giving histories against corporate registries to flag match-eligible individuals who have already shown commitment to your mission.

For example, a prominent university hospital might implement a rolling monthly screening schedule for all mid-level consecutive donors, successfully uncovering thousands of dollars in corporate matching gifts that had been overlooked during standard wealth assessments.

Spotting employer hubs in your constituency

As you enrich your donor data with workplace insights, look for high concentrations of donors who work for the same employer. Finding these corporate hubs reveals excellent opportunities for corporate partnerships. If dozens of your supporters work for a single company, that business is an ideal target for deeper corporate grant applications or event sponsorships, allowing your development team to turn individual corporate matching gifts tracking into a broader institutional partnership strategy.

Map your workplace giving intelligence fields directly to your automated marketing tracks. When a researcher verifies an eligible employer, the system should instantly trigger a personalized email with specific corporate matching-gifts instructions, removing the manual follow-up burden on your gift officers.

Conclusion: Maximizing the Value of Prospect Research

Prospect research should do more than just build profiles. By turning employment data into workplace giving intelligence and using eligibility to inform your asks, you directly connect research tasks to corporate fundraising revenue. This ensures your team extracts the highest possible value from every record you analyze.

Building a systematic approach to identifying corporate matching gifts ensures your development department no longer leaves vital institutional funding on the table, turning your research desk into a reliable center for revenue generation.

Top Corporate Grant Databases Every Nonprofit Should Know

Top Corporate Grant Databases Every Nonprofit Should Know

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Securing sustainable funding is a perpetual challenge for nonprofits of all shapes and sizes. While individual donations and private family foundations are traditional pillars of philanthropy, corporate grantmaking represents a massive, often underutilized reservoir of capital. In fact, companies pump billions of dollars into the social sector each year through dedicated CSR initiatives.

However, finding the right corporate partner is more complex than simply sending out a cold proposal. It requires targeted research to align your organization’s mission with a company’s strategic giving priorities. To help you navigate this landscape, we’ve compiled a definitive list of the top corporate grant databases every nonprofit should know to streamline their research, optimize outreach, and maximize funding.

Our Top Recommendation: Double the Donation

When it comes to tracking down corporate revenue opportunities, Double the Donation stands out as the premier database (and automation ecosystem) for forward-thinking nonprofits. While many tools focus exclusively on isolated grants, Double the Donation offers a holistic approach to corporate giving data.

What makes this database the industry standard is its dual-focus architecture, which covers both ends of the corporate philanthropy spectrum.

  • Top-Down Corporate Grants: It details institutional funding pathways, major corporate foundation opportunities, discretionary community grants, and high-value marketing sponsorships aligned with executive CSR strategies.
  • Bottom-Up Employee Giving Programs: It also serves as the definitive repository for employee-led initiatives, including matching gift programs, volunteer grant opportunities, and individual payroll giving funds.

By blending traditional grant intelligence with real-time employee giving criteria, Double the Donation enables development teams to see the complete picture of a corporation’s philanthropic footprint. These insights ensure you never miss an opportunity to turn a grant application into a long-term corporate partnership.

Learn more about this corporate grant database here.

Other Corporate Grant Databases to Consider

While Double the Donation provides the most specialized and actionable corporate giving insights, building a robust toolkit involves understanding other database offerings across the sector. Consider incorporating these platforms into your broader prospect research workflow as well.

Candid (Foundation Directory Online)

Candid’s Foundation Directory remains a titan in institutional fundraising. Housing profiles on over 240,000 grantmakers, the database includes an expansive selection of corporate foundations and corporate giving programs.

Key features include:

  • IRS Form 990 Integration: Automatically scans and digitizes historical tax filings, giving users unparalleled transparency into exactly who a corporation funded in the past.
  • Interactive Recipient Maps: Visually charts out where corporate foundation dollars are going geographically, allowing you to instantly assess regional preferences.
  • Peer Analysis Tools: Enables your development team to cross-reference similar nonprofits to discover which corporate entities are backing their operations.

Plus, its advanced filtering allows users to parse funders by geographic focus, field of interest, type of support, and historical giving amounts.

Learn more about this corporate grant database or explore the differences between Candid and Double the Donation here.

Instrumentl

Instrumentl brings modern institutional fundraising workflow and intelligence under one roof. Its platform acts as a smart matching engine, linking your specific project criteria with active grant opportunities.

Key features include:

  • Algorithmic Matching Engine: Automatically pairs your specific program goals and local parameters with corporate RFPs, reducing manual searching.
  • End-to-End Workflow Dashboard: Combines prospect research with dedicated pipeline management to track submission dates and document drafts.

For corporate funding, Instrumentl tracks requests for proposals (RFPs) directly from corporate websites and foundations. This allows it to signal when application windows open and provide structured task management to keep your team on schedule.

Learn more about this corporate grant database or explore the differences between Instrumentl and Double the Donation here

GrantWatch

GrantWatch is a highly popular and frequently updated search engine that tracks grants from federal, state, local, and corporate funding sources. What sets GrantWatch apart is its user-friendly categorization and its aggressive tracking of currently open requests for proposals. Nonprofits can use its advanced search filters to narrow down grant opportunities by geographic focus, target population, and precise deadline dates.

Key features include:

  • Granular Deadline Filters: Features unique calendar sorting that filters corporate opportunities based on urgent, upcoming closing dates.
  • Hyper-Localized Corporate Sourcing: Makes it simple to discover localized municipal corporate awards and community branch grants that larger portals skip over.
  • Direct RFP Synthesizer: Extracts complex corporate guideline packets into straightforward summaries detailing exactly who qualifies and how to apply.

While the platform covers a broad spectrum of foundation and government funding, its dedicated corporate giving category is particularly valuable for identifying time-sensitive, localized corporate grants that might otherwise fly under the radar.

Learn more about this corporate grant database or explore the differences between GrantWatch and Double the Donation here.

GrantStation

GrantStation is an excellent, user-friendly database designed to assist small-to-midsized nonprofits in identifying active funding sources. It highlights dedicated sections for U.S.-based, Canadian, and international corporate giving.

Key features include:

  • Curated Active Directories: Manually screens profiles to eliminate out-of-date records, focusing specifically on corporate grantmakers actively accepting inquiries.
  • International Philanthropy Tracking: Offers dedicated sub-sections mapping out corporate giving options specifically across Canada, Europe, and global regions.
  • Strategic Proposal Toolkits: Provides members with built-in grant writing guides, tutorial webinars, and step-by-step curriculum to optimize corporate outreach.

GrantStation is highly praised for its curated approach. Rather than displaying dead leads or inactive foundations, the database focuses heavily on showcasing grantmakers that are currently accepting independent inquiries.

Learn more about this corporate grant database.

Atom Grants

Atom Grants brings artificial intelligence to the forefront of institutional fund tracking. Designed to go beyond basic, rigid keyword matching, Atom Grants uses a semantic search engine that understands the intent and broader concept behind your queries. It is incredibly efficient at cross-referencing a nonprofit’s core mission with active federal, foundation, and corporate industry opportunities.

Key features include:

  • Intent-Based Semantic Search: Employs AI to interpret abstract mission descriptions rather than relying on exact-word boolean operators.
  • AI Proposal Assistance: Includes built-in software parameters that cross-reference corporate eligibility rules to help format and draft preliminary concept notes.
  • Smart Dashboard Curation: Generates dynamic feeds that update continuously as new corporate foundation priorities are made public.

Atom Grants Corporate Grant Database

The database intelligently curates a personalized dashboard and provides built-in AI tools that assist in analyzing program eligibility and drafting proposal briefs, making it a highly modern choice for development teams seeking tech integration.

Learn more about this corporate grant database.

GrantScape

Powered by Thompson Grants, GrantScape is one of the largest comprehensive funding databases available, compiling nearly 180,000 active grantors across federal, state, local, and private foundation spectrums. GrantScape’s major draw is its proprietary tracking technology that detects updates to grant cycles, ensuring that user data remains clean, timely, and actionable.

Key features include:

  • Proprietary Crawling Alerts: Instantly notifications when a corporate giving program alters its cycle dates or expands its funding thresholds.
  • Cross-Sector Scope: Indexes corporate initiatives right alongside comprehensive federal, state, and local compliance databases.

GrantScape also allows fundraising professionals to build highly specific filtered alerts based on geographic focus, organization type, and funding amounts so it can drop fresh, qualified corporate grant opportunities straight into your inbox on a weekly basis.

Learn more about this corporate grant database.

The Grant Portal

The Grant Portal serves as an expansive online repository that aggregates thousands of scattered funding lines into a single, cohesive search engine.

Key features include:

  • TGP-Man AI Search Guide: Features an interactive virtual data assistant that guides users through complex database filtering rules.
  • Small Business & Corporate Confluence: Seamlessly maps out funding opportunities that exist on the border of corporate philanthropy and small business innovation.
  • Comprehensive Foundation Directory: Connects over 133,000 corporate and private organizations via a streamlined, indexed portal.

In other words, the platform is built to help organizations quickly track down corporate assets and historical giving trends.

Learn more about this corporate grant database.

fundsforNGOs

Specifically designed for global changemakers, fundsforNGOs focuses heavily on democratization of funding data for organizations in developing regions. Their database features specialized toolkits, curated grant maps, and a simplified search portal that highlights international corporate social responsibility grants.

Key features include:

  • Global South Specialization: Prioritizes indexing corporate foundations and multinational companies that directly fund operations in developing countries.
  • Integrated Training Toolkits: Couples database listings with contextual proposal writing templates specific to corporate philanthropy.
  • Interactive Funder Maps: Provides visual, step-by-step conceptual tracking to trace global corporate sustainability budgets.

fundsforNGOs is highly valued for providing clear, actionable grant-writing guides alongside its funder profiles. It’s a great tool for helping smaller nonprofits successfully navigate complex corporate applications.

Learn more about this corporate grant database.

GrantSelect

GrantSelect is a highly structured, online database that provides access to more than 16,000 funding programs from a wide variety of corporate givers, private foundations, and federal agencies.

Key features include:

  • Strict Subject-Line Indexes: Groups corporate donors into precise, clear vertical pillars (e.g., arts, youth programming, or health) to expedite discovery.
  • No-Frills Interface: Avoids overwhelming, complex UI data blocks, making it an optimal asset for volunteers or beginner grant writers.
  • Multifaceted Funder Profiles: Merges private foundation logs, federal program titles, and corporate grant portals into identical, simple layouts.

Known for its clean, straightforward interface, GrantSelect categorizes opportunities across various missions, including community development, arts and culture, health and wellness, and children’s programming. This grouping makes it easy to screen corporate funders without getting bogged down by complicated search syntax.

Learn more about this corporate grant database.

Grantx

Grantx (often utilized by corporate-relation officers and grant professionals) focuses on delivering streamlined tracking of active foundation and corporate giving initiatives. It aims to bridge the gap between initial prospect identification and project workflow.

Key features include:

  • Average Award Sizing Matrix: Explicitly surfaces the mathematical median of previous corporate gift payouts to help tailor your exact budget ask.
  • Direct Contact Logs: Curates verified corporate foundation emails, phone lines, and preferred department head submission channels.
  • Prospect Funnel Layout: Integrates your search discovery directly with internal corporate-relations pipeline software.

By compiling key data points such as average award size, application deadlines, and direct corporate foundation contact information, it cuts down the hours spent on manual internet searches.

Learn more about this corporate grant database.

GrantForward

Built heavily with academic, scientific, and specialized institutional research in mind, GrantForward features a vast database that tracks tens of thousands of funding opportunities spanning government, foundation, and corporate industry sponsors.

Utilizing advanced data-crawling algorithms, the platform builds tailored recommendations based on an organization’s active projects.

Key features include:

  • Algorithmic Web Crawlers: Employs constant, targeted automation to parse corporate site pages for sudden, un-indexed commercial grant opportunities.
  • Institutional Account Linking: Seamlessly syncs multiple member profiles across a university department or multi-tier nonprofit network.
  • Commercial Sponsorship Filtering: Curates corporate funding tracks specifically set aside for academic research, product testing, and scientific validation.

All in all, GrantForward is an ideal platform for nonprofits seeking corporate research contracts, specialized sponsorships, or technology-transfer grants.

Learn more about this corporate grant database.

Zeffy Grant Finder

Breaking the traditional mold of costly subscription search engines, the Zeffy Grant Finder tool offers an AI-powered database of over 723,000 corporate and foundation grants completely free of charge. Explicitly targeted at small, grassroots, and mid-sized 501(c)(3) organizations, Zeffy’s tool removes financial barriers by allowing nonprofits to freely filter corporate opportunities by cause, location, and funding amounts.

Key features include:

  • 100% Free Open Access: Eliminates expensive paywalls or subscription barriers, providing grassroots groups equal access to over 723,000 listings.
  • Micro-Grant Discoverability: Optimally set up to locate rolling-deadline corporate awards and small community bank grants under $10,000.
  • Streamlined Free Filters: Allows rapid sorting by local municipality and primary cause pillar without configuration constraints.

While there are a wide variety of use cases, Zeffy is known to be particularly effective for finding smaller, rolling-deadline corporate grants that help organizations build initial momentum.

Learn more about this corporate grant database.

GrantGopher

GrantGopher is a tailored search database explicitly built to satisfy the needs of local and community-focused nonprofits. It provides a straightforward, affordable entry point for teams seeking local corporate grants, regional foundation awards, and community-level sponsorships.

Key features include:

  • Community-Level Priority: Tailored specifically to filter out massive national competitions in favor of regional corporate giving branches.
  • No-Frills Entry Cost: Offers low-tier pricing structures and limited free-search options built specifically for small budgets.
  • Simplified Profile Briefs: Provides quick, summarized data-sheets that answer core eligibility rules without information overload.

Grant Gopher Corporate Grant Database

Users can quickly filter by state and cause category to pull up concise grant profiles, making it a favorite tool for small-scale development departments that need a reliable, no-frills window into corporate giving.

Learn more about this corporate grant database.

Devex

If your nonprofit operates on a global scale, focusing on international development, humanitarian aid, or global health, Devex is an indispensable resource. As the primary intelligence hub for the international development community, the Devex platform hosts a massive, specialized funding database.

Key features include:

  • Global Multinational Focus: Dedicated entirely to tracking international, cross-border corporate funding and complex development partnerships.
  • Corporate Procurement Tracking: Sources global supply chain agreements and non-governmental vendor opportunities from mega-corporations.
  • Industry Intelligence Network: Blends a deep grant database with a global journalistic newsroom covering global corporate sustainability updates.

It also tracks RFPs, tenders, and multi-million dollar grants from major international corporations, global conglomerates, and beyond, making it essential for organizations executing cross-border initiatives.

Learn more about this corporate grant database.

How to Get the Most Out of a Corporate Grant Database

Simply having access to a database is not enough. True success lies in how you interpret the data.

Keep these best practices in mind during your next search cycle:

  • Analyze the CSR Pillars: Corporations rarely give indiscriminately. They target specific causes, like STEM education, environmental sustainability, or workforce development, that align with their brand identity. Use your database to filter by these specific keywords to locate opportunities that match your mission.

Double the Donation's Corporate Grant Database - Mission Filters

  • Leverage Existing Connections: Before submitting a grant application, cross-reference supporter employment data! If you already have donors or volunteers working at that corporation, highlight this internal engagement in your grant proposal to immediately boost your credibility.

Double the Donation's Top Companies Report can help supplement corporate grant database research.

  • Watch for Multi-Year Commitments: Focus on corporate prospects that demonstrate a history of sustained, multi-year funding rather than one-off event sponsorships, to ensure a better return on your grant-writing time investment.

Ultimately, the most successful nonprofits treat these databases not just as directories of free capital but as relationship-management tools. Instead of executing a “spray and pray” approach with dozens of cold applications, development teams should use the filtered data to build a highly curated short-list of corporate prospects whose target metrics align with your nonprofit’s actual output.

Final Thoughts

Unlocking corporate funding requires the right combination of strategy, timing, and data accuracy. By utilizing structured databases, your development team can move away from exhausting cold outreach and transition into highly targeted, relationship-driven corporate fundraising.

If you are ready to stop leaving corporate money on the table, we strongly encourage you to explore Double the Donation’s database. By providing comprehensive intelligence on both top-down corporate grants and bottom-up employee giving programs, the platform arms your team with the exact data needed to turn corporate prospects into long-term funding partners.

Ready to Unlock Generous Corporate Support?

Find out how Double the Donation’s extensive database can help!

Book a Demo With the Industry’s #1 Corporate Grant Database →

Top Tools to Help Nonprofits Grow Corporate Fundraising

6 Top Tools to Help Nonprofits Grow Corporate Fundraising

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To maximize your organization’s revenue and grow corporate fundraising engagement among your network, it’s essential to leverage the right tools. Why? To capture your share of the billions in unclaimed matching gifts, volunteer grants, and payroll donations available annually.

By integrating data-rich databases, intuitive automation systems, and more, nonprofits like yours can streamline workflows and significantly increase overall funding. In this guide, we’ll walk through the six types of tools every organization should use in order to scale corporate giving.

These include:

  1. A Corporate Philanthropy Database
  2. Workplace Giving Automation Software
  3. Matching Gift-Enabled Donation Forms
  4. Clean, Data-Filled CRM
  5. Integrated Corporate Volunteer Management Systems
  6. CSR Vendor Platform Logins

Establishing a modern fundraising tech stack is no longer optional for organizations seeking to remain competitive in shifting philanthropic landscapes. While individual giving remains a cornerstone of nonprofit support, the untapped potential within CSR represents a massive opportunity for growth.

Let’s dive in to explore the tools you can use to drive success.

#1: A Corporate Philanthropy Database

A comprehensive database serves as the foundational intelligence layer for any successful workplace or corporate engagement strategy. This tool is a centralized repository with thousands of companies’ giving guidelines, including for matching gifts, corporate volunteering, payroll deductions, sponsorships, and more.

The primary role of this tool is to bridge the knowledge gap between donors and their employers. Research shows that over 78% of individuals are unaware that their company offers such a program. Providing a search tool means donors and volunteers can simply type their employer’s name, and the database populates with tailored insights in real time.

Without a searchable database, nonprofits are forced to rely on manual research, which is both error-prone and impossible to scale as their network grows. However, a database tool removes the friction that often prevents supporters from completing the request process.

Grow corporate fundraising revenue with a workplace giving database tool.

Here’s what you should consider when in the market for this type of solution:

  • Number of company profiles (look for 20,000+ to ensure high levels of supporter coverage)
  • Program inclusion (matching gifts, volunteer grants, volunteer time off, payroll giving, grants, in-kind gifts)
  • Detailed eligibility criteria for different organizations and mission types (e.g., K-12 schools vs. environmental causes)
  • Regular updates from a dedicated research team that tracks changes in corporate giving policies to guarantee data freshness
  • Direct links to online submission portals (or downloadable PDF forms, when applicable) to streamline the donor or volunteer journey

TL,DR: A robust database like Double the Donation’s allows organizations to identify every possible avenue for corporate support. Easy access to this information makes it simpler for supporters to get involved and improves processes for your back-end fundraising team!

How to Find the Right Tool for Your Team:

Check out re: Charity’s “What Is the Best Matching Gift Database? Our Reviews.“

#2: Workplace Giving Automation Software

Workplace giving automation software takes information from a philanthropy database and goes a few steps further. Essentially, an automation system puts the data into action without requiring manual intervention by your staff.

That’s essential, given that Nonprofit Source reports that 80% of nonprofits struggle to develop strong workplace giving strategies due to limited staff and resources.

This kind of technology is designed to identify donors and volunteers who qualify for workplace giving programs as soon as they enter your system. From there, it triggers the next steps in the lifecycle by automating personalized outreach, empowering nonprofits and other fundraising organizations to capture revenue that would otherwise be lost.

Grow corporate fundraising revenue with workplace giving automation software.

Here are a few standout features to keep in mind as you search for workplace giving automation software:

  • Instant identification of eligible donors and volunteers through email domain screening and seamless, ready-built integrations
  • Automated email streams or multichannel outreach that reminds supporters to complete their workplace giving requests
  • Tracking and reporting throughout the corporate giving lifecycle, from initial donation to final disbursement
  • Matching gift auto-submission, which equips donors at select companies with one-click request functionality directly from a donation confirmation screen

The efficiency gained through automation allows your organization to focus on high-level strategy and relational stewardship rather than administrative data entry. It also ensures that every gift is maximized, resulting in an average 20% to 50% increase in revenue (according to Double the Donation users).

TL,DR: A workplace giving automation system essentially serves as an extra member of your fundraising team, working around the clock to ensure no corporate dollar is left unclaimed.

How to Find the Right Tool for Your Team:

Check out our very own “Best Workplace Giving Software for Nonprofits to Grow Funds.“

#3: Matching Gift-Enabled Donation Forms

The giving form is the most critical touchpoint in the donor journey, making it the ideal place to introduce workplace giving opportunities. A matching gift-enabled form incorporates a search tool or checkbox that allows donors to identify their employer during the transaction. This proactive approach ensures that the organization captures up-to-date employment data at the source.

Fun Fact: Studies indicate that over 73% of donors will use a company search field on a donation form when presented with the opportunity. (source: https://360matchpro.com/matching-gift-statistics/)

Plus, when donors see that their contributions can be doubled or tripled by their employers, it often influences conversion rates as well as initial gift amounts. Research shows that 1 in 3 donors would give a larger gift, while 84% are more likely to donate if a match is offered.

Grow corporate fundraising by mentioning matching gifts in your donation forms.

By featuring matching gift information prominently on your giving forms, you’re not just asking for money; you’re inviting the donor to support you in a way that amplifies their personal impact. This creates a more rewarding experience for the individual and a higher return for the nonprofit.

Grow corporate fundraising revenue with a matching gift-enabled donation form.

Here are a few things to keep in mind when seeking a matching gift-enabled donation form provider:

  • Integrated company search widget availability (with autocomplete functionality!) within the core donation form itself
  • An embeddable confirmation page plugin that drives next steps with direct links to corporate submission portals
  • Mobile-responsive designs that ensure a smooth experience on smartphones or tablets

TL,DR: The best way to engage donors in matching gifts and other corporate programs is to include the information directly within the giving workflow. This enables your tools to grasp their attention while momentum is highest!

How to Find the Right Tool for Your Team:

Check out Getting Attention’s “Top Online Donation Tools That Help Nonprofits Raise More.“

#4: Clean, Data-Filled CRM

A constituent relationship management (CRM) system is the centralized hub for a nonprofit’s engagement operations. To grow corporate fundraising revenue effectively, it’s essential that this asset is filled with clean, updated employment data for each donor and volunteer. Having this information at your disposal allows you to segment your audience, send highly targeted appeals, and guide supporters through their companies’ specific processes. Plus, it helps identify clusters of individuals who work for the same employer, making them ideal candidates for deeper corporate partnerships!

Here are some things to consider if you’re searching for a new CRM to help scale your corporate giving efforts:

  • Integration with your donation forms and workplace giving automation system to ensure consistent, behind-the-scenes data flow
  • Reporting and analytics tools that assist with tracking performance, identifying areas for improvement, and making data-backed strategy adjustments
  • Organized constituent records that track the history of matching gifts and volunteer grants (with soft credit functionality to simplify reconciliation and recognize an individual’s full lifetime value)

Keep in mind that strategic enrichment is a key process for maintaining a healthy CRM. By periodically performing employer data enhancement, organizations can fill in any remaining gaps.

TL,DR: A well-managed CRM serves as an invaluable supporter intelligence hub. By integrating this system with your other fundraising tools, it’s easy to power your efforts with the right data to grow corporate fundraising effectively across all avenues.

How to Find the Right Tool for Your Team:

Check out Double the Donation’s “Standout Nonprofit CRMs to Better Manage Supporters.“

#5: Integrated Corporate Volunteer Management Systems

Employee volunteerism is a powerful corporate engagement entry point, and an integrated corporate volunteer system helps manage these relationships effectively. Plus, this kind of tool allows nonprofits to track volunteers’ time and identify those who qualify for programs such as volunteer grants and VTO.

42% of nonprofits have used volunteers as internal advocates to develop formal partnerships with their employers, while 20% stated that existing employee involvement warmed up sponsor conversations. (source: Double the Donation’s 2026 Corporate Volunteer report)

Integration is the most important aspect of this system. When your volunteer management software connects to a workplace giving database, it can automatically flag volunteers who work for participating companies in real time as they register.

Grow corporate fundraising with a VMS integration.

This allows you to send targeted reminders that encourage volunteers to log their service hours and submit their requests.

Here are some other features to consider if you’re looking for a VMS that’s equipped to grow corporate volunteering:

  • Automated volunteer time-tracking to ensure supporters reach the minimum thresholds required for corporate grants
  • Tools for sourcing and facilitating team volunteer events, which are often on a much larger scale than individual activities
  • Tailored email streams that provide information on (and direct links for) volunteer grant and VTO policies

TL,DR: Using the right technology to manage volunteer-related workflows is crucial for maintaining corporate interest. A well-connected ecosystem ensures that employee volunteers are made aware of their workplace benefits and are supported in securing those funds on your organization’s behalf.

How to Find the Right Tool for Your Team:

Check out our very own “Top 13 Corporate Volunteer Platforms to Unlock Revenue.“

#6: CSR Vendor Platform Logins

CSR platforms are software solutions that corporations use to manage philanthropic activities, including matching gifts, volunteer grants, and payroll giving. For a nonprofit to receive funds from these programs, it often must register and maintain an active profile on these third-party portals.

Grow corporate fundraising by accessing your CSR portal logins.

Note: This last category differs from the others in that it’s not a tool your organization purchases on its own. (Most CSR vendors offer free access to their nonprofit portals.) However, securing access to these platforms is a vital part of the corporate fundraising toolkit. When an employee submits a match request, the nonprofit is often required to confirm receipt of the initial gift. If this step is skipped, the workplace giving lifecycle stalls, and the funds will never be disbursed.

Rather than choosing the “right” tool for your team, CSR portal registration involves administering logins for each platform that processes donations for your donors’ and volunteers’ companies.

Our best tip? Apply for them all to ensure no funding slips through the cracks.

Today, the largest CSR vendors to note include Benevity, YourCause, and CyberGrants (now Bonterra). However, to benefit from the matching gift auto-submission mentioned above, you’ll need to be verified by additional CLMA-designated platforms. These currently include Selflessly, Millie, Uncommon Giving, Field Day, and Givinga.

TL,DR: To ensure you actually receive the workplace giving revenue you’re entitled to, you must first establish logins for the third-party technical intermediaries that run your supporters’ employers’ programs.

How to Get Started:

Check out Double the Donation’s “Registering Your Org with CSR Platforms + Key Steps For Each.“

Final Thoughts on Tools to Grow Corporate Fundraising

The corporate philanthropy landscape is vast. However, much of it remains untapped by nonprofits that lack the necessary tools to navigate it effectively. By investing in essential corporate fundraising solutions, your organization can move from passive receipt of funds to proactive, data-driven strategy.

These tools don’t just raise more money; they build deeper, more meaningful connections with the companies and employees who want to see your mission succeed. To truly supercharge your efforts, consider how these solutions can work together as a single, unified ecosystem.

Double the Donation offers the most advanced workplace giving solutions on the market, and their tools are designed to fit seamlessly into your existing workflows. Whether you’re looking to automate matching gifts or identify new sponsorship opportunities, having the right tech in place is the first step toward reaching your full potential.

Ready to scale your corporate giving strategy?

Get started with Double the Donation and its extensive ecosystem of fundraising partners.
Request a free demo today
Best Workplace Giving Software for Nonprofits to Grow Funds

Best Workplace Giving Software for Nonprofits to Grow Funds

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According to research from Nonprofit Source, 80% of organizations struggle to build strong workplace giving strategies due to limited staff and resources. Luckily, the industry has a solution to this challenge: workplace giving software.

Workplace giving software for nonprofits allows stretched-thin development teams to tap into massive, multi-billion-dollar funding streams by automating the steps required to secure corporate matching gifts, volunteer grants, payroll donations, and more.

However, there are a few workplace giving software providers in the space, and it’s worth noting that all fundraising tools are not created equal. That’s why we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about the two leading platforms here:

Building a sustainable fundraising strategy requires looking beyond individual donations and tapping into the massive potential of corporate giving. By leveraging high-performance tools, organizations can eliminate manual research and empower supporters to amplify their impact through seamless, integrated workflows.

The results? Driving revenue growth without increasing administrative load. Let’s dive in.

HEPdata ⁠— A Legacy Matching Gift Solution

HEPdata is recognized as one of the oldest players in the matching gift technology landscape. For decades, it was the primary choice of universities and large nonprofits looking to track and secure corporate gifts.

However, in recent years, the platform has faced criticism for becoming increasingly outdated as newer, more automated solutions have entered the market. While it still maintains an industry presence, it is generally considered less than cutting-edge.

Still, let’s take a look at its two core products: eMatch Donor Link and eMatchPortal.

eMatch Donor Link (Company Lookup)

The eMatch Donor Link is HEPdata’s entry-level solution for facilitating company lookups. This tool is designed to give both donors and development teams access to a database of corporate gift-matching programs. When a user enters a company name into the search tool, the system populates employer-specific information, including a summary of eligibility criteria, forms (if available), and contact details.

A look at HEPdata's Workplace Giving Software

This widget is generally used by nonprofits to provide a self-service option for their supporters. While it typically provides accurate information, the user interface and overall experience are often described as more utilitarian and less intuitive.

While the primary goal is to bridge the knowledge gap by showing donors that their gifts can be matched, it requires several manual steps to complete the process. It serves best as a basic reference guide rather than a high-performance growth tool.

eMatchPortal (Automating Matching Gifts)

From there, HEPdata’s eMatchPortal represents the platform’s more advanced solution for managing the matching gift lifecycle. It’s marketed as a way to amplify affinity automatically by identifying eligible donors in a nonprofit’s database and following up with them via customized emails. The tool aims to track donations and maintain personalized communication with donors until the required matching-gift paperwork is submitted to the employer.

A look at HEPdata's Workplace Giving Software

While this portal offers some level of automation, it has historically lacked the depth of integration found in newer platforms. Unlike the 100+ native APIs offered by current industry leaders, eMatchPortal relies on a limited number of partnerships and often requires manual intervention, such as CSV uploads. This can make the initial implementation more difficult for organizations without dedicated IT support and increase the risk of missed matches due to stale data.

Final Thoughts on HEPdata’s Workplace Giving Tools

The primary focus of this platform remains on its database of corporate matching gift guidelines. HEPdata provides a search tool for nonprofits to check whether a donor’s company offers a match, but it lacks the multi-module approach that defines comprehensive workplace giving software.

Because it has not expanded significantly into areas such as volunteer grants or payroll giving, organizations using it often find they need additional tools to manage other facets of their corporate strategy.

Double the Donation ⁠— Complete Workplace Giving Software

Next up to review is Double the Donation.

This platform currently stands as the industry leader in workplace giving, offering the most comprehensive suite of tools to help nonprofits and schools capture every available corporate dollar.

Founded in 2011, the company began with a focus on matching gifts. Since then, however, it has evolved into a robust, multi-module platform that addresses the full spectrum of employee-led, corporate-driven philanthropy.

Let’s examine each of the primary modules currently offered.

Double the Donation Matching (Automating Matching Gifts)

Double the Donation’s matching gift module is the flagship component of its workplace giving software, designed to secure thousands of dollars worth of corporate matches that often go unclaimed. This solution provides a user-friendly search tool that can be embedded directly on donation forms and confirmation pages, as well as groundbreaking automation functionality that simplifies the experience for donors and fundraisers alike.

Double the Donation Workplace Giving Software - Matching

One standout feature is Double the Donation’s auto-submission functionality. For select companies, individuals can submit their matching gift requests directly from the nonprofit’s donation page without ever navigating to a separate portal. This breakthrough technology significantly reduces the drop-off rate, driving more submissions to completion. For companies that do not yet support auto-submission, Double the Donation’s automation system still provides direct links to online forms and program guidelines, such as minimums, maximums, and ratios.

Double the Donation Volunteering (Automating Volunteer Grants + VTO)

Next, Double the Donation’s volunteering module shifts the focus toward supporters who contribute their time rather than just their treasure. Many corporations offer volunteer grant programs, providing monetary donations to nonprofits in recognition of their employees’ service hours, and volunteer time off, which enable employees to support organizations in hands-on ways during regular business hours without sacrificing their pay.

Double the Donation Workplace Giving Software - Volunteering

Double the Donation Volunteering empowers nonprofits to make the most of these opportunities by integrating with VMS tools to collect employment data during registration and follow up with personalized reminders post-engagement.

Double the Donation Payroll (Automating Payroll Giving)

Payroll giving is often described as one of the most underutilized fundraising opportunities, providing a gateway to predictable, recurring income for nonprofits. For this reason, Double the Donation’s payroll giving module is designed to identify high-value payroll donation programs within an organization’s existing support network.

Double the Donation Workplace Giving Software - Payroll

Specifically, the payroll giving module provides an embeddable plugin that can be placed on a dedicated web page. This allows donors to search for their employers and receive company-specific next steps for enrollment. Plus, reporting dashboards within the module supply critical insights into which companies are most frequently searched for by their supporters.

Double the Donation’s Sponsorship Directory (Corporate Grant + In-Kind Donation Lookup)

Rounding out the comprehensive suite is Double the Donation’s sponsorship directory. While the other modules focus on employee-led initiatives, this resource helps uncover broader opportunities for corporate grants, event sponsorships, and in-kind donations.

The directory tool provides specific insights into thousands of companies’ philanthropic pillars and geographic focus areas. By providing verified contact information and direct links to grant application portals, Double the Donation once again eliminates hours of manual research for development staff.

Double the Donation Workplace Giving Software - Sponsorships

Not to mention, it integrates with leading event management platforms, making it an essential resource for nonprofits planning galas, walkathons, auctions, and more.

Final Thoughts on Double the Donation’s Workplace Giving Tools

Double the Donation is currently trusted by more than 8,000 organizations to identify supporters who qualify for workplace philanthropy benefits and streamline communication about their giving potential. And for good reason!

The platform is built on a massive database covering more than 26 million workplace giving-eligible supporters. This extensive reach ensures that nearly every supporter can be screened for potential corporate benefits.

Plus, unlike HEPdata and other older platforms, Double the Donation functions as a centralized hub for matching gifts, volunteer incentives, payroll giving, and more, making it the most advanced workplace giving solution on the market.

HEPdata vs. Double the Donation Platforms Compared

Choosing the right workplace giving software for nonprofits requires a clear understanding of how different solutions stack up. While both HEPdata and Double the Donation offer matching gift information, their approaches to technology and automation differ significantly.

The following chart provides a quick comparison to help you evaluate the tools:

Double the Donation HEPdata
Years since founding1529
Company listings24,00020,000
Types of programs6+1
Number of clients8,0001,000
Integrations offered100+15-20

Analyzing the differences between these two providers reveals a significant gap in modern functionality. In the sections below, we’ll break down these fast facts to explain why your choice of software affects your long-term success.

Years Since Founding (Market Stability)

When looking at years since founding, the two companies represent different eras of the nonprofit technology sector. Founded in 1997, HEPdata has been in the market for 29 years. This means it was established at a time when matching gift research was largely manually performed by university advancement offices. HEPdata’s extensive history allowed the provider to establish a deep footprint, but it also means its core infrastructure was built before the era of modern cloud-based automation and real-time API integrations.

In contrast, Double the Donation has been operating for 15 years, launching at a time of rapid digital transformation. This allowed the platform to be developed with an “automation-first” mindset. While a decade and a half still provides immense stability and industry expertise, the software feels significantly more modern. This often translates into how quickly and consistently each company releases new features, with the younger generally leading in innovation.

Company Listings (Database Reach)

The number of companies included within each database is a critical metric. After all, it directly correlates to the likelihood that your supporters will find the information they need. As of 2026, Double the Donation lists 24,000 companies. Whether an individual works for a massive global corporation or a regional business, their program details are likely available.

On the other hand, HEPdata lists approximately 20,000 companies. While this is still a substantial number, the 4,000-company difference can lead to significant lost revenue. The larger database (provided by Double the Donation) casts a wider net to capture more opportunities. This ensures your staff does not have to manually research programs that the software missed.

Client Base (Industry Trust)

The number of clients using a platform is a strong indicator of its reliability and its ability to scale. HEPdata currently serves around 1,000 users, a number that has remained relatively stagnant as more organizations move toward automation. A smaller client base means fewer resources for research and development, and it’s tested in fewer, less diverse fundraising environments.

Comparatively, Double the Donation is trusted by 8,000+ clients, including many of the world’s most reputable nonprofits. This high volume of users creates a feedback loop that helps the software improve. With millions of searches across the network, researchers can quickly implement the necessary changes when a company updates its guidelines.

Integration Offerings (Tech Stack Compatibility)

In the world of workplace giving software for nonprofits, integrations are the most important factor for scaling efficiency. Today, Double the Donation offers 100+ native integrations with CRMs, donation forms, peer-to-peer platforms, VMS systems, CSR portals, and more. This means the solution can easily “talk” to your existing tools, identifying eligible supporters at the moment they engage. The seamless data flow eliminates the need for manual efforts, ensuring that no donor or volunteer falls through the cracks.

At the same time, HEPdata is currently limited to between 15 and 20 donation form and CRM integrations. For many modern nonprofits, this is a significant limitation. If your fundraising platform is not on that short list, your team will likely have to resort to CSV uploads and manual data updates. This often results in human error and creates a lag in communication.

Types of Programs (Revenue Stream Diversity)

The final point of comparison is the variety of programs each workplace giving software supports. Despite its extensive history in the corporate philanthropy space, HEPdata remains focused almost exclusively on a single type of program:

  • Matching gifts

This narrow focus means that organizations are missing out on other portions of the growing workplace giving ecosystem.

Meanwhile, Double the Donation provides powerful insights and automation tools for more than six different types of giving programs, including:

  • Matching gifts
  • Volunteer grants
  • Volunteer time off
  • Payroll giving
  • Sponsorships and grants
  • In-kind donations

This allows nonprofits to manage their entire corporate giving portfolios (and grow revenue across all channels) with a single platform.

Workplace Giving Software in Action: Real Nonprofit Examples

To truly understand how the right software can impact your fundraising, let’s look at how two different organizations leverage workplace giving tools on their websites. While both nonprofits are dedicated to incredible causes, their choice of workplace giving software creates a vastly different experience for their supporters.

Example #1: Poway Unified School District (Powered by HEPdata)

In this first example, we see a clean, dedicated matching gifts page. This resource provides clear instructions on the impact of a donor’s gift (noting it can be doubled or tripled by an employer) and uses a straightforward search bar to assist in locating an employer’s policy.

Poway Unified School District Workplace Giving Software

However, it’s important to acknowledge that the scope of workplace giving promoted here is strictly limited to matching gifts. The embedded HEPdata search tool doesn’t bridge the gap for supporters who might want to engage through other corporate channels.

This creates a siloed experience where the donor only checks for a match, potentially leaving other available incentives on the table.

Example #2: Heroes Foundation (Powered by Double the Donation)

Conversely, the Heroes Foundation utilizes Double the Donation’s workplace giving software, and the difference in revenue surface area is immediate. Noting that they offer “several employer-based options to double donations,” this organization represents a triple threat in workplace philanthropy, encompassing matching gifts, payroll giving, and volunteer incentives.

A look at Heroes Foundation's workplace giving software usage

The Heroes Foundation’s workplace giving page is designed to eliminate the knowledge gap that prevents millions of dollars worth of corporate funds from being claimed. Alongside the integrated matching gift search tool (pictured below), the interface provides a dedicated sidebar that displays the foundation’s legal name, address, tax ID, and contact details to reduce friction in the request process.

A look at Heroes Foundation's workplace giving software usage

From there, users are met with additional information about payroll giving and employer volunteer incentives, showcasing a truly holistic workplace fundraising strategy. By incorporating these options into the same search experience, the Heroes Foundation ensures that no matter how an individual wants to support them, the software identifies the opportunity and guides them through the process to finish the job.

A look at Heroes Foundation's workplace giving software usage

The Bottom Line

If your organization only focuses on matching gifts, you’re likely leaving 50% or more of potential corporate revenue on the table. However, getting set up with modern tools allows you to capture additional funding streams in the same breath as a standard donation.

While HEPdata offers a solid entry point for matching gift lookups, Double the Donation provides a more expansive toolkit that turns every donor search into a multi-channel funding opportunity.

Wrapping Up: Growing Funds With Workplace Giving Tools

With 84 percent of donors stating they’re more likely to give if a match is offered, and 1 in 3 donors indicating they would give a larger gift if it were matched, the psychological and financial impact of these opportunities is undeniable. However, the complexity of managing the programs manually creates a barrier that most staff simply cannot overcome on their own.

The landscape of nonprofit fundraising is changing. Organizations that fail to leverage the right tools are leaving a substantial amount of revenue on the table.

As you evaluate the best solution for your organization, consider the platform’s long-term scalability. Investing in high-performance tools allows your fundraising team to focus on building meaningful relationships. Meanwhile, the software handles the heavy lifting of identifying and securing corporate funds. Best of luck!

Ready to scale your revenue? Get started with Double the Donation’s complete suite of workplace giving tools and unlock your supporters’ full potential today. Click here to request a demo.

The Best Matching Gift Software for Nonprofits and Schools

The Best Matching Gift Software for Nonprofits and Schools

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The matching gift opportunity represents a massive source of untapped funding for charitable organizations, yet billions of dollars remain unclaimed annually. Implementing the right matching gift software allows nonprofits and schools to automate the identification of eligible donors and streamline the submission process, ensuring no corporate revenue is left on the table.

Our guide includes everything you need to know about matching gift software to set your organization up for fundraising success. We’ll cover:

Choosing the right technology is the single most important step in modernizing your corporate fundraising strategy and achieving (and surpassing) your revenue goals. Dive into the current landscape of matching gift software to help your team make an informed decision that maximizes your impact.

Let’s begin with the basics!

What Is Matching Gift Software?

Matching gift software is a specialized workplace fundraising tool designed to empower nonprofits and schools to secure more revenue from corporate donation-matching programs. While many fundraisers are familiar with the concept of matching gifts, the administrative burden of tracking thousands of different company policies often prevents these programs from reaching their full potential.

Luckily, the right software serves as a bridge among your organization, your donors, and corporations that want to support your mission.

There are generally two primary types of matching gift software solutions for nonprofits and schools:

  1. The first is a company database. This is a comprehensive repository of corporate giving guidelines, including minimum and maximum gift amounts, match ratios, and submission deadlines for thousands of employers.
  2. The second is an automation solution. While a database provides the information, an automation tool ensures that donors actually see that information at the right time.

The most effective matching gift solutions integrate these functions into a single workflow. For example, when a donor enters their employer’s name into a search tool on your donation page, the software instantly pulls data from the database to show them exactly how to request a match. Then, if they don’t complete the match request, an email reminder will trigger to encourage those next steps.

Without support from this kind of software, donors are often left to navigate complex corporate portals on their own, resulting in frustration and high drop-off rates. To achieve the best results, look for a solution that combines a robust database with high-performance tracking and outreach tools.

How Does Matching Gift Software Support Nonprofits & Schools?

The true value of matching gift software extends far beyond just collecting corporate checks. When done well, it fundamentally changes how donors engage with your cause.

Research shows that 84% of survey participants are more likely to donate if a match is offered during the solicitation process. This means simply having matching gift software visible on your giving forms can increase the number of donations you ultimately receive.

Matching Gift Software Statistics

Implementing a dedicated solution offers several other transformative benefits for your fundraising strategy, too:

  • Increased gift sizes: 1 in 3 donors indicate they would give a larger base contribution if they knew a match was going to be applied to their gift.
  • Improved response rates: Mentioning matching gifts in fundraising appeals increases response rates by 71% and the average donation amount by 51%.
  • Significant revenue growth: The average matched gift is 1.5-2X the size of the average unmatched gift, providing a massive boost to your organization’s bottom line.
  • Unrivaled supporter engagement: High-performing matching gift strategies can result in over 75% engagement, which is 5x the average rate for nonprofit communications.
  • Reduced administrative processing: Matching gift software streamlines the identification, follow-up, and verification processes. This reduces the effort that often bogs down development coordinators.
  • Reallocation to high-impact stewardship: By automating administrative tasks, software empowers your team to pivot its focus to high-value activities, such as cultivating relationships or launching new campaigns.
  • Data-driven insights: Instead of manually compiling spreadsheets, the right technology delivers instant reporting and analytics, enabling leadership to make strategic decisions based on real data.

The returns on these tools are substantial. When donors see that their $100 gift can yield $200 or even $300 in impact through their employer, they feel more inspired to get and stay involved. This results in deeper engagement and longer-term retention over time.

What Are the Best Matching Gift Software Solutions Available?

As the demand for corporate social responsibility grows, matching gift software is becoming an increasingly essential component of any nonprofit tech stack. But how can you choose the right provider for your organization’s needs? Let’s take a look at the two top platforms in the matching gift space today.

Double the Donation Matching

Double the Donation is widely considered the best matching gift software for nonprofits and schools. Why? It’s largely because of its industry-leading database and innovative automation.

The platform currently includes listings for over 24,000 companies (with more added nearly every day), spanning more than 26 million eligible employees. That’s an estimated 99.68% coverage for match-eligible donors! In other words, when a donor searches for their company, they’re almost certain to find accurate results.

Double the Donation Matching provides a comprehensive suite of tools designed to maximize efficiency and revenue:

  • Extensive corporate gift-matching database: Access the most accurate and up-to-date repository of corporate giving guidelines.
  • Automated email streams: Trigger personalized follow-ups based on donor eligibility to guide them through the submission process after they give.
  • Matching gift auto-submission: Allow qualifying donors to submit requests directly from your confirmation screen, removing the need for external portals.
  • Extensive integration network: Connect seamlessly with over 100 different fundraising systems, CRMs, and peer-to-peer platforms for a turnkey setup.
  • Actionable reporting: Track match requests from the initial search to the final disbursement with real-time data and donor engagement metrics.

A look at Double the Donation's Matching Gift Software

Not to mention, it also offers powerful solutions for raising funds through employee volunteering, payroll giving, sponsorships, and more. This empowers teams to make the most of every facet of corporate engagement.

Here’s what one online review says: “When it comes to growth and evolution, Double the Donation is the clear winner. This is the only platform that has demonstrated significant growth over the years, with many large organizations turning to its software to meet their database needs.”

HEPdata eMatch Tools

HEPdata is an alternative matching gift software provider that offers a suite of tools for donor lookup and automated follow-up. Their primary offerings include:

  • eMatch Donor Link, which provides donors and fundraisers with access to a gift-matching program database
  • eMatchPortal, which is designed to identify match-eligible donors and reach out to them post-donation via email

A look at HEPdata's Matching Gift Software

While HEPdata has been a long-standing name in the industry, its current technology has significant limitations. For example, its website states that it’s currently “working toward integrations” and is asking fundraising platforms to get in touch. This indicates that the platform does not currently offer the same level of turnkey partnerships as other leading providers. For those seeking out-of-the-box automated workflows, this can be a major drawback.

Furthermore, many organizations find HEPdata’s database to be outdated compared to other, more modern solutions. This often results in donors receiving broken links or inaccurate information, as companies update their program guidelines and submission processes. Plus, it’s been reported that the way the details are displayed is less than intuitive.

Here’s what one online review says: “HEPdata offers information that can be used by both donors and nonprofits. However, the way their database presents its information may be confusing for some who are unfamiliar with the process.”

How Do CSR Platforms Relate to Matching Gift Software?

To understand the full ecosystem of matching gift technology, it’s important to distinguish between:

  • The tools nonprofits use to simplify fundraising
  • And the tools corporations use to manage their programs

Corporations typically manage their matching gift programs through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) platforms. These tools serve as technical intermediaries through which matching gift requests are processed and funds are disbursed.

How matching gift software and CSR vendors work together

However, most CSR platforms offer a free portal through which a nonprofit can register as an approved cause. This allows them to verify initial donations from supporters and reconcile funds upon receipt.

Here are some names you should know:

Benevity, CyberGrants, and YourCause are the platforms that currently manage the majority of enterprise-level corporate giving programs. When a donor submits a match request, the nonprofit is typically required to log in to the appropriate portal. From there, they must confirm that the initial donation was actually made before the company releases the matching funds.
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In recent years, additional CSR platforms such as Field Day, Givinga, Millie, Selflessly, and Uncommon Giving have entered the market. These solutions have partnered with nonprofit matching gift software like Double the Donation to enable groundbreaking auto-submission functionality. By connecting the donor-facing search tool directly to the corporate management portal, these tools streamline the request process. The result? A significant increase in the number of matching gifts that are ultimately received.

Next Steps: Building Your Matching Gift Software Toolkit

Investing in matching gift software is a strategic move to unlock a massive and sustainable revenue stream for your organization. By automating the identification and outreach processes, your team can focus on building relationships with major donors while the technology handles the brunt of the high-volume administrative workload.

And it truly is an investment. The ROI for these tools is often realized quickly. As the development manager at New Life Ranch noted, their nonprofit team saw a definitive increase in revenue almost immediately after implementation, stating that the software “already paid for itself in 6-8 weeks.”

To kick things off, take some time to evaluate your current fundraising toolkit. Prioritizing a matching gift solution with database and automation capabilities will ensure the best possible experience for your community. Not to mention, the highest revenue growth for your mission!

We recommend checking out Double the Donation’s standout matching gift software. Request a personalized demo to get started today!

Unifying Donation & Workplace Giving Data_ 3 Top Strategies_Feature

Unifying Donation & Workplace Giving Data: 3 Top Strategies

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Quick Summary:

Nonprofits and schools can easily maximize their revenue by unifying workplace giving data into a single, centralized system. Doing so eliminates departmental silos, ensures no opportunities slip through the cracks, and provides a seamless experience for supporters.

The ultimate goal of any fundraising strategy is to create a seamless experience for donors while maximizing every revenue stream. By unifying donation and workplace giving data, organizations can move away from fragmented systems that cause valuable opportunities to slip through the cracks.

In this guide, we’ll explore:

Building a cohesive data ecosystem is no longer a luxury for modern nonprofits. It is a fundamental requirement for growth. When your donation records, volunteer hours, and matching gift opportunities live in separate silos, your team loses the ability to see the full picture. Centralizing this information allows for more personalized outreach, ensuring that every eligible dollar is claimed.

Understanding the Importance of Unified Donation Data

Data centralization is the process of consolidating information from various departments and local chapters into a single, accessible database. In many large organizations, fundraising efforts are split between national offices and local branches. This often leads to a “chapter-based” intake model where data is stored locally.

While local engagement is vital, decentralized data often leads to missed revenue because workplace giving engagement is not consistently monitored.

On the other hand, a unified data strategy provides a single source of truth for your development team. When a donor gives, the national office can immediately identify if they work for a company like Google or Disney. By unifying your data, you can trigger automated follow-up messages regardless of where the initial gift was made. This consistency is essential for maintaining a professional brand image and building trust with high-value donors and partners.

Not to mention, centralized data allows for better reporting and performance tracking. You cannot improve what you do not measure. By housing all workplace giving metrics together, leadership can easily identify which regions are excelling and which need more support. This bird’s-eye view is the first step toward scaling your efforts and reaching ambitious financial goals.

Expert Tips for Consolidating Workplace Giving Insights

Moving from a decentralized model to a consolidated system requires both a shift in mindset and the right technical framework. These specific tips will help your team navigate the transition while maintaining high levels of data integrity and supporter engagement.

Strategy #1. Moving Away from Decentralized Data Intake Models

The first major strategy for unifying your data is to dismantle decentralized intake systems. Many nonprofits suffer from departmental silos in which the volunteer team uses one software platform, the events team uses another, and the development team uses a third. This fragmentation makes it nearly impossible to identify the champions who support your cause in more than one way. By moving toward a unified intake model, you ensure that every piece of data is captured and cross-referenced.

One of the biggest risks of decentralized data is the loss of matching gift revenue. When a local chapter or affiliate processes a donation but lacks the tools to verify eligibility, that potential funding disappears. National offices are typically better equipped with the technology and staff to manage complex corporate giving portals. Therefore, shifting the responsibility of matching gift processing to a central hub ensures that no gift is left on the table.

The impact of centralizing donation and workplace giving data

Beyond revenue, this transition also improves the donor experience. Supporters often feel frustrated when they receive redundant or conflicting communications from different parts of the same organization. A unified model enables seamless omnichannel marketing, where your message is consistent across your website, email, social media, and more. This professional approach encourages donors to engage deeply with your mission over time.

Strategy #2. Integrating Workplace Giving in the Donor Journey

Our second strategy involves embedding workplace giving opportunities directly into the initial engagement process. Many organizations treat workplace giving as an afterthought, sending a follow-up email days or weeks after a gift is made. However, the most effective way to unify data is to collect employment information at the point of involvement. This ensures that the data is ready for immediate action (and stored within their record), whether it came through a giving form or volunteer registration.

The result? Unlocking multiple streams of workplace giving revenue with a single data point!

Here’s how you can implement this step:

  • Donation Pages: Include a company search tool to identify matching gift eligibility.
  • Volunteer Registrations: Embed the search tool in your signup forms to determine which volunteers are eligible for volunteer grants or VTO.
  • Confirmation Pages: Provide direct links to the employer’s workplace giving submission portal to streamline next steps.
  • Thank You Emails: Mention the specific programs they may qualify for (matching gifts, volunteer grants, payroll giving, etc.) based on their employer.

Keep in mind that a manual data entry process is prone to errors and delays. By using integrated technology, you can ensure that the moment a donor identifies their employer, your system is ready to guide them through the submission process. This level of support makes workplace giving feel like a natural part of the journey rather than an extra chore.

Strategy #3. Utilizing Comprehensive Automated Technology

The third and perhaps most critical strategy involves investing in dedicated workplace giving software that automates data unification. Managing corporate philanthropy programs manually is a Herculean task, especially for large organizations with thousands of donors. Automation tools like Double the Donation work in the background to identify eligible gifts, send reminders, and track progress to completion without requiring constant staff intervention.

Plus, automation does more than just save time. It also increases the accuracy of your data. These platforms maintain massive databases of corporate giving programs, ensuring your organization always has the most current information on match ratios, minimums, deadlines, and other guidelines. And when your fundraising tools communicate through integrations, the data remains clean and actionable across your entire tech stack.

For example, Double the Donation’s Volunteering module helps identify supporters who qualify for volunteer initiatives. By unifying volunteer data with your organization’s broader donation data, you can identify which supporters provide the most holistic value. This comprehensive view allows you to steward supporters more effectively and thank them for the diverse ways they contribute to your cause.

How to Overcome Common Implementation Barriers

While the benefits of unifying your data are clear, many nonprofits face internal resistance when implementing these changes. Overcoming these barriers requires strong leadership and a clear focus on the long-term mission of maximizing impact.

Navigating Internal Resistance

One of the most common mistakes nonprofits make when it comes to unifying workplace giving data is departmental silos. Different units, such as the volunteer department or the events team, may feel protective of their specific data and processes. This turf-war mentality can slow the centralizing process and lead to fragmented donor records.

To solve this, leadership must emphasize that a rising tide lifts all boats. When matching gift revenue increases through data improvements, those funds can be allocated to the programs that generated them. Showing how centralization benefits each department by providing a 360-degree view of their supporters can help gain internal buy-in.

Addressing Data Privacy and Security Concerns

Data privacy is a paramount concern for any nonprofit professional handling sensitive donor information. Some may worry that moving data from chapter-specific spreadsheets into a unified database increases the risk of a breach. This fear can lead to hesitation in adopting the very tools needed for growth.

The solution lies in selecting reputable software providers that offer high levels of security. Double the Donation, for example, utilizes secure integrations and verified data sources to ensure donor information is protected. By using professional tools instead of manual spreadsheets, you actually increase your security by storing data in encrypted, SOC 2-compliant environments.

Managing the Perceived Cost of New Technology

Budget constraints are a reality for every nonprofit, and the perceived cost of new software can be a significant barrier. Leadership may hesitate at the price of an automation platform, focusing on the upfront expense rather than the long-term ROI. This immediate thinking often costs the organization more over time.

The best way to overcome this barrier is to look at the hidden cost of manual data management. For example, an increase in matching gift revenue can represent hundreds of thousands of dollars. Compared with millions in unclaimed corporate funds, technology cost is a minor expense that pays for itself many times over.

Solving the Challenge of Manual Data Entry

For organizations without automated systems, the sheer volume of data can be overwhelming. Entering employer information and tracking match requests by hand is a Herculean task that is prone to human error. This administrative burden often leads to data fatigue, where staff members stop collecting information because they lack an efficient strategy.

Strategic automation is the only sustainable solution to this barrier. By integrating workplace giving tools directly into your online forms and supporter database, you eliminate the need for manual entry. The platform captures information at the source and updates records systematically. This shift allows your development team to stop acting as data entry clerks and start acting as strategic fundraisers.

Organizational Success: Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation

The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation (or CCF) serves as a prime example of how data centralization yields tangible results. Previously, the foundation operated under a decentralized structure in which individual chapters managed their own intake of matching gift data. However, this approach led to inconsistencies in how gifts were tracked and pursued. Recognizing the need for a more efficient system, CCF decided to centralize its workplace giving at the national office level.

By consolidating their accounts and using a unified software platform, Crohn’s and Colitis ensured that every donation made at the local level was screened for matching gift eligibility by the national team. This eliminated administrative burden on chapter staff, allowing the larger office to use expert knowledge to navigate corporate giving portals. The results were immediate and impressive.

Following this strategic shift, the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation saw a

26% increase in matching gift revenue.

By empowering a central team to handle the technical aspects of workplace giving, the foundation unlocked millions of dollars in previously untapped support.

How Crohn's & Colitis Foundation unified donation and workplace giving data for fundraising success

Interested in accessing more insights from CCF’s matching gift journey? Check out this recent blog to dive deeper into their approach.

Next Steps: Mastering Workplace Giving Data Consolidation

Unifying your donation and workplace giving data is a transformative step for any nonprofit. By moving away from decentralized models, integrating giving opportunities into the donor journey, and leveraging automation, you can unlock significant new revenue streams.

The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s success demonstrates that centralizing data is a winning strategy for increasing impact. Is your team ready to follow in their footsteps? Start small by auditing your current intake processes, then look for technology solutions to bridge gaps across your departments. The effort you invest in centralizing your data today will pay dividends in the form of a more engaged supporter base and a more financially resilient organization tomorrow.

Unify Your Workplace Giving Data (& Raise More) With Double the Donation

Stop letting corporate revenue slip through the cracks. Join 8,000+ organizations in using the #1 workplace giving automation suite to power their growth.

Request a demo to get started today

6 Untapped Sources of In-Kind Donations for Nonprofits

6 Untapped Sources of In-Kind Donations for Nonprofits

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As a nonprofit leader, you might picture in-kind donations as a soccer mom unloading bags of used clothing from her minivan at a local Goodwill. While those community contributions are the bedrock of many charitable operations, the scope of in-kind giving is significantly broader (and much more corporate) than most realize.

In-kind donations, or non-cash gifts, represent a massive opportunity for nonprofits to scale their operations without increasing their overhead. For this reason, many major corporations view in-kind giving as a primary pillar of their social responsibility strategy, often because it allows them to leverage their unique business assets to make a tangible impact.

If your fundraising strategy is strictly focused on cash, you’re missing out on a world of corporate resources. And we’re here to help you broaden your horizons! In this guide, we’ll cover (often-underutilized) in-kind donations through:

  1. Pro bono support
  2. Advertising space
  3. Software licenses
  4. Real estate
  5. Overstock and returned goods
  6. Travel vouchers

From high-end technology to professional legal counsel, the right in-kind partnership can be just as transformative as a major gift. When you realize that a company’s unused office space or their marketing team’s bench time is essentially a wasted asset for them, it becomes a win-win scenario.

The following six categories represent some of the most valuable, yet frequently overlooked, sources of in-kind donations available to the nonprofit sector today.

1) Pro bono support

While many nonprofits are familiar with volunteerism, pro bono support is a specialized form of in-kind giving where professionals donate their expert services for free. Instead of a corporate team spending a Saturday painting a fence, pro bono involvement may look like a marketing executive revamping your brand identity or an IT firm auditing your cybersecurity.

The actual value of pro bono support is calculated at the professional’s fair market hourly rate. If a senior partner at a law firm who normally bills $400 per hour spends 10 hours reviewing your contracts, that is a $4,000 in-kind gift.

Where to Locate These Opportunities:

Most large-scale pro bono work is found through formalized Corporate Social Responsibility programs. (Tip: Look for “Skills-Based Volunteering” opportunities on corporate websites.) These might include:

  • Marketing & Creative: Agencies often take on “passion projects,” providing high-end graphic design, video production, or PR strategy to nonprofits that could benefit from these services.
  • Legal & Finance: Law firms frequently have pro bono requirements, offering help with everything from contract reviews to non-profit status filings.
  • IT & Tech: Managed Service Providers (MSPs) can help set up your network or migrate your data to the cloud at no cost.

One untapped source of in-kind donations for nonprofits pro bono support; here's an example from Microsoft.

Additionally, organizations like Taproot Foundation and Catchafire act as massive clearinghouses, pairing professional talent with nonprofits in need of specific projects like legal aid, financial auditing, or web development.

Why This In-Kind Donation Is a Game-Changer:

Companies often encourage their employees to participate in skills-based volunteering or offer pro bono services. For the company, doing so improves employee retention and enhances professional development while growing CSR. Meanwhile, your organization receives access to talent and resources that might otherwise be outside your budget.

In other words, by leveraging professional services as in-kind donations, you aren’t just saving money; you’re elevating the professional standard of your entire organization.

2) Advertising space

Visibility is the lifeblood of fundraising, but the cost of digital and traditional media can be astronomical. Fortunately, some of the world’s largest media and tech companies offer no-cost advertising space specifically as a way to support 501(c)(3) organizations.

Where to Locate These Opportunities:

When it comes to free advertising, there’s one major program you should know: Google Ad Grants. Perhaps the most famous in-kind program, Google provides qualifying nonprofits with up to $10,000 per month in in-kind search advertising space. This allows your organization to appear at the top of search results when donors or volunteers look for keywords related to your cause.

One untapped source of in-kind donations for nonprofits is free advertising space; here's an example from Google's Ad Grants program.

However, you don’t want to overlook local media outlets, either. Billboards, radio stations, or regional magazines in your area may have Public Service Announcement quotas or unsold inventory they are willing to donate to local charities as a way to maintain community goodwill.

One untapped source of in-kind donations for nonprofits is free advertising space; here's an example from Lamar Advertising.

Why This In-Kind Donation Is a Game-Changer:

Digital and physical ad space creates a multiplier effect for existing campaigns. Access to $10,000 per month in free advertising places your cause in front of thousands of people actively searching for ways to help. This level of exposure is often the difference between a struggling local program and a widely recognized movement. It essentially levels the playing field, allowing a small nonprofit to compete for eyeballs right alongside massive global brands.

3) Software licenses

In today’s digital age, an organization is only as efficient as its tech stack. However, the nonprofit discount is just the tip of the iceberg. Many tech giants donate full software licenses for free, allowing your team to use the same enterprise-grade tools as Fortune 500 companies.

Where to Locate These Opportunities:

The gold standard for uncovering software donations is TechSoup, a nonprofit platform that serves as a software marketplace and support network for companies offering free or discounted tools for the nonprofit sector. These often include:

  • CRM and Productivity Tools, such as HubSpot, Zoho, and Microsoft
  • Creative Resources, such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Shutterstock, and Constant Contact
  • Infrastructure, such as GitHub, QuickBooks, and fundraising technology

Additionally, you can check the “For Nonprofits” pages of other major tech providers to locate additional opportunities. Salesforce offers the Power of Us program, for example, while Canva provides free premium access through Canva for Nonprofits.

One untapped source of in-kind donations for nonprofits is free software licenses, such as Canva.

Why This In-Kind Donation Is a Game-Changer:

Software donations eliminate the recurring monthly subscription creep that quietly bleeds nonprofit budgets dry. Not to mention, they provide sophisticated automation and data-tracking tools necessary to scale.

When your CRM, creative tools, security software, and more are contributed at no cost, your team spends less time on manual data entry and more time on the ground. It transforms your operations from a manual, paper-heavy process into a streamlined, tech-forward machine.

4) Real estate

One of the largest line items in any nonprofit budget is occupancy. Whether it’s a monthly lease or the cost of renting a ballroom for a gala, real estate is expensive. However, donated office space is increasingly common as corporations rethink their physical footprints.

Where to Locate These Opportunities:

Finding the right space requires a proactive approach to networking within your local business community. For the best results, look for properties that are currently underutilized or in transition, as these represent the most likely candidates for a tax-deductible donation.

This might include:

  • Unused Corporate Suites: With the rise of hybrid work, many companies have excess office space. They may be willing to donate a “wing” or several desks to a nonprofit in exchange for a tax deduction on the fair market value of the lease.
  • Event Venues: Hotels and community centers often have “dark nights” where a room is unbooked. Building a relationship with a local hotel manager can lead to a donated venue for your next board meeting or small fundraiser.
  • Universities & Libraries: Public and private institutions often have vacant rooms or specialized facilities (such as labs or theaters) that they provide at no cost to mission-driven organizations.

Beyond standard corporate offices, consider reaching out to local commercial real estate brokers. These professionals often have their pulse on vacant buildings or “zombie” storefronts where a short-term nonprofit tenancy can actually help keep the property active and maintained.

Why This In-Kind Donation Is a Game-Changer:

Securing donated space does more than just lower your monthly overhead; it provides your organization with a professional home base and a sense of permanence. Plus, by eliminating or drastically reducing rent, you can pivot those funds directly into your programs or even hire additional staff.

Whether it’s a donated storefront for a community center or a corporate boardroom for annual planning, these in-kind donated assets allow you to redirect thousands of dollars from “rent” to “reach.”

5) Overstock and returned goods

Retailers frequently face a logistical nightmare: what to do with perfectly good items that were returned or never sold. Instead of letting these items head to a landfill, many companies look for nonprofit partners to take them off their hands.

Where to Locate These Opportunities:

Accessing these goods often involves joining centralized distribution networks that specialize in corporate product philanthropy. To find the best fit for your mission, you may also decide to leverage Double the Donation’s corporate giving database, which identifies companies with dedicated programs (and open applications) for in-kind product donations.

Locate new sources of in-kind donations with Double the Donation's directory tool.

These specialized platforms act as a massive digital warehouse, allowing nonprofits to strategically browse and request the specific supplies they need most. For example:

  • Amazon FBA Donations: Through its FBA Donations program, Amazon incentivizes sellers to donate overstock and returned items to a network of nonprofits.
  • Good360: This specialized nonprofit serves as a functional bridge, connecting organizations with excess inventory from brands such as Nike and Staples.
  • Big Box Retailers: Companies like Walmart, Lowe’s, and Home Depot often donate “scratch and dent” items or seasonal overstock (like heaters or fans) to local shelters and community groups.

In addition to the national programs above, don’t forget to check with your local retailers and independent hardware or grocery stores. Often, items with minor packaging damage or discontinued labels are pulled from shelves and can be secured simply by establishing a recurring pickup schedule with the store manager!

Why This In-Kind Donation Is a Game-Changer:

Whether you need office supplies for your staff or hygiene products for your beneficiaries, corporate overstock programs provide high-quality goods, often for nothing more than a small shipping or administrative fee. For direct-service nonprofits, such as shelters or disaster relief groups, getting a bulk shipment of new mattresses, winter clothing, or school supplies is a massive operational win. This ensures that every dollar donated by the public goes toward your mission rather than retail markups.

This source of giving turns a corporation’s “waste” into your organization’s “wealth.”

6) Travel vouchers

Travel is often a “hidden cost” in the nonprofit world, whether it’s flying a speaker in for a conference or providing emergency transport for clients. Travel vouchers are a highly liquid form of in-kind giving that can be used for operations or as high-value auction items for your next event.

Where to Locate These Opportunities:

Securing travel donations typically requires navigating formal application cycles, as major hospitality brands often review these requests on a quarterly basis. Keep an eye out for programs through companies like these:

  • Airlines: Airline carriers like Southwest, Delta, and Frontier all have established programs where they donate flight vouchers to 501(c)(3) organizations. These are often used to support fundraising activities like raffles.
  • Hotels: Major chains such as Marriott and Fairmont often offer “stay vouchers” or sponsorship packages. These are perfect for silent auctions, as they have a high perceived value and no cost for the nonprofit.
  • Cruise Lines: Companies like Carnival and Royal Caribbean frequently donate cruise packages to support youth-focused or environmental nonprofits.

For the best results, it’s essential to tailor your request to show how the travel support directly enables your mission or enhances a high-profile fundraising event. Once you’ve secured a voucher, be sure to examine the expiration dates and any blackout periods that might apply.

Why This In-Kind Donation Is a Game-Changer:

These vouchers are incredibly versatile tools for both operational efficiency and fundraising success. By tapping into the hospitality industry’s donation opportunities, you can provide your supporters with exciting experiences and your organization with a significant financial boost, all without shelling out a single dime.

Final Thoughts on Maximizing In-Kind Donations

In-kind donations are a powerful, often overlooked engine for nonprofit growth. While cash is often king, these six untapped sources, from pro bono legal help to donated airline tickets, allow your organization to stretch every dollar it receives.

The opportunities for these partnerships are everywhere (and they’re continuing to expand, too, as we see significant growth in corporate giving). They just require a shift in how you view giving. A company might not have the budget to write you a $5,000 check, but it may have $10,000 worth of unused software or a conference room they’d be happy to contribute at no cost.

When you know where to look, the world becomes a warehouse of resources for your mission.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Don’t leave these untapped resources on the table. Get started with Double the Donation’s corporate giving database to locate companies with open applications for in-kind gifts and other philanthropy programs.

Start turning corporate assets into community impact today!

How to Make Your Corporate Sponsorship Pitch Stand Out

How to Make Your Corporate Sponsorship Pitch Stand Out

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TL;DR: To create a winning corporate sponsorship pitch, nonprofits must move beyond generic requests and provide data-backed evidence of mutual benefit. The most successful proposals highlight mission alignment, offer scalable recognition tiers, and demonstrate existing employee connections to establish brand affinity and lower the barrier to corporate approval.

Securing a corporate partner can feel like trying to catch lightning in a bottle. You have a powerful mission and an urgent need for funding, but businesses are inundated with requests from worthy causes every day. To get a “yes,” your organization needs more than just a heartfelt story. You need a professional, strategic, and data-driven approach that proves your nonprofit is a high-value investment for their brand.

In the modern philanthropic landscape, corporate sponsorships have evolved from simple logo placements into deep, integrated (and mutually beneficial) partnerships. Companies today are looking for tangible social impact, employee engagement opportunities, and marketing alignment that boosts their bottom line. If you want to rise to the top of the pile, you must speak the language of business and provide evidence that a partnership with your cause is a smart corporate decision.

And we’ll walk you through exactly how you can do so here! We’ll cover:

By following these steps, your team can transition from “asking for money” to “offering a partnership opportunity” that corporations find impossible to ignore.

Let’s dive in.

Understanding Corporate Sponsorships

Before you send out a single email, it’s vital that you understand the fundamental nature of this funding source.

A corporate sponsorship is a relationship where a business provides financial support, products, or services to a nonprofit in exchange for public recognition and marketing benefits.

Unlike a standard donation, which is often rooted in pure altruism, a sponsorship is typically funded through a company’s marketing or community relations budget. This means the company expects a return on its investment. That return might come in the form of increased brand awareness, improved customer loyalty, or a positive association with progressive social change.

According to a recent report from Double the Donation:

  • More than 62% of nonprofits reported that corporate sponsorships continue to yield the highest ROI.
  • The primary goals of nonprofits in seeking corporate partnerships are securing donations and funding, as well as gaining sponsorships and support for events.
  • Charitable organizations are increasingly prioritizing corporate partnerships, proactively boosting matching gift revenue, and educating
    supporters on workplace giving opportunities.

When you pitch a sponsorship opportunity, you aren’t just looking for a check; you’re offering a marketing vehicle that helps a company reach its own business objectives.

For that reason, the most successful sponsorships are built on a foundation of mutual value. If your organization can provide a platform that connects a brand with its target audience in a meaningful way, you have a winning pitch.

However, this often requires a shift in mindset: stop focusing solely on what your nonprofit needs and start focusing on what the corporation gains. Whether it’s an event sponsorship, a program-specific partnership, or a long-term branding initiative, clarity on the “why” for the corporation is the first step toward a resounding “yes.”

Researching Potential Corporate Sponsors

The most common mistake in corporate fundraising is the “shotgun approach,” or sending generic proposals to dozens of companies and simply hoping something sticks. Rather, a “sniper strategy” targets businesses with a documented history of supporting similar causes.

Here’s how you can effectively vet your prospects to ensure your pitches are worthwhile:

  • Prioritize Geographic Proximity: Start with businesses in your local community. Companies with a physical presence near your headquarters or service area are naturally more invested in local impact and community goodwill.
  • Leverage Dedicated Prospecting Tools: Use databases like Double the Donation or other corporate giving software to identify companies with established sponsorship programs. This automates the search and can save hours of manual labor.
  • Analyze Corporate Social Responsibility Reports: Review a company’s annual CSR or Social Impact report to identify its giving pillars. If a company’s primary focus is digital literacy and you run a community garden, the lack of mission alignment will make securing a partnership difficult.
  • Review Past Sponsorship Portfolios: Look at the partners listed on a company’s website. If they typically sponsor large-scale galas and you are hosting a grassroots workshop, you can use this data to either adjust your sponsorship tiers or pivot to a different prospect that values smaller community engagements.

While research is the most time-intensive phase, it is also the most rewarding. The more insights you gather at this step, the more likely it is that your proposals will ultimately be accepted.

Leveraging Employee Engagement Data

Did you know that your donor employment data can serve as the “hidden gem” of a standout sponsorship pitch?

Corporations are obsessed with employee engagement and morale. If you can show a business that its employees are already passionate about your mission, you give them a built-in reason to partner with you. This turns your request from an external cost into an internal benefit.

So, how do you find this data? If you use a fundraising tool that tracks workplace information, simply pull a report of all donors who work for that specific company. Better yet, look at your matching gift and volunteer grant data. If you have five employees from Company X who have logged 50 volunteer hours each with your organization, that proves that the brand affinity already exists within their workforce.

In your pitch, you can explicitly state: “We are proud to share that 15 of your employees are currently active donors to our mission, and your team contributed over 200 volunteer hours to our programs last year. A formal sponsorship would be a fantastic way to honor their commitment and amplify the impact they are already making.”

This level of personalization makes it very difficult for a manager to say no, as they are essentially turning down their own team’s interests.

Quick Tip: Proactively collect donor employment data to effectively fill in the gaps in your donor database. Knowing where your supporters work is the first step toward building a data-backed sponsorship pitch.

Crafting Your Sponsorship Pitch Deck

Your pitch deck is your visual resume. It needs to be professional, concise, and visually engaging. Business leaders are used to seeing high-quality presentations, so a simple document will rarely suffice. Instead, a standout pitch deck should follow a logical flow that builds a case for partnership through a combination of emotional storytelling and hard data.

When outlining your opportunities, consider using a structured list to highlight the different ways companies can get involved. We recommend grouping benefits by their specific value to the corporation to demonstrate that you understand its business needs. For example…

  • Brand Exposure: Logo placement on signage, website, and digital marketing materials.
  • Direct Engagement: Opportunities to host a booth or provide a keynote speaker at an event.
  • Content Collaboration: Co-branded social media campaigns or guest blog posts on our high-traffic site.
  • Employee Participation: Reserved spots for corporate volunteerism or other internal team-building activities.

However, when presenting your sponsorship tiers, be sure to explain that these options are scalable and customizable. Then, invite the company to collaborate on a tailored package if the current tiers do not perfectly meet their needs.

Stewardship and the Corporate Sponsor Journey

A sponsorship does not end when the check is signed. In fact, that’s actually where the journey begins.

To secure a renewal for the following year, you must provide an exceptional stewardship experience for the corporate partner. This involves proving that you delivered on every promise made in the pitch deck and going above and beyond to make the company feel valued.

One way to improve this journey is by involving employees directly. Instead of just sending a thank-you letter to the CEO, offer a “Lunch and Learn” for the company’s staff or a dedicated day for volunteer time off. When employees are involved, the sponsorship becomes part of the office culture.

Additionally, provide a “Sponsorship Impact Report” at the conclusion of the event or campaign. This resource should feature metrics like total social media impressions, event attendance, and, most importantly, the programmatic results of their funding. If the partner sponsored a scholarship program, tell them exactly how many students were helped because of their contribution. High-quality stewardship is the best way to turn a one-time sponsor into a lifelong supporter.

Bonus: Free Sponsorship Pitch Template

Ready to kick things off? We’ve provided a carefully crafted corporate sponsorship pitch template that your team can tailor for its own partnership purposes. Be sure to fill in the blanks with information about your organization and its mission to drive the best results!

Subject: Partnership Opportunity: Joining forces with [Nonprofit] for [Event/Program]

Dear [Contact],

I’ve been following [Company]’s recent commitment to [CSR Pillar, e.g., environmental sustainability/local education/etc.], particularly your recent initiative regarding [Specific Project]. It’s clear that our organizations share a deep commitment to [Shared Value/Mission].

At [Nonprofit], we don’t just look for donors; we look for strategic partners. We are currently seeking a lead sponsor for our upcoming [Event/Program], and given your company’s leadership in [Industry], I believe this is a unique opportunity to generate mutual high-value impact.

Why This Partnership Makes Sense…

We’ve noticed that the affinity between our organizations already exists within your own walls. Currently:

  • [Number] of your employees are active donors to our mission.
  • Your team contributed [Number] volunteer hours to our programs last year.
  • [Optional: Mention a specific matching gift stat if applicable].

A formal sponsorship would be a powerful way to honor your employees’ existing commitment while amplifying [Company]’s brand as a community leader.

Value & Benefits

We understand that sponsorship is a marketing investment. Our partnership tiers are customizable to meet your business goals. Key benefits include:

  • Brand Exposure: Logo placement on [Website/Signage/Email] reaching [Number] impressions.
  • Engagement: A dedicated activation space at our [Event] to interface with [Audience Demographic].
  • Digital Synergy: Co-branded social media content and a featured spot in our newsletter (sent to [Number] subscribers).

While we offer structured tiers, we pride ourselves on being flexible partners. We would love to collaborate with you on a sponsorship package that aligns with your 2026 marketing and CSR objectives.

Are you available for a brief 15-minute call on [Day] or [Day] at [Time] to discuss how we can drive meaningful ROI for [Company] through this collaboration?

Warm regards,

[Your Name]
[Nonprofit]
[Link to Pitch Deck/Website]

Whether you use this template as a cold outreach tool or a warm follow-up for a local lead, remember that the “ask” is only the beginning. Once you’ve secured that initial interest, the focus moves to long-term sustainability through meticulous stewardship and impact reporting.

Download even more corporate sponsorship templates here!

Wrapping Up & Next Steps

Creating a standout corporate sponsorship pitch is about more than just asking for support. It’s about demonstrating a clear, data-driven path to mutual success. By focusing on mission alignment, leveraging existing employee connections, and providing professional reporting, you position your nonprofit as a high-value partner for any business.

As you move forward, consider these top recommendations:

  • Audit Your Data: Use your employment data to see which companies your donors already work for. This is your “warm list” for sponsorship outreach.
  • Build Your Deck: Create a professional, visually engaging pitch deck that focuses on the marketing benefits you can offer.
  • Invest in Tech: Ensure your nonprofit has the fundraising software needed to track workplace giving and volunteer engagement, providing better reporting to your partners.

Corporate partnerships are a long-term investment. While the first “yes” might take time, the relationships you build today will become a sustainable pillar of your fundraising strategy for years to come.

Top Major Gift Consultants for Nonprofit Growth

6 of the Best Major Gift Consultants for Nonprofit Growth

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You know the scenario: your mission is vital, your impact is clear, yet your fundraising feels like it’s stuck in a cycle of small, transactional gifts. You know your organization is ready to scale, but the bridge between where you are and a robust major gifts program feels impossibly long. You aren’t alone, and often, the missing ingredient isn’t donor capacity; it’s the right strategy to unleash it.

In this post, we’ve vetted the top major gift consultants who can help you refine your message, build sustainable relationships, and access the funding your mission deserves.

Alford Group Logo

1. Alford Group

About this Major Gift Consulting Group: Founded in 1979, the Alford Group focuses on building a “culture of philanthropy.” They emphasize equity and social justice in their work, making them a top choice for mission-driven social sector organizations.

Major Gift Consulting Services: Their core major gift services include “Major Gifts Moves Management,” portfolio assessment, and stakeholder engagement. They also offer a unique “Moves Management Quiz” to help organizations self-assess their readiness.

Why We Love This Major Gift Consultant: We love the Alford Group for their transparency and commitment to diversity. They don’t just hand over a strategy; they “journey together” with the client, ensuring the major gift program is sustainable and integrated into the organization’s daily operations.


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2. Dini Spheris

About this Major Gift Consulting Group: Dini Spheris is a national firm with over 50 years of experience. They are known for a “team-based” approach, meaning clients aren’t just assigned a single consultant but benefit from the collective wisdom of the entire firm.

Major Gift Consulting Services: They offer specialized major gift program counseling, donor-specific strategy development, moves management, and “donative intent” coaching to help align a donor’s passion with the organization’s needs.

Why We Love This Major Gift Consultant: We love Dini Spheris because they treat major gift fundraising like a series of “mini-campaigns.” They focus on the psychology of the donor, helping organizations move beyond transactional giving to secure “life-changing” or “institution-changing” gifts.


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3. The FOCUS Group

About this Major Gift Consulting Group: The FOCUS Group is a premier advisory firm that specializes in empowering nonprofits to fully fund their visions through relationship-based fundraising. They are particularly strong in the faith-based and education sectors.

Major Gift Consulting Services: They offer intensive major gift training, generosity screening, and “The Eight-Step Major Gifts Management Cycle”: a proven, systematic framework for identifying and cultivating top-tier donors.

Why We Love This Major Gift Consultant: We love The FOCUS Group because of their focus on training. They empower your internal staff to become experts themselves. Their methodology is highly data-driven, using research tools to provide deep biographies and snapshots of potential major donors.


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4. Fundraising Transformed

About this Major Gift Consulting Group: This firm is dedicated to changing the mindset of fundraisers. They move away from “begging” and toward “empowerment,” using a coaching-heavy model to help nonprofit leaders overcome the fear of asking for large sums of money.

Major Gift Consulting Services: They provide one-on-one executive coaching, major gift system design, and specialized workshops that focus on the psychology of the “ask.” They work heavily with founders and executive directors who may be new to the fundraising world.

Why We Love This Major Gift Consultant: We love Fundraising Transformed because they focus on the person doing the fundraising. By addressing the internal “money blocks” and anxieties of a fundraiser, they create a permanent shift in the organization’s ability to raise major capital.


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5. Gail Perry Group

About this Major Gift Consulting Group: Led by industry veteran Gail Perry, this group is renowned for its “Fired-Up Fundraising” philosophy. They bring high energy and a modern, conversational approach to the traditional (and often stiff) world of major gift solicitation.

Major Gift Consulting Services: They offer a “Major Gifts Intensive” program, board retreat facilitation, and donor-centered strategy development. Their focus is on teaching staff and boards how to have “discovery calls” that feel like natural conversations rather than interrogations.

Why We Love This Major Gift Consultant: We love the Gail Perry Group for their focus on the “Collaborative Ask.” Instead of a high-pressure pitch, they teach fundraisers how to invite donors to solve problems alongside the organization. It is an incredibly effective approach for modern, high-net-worth donors.


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6. Veritus Group

About this Major Gift Consulting Group: Veritus Group is a pioneer in major gift consulting, specifically known for their focus on the “mid-level to major gift” pipeline. They emphasize that major gift fundraising is not a series of one-off events, but a disciplined system of building authentic, long-term relationships.

Major Gift Consulting Services: Their “Major Gift Academy” provides intensive training, while their consulting services focus on donor qualification, the creation of personalized “Donor Impact Portfolios,” and a rigid system of accountability to ensure gift officers are meeting with the right donors.

Why We Love This Major Gift Consultant: We love Veritus because they solve the “cluttered portfolio” problem. They help organizations trim their donor lists down to only those who actually want a relationship, which prevents gift officer burnout and significantly increases the ROI of the development team.


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Finding the right consultant is about partnering with someone who understands the unique pulse of your nonprofit. Whether you need a full strategic overhaul or just a bit of coaching to get your board on board, the experts listed above offer the experience to turn a “maybe” into a transformative “yes.”

As you refine your major gift strategy, don’t forget to leverage simple, high-impact tools (like promoting matching gifts) to help your donors effortlessly double their generosity. The best investment you can make is in building sustainable relationships, so choose your partner wisely and watch your impact grow.

Top Capital Campaign Consultants for Your Next Fundraiser

Top Capital Campaign Consultants for Your Next Fundraiser

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A capital campaign is often the “Mount Everest” of nonprofit fundraising. The stakes are high, the timeline is rigid, and the pressure to deliver is constant. Attempting to navigate this without an expert guide isn’t just difficult; it’s risky. But with the right strategy and a seasoned pair of eyes on your plan, a campaign can be the catalyst for your organization’s greatest expansion.

If you’re ready to make a bold move, you need the right team behind you. Here’s our curated list of the best capital campaign consultants who have the track record to help you reach, and even exceed, your goal.