Constructing a Matching Reward Technique: A Nonprofit’s Information

Creating a robust matching present technique could be a game-changer on your nonprofit’s fundraising success. In spite of everything, matching items supply a easy, high-ROI method to improve income with out asking donors to offer extra out of pocket. But many organizations go away this chance untapped resulting from a lack of know-how, course of, or know-how.

Don’t let that be you! Take the time to construct a plan that works on your staff. This information breaks down the precise steps it’s essential take:

Whether or not you’re ranging from scratch or refining your present efforts, you’ll learn to flip matching items right into a sustainable and scalable income stream on your mission. Let’s start!

Step #1: Construct your data of matching items.

Constructing a strong data of matching items is step one towards implementing an efficient technique. Why? Not all corporations take part in matching items, and the processes, eligibility standards, and matching ratios can fluctuate considerably. To construct participation within the packages, it’s important on your nonprofit to have a stable understanding of how they work.

Due to this fact, kick off your matching present technique by familiarizing your staff with the final expertise. This could embody…

• The method: Staff donate to your nonprofit, then submit an identical present request to their employer. If the employer participates in matching items, they may contribute an identical donation, typically at a 1:1 ratio, though some corporations match at the next fee.
• Who qualifies: Whereas most full-time workers qualify for matching items, retirees, spouses, and board members may additionally be eligible, relying on every firm’s coverage. Some packages match particular person donations, whereas others could solely match particular varieties of donations, resembling payroll items or these made by means of their office giving platform.
• Submissions and deadlines: Employers typically have their very own matching present submission portals with devoted request types (and deadlines by which they should be accomplished), so it’s important to be acquainted with the data donors should submit.
• Main employers: Do a little analysis to see which corporations in your community already match items. Lists like this one may help!

This foundational data is important for crafting a method that features educating your staff, donors, and board members about matching present alternatives. The extra knowledgeable your group is, the extra probably you might be to determine and leverage each potential matching present alternative.

Trying to be taught extra about matching items? Double the Donation’s Matching Reward Academy ($199/12 months or free for present customers) might be a useful useful resource.

Step #2: Audit your present state + set targets for enchancment.

Earlier than you start constructing or refining your matching present technique, it’s essential to audit the present state of your efforts. This can allow you to measure present wins (if any) and determine gaps, areas for enchancment, and alternatives for progress.

We suggest asking your self (or your staff) the next questions:

• Are matching present alternatives clearly highlighted in your web site, together with your ‘Methods to Give’ function and a devoted matching items web page?
• Do your donation types presently request employer info from donors? Do they point out the potential for matching present alternatives?
• Do you inform donors about matching present alternatives in your thank-you pages, receipts or acknowledgments, and different communications?
• Are there any roadblocks or friction factors within the matching present course of that is perhaps discouraging donors from finishing their submissions?
• How are you monitoring matching present info in your CRM or donor database? Is it straightforward to comply with up with donors who could have eligible items?

Get began with our free matching present guidelines. Obtain it beneath!

After figuring out present technique gaps, it’s time to implement particular, measurable, attainable, related, and well timed targets for enchancment (also referred to as SMART targets).

For instance, you may wish to:

• Make sure that each donor receives a follow-up e mail or message concerning matching present alternatives inside 24 hours of receiving their preliminary donation.
• Enhance donor participation by 20% earlier than the top of the calendar 12 months.
• Enhance the variety of match-eligible donations submitted by 50% inside the quarter.

By setting clear, actionable targets, you possibly can monitor progress, measure success, and make any essential changes to your technique.

Step #3: Safe buy-in for matching items.

Securing buy-in on your matching present technique is a crucial step in making certain its success and long-term sustainability. With out help from each management and different staff members, it turns into troublesome to implement the required instruments, dedicate assets, or construct an organization-wide tradition that promotes matching items.

Securing Management Purchase-In

Firstly, management help is essential to securing the assets and organizational dedication essential to make your matching present technique efficient. Right here’s how one can guarantee your government staff is absolutely invested within the course of:

• Body matching items as a strategic alternative. Clearly show that matching items symbolize “free cash” on your nonprofit. Use data-driven insights (resembling the ROI anticipated from such a program) to spotlight how a lot funding your nonprofit may very well be lacking out on by not absolutely leveraging matching items. Executives care about measurable outcomes, and showcasing how a small funding can yield a considerable return will make a compelling argument.
• Guarantee matching items align along with your broader technique. Whether or not your focus is on diversifying income, rising retention, or strengthening company partnerships, matching items can function a precious device. Aligning matching with organizational priorities ensures that your efforts are perceived as a crucial part of your fundraising efforts.
• Showcase nonprofit success tales. Actual-world success tales present concrete proof of how matching items can profit. In case your group (or comparable organizations) has seen constructive outcomes from matching items, share these outcomes with management to assist visualize the influence and encourage them to decide to the initiative.
• Emphasize the scalability and sustainability of matching items. In contrast to different methods that require high-touch, ongoing effort, matching items can typically be automated as soon as programs are in place. This permits your program to develop with out requiring important extra assets, making it a sensible, long-term funding.

When you’ve made your case, it’s essential to speak how management may help. Clearly articulate what it’s essential make your matching present technique profitable, whether or not it’s funding for software program, cross-departmental collaboration, or devoted time in strategic planning periods. The extra particular your request, the better it’s for management to endorse and champion the initiative.

Securing Workforce Member Purchase-In

Whereas management buy-in is essential, your matching present technique actually involves life when staff members are actively engaged and dedicated. Right here’s easy methods to get your entire staff on board and guarantee they actively help the matching present course of.

• Reveal the influence of matching items. Encourage employees to see that matching items are a method to double donations with out asking donors to offer extra money. When staff members perceive the worth of matching items and the way they immediately contribute to income, they’re extra prone to prioritize these alternatives of their day-to-day work.
• Make sure that everybody is aware of their function within the course of. For instance, advertising employees can incorporate reminders about matching items into e mail campaigns and newsletters, whereas fundraisers can actively inquire about matching items throughout donor conversations, and information managers can be sure that employer info is precisely captured within the CRM system. Even your hands-on volunteers can play a component!
• Equip your staff with easy, repeatable assets that make selling matching items straightforward. For instance, present them with e mail templates and name scripts that spotlight matching present alternatives, FAQs for addressing donor questions, and entry to matching present lookup instruments to assist donors simply discover out if their employer matches items. The better you make it on your staff to debate and promote matching items, the extra probably they are going to be to combine them into their common workflows.
• Embed matching items into the material of your nonprofit’s tradition. Make sure that matching present training is included within the onboarding course of for brand new employees, added to marketing campaign planning checklists, and repeatedly mentioned in staff conferences.

When everybody, from management to key volunteers, is aligned and actively engaged, your matching present technique will turn into a strong engine for elevated income and deeper relationships.

Step #4: Spend money on the fitting matching present answer.

After getting management on board, you’ll probably have clearance for an identical present know-how price range. And with that comes choosing the fitting answer to trace, handle, and automate your matching items.

Search for an identical present software program answer that gives the next options:

• Entry to a matching present database: This function lets you determine employers that supply matching present packages and consider the precise eligibility necessities for every.
• Prepared-built integrations: Choose an answer that integrates seamlessly along with your present donor administration system (CRM) and fundraising platforms to make sure all information is synchronized and you’ve got a transparent view of match-eligible donations.
• Automation instruments: The power to routinely ship follow-up emails to donors and remind them to submit an identical present request can considerably improve participation with out inserting a pressure in your staff.
• Analytics and reporting: Make sure that the platform can generate detailed studies that show the effectiveness of your matching present program, together with the variety of matches secured and the entire income generated.

All in all, an environment friendly matching present answer reduces handbook effort and will increase the probability of securing matched donations, permitting you to scale your program successfully.

As you search, don’t overlook to learn opinions from different organizations which have expertise with the instruments! re: Charity, for instance, presents an in depth comparability of high matching present software program suppliers, making it straightforward to take your choose.

Step #5: Combine matching items along with your fundraising instruments.

Integration is essential to making sure a seamless and environment friendly matching present course of. While you combine your matching present platform along with your donation types, CRM, and different fundraising instruments, you make it simpler for each donors and employees to have interaction with this system.

Right here’s easy methods to combine matching items into your present fundraising course of:

• Donation types: Make it straightforward for donors to point their eligibility for matching items by together with an employer area in your donation types. You possibly can even add a hyperlink or automated lookup function that helps donors determine if their employer presents an identical present program if you combine your matching present software program along with your donation kind supplier!
• CRM: Sync information between your matching present software program and your CRM system to make sure that donor info is updated and that no match-eligible donations are missed. All it’s essential do is join your CRM to your chosen matching present platform and make sure the move of data is about.
• Peer-to-peer fundraising platforms: Permit individuals to simply show and promote matching present alternatives on their private fundraising pages by integrating an employer lookup device and offering a area to enter employer info, making it easy for donors to find out if their donation is eligible for a match.
• Occasion software program: Throughout occasion registration, add a bit the place attendees can enter employer info and be supplied with quick entry to matching present directions or hyperlinks, making certain matching alternatives are top-of-mind after they register to attend or donate.

By integrating these instruments, you’ll create a seamless matching present expertise for each your donors and your staff, driving increased engagement and enhancing your skill to trace and course of matches.

Step #6: Automate follow-up donor outreach.

In the case of maximizing participation in matching items, automating related outreach is a should. As soon as donor info begins flowing in by means of your built-in programs, configuring automated emails inside your matching present platform ensures that no alternative is missed.

With a couple of easy steps, you possibly can ship high-impact emails to your donors on the proper time, with out handbook effort. Right here’s easy methods to take advantage of automated outreach:

• Configure Automated Emails: As soon as a donor’s info enters the system, your matching present platform can routinely set off emails tailor-made to that particular person. These emails can embody directions for submitting a match, hyperlinks to their employer’s request portal, and reminders concerning the influence of their donation being multiplied.
• Customise Templated Language: Be at liberty to regulate the pre-written e mail templates to match your nonprofit’s tone and voice. You too can add dynamic parts, such because the donor’s donation quantity or matching firm, to make it really feel extra private and related.
• Tailor Imagery and Design: Use your matching present platform’s choices to customise the colour scheme and imagery of your emails to align along with your model. Visuals that mirror your nonprofit’s mission or the precise marketing campaign the donation helps can improve donor engagement and participation.
• Set the Proper Timing: Schedule emails to be despatched at optimum occasions. As an illustration, an preliminary e mail can exit instantly after a donation, adopted by a reminder a couple of days later if the matching present request hasn’t been submitted. Alter the timing and frequency of reminders primarily based on donor habits to extend the probability of match submissions.

By automating donor outreach by means of your matching present platform, you streamline the method and be sure that your donors obtain well timed, compelling, and customized messages that drive motion, all whereas saving your staff precious time and assets.

Step #7: Implement an identical present monitoring system.

A profitable matching present technique depends closely on an efficient monitoring system, making certain that each one match-eligible donations are adopted up on, processed, and submitted correctly.

With correct monitoring in place, you possibly can simply monitor every match’s progress, serving to optimize your efforts and maximize income. Right here’s easy methods to create an environment friendly matching present monitoring system:

• Incorporate Actual-Time Monitoring: Arrange your system to trace the real-time standing of every matching present request in progress. You need to be capable of see which donations are marked as match-eligible and the place every donor is within the course of.
• Implement Donor Standing Updates: Incorporate trackable, clickable buttons in your donor outreach emails, permitting donors to shortly replace you as soon as they’ve initiated the match request with their employer. When a donor clicks to verify that they’ve began the method, your system can routinely replace their standing within the backend, serving to you retain monitor of the place they’re without having to manually test in.
• Schedule Automated Reminders: Automate reminders to nudge donors concerning the standing of their match or encourage them to submit a request in the event that they haven’t carried out so already. Automated reminders be sure that no match request slips by means of the cracks and that donors keep engaged all through the method.
• Leverage Complete Reporting: Your monitoring system ought to generate detailed studies that present perception into the success of your matching present program. These ought to embody KPIs such because the variety of matches processed, the entire {dollars} matched, and the conversion charges from eligible donors to accomplished matches.

By implementing an identical present monitoring system with real-time monitoring, automated reminders, and in-depth reporting, you possibly can streamline the matching present course of, guarantee no alternatives are missed, and simply monitor your program’s progress. This additionally means that you can tackle any points shortly, serving to you “unstick” any matches which may be delayed.

Step #8: Develop a complete communications plan.

A well-rounded communications plan is essential for driving consciousness of your matching present program. Past donation types and follow-up emails, it’s important to combine matching present messaging throughout as many touchpoints as potential.

The extra you make matching items seen, the extra probably donors are to make the most of the chance.

Right here’s easy methods to incorporate matching present messaging into your communication channels:

• Create a Matching Reward Internet Web page: Develop a devoted web page in your web site that clearly explains matching present alternatives. Embrace details about how matching items work, directions on easy methods to request a match, and a searchable employer database or hyperlinks to fashionable packages. This web page will function the go-to useful resource for donors.
• Commonly Schedule Social Media Posts: Share details about matching items in your social media platforms. Spotlight success tales, show matching items’ influence, and encourage followers to test if their donation might be matched. You’ll want to embody a call-to-action with a hyperlink to your matching present web page for extra particulars.
• Dedicate an E-mail Publication: Embrace matching present reminders and data in your common e mail newsletters. Whether or not it’s a wholly matching gift-focused e mail blast or a function inside a basic publication, be sure to incorporate a bit highlighting matching items, and at all times embody a hyperlink to your matching present web page for simple entry.
• Ship a Textual content Message: Textual content advertising is a fast and direct method to have interaction donors. Ship out periodic textual content messages to remind donors about matching present alternatives, particularly throughout key donation intervals. Embrace a hyperlink to your (mobile-friendly!) matching present web page and a easy immediate encouraging donors to test if their employer matches items.

By making certain that your matching present info is prominently featured throughout key channels, you possibly can hold matching items top-of-mind for donors and considerably improve the probability of participation.

Step #9: Acknowledge and steward matching present donors.

A key side of sustaining long-term donor relationships is displaying gratitude for his or her contributions, particularly after they’ve gone the additional mile to submit an identical present. Correct recognition of matching present donors can encourage continued help and improve participation in future campaigns.

Contemplate the next methods to steward your relationships with matching present donors:

• Personalised Thank-You Notes: After an identical present has been efficiently processed, ship customized thank-you messages to each the donor and their firm. Acknowledge their generosity and clarify how their contribution will influence your nonprofit’s mission. You possibly can even ship an e-card to show your appreciation!
• Public Recognition: Contemplate recognizing matching present donors in your annual studies, newsletters, or in your web site with a devoted donor wall. Public recognition can encourage different donors to take part in matching present packages, too!
• Donor Impression Reviews: Present matching present donors with studies or updates that present how their contributions (each authentic and matched) are getting used. This reinforces the worth of their donations and helps them really feel linked to their giving outcomes.
• Encouraging Extra Office Giving Involvement: Empower matching present donors to take their help to the following degree by taking part of their firm’s volunteer program, making a payroll deduction present, or advocating for an inner fundraising marketing campaign. Most matching present corporations supply a couple of office giving program, so it’s straightforward to encourage deeper engagement.

By specializing in relationship-building and customized recognition, your nonprofit can improve donor loyalty, foster long-term giving, and create extra alternatives for matching items.

Step #10: Analyze efficiency and optimize your technique.

After placing all of the items of your matching present technique in place, it’s important to constantly assess its effectiveness. Analyzing efficiency and optimizing your technique means that you can determine what’s working and what areas want enchancment.

As beforehand talked about, you need to be monitoring key metrics resembling match income progress, donor participation, submission and completion charges, and extra. Now, it’s time to make use of these insights to optimize your matching present program.

For instance, in the event you discover low participation charges amongst a selected donor phase, contemplate adjusting your messaging or providing extra steerage to encourage them to become involved. In the meantime, in the event you discover that donors who give by means of particular channels (e.g., peer-to-peer fundraising or event-based donations) have decrease matching present participation in comparison with those that donate through direct on-line types, this might sign that matching present alternatives aren’t being highlighted successfully inside these channels.

All in all, common analysis and steady enchancment will be sure that your matching present technique evolves with the wants of your donors and the capabilities of your nonprofit.

Wrapping Up & Extra Sources

Constructing a complete matching present technique is a great, high-impact method to enhance your nonprofit’s income and deepen donor relationships. From educating your staff and stakeholders to automating processes and speaking successfully with donors, each step contributes to an general technique that maximizes the potential of company matching items.

By following the steps outlined above, your nonprofit can set up a sustainable income stream that enhances your common fundraising efforts. As you frequently optimize and refine your technique primarily based on information and suggestions, you’ll improve the success of your matching present efforts 12 months after 12 months.

Able to be taught extra about company matching items and the way they will match into your overarching fundraising technique? Take a look at these extra assets: