Read about matching donations for school fundraisers. CharityAuctionsToday has tips on how to get companies to match your community's donations.
Finding companies that match donations for schools and nonprofits can significantly boost fundraising efforts and amplify the impact of every dollar raised. Many corporations offer matching gift programs as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives, doubling—or even tripling—the contributions made by employees.
However, many donors and organizations are unaware of these programs or unsure how to take advantage of them. By identifying businesses that offer donation matching and encouraging donors to participate, schools and nonprofits can maximize their funding and further their missions with minimal extra effort.
Match Your Donations. Multiply Your Impact.
You’ve learned how matching gift programs can amplify every donation. Now turn that momentum into action — launch an auction where donors bid, sponsors match, and your cause gets the boost it deserves.
Launch Your Matched AuctionUnderstanding how matching gift programs work and where to find participating companies is the first step toward unlocking these valuable contributions.
Whether through employer-sponsored programs, online databases, or direct outreach, there are many ways to connect with businesses that support charitable giving. Schools, PTAs, and nonprofits can educate their supporters on these opportunities, making it easy for donors to submit matching requests and increase the impact of their generosity.
Harness The Power of Matching Gifts and Double Your Fundraising Profits
Did you know that 65% of companies offer matching gifts as a part of their corporate giving program? This means that they will match the amount one of their employees donates to a nonprofit, usually up to a certain dollar amount. So if someone donates $100 to your cause, you might be able to net $200, simply by asking that someone to fill out their company's gift-matching form.
Here are just a few companies that match donations, there are many, many more!
List of Companies that Match Donations
- Wells Fargo offers at 1:1 matching ratio, doubling an employee's donation. With more than 230,000 employees, there's a chance your donor pool already has a Wells Fargo employee in it.
- Bank of America will match gifts up to $5,000, and has more than 130,000 employees that might be ready to donate to your cause.
- Intel matches up to $10,000 a year for their roughly 130,000 employees: $5,000 for eligible charitable organizations and another $5,000 for eligible education institutions (with some caveats).
- Home Depot matches up to $3,000 per year per each of their 490,000+ employees.
- McDonald’s will match each of its 205,000 employee's donations up to $5,000 per year.
- Deloitte will match up to $3,000 per employee per year. With more than 415,000 employees that's not chump change.
- Microsoft will match up to $15,000 per employee per year. No small gift given their 221,000 employees!
- Coca-Cola matches at a 2:1 ratio, meaning each employee gets up to $20,000 in donation matching per year.
- IBM matches up to $5,000 per employee per year and has more than 288,000 employees.
- American Express will match up to $8,000 per year for each of its 77,000 employees.
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How to Find Other Companies that Match Donations
To find companies that match donations, start by researching large corporations and local businesses that offer matching gift programs. Many companies list their matching gift policies on their websites, often within their corporate social responsibility or employee benefits sections.
Online databases such as Double the Donation or Matching Gifts by Charity Navigator can also provide comprehensive lists of businesses with donation-matching programs. Additionally, reaching out directly to donors and asking them to check with their employers about matching gifts can uncover opportunities.
Partnering with HR departments or corporate giving representatives can help streamline the process and increase participation.
- Google the company name with the term “matching gifts.” For example, “Home Depot matching gifts.”
- Discover local businesses, factories, and corporations that will gladly help your organization. Include a sample of this list with your parent/donor communications.
- Check out a service like Double the Donation to make it easier for donors to submit their match requests.
- Note: your school or program must be an eligible non-profit.
If the employer you're interested in isn’t listed, be sure to check with them directly about their giving policy. Tell them how much you plan to donate and ask if they will match your gift. Tell your donors and volunteers to ask the same of their employers.
Imagine how quickly and easily fundraising goals could be met if every donor got a matching donation!
Even small donations will add up quickly.
If you’re part of the staff, administration or PTO, be sure to include information on corporate matching in communications with parents/donors. Educate them on the power of matching gifts by asking them to consider:
- Where they work,
- What their company’s corporate giving policy is, and,
- If they know how to submit matching gift requests.
If you are building an online charity auction or fundraising event, check the company affiliations of your volunteers and board members on matching gifts. Some corporations require volunteer matching hours which can be easier to fulfill if you know the requirements in advance.
Final Thoughts
Maximizing donation-matching opportunities requires awareness, education, and proactive outreach. By researching companies that donate to school fundraisers via matching, communicating with donors about their eligibility, and streamlining the matching process, schools and nonprofits can unlock thousands of additional dollars in funding.
These programs not only benefit organizations but also allow companies to support causes that matter to their employees and communities.
As you refine your fundraising strategy, don’t overlook the power of corporate matching gifts. By making donation matching an integral part of your giving campaigns, you can strengthen donor engagement and secure vital funding to support your mission.
Start researching matching gift programs today and ensure that every donation has the opportunity to make an even greater impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are matching donations for school fundraisers?
Employer matching gifts are company contributions that match an employee’s donation to an eligible school, PTA/PTO, booster club, or education foundation—often dollar-for-dollar up to a set cap. General information, not financial advice.
Which school groups usually qualify for matching gifts?
- K–12 schools and district/education foundations.
- PTA/PTO and booster clubs with their own EIN.
- Public and private schools; eligibility varies by employer.
Always confirm with the employer’s policy. General information only.
How can donors check if their employer matches school donations?
- Look in HR/benefits portal for “matching gifts.”
- Ask HR or a manager for the policy link.
- Search “Company + matching gifts + education.”
What match ratios and caps are common for school fundraisers?
Typical ratios range from 0.5:1 to 2:1 with annual caps (e.g., $500–$10,000+). Minimum gifts (e.g., $25–$50) may apply. General information, not financial advice.
Which donations are usually not eligible for matching?
- Payments with benefits (tickets, merchandise, auction purchases).
- Tuition/fees, dues, or payments to specific individuals.
- Gifts made through third parties that don’t verify eligibility.
Policies differ—check the employer’s rules. General info only.
Do volunteer hours qualify for “volunteer grants” for schools?
Many employers donate when employees volunteer a set number of hours (e.g., 10–50 hours). Track hours and ask about the request process. General information only.
Where should we promote matching gifts in our school campaign?
- Donation form (checkbox: “My employer will match”).
- Thank-you page & receipt (with instructions).
- Follow-up email, classroom flyers, and QR posters at events.
What information do donors need to submit a match request?
- Organization name and EIN (or school/district foundation).
- Gift date, amount, and receipt.
- Mailing address or ACH info and contact email.
What does the school/PTA need to receive matching funds smoothly?
- Correct legal name, EIN, address, and contact on your site.
- W-9 on file and bank details if ACH is offered.
- A staff/volunteer contact to complete verification forms quickly.
How long does it take for the school to receive the employer match?
Processing can take a few weeks to a few months depending on the employer’s payout schedule and verification steps. General information only.
Are there deadlines for submitting matching gift requests?
Yes—many programs require submission by year-end or within a set window (e.g., 3–12 months after the gift). Encourage donors to submit immediately. General info only.
Do employers restrict matches for athletics or faith-based schools?
Some limit gifts to academic programs or 501(c)(3) foundations; others exclude certain activities. Check the employer’s criteria. General information, not legal advice.
How should receipts be worded to support matching gifts? (General information)
Include org name, EIN, date, amount, and whether any goods/services were received. If none, state “no goods or services were provided.” General information, not tax advice.
Can auction purchases be matched by employers? (General information)
Often no, because the buyer receives goods/services (FMV). Some employers allow matching for the truly charitable portion only. Policies vary—donors must verify. General information, not tax advice.
How do we track and attribute matching gifts in reports?
- Add fields for “Employer” and “Matching gift status.”
- Tag gifts awaiting match vs. received.
- Credit both the donor and company in stewardship lists.
Do parent or guardian employers match student-led fundraiser gifts?
Often yes, if the parent/guardian is the donor and the recipient organization is eligible. Encourage families to check their employers’ policies.
Should we use a matching-gift search or automation tool? (General information)
Tools can surface employer policies, embed lookups on your page, and send reminders. Compare cost, coverage, and data export options. General information, not purchasing advice.
What’s a simple follow-up email to prompt matching gift submissions?
Subject: Double your gift for [School]? — Body: “Thank you for your gift of $X on [date] to [School/PTA]. Many employers match donations—takes 2–3 minutes. Check your employer’s program and submit using the receipt attached. Questions? [contact].”
What common pitfalls cause schools to miss matching gift revenue?
- No clear EIN/org name on the donation page.
- Receipts missing “no goods/services were provided.”
- No post-gift reminders or donor instructions.
Do you have a quick checklist to maximize matching gifts for schools?
- Publish org legal name, EIN, address, and contact.
- Add “Does your employer match?” prompt on the form.
- Include instructions on thank-you page and receipt.
- Send a reminder email within 48 hours with the receipt.
- Track employer + status; follow up monthly until resolved.
- Thank both the donor and the company upon receipt.
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