 Two checks are better than one. Did you know that 20% of individual donations could be matched by employer companies? That adds up to a LOT of money left on the table every year.
Why? Most donors aren’t even aware their (or their spouse’s!) employer matches gifts, or they forget about it when they donate, or they aren’t sure how to request it. Few companies push the benefit, meaning it often goes untapped. The frequent users tend to be top executives. That’s why it’s so important for your donation forms to ask for the names of your donors’ employers. Not just a box to check. We love our local businesses in NM, but only a handful have these programs. This is where big companies from out of town are an asset – many have them and they’re surprisingly generous. Here’s the process: My husband works for a company that matches 100% up to $2,000. I make a gift to a local shelter for $2,000. I fill out a company form detailing that gift, and my husband emails it to his internal contact. Then they cut a check for an additional $2,000, including our names, and send it right to the shelter. The shelter credits us for the full $4,000. Ta da! A few matching gift companies operating in the Albuquerque area: Intel – will double a gift by matching it 100% up to $10,000 for all employees, full-time, part-time, or retired. Not bad! Bank of America – matches 100% up to $5,000 for full-time, part-time, or retired. Quest Diagnostics – 100% up to $5,000 for full-time employees. Progressive – 100% up to $3,000 for all current employees. HP – 100% up to $2,500 for all current employees. Wells Fargo – 100% up to $2,000 for all current employees PNM – matches 100% up to $1,000 for all current and retired employees. CBRE – 50% match with no limit for all current and retired employees. There are hundreds more in NM. Update your donor forms to ask for company names and follow-up with the ones who could be matching! At a minimum, take a look at the list of companies where your board members work. Are they all matching where they can? For my New Mexico clients and past trainees, I provide a free look-up service on matching gift companies. If you’re curious about a company that you know a donor works for, reach out, and I can tell you if they have a program, plus the contact info for that employee to request the match.
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What a great group training on major gifts solicitations in Santa Fe yesterday. For those of you seeking the slide deck, download the attached. Thank you!
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AuthorEmilie, Principal and Owner Archives
February 2024
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