Double Your Fundraising: Apply for Matching Gifts!
Many businesses match employee gifts to qualifying nonprofit organizations, with differing guidelines at each business. Your employer knows its policy regarding matching gifts and is waiting for you to ask.
To find out if your company has a matching gifts program, contact your human resources department. Companies have various methods by which you can submit your matching gift request: online forms, automated phone systems or a paper form.
Contact the Wisconsin Chapter at info.wisMS@nmss.org or 800-242-3358 for more information about matching gifts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Matching Gifts
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What is a matching gift?
A matching gift is a gift from a donor’s employer that matches the donor’s original gift. Most companies match dollar-for-dollar and some may even double or triple match a donor’s gift.
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How do I know if my employer has a matching gifts program?
Ask your human resources staff or visit your company’s intranet.
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Where do I get a matching gift form?
Those are available only from your employer. If it’s not clear whom to ask at your company, talk to your human resources staff. Some companies post all matching gifts information online, so be sure to check out your employer’s website and/or intranet.
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Carefully read the guidelines for your employer’s matching gifts program.
Many companies only match donations to certain areas, such as education or the arts, etc. Also check to see if your company matches only your individual donations. Most companies match only donations made by their employee and will not match the employee’s fundraising total. Some companies also have a minimum amount that you must donate before they match, such as $25. Please make sure your contribution is eligible before submitting a form.
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Please include the name of the participant that the matching gift donation should be credited to on the form.
This will enable quicker processing. Please do not date the form. Many companies have a 90-day policy on accepting forms and they go by the date filled in by the donor, not by the date filled in by the recipient organization. Many forms are turned in months after the donation has been received and by the time the form is processed it is too late to turn it into the company for a match.
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Don’t forget to sign the form.
It is an easy step to miss. Also, please fill out the form completely with address and phone number information in case there are any questions about the form.
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Please turn in the form at the same time the donation/pledge is turned in.
Paperclip the donation form to your check, or include a copy of the receipt of online donations. This makes processing faster as well. If you have applied for the matching gift through your company’s online system, please e-mail the Chapter a copy of your confirmation.
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What do I do with the form when I’ve filled it out?
Refer to the instructions on the matching gift form, but usually the next step is to mail or fax it to the Chapter (please include the participant’s name):
National MS Society - Wisconsin Chapter
1120 James Drive, Suite A
Hartland, WI 53029
Fax: 262-369-4410
E-mail: info.wisMS@nmss.org
If you’ve filled out the information online, don’t forget to send the Chapter an e-mail with a copy of the confirmation that you have completed all of the online steps.
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How will I know when you have received the donation and the matching gift?
Check the My Progress section of your Participant Center. We will llist the donation and list the expected matching gift separately. It can take months to receive payment for matching gifts, but the participant will receive credit for matching gifts for prize purposes.
Helpful Tips for Matching Gifts
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Spread the world about matching gifts: Encourage all of your event donors to ask their company if they participate in a matching gifts program.
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Have matching gift forms when you approach your co-workers: If your company participates in a matching gifts program, have the forms available when you approach your co-workers. When they make a contribution, you can hand them a form to complete.
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Include online instructions in Thank You e-mails: If your company allows matching gift requests to be made online, include a link to the online request form, with step-by-step instructions on how to fill out the information, when you send a Thank You for Donating e-mail.
- The earlier the better: Enclosing the matching gift forms in your pledge envelope on the day of the event or even before will ensure that your matching gift will be included with your current year’s prize total. To assist us in the process, please include a copy of your pledge form for the National MS Society to reference.