Double your impact: How to get your employer to match your donation
Your support for Business For Good can go much further than just a personal contribution. Did you know that many employers offer donation matching programs that can double—or even triple—your impact? Here’s how to make it happen.
Start with a simple conversation
Reach out to HR or your manager and ask if your company has a donation matching program You might be surprised to learn one already exists.
If they don’t have a formal program, suggest starting one. Frame it as a way to boost employee engagement and community impact—two things most companies care about.
Make it easy for them
Come prepared with specifics. Here are real-life examples to reference:
Simple starter program examples:
- Choice Hotels: Matches $25-$1,500 per employee annually to most nonprofits
- CarMax: 1:1 match with $1,000 annual limit, 180-day submission window
- Air Products: Matches up to $5,000 per employee with 12-month submission deadline
More generous examples for established companies:
- Microsoft: Matches up to $32,500 per employee annually
- Johnson & Johnson: 2:1 match up to $10,000 per employee
- Deloitte: Matches up to $32,500 per employee to nearly all nonprofit types
You can also check out third-party platforms like Benevity or Double the Donation that handle verification and processing for employers. These platforms can even enable “auto-submission”—employees just enter their work email when donating online and the match happens automatically.
Show the business case
Donation matching programs are more than just good PR—they’re good business.
A study by America’s Charities shows donation matching programs increase employee satisfaction, attract values-driven talent, and create positive community relationships. Companies that match donations often see higher employee retention and stronger workplace culture.
Start small and scale
If your employer is hesitant, suggest a pilot program. Maybe they can begin by matching donations during a specific campaign or for a particular cause that aligns with company values. Success with a smaller program often leads to expansion.
Be persistent, but patient
Change takes time. If the answer is “not right now,” ask what it would take to revisit the conversation in six months. Sometimes it’s a budget issue, sometimes it’s timing. Keep the dialogue open.
The takeaway
Your employer wants to make a positive impact—they just might not know how. By suggesting donation matching, you’re giving them an easy way to amplify their community involvement while supporting causes you care about.
The best part? Once a matching program exists, it benefits everyone. Your colleagues can double their impact too, creating a ripple effect of good that extends far beyond your initial ask.
Ready to start the conversation? Your cause—and your community—will thank you for it!
