How Employer Matching Gifts Can Double Your Impact

Every gift to Eagle Education Foundation helps a student in Watertown, South Dakota grow in faith, character, and learning. But what if you could give twice the support without spending an extra dollar? Thanks to employer matching gifts, that is entirely possible. Many companies will match the charitable donations their employees make to eligible nonprofits, which means your generosity can go further than you ever imagined. Understanding how these programs work is one of the simplest ways to multiply your impact on Christian education and scholarships in our community.

What Are Employer Matching Gifts?

An employer matching gift is a charitable contribution made by a company that matches a donation given by one of its employees. When you give to a qualifying nonprofit, your employer contributes an equal or similar amount to the same organization. In many cases the match is dollar-for-dollar, which effectively doubles the value of your gift. Some employers go even further, matching at two-to-one or three-to-one ratios.

Corporate matching gift programs exist because businesses want to support the causes their employees care about. They recognize that when their team members invest in their communities, everyone benefits. For a mission like ours, focused on faith-based education and helping families access Christian schooling, these programs turn a single act of giving into a shared partnership between you, your employer, and the students we serve together.

Why Matching Gifts Matter So Much

The beauty of matching gifts is that they increase your impact at no additional cost to you. You give what you are comfortable giving, and your employer supplies the rest. A gift that helps fund one scholarship could suddenly help fund two. Classroom resources, tuition assistance, and program support all stretch further when a match is added. For a nonprofit that depends on the kindness of individuals, these programs represent a meaningful and often overlooked source of support.

How to Find Out If Your Employer Offers a Match

Many people are surprised to learn that their company has a matching gift program. Studies and industry reports suggest that a significant number of eligible matching donations go unclaimed each year, simply because employees do not know the benefit exists. Checking is quick and easy, and it usually starts in one of two places.

• Ask your Human Resources department. HR teams typically manage employee benefits, including charitable giving and matching programs. A short email or conversation can tell you whether your company participates and what the guidelines are.
• Look for a matching-gift portal. Many larger employers use an online giving platform or matching-gift portal where you can search for eligible nonprofits, log your donation, and request a match. Your company intranet or benefits page is a good place to start looking.

Even part-time employees, and in some cases retirees or spouses, may qualify under certain programs. It never hurts to ask, and the few minutes it takes could double the difference you make.

The General Steps to Submit a Match

While every company handles matching gifts a little differently, the process usually follows a familiar pattern. Here is what you can generally expect once you have made your donation:

• Give your gift. Start by making your donation to the foundation. You can always give to the foundation online or through the method that works best for you.
• Confirm eligibility. Check with HR or your matching-gift portal to make sure both your donation and our organization meet your employer’s requirements.
• Submit the match request. Complete your company’s matching gift form, either online or on paper, with details about your donation and the receiving nonprofit.
• Let us verify. Your employer may reach out to confirm that your gift was received. The Eagle Education Foundation team is always happy to provide any documentation needed to complete the match.

Once these steps are complete, your employer sends its matching contribution, and your original gift has effectively grown. It is a straightforward process that pays off in a big way for the students and families we support.

Understanding Program Rules and Deadlines

Because matching gift programs are created by individual companies, the rules vary from one employer to the next. Taking a moment to review your company’s specific guidelines will help ensure your match goes through smoothly. Here are some common factors to keep in mind:

• Match ratios. Some companies match dollar-for-dollar, while others match at higher or lower rates. Your employer’s policy will spell out exactly how much they contribute.
• Minimum and maximum amounts. Many programs set a minimum donation required to qualify for a match, along with an annual maximum they will contribute per employee.
• Eligible organizations. Most programs support registered nonprofits, and many include educational and faith-based causes. Confirm that our mission fits within your company’s giving categories.
• Submission deadlines. Matching requests often must be submitted within a certain window after your donation, sometimes by the end of the calendar year or within a set number of months. Submitting promptly is the best way to make sure your match is honored.

Because these details differ so widely, we always encourage donors to review the specifics directly with their employer. A quick check ensures nothing is left on the table.

Don’t Forget About Volunteer Grants

Matching gifts are not the only way companies give back. Some employers also offer volunteer grants, sometimes called “dollars for doers” programs. Under these arrangements, a company donates money to a nonprofit based on the number of hours an employee volunteers there. If you already give your time in support of Christian education in our area, your service could unlock additional financial support as well. It is another wonderful example of how your involvement can create ripple effects far beyond a single contribution.

An Easy Way to Increase Your Impact

What makes employer matching gifts so special is how effortless they are. You do not need to give more of your own resources. You simply take advantage of a benefit your employer already offers, and in doing so you multiply the good your gift accomplishes. For students pursuing a Christ-centered education and families seeking scholarship support, that doubled impact can be life-changing.

If you have never checked whether your workplace offers a matching program, we warmly encourage you to do so. A single email to your HR team or a quick visit to your company’s giving portal could turn your generosity into something even greater. To learn more about our mission, our history, and the students we serve, we invite you to read more about Eagle Education Foundation and the values that guide our work.

Partner With Us Today

Doubling your impact is easier than you might think, and the Eagle Education Foundation team would be honored to help you along the way. If you have questions about matching gifts, need documentation for your employer, or simply want to explore how your generosity can go further, please reach out to us. Together, through the faithfulness of donors and the support of caring employers, we can open doors for the next generation of students in Watertown and beyond. Thank you for considering how your gift, matched and multiplied, can help transform lives through Christian education.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an employer matching gift?

It is a charitable contribution a company makes to match a donation given by one of its employees. Many matches are dollar-for-dollar, which can effectively double the value of your gift.

How do I find out if my employer offers matching gifts?

Ask your Human Resources department or look for your company’s online matching-gift portal or benefits page. Even part-time employees, and sometimes retirees or spouses, may qualify.

How do I submit a matching gift request?

Generally you give your gift, confirm that your donation and the nonprofit meet your employer’s requirements, complete your company’s matching gift form, and the foundation provides any documentation needed to verify the gift.

What is a volunteer grant?

Some employers offer volunteer grants, sometimes called dollars-for-doers programs, that donate money to a nonprofit based on the number of hours an employee volunteers there, unlocking additional support beyond a financial gift.