How to encourage matching gifts at your medical nonprofit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Now that you\u2019re in the know about matching gifts programs, let\u2019s go over how to encourage matching gifts at your medical nonprofit. There are some key steps you can take to make applying for matching gifts attractive to your supporters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Use a matching gifts integration on your donation form<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are a few services out there that make applying for matching gifts easy. They work with nonprofits and companies with matching gift programs to make the match process more efficient for everyone involved. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nonprofits can take that a step further with matching gifts integrations. Often, these integrations come in the form of a search bar that can be added to your donation form or donation thank-you page. Donors search for their employer in the search bar and determine if their gift is eligible for a match. Then, they\u2019re presented with next steps for applying for the match. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Qgiv has integrations<\/a> with three different matching gift services. If your nonprofit has an account with Double the Donation, HEPdata, or CyberGrants, you can embed the matching gift integration on your Qgiv donation form to earn more matched donations from your supporters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri includes a matching gift search on their Qgiv donation form to ensure supporters\u2019 gifts go further. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another option available to medical nonprofits is partnering with companies in your area that offer matching gifts programs. The goal of the partnership is to provide publicity to the company via the matching gift partnership. Your medical nonprofit benefits by accepting matching donations from company employees. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll need to set up a donation form<\/a> specific to the company you partner with. Work with the Human Resources department of the partner company to share the link to your company-specific donation form with employees. Then, as gifts come in to that form, share donor names and donation amounts with the matching gifts officer at the company. They can then donate to provide the company with a match. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To get the most mileage out of this partnership, the company should offer an incentive for giving, like an extra day of PTO for making a matching gift. A lot of employees would love the chance to be recognized for their philanthropy! <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you don\u2019t see more matching gifts after including a matching gifts search bar on your donation form, you can boost matching gifts received by launching a matching gifts campaign. A matching gift campaign is a fundraising drive encouraging supporters to apply for matches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll want to show donors how to use the search bar. Then, be willing to work with them during the application process. If you make it clear you need matching gifts, supporters will give them. That\u2019s especially true if you make the process easy! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Want to get more eyes on your matching gifts campaign? Check out this recorded webinar<\/a> for helpful tips to marketing your matching gifts program. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes companies don\u2019t have a matching gifts program. That means that your most passionate supporters may not be able to have their gifts matched on their own. But don\u2019t give up on matching gifts! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, you can solicit a matching gift pledge from a private funder like a major donor or a private foundation that offers matching gifts. Match every gift received up to the pledged amount. Donors come out in droves when they learn their gifts can be matched. After all, who doesn\u2019t want to double their gift\u2019s impact? <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you have secured the pledge, market the match everywhere for best results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Pro Tip: Keep that matching gift relationship by acknowledging how your matching donor helped! That\u2019s what Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation did with the social post below. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Someone\u2019s applied for a matching gift after giving to your organization. Now what? <\/p>\n\n\n\n You\u2019ll need to complete the matching gift paperwork to confirm the matching gift was received. This paperwork may also require answering questions to determine if your medical nonprofit meets the criteria for the match. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your matching gift program should outline who is in charge of responding with this information. These matching gift requests can often be completed online or by returning a letter to the matching gift department of the employer matching the gift. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sure to respond in a timely manner so that your match isn\u2019t forgotten! Your plan should help ensure that matching requests are returned within 24 hours of receiving the request. Qgiv\u2019s matching gift integrations make this easy by automatically emailing donors the next steps for completing the matching gift once they\u2019ve completed their donation! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve submitted the request for a matching gift, it can take a while for the matching gift company to make the actual match. If you wait long enough, you may forget about it and fail to recognize the gift for what it is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n That\u2019s why it\u2019s important to track your matching gifts. Using online fundraising software with matching gift functionality can help with this. If your nonprofit\u2019s online fundraising solution doesn\u2019t offer matching gift support, you should designate employees to enter matching gifts into a regularly-updated spreadsheet that shows which matching gifts were received and which are outstanding. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019ve received the gift match, it\u2019s time to celebrate! Your donor\u2019s gift has now been doubled! But you shouldn\u2019t celebrate the gift match alone. When you\u2019ve confirmed the matching gift, give the donor a call. They\u2019ll want to know the matching gift they applied for worked out. Plus, this is a great chance to thank them over the phone and tell them how you plan to use the funds they donated and their employer matched. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After celebrating the successful matching gift with your donor, update your records. If you\u2019re tracking the matching gift in your fundraising software, mark the pledge as received. If using a spreadsheet, be sure to mark the gift as completed. You may also need to update the record in your CRM if your fundraising software doesn\u2019t support integrations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A donor who has gone the extra mile to submit a match is a great candidate for becoming a recurring donor if they aren’t already! Consider segmenting communications and including them in an appeal for your recurring giving program. Looking for tips on how to boost your recurring program? Download our Radical Recurring Giving Guide<\/a>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you want to grow fundraising at your medical organization, it\u2019s important to encourage matching gifts and know what to do when one is received. Your matching gift program should indicate what to do and who is responsible for each step in the matching gifts process. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Your roles and steps may vary based on the software solutions you use at your organization. But one thing is certain, everyone must be on the same page to ensure your gifts are matched and donors know that match was received. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Ronald](\"https:\/\/www.qgiv.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Ronald-McDonald-House-Charities-Mid-Missouri-1024x519.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nPartner with companies offering matching gift programs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Launch a matching gifts campaign<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Solicit a matching gift pledge from a private funder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"Pulmonary](\"https:\/\/www.qgiv.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/Pulmonary-Fibrosis-Foundation.png\")
<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nHow to respond to matching gifts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Tracking matching gifts with your matching gifts program<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Confirming matching gifts from donors<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n