In the world of nonprofit fundraising, matching gift programs are a particularly invaluable tool for amplifying donations. But while many nonprofits are familiar with ongoing matching gift opportunities, there’s another exclusive type of initiative that often flies under the radar: one-off matching gift programs.

In this post, we’ll explore what one-off matching gift programs are, why they’re beneficial, and how your organization can make the most of these opportunities to maximize fundraising success. And we’ll do so by answering the following questions:

These unique opportunities can make a significant impact on fundraising efforts. In fact, they offer nonprofits the chance to double or even triple donations with unique programs specific to their causes.

Ready to learn more? Let’s dive in with the basics.

What are one-off matching gift programs?

A one-off matching gift program is a specially targeted initiative where a company matches donations made by its employees to a specific nonprofit⁠—often for a particular campaign, event, or time.

Unlike standard or traditional matching gift programs, which may run continuously through the year and be open to any number of organizations or causes, one-off programs are typically set up for short, targeted efforts.

The best part? They’re often offered by companies without traditional matching gift programs, allowing businesses to explore matching gifts relatively risk-free!

Check it out. Imagine the following scenario:

Company A does not currently offer a standard matching gift program for its employees. However, Nonprofit XYZ reaches out as a result of existing interest in the organization by the company’s staff. Since a significant portion of the company’s employee base has already given to Nonprofit XYZ in the past, Company A decides to implement a giving experiment. For a short time, the company agrees to match employee donations specifically to Nonprofit XYZ.

Throughout the month-long campaign, employees at Company A are encouraged to give to Nonprofit XYZ, driving revenue and support for the nonprofit’s mission. Then, in the end, Company A cuts a check equal to the sum of all individual employee contributions to the organization, leading to a 50% increase in revenue as compared to the same month last year.

For the best results, these programs may be tied to a specific cause (such as a disaster relief effort), a special fundraising event (such as Giving Tuesday), an affinity month, or a company anniversary.

How do one-off matching gifts differ from standard programs?

One-off matching gifts describe a specific subset of corporate matching gift opportunities. But how exactly do they compare to traditional programs? Let’s take a look at two key differentiations:

  • Nonprofit targeting ⁠— One-off programs are directed towards a specific nonprofit or cause, often linked to a particular event or project. For instance, a company may offer a one-off match for donations made to a nonprofit during a special campaign or in response to a crisis. Standard matching gift programs, on the other hand, are more general and allow employees to select from a broader pool of eligible organizations for their contributions, provided those organizations meet the company’s criteria.
  • Time frame ⁠— One-off matching gift programs are typically offered as time-sensitive opportunities, often lasting only a few days, weeks, or months. These programs are frequently aligned with a particular campaign, event, or charitable moment—such as a company’s anniversary, a special fundraising event, or disaster relief efforts. In contrast, standard matching gift programs tend to be open year-round or operate on an ongoing basis, allowing employees to match donations to any eligible nonprofit at any time.

In summary, the key distinctions lie in the fact that one-off matching gift programs are often time-limited and tied to specific events or nonprofits, creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity. Meanwhile, standard programs are broader, ongoing, and available for donations made to a wide range of nonprofits throughout the year.

However, both are invaluable fundraising opportunities that empower organizations to increase revenue and access additional corporate funds.

Why do corporations offer one-off matching gift programs?

Companies offer one-off matching gift programs for several strategic reasons. After all, these initiatives allow them to explore and capitalize on the benefits of matching gifts without committing to a full, long-term program.

Here are some additional reasons why companies choose to offer these exclusive opportunities:

  1. A Low-Risk Introduction to Matching Gifts:
    One-off matching gift programs provide an easy, low-risk way for companies to explore the concept of matching gifts without the need to establish an ongoing program. For organizations that are new to corporate philanthropy, a one-off program allows them to dip their toes in and evaluate its impact without a long-term commitment.
  2. Building Stronger Relationships with Nonprofits & Communities:
    One-off matching gifts allow companies to forge stronger relationships with specific nonprofits, especially those that align with their values or are tied to a specific event or cause. By focusing on a targeted campaign, corporations can demonstrate a deeper commitment to a particular cause, showing both employees and the public that they are invested in making a positive impact.
  3. Boosting Employee Engagement:
    These programs are also a surefire way to engage employees in the company’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts. Employees often feel more connected to the cause when they see their donations being matched, and one-off matching gifts can drive increased participation. This can lead to higher employee satisfaction, morale, and a sense of pride in the company’s philanthropic efforts.

In essence, one-off matching gift programs offer companies a flexible, cost-effective way to engage their workforce, strengthen ties with nonprofits, and explore the value of matching gifts without the need for a larger, ongoing investment.

These programs allow companies to experiment with philanthropic initiatives while making a significant impact in a shorter timeframe.

Raise more with one-off matching gifts by growing your knowledge with our complete guide.

How can organizations identify the potential for one-off matching gifts?

Identifying one-off matching gift potential requires proactive efforts by nonprofit organizations. After all, it’s important to stay alert for opportunities and build relationships with corporate partners.

Here are several ways organizations can spot and leverage these one-off matching gift opportunities:

1) Donor Employment Networks:

Believe it or not, companies’ employees can sometimes be the bridge to one-off matching gift programs. Nonprofits can engage their current donors and volunteers to inquire about whether their employer offers matching gifts for specific causes or campaigns, especially if those companies are running short-term matching gift initiatives.

For the best results, encourage supporters to approach their HR departments or CSR teams to find out more about one-off matching gifts⁠—and see if they’d be interested in starting a program in partnership with your organization.

2) Existing Corporate Partners

Nonprofits should maintain strong relationships with companies that have a history of supporting them or other similar causes. These companies may be more likely to offer one-off matching gift opportunities, especially if they have an existing corporate social responsibility (CSR) program in place.

Regular communication with corporate partners can help nonprofits stay informed about upcoming campaigns, events, or milestones that might prompt a company to offer a one-off match.

3) One-Off Partnership Interest Pages

Your nonprofit’s website is your most invaluable resource, and it’s where prospective partners will go to learn more about your cause. Fortunately, implementing a one-off matching gift interest page can be an effective way to attract potential corporate partners.

One-Off-Matching-Gift-Programs-Interest-Page-Sample-Screenshot

The page can serve as a dedicated space to highlight partnership opportunities, such as one-off matching gifts, and outline clear next steps for getting involved.

4) Corporate Volunteer Programs

Companies with strong volunteer engagement programs may offer one-off matching gifts tied to specific volunteer efforts. Nonprofits can collaborate with companies running such programs to learn when a one-off match might be available for employees who volunteer with them. Understanding how a company’s volunteer program works can also help nonprofits pitch potential matching gift opportunities tied to volunteer hours or fundraising events.

By staying proactive and building strong relationships with corporate partners, monitoring key events, and leveraging available platforms, nonprofits can increase their chances of identifying one-off matching gift opportunities and maximizing the impact of their fundraising efforts.

How should teams market existing one-off matching gift opportunities?

Marketing existing one-off matching gift opportunities requires a strategic approach. After all, you’ll want to create urgency and excitement while effectively communicating the value of these limited-time programs.

Here’s how nonprofit teams can market one-off matching gift opportunities to maximize engagement:

1) Engage Donors with Personalized Messaging

Target donors who are more likely to participate in the matching gift program (e.g., employees of the corporate partner). Tailor the messaging to each individual, ensuring your communications resonate with their previous engagement and motivations. Then, use personalized appeals where possible (e.g., through email, phone calls, or text messages) to ask supporters to take advantage of the opportunity.

2) Emphasize the Impact

Highlight matching potential by making it clear how a matching gift will increase the impact of each donation. Plus, for the best results, you can tie your fundraising request to your organization’s mission. For example, “Your $50 donation becomes $100 with this match!” or “Help us reach our $10,000 goal—feed twice as many families with a matching gift!”

3) Establish a Sense of Urgency

Highlight the urgent nature of the campaign by using messaging that emphasizes the time-sensitive aspect of the matching gift. Phrases like “Only X days left to double your donation!” or “Hurry, matching funds available until [deadline]” can create urgency and encourage immediate action.

4) Engage Corporate Partners for Promotion

Engaging corporate partners to promote a one-off match can significantly amplify its impact, increasing both visibility and participation. Collaborate with the company to co-brand the campaign, using materials that feature both your logos to reinforce the partnership and build credibility. Encourage them to leverage their internal communication channels, such as employee emails, newsletters, or intranet announcements, to motivate their workforce to participate.

Additionally, ask your matching gift partner to promote the match externally through customer-facing newsletters, social media posts, or even press releases to reach a broader audience. Work together to craft compelling messaging that highlights the limited-time nature of the match and the potential to double their impact.

Then, provide updates throughout the campaign to keep the momentum strong.

5) Use Testimonials and Stories

Share stories from donors who have taken part in previous matching gift programs or who are excited to participate in the current one. Real-life examples can inspire others to act. Then, highlight how the funds raised through matching gifts are being used to support specific projects or initiatives. This can help donors feel more connected to the cause and motivated to contribute.

By employing a mix of urgency, clear messaging, personalized appeals, and strong storytelling, nonprofit teams can effectively market existing one-off matching gift opportunities, driving donor engagement and maximizing contributions during these exclusive campaigns.

How does matching gift software help manage one-off matching gifts?

Matching gift software can be a powerful tool for managing one-off matching gift programs. This is especially true given their time-sensitive nature and the need for efficient tracking and communication.

Here’s how matching gift software helps streamline the management of these programs:

Identifying match-eligible donations

Many software platforms feature an integrated tool for donors to provide employment insights and research whether their employer offers a matching gift program. This ensures that donors are immediately informed of matching eligibility and requirements without needing to go through lengthy processes. Double the Donation, for example, even offers an easy way to add nonprofit-specific matching gift programs (like one-off partnerships!) directly to your own database tool.

Integration with donation software and CRMs

Matching gift software can integrate with an organization’s fundraising tools, ensuring that all donor information is captured in one place. This helps nonprofits stay organized and ensures that matching gifts are properly pursued and linked to the appropriate donor records.

Enabling matching gift auto-submission

Matching gift software also simplifies the experience by providing information about eligible employers, matching gift guidelines, and submission procedures. Some platforms even allow donors to submit matches from the donation page, with groundbreaking auto-submission functionality streamlining the entire experience.

Triggering tailored matching gift reminders

Matching gift software can automate follow-up emails and notifications to remind donors of the one-off matching gift program⁠. Then, provide them with the necessary instructions to submit their matching gift requests. This ensures that donors don’t miss out due to a lack of information or the opportunity simply slipping through the cracks post-donation.

Tracking matching gift progress

Matching gift software makes it easy to track each matched donation through the distribution process. For example, Double the Donation emails include an intuitive “I submitted my match!” button. This updates the donation record in real time, ensuring seamless tracking through the matching gift lifecycle.

Streamlined administrative processes

For nonprofits managing multiple matching gift programs, the right software centralizes the entire process. From tracking donations to submitting claims for matching funds, your tools can reduce the administrative burden and ensure that the programs are well-managed with ease.

Improved data analytics and reporting

Finally, matching gift software provides real-time data on the success of one-off matching gift campaigns. The tools allow nonprofits to track how much has been raised through the match, the number of donors participating, and how close the organization is to meeting its match goal. This helps nonprofits understand the program’s ROI and optimize future campaigns with optimal results.

All in all, matching gift software streamlines the management of one-off matching gift programs by automating tracking, submission, and reporting, reducing administrative work, and enhancing communication with donors and corporate partners. By leveraging this technology, nonprofits can maximize the impact of one-off matching gift opportunities, increase donor engagement, and ensure that the process is efficient, seamless, and impactful.

Final thoughts + further reading

One-off matching gift programs are powerful yet often overlooked resources for nonprofits looking to amplify their fundraising efforts. By capitalizing on these opportunities, your organization can engage donors, boost contributions, and create a sense of urgency around giving.

While these programs may come with their own set of challenges, the rewards are well worth the effort. So stay proactive, seek out these unique matching opportunities, and communicate them effectively to your donor base. This will allow you to make the most of what could be a game-changing fundraising moment.

Don’t miss out—start exploring one-off matching gift programs today and see how they can elevate your nonprofit’s mission.

Interested in learning more about matching gifts and corporate giving? Check out these additional resources:

Raise more with one-off matching gifts using Double the Donation.