Percent Pledge Getting Started Launch Guide
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      Guide to Donation Matching

      Donation matching programs are a proven way to support employee values while boosting engagement, talent retention, and your employer brand. This guide outlines the benefits of matching gifts and provides a ready-to-use template for launching.

      Employees are demanding companies to be socially responsible. More and more companies are not only listening to employees' calls for corporate purpose, but they are also multiplying their employees' positive impact on causes with matching donations (resulting in a beautiful uptick in donation matching programs). 

      Benefits of donation matching programs

      Engages employees through valuing their passions.

      55% of employees currently give back. So by allowing employees to support various charities or causes they believe in and are already supporting, it empowers them to bring their full selves to work as their company supports their passions and beliefs (Percent Pledge Passion Assessment 2021).

      Attracts and retains top talent.

      83% of employees would be more loyal to a company that helps them contribute to social and environmental issues. Plus, 88% of millennials and 74% of employees say their job is more fulfilling when given opportunities to impact social issues positively (Cone 2016).

      Stays competitive as an employer brand.

      71% of employees say it is imperative or very important to work where the culture supports giving and volunteering (America's Charities Snapshot Employee Donor Research). Plus, 75% of millennials would take less pay to work for a socially responsible company (Cone 2016). Today’s talent (Millennials + GenZ) have a desire beyond money. Once there is a direct link to a social impact program, it inherently boosts recruitment. 

      Above are a few benefits of donation matching programs. Still, the best benefit of all is supporting the nonprofits making a difference in social issues and causes employees care about most. 

      See sample template for setting up a matching donation policy:

      [Your Company Name] Matching Donation Program

      At [Your Company Name], we are committed to supporting the causes our employees care about. Through our Matching Donation Program, we amplify your impact and make giving back easy and rewarding. This program is managed in partnership with Percent Pledge, our trusted platform for seamless donations, nonprofit vetting, and impact tracking.

      Program Overview

      • Matching Ratio: [Insert ratio, e.g., 1:1, 2:1, etc.].
        For every dollar you donate to an eligible organization, [Your Company Name] will match [the same amount/double your donation/etc.].
      • Annual Matching Cap: Employees can receive matching funds for donations up to [$X,XXX] per calendar year. Matches are processed on a first-come, first-served basis within the annual program budget.
      • Eligibility: The program is available to all [define eligible employee groups, e.g., full-time, part-time]. Retirees, contractors, dependents, and spouses are not eligible for matching.
      • Earmarked Donations: Donations earmarked for specific campaigns or purposes are eligible as long as they align with the nonprofit’s primary mission.

      Eligible Donations

      To qualify for matching, donations must meet the following criteria:

      1. Nonprofit Eligibility:
        • Donations must be made to organizations vetted and approved through Percent Pledge. Eligible organizations include:
          • Nonprofits registered as tax-exempt under [IRS 501(c)(3) or international equivalent].
          • Organizations advancing social services, environmental causes, health research, animal protection, arts and culture, or education (e.g., universities, PTAs).
        • Nonprofits must have at least one paid employee.
      2. Donation Type:
        • Only monetary donations are eligible.
        • Donation pledges (future commitments) are not eligible for matching until funds are disbursed to the nonprofit.
      3. Receipts:
        • Employees must provide a valid donation receipt that clearly indicates the tax-deductible amount. Receipts must be uploaded through Percent Pledge when submitting the match request.

      Ineligible Donations

      The following donations are not eligible for matching:

      • Contributions to donor-advised funds (e.g., Fidelity Charitable, NY Community Trust).
      • Donations to political organizations or campaigns, or programs primarily focused on lobbying.
      • Faith-based programs promoting a specific religion or requiring participation in religious activities (nonsectarian community programs may qualify).
      • Payments for tickets, memberships, raffles, auctions, tuition, or items received in exchange for donations.
      • Donations to nonprofits without at least one paid employee.
      • Donations to organizations currently involved in legal disputes.
      • Donations to nonprofits that engage in or support discrimination based on any legally protected classification.

      How It Works

      1. Make Your Donation
        • Use Percent Pledge to donate directly to a vetted nonprofit or upload a receipt for an eligible external donation made during the program year.
      2. Submit a Match Request
        • Submit your match request through Percent Pledge, including a valid donation receipt showing the tax-deductible amount. For nonprofits not already listed in Percent Pledge, employees may nominate the organization for review and approval.
      3. Verification and Approval
        • Percent Pledge verifies the organization’s eligibility and compliance with the program guidelines. 
      4. Impact Tracking
        • Matched funds are disbursed directly to the nonprofit. Employees can view and track their donations and matched amounts through Percent Pledge’s dashboard.

      Program Guidelines

      • Annual Cap: Donations up to [$X,XXX] per employee per year are eligible for matching.
      • Donation Deadlines: Donations and match requests must be made and submitted between [insert timeframe, e.g., January 1 and December 31] of the same calendar year to qualify.
      • Verification Rights: [Your Company Name] reserves the right to verify donation eligibility and compliance before processing matching requests. Matches may be delayed or denied if documentation is incomplete or the nonprofit does not meet eligibility criteria.
      • Regional Considerations: Employees globally can participate, with donation matches available to vetted international charities through Percent Pledge. Local policies may apply in certain regions.

      Support Contact Information

      For questions or assistance with your match request, please contact [insert contact name, e.g., Percent Pledge’s Social Impact Manager or internal team lead] at [insert contact email or phone number].