If you are not promoting corporate matching gift programs to your supporters, you may be missing out on ‘free’ money for your COTA community campaign.
Matching gift programs are charitable giving opportunities established by corporations through which companies match contributions to eligible nonprofit organizations. These contributions are provided as a benefit to allow employees to direct a portion of the company’s charitable dollars to causes important to those employees. As a 501(c)3 organization, COTA is eligible to receive matching gifts.
COTA makes it easy to determine if a company has a matching gift program! Each COTA campaign website has this link to a searchable database (pictured right). Simply enter the company name; instructions are available for corporations with matching gift programs.
To encourage your COTA supporters to investigate the matching gift program:
- Announce the opportunity at fundraising events.
- Provide the link to the matching gift database in email messages, social media posts and updates.
- Include reminders on flyers and posters.
- Talk with friends, family and supporters about the importance of matching gifts.
As you plan events and activities to raise funds for COTA in honor of your local patient, do not overlook corporate matching gifts as additional funding. If you have any questions about promoting matching gift programs as a part of your COTA campaign, please contact CampaignInfo@cota.org.
