Employee Donations
Numerous companies have employee contribution programs, many of which are in conjunction with the United Way, which serves as an umbrella group for such donations. More than 12 million people invest in the United Way annually.
Whether through the United Way or their own charitable giving program, a number of companies also match donations made by their employees, or at least a percentage thereof. If your nonprofit stands to receive such donations, you should remind your donors that their contribution might be matched by their employer and be tax deductible if you have qualified for 501(c)(3) nonprofit status.
One major bank has a matching gift program whereby it directs money from its foundation to meet the donations of employees. The company matches donations dollar-for-dollar for up to $10,000, enabling their associates to make a positive influence in their communities.
Other organizations match donations of $50 or more, up to $2,000 per year, for full-time employees who have been with the company for a specified amount of time. The donation can be made to a single organization or to several organizations as the employee sees fit. The organization must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit.
While this is typical of many such programs instituted to promote employee giving and company involvement, some companies are cutting back, citing concerns over uncertain economic conditions.
Sit down with the person in charge of employee giving programs in your company and provide her with literature about the nonprofit to which you belong. In some cases, an employee program may not yet exist, and you may be the catalyst that jumpstarts the initiative within your company.
It is also in your best interest to talk with people about the companies they work for. Often, if an employee has worked for a company for several years and is involved with a nonprofit organization, the company may be interested in contributing or sponsoring some activity. Even small businesses may want to begin their involvement with fundraising efforts, and employee interests are a wonderful place to start. It helps boost employee relations and morale when a business shows an interest in the concerns of its employees.
Let your involvement in a nonprofit be known around the office, particularly to whoever is in charge of charitable contributions. This person may not be in a position to respond immediately, but should she seek to donate to or form a partnership with a nonprofit organization at a later date, yours may come to mind more quickly because of the employee connection.
