Why Companies Should have Employee Giving Programs

Employee giving programs are workplace-based initiatives that allow employees to make charitable donations through payroll deductions or other means. These programs are an important tool for companies to support the causes that their employees care about and to foster a culture of philanthropy within the workplace.

In addition to benefiting charitable organizations, employee giving programs can provide numerous benefits for both employees and the companies that implement them. Some of the key advantages of such programs include increased employee engagement and morale, enhanced corporate social responsibility, and tax savings for both the company and its employees.

In this post, we will discuss the benefits of employee giving programs and provide examples of companies that have successfully implemented such programs. By the end of this post, you will have a better understanding of why companies should have employee giving programs and how they can get started.

Employee engagement and morale:

One of the key benefits of employee giving programs is that they can increase employee engagement and morale. Employees who are able to support causes that they care about through their workplace are more likely to be engaged and motivated in their jobs.

Studies have shown that employees who are engaged in their work are more productive, have higher job satisfaction, and are less likely to leave their jobs. In addition, employees who have the opportunity to give back to their communities through their workplace are more likely to have a positive attitude and feel a sense of purpose in their work.

For example, a study by the Charities Aid Foundation found that 78% of employees who participated in workplace giving programs felt more positive about their company as a result, and 75% felt more committed to their job. Another study by the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy found that companies with strong employee giving programs had higher levels of employee engagement and job satisfaction compared to those without such programs.

In addition to the direct benefits for employees, companies that have employee giving programs are more likely to attract and retain top talent. Many job seekers today are looking for companies that align with their values and support charitable causes, and having an employee giving program can be a key differentiator in the job market.

Corporate social responsibility:

Employee giving programs can also help companies meet their corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals and enhance their reputation. By providing a way for employees to support charitable causes, companies can demonstrate their commitment to making a positive impact in the communities where they operate.

In addition to making financial contributions, employee giving programs can also provide opportunities for employees to volunteer their time and skills to support charitable organizations. This can help companies engage their employees in CSR activities and build stronger relationships with their local communities.

For example, many companies have employee giving programs that include matching donations or volunteer grants, where the company matches the donations or volunteer hours of its employees. This not only increases the impact of the employees’ contributions, but also shows that the company is committed to supporting the causes that its employees care about.

Having an employee giving program can also enhance a company’s reputation and help it stand out in the marketplace. Consumers and investors increasingly value companies that prioritize CSR, and having an employee giving program can demonstrate a company’s commitment to making a positive impact in the world. This can help companies attract and retain customers, investors, and talent.

Top Forms of Corporate Giving Programs:

Matching gift programs: Matching gift programs provide matching donations for eligible charitable contributions made by employees. These programs can help increase the impact of employees’ charitable giving and provide additional benefits for both the company and its employees.

Volunteer grant programs: Volunteer grant programs provide grants to nonprofit organizations for every hour that employees volunteer. These programs can encourage employees to volunteer their time and skills to support charitable causes and provide additional benefits for both the company and its employees.

Corporate foundations: Corporate foundations are charitable organizations that are established and funded by companies. These foundations can support a wide range of causes and provide additional opportunities for companies to engage in philanthropy and CSR activities.

Cause-related marketing: Cause-related marketing is a type of corporate giving program that involves companies promoting charitable causes and donating a portion of the proceeds from sales to those causes. This can help companies raise awareness and support for charitable causes, as well as enhance their reputation as

In-kind donations: In-kind donations involve companies providing goods or services to nonprofit organizations instead of financial contributions. This can include donating products, providing services such as consulting or design, or offering discounts or special deals to nonprofit organizations.

Sponsorships: Sponsorships involve companies providing financial or in-kind support to events, programs, or initiatives organized by nonprofit organizations. This can help companies support charitable causes and enhance their reputation as socially responsible organizations.

Employee engagement programs: Employee engagement programs involve companies providing employees with opportunities to get involved in philanthropy and CSR activities. This can include organizing company-wide giving campaigns, hosting charity events or fundraisers, or offering employees paid time off to volunteer.

Impact investments: Impact investments involve companies investing in for-profit or nonprofit organizations that have a positive social or environmental impact. This can help companies support socially responsible initiatives and generate a financial return at the same time.

Why companies should offer employee matching gift programs as part of their employee giving program:

In addition to providing payroll deductions and other giving options, companies can also consider offering employee matching gift programs as part of their employee giving programs. These programs provide matching donations for eligible charitable contributions made by employees, which can help increase the impact of employees’ contributions and provide additional benefits for both the company and its employees.

Some of the key advantages of employee matching gift programs include:

Increased impact: By providing matching donations for eligible charitable contributions made by employees, companies can help employees increase the impact of their giving. This can make it more rewarding for employees to participate in the employee giving program and encourage them to support more causes.

Enhanced reputation: Employee matching gift programs can also enhance a company’s reputation and demonstrate its commitment to philanthropy and CSR. By matching employees’ charitable contributions, companies can show that they are not only supporting their employees’ charitable causes, but also making a positive impact in the communities where they operate.

Tax savings: Employee matching gift programs can provide tax savings for both the company and its employees. For the company, matching donations can be tax-deductible expenses, which can help reduce its tax liability. For employees, matching donations can increase the amount of their eligible charitable contributions, which can provide additional tax savings on their tax returns.

Examples of companies with matching gift programs:

Microsoft: Microsoft’s employee giving program, known as the Microsoft Employee Giving Program, offers matching donations for eligible charitable contributions made by employees. The program matches employees’ donations dollar-for-dollar up to a certain amount per employee per year.

Salesforce: Salesforce’s employee giving program, known as the 1-1-1 model, offers matching donations for eligible charitable contributions made by employees. The program matches employees’ donations dollar-for-dollar up to a certain amount per employee per year.

Google: Google’s employee giving program, known as Google.org, offers matching donations for eligible charitable contributions made by employees. The program matches employees’ donations dollar-for-dollar up to a certain amount per employee per year.

Overall, employee matching gift programs can provide numerous benefits for companies and their employees. By offering such a program as part of their employee giving programs, companies can increase the impact of their employees’ charitable giving and enhance their reputation as socially responsible organizations.

Tax benefits:

Employee giving programs can provide tax benefits for both the company and its employees. For the company, implementing such a program can be a tax-deductible expense, which can help reduce its tax liability. In addition, many companies offer matching donations or volunteer grants as part of their employee giving programs, and these contributions can also be tax-deductible.

For employees, participating in an employee giving program can provide tax savings as well. Many charitable donations are tax-deductible, and employees who make charitable contributions through payroll deductions can claim these deductions on their tax returns. This can help employees save money on their taxes while also supporting the causes that they care about.

In addition to the direct tax savings, employee giving programs can also provide other financial benefits for employees. For example, some companies offer matching donations or volunteer grants as part of their employee giving programs, which can help employees increase the impact of their charitable contributions. This can make it more rewarding for employees to participate in the program and encourage them to support more causes.

Overall, the tax benefits of employee giving programs can provide significant value for both companies and their employees. Companies can save money on taxes and enhance their reputation, while employees can save money on their taxes and support the causes they care about.

Case studies:

Here are a few examples of companies that have seen positive results from their employee giving programs:

Google: Google’s employee giving program, known as Google.org, allows employees to make charitable donations through payroll deductions and provides matching donations for eligible charities. The program has been successful in engaging Google’s employees in charitable activities and has raised millions of dollars for a wide range of causes.

Microsoft: Microsoft’s employee giving program, known as the Microsoft Employee Giving Program, provides matching donations for eligible charities and offers employees the opportunity to volunteer their time and skills to support nonprofit organizations. The program has been successful in engaging Microsoft’s employees in charitable activities and has raised millions of dollars for a wide range of causes.

Salesforce: Salesforce’s employee giving program, known as the 1-1-1 model, provides matching donations for eligible charities and encourages employees to volunteer their time and skills to support nonprofit organizations. The program has been successful in engaging Salesforce’s employees in charitable activities and has raised millions of dollars for a wide range of causes.

Starbucks: Starbucks’ employee giving program, known as the Starbucks Foundation, provides matching donations for eligible charities and offers employees the opportunity to volunteer their time and skills to support nonprofit organizations. The program has been successful in engaging Starbucks’ employees in charitable activities and has raised millions of dollars for a wide range of causes.

Bank of America: Bank of America’s employee giving program, known as the Bank of America Charitable Foundation, provides matching donations for eligible charities and offers employees the opportunity to volunteer their time and skills to support nonprofit organizations. The program has been successful in engaging Bank of America’s employees in charitable activities and has raised millions of dollars for a wide range of causes.

Goldman Sachs: Goldman Sachs’ employee giving program, known as the Goldman Sachs Gives program, provides matching donations for eligible charities and offers employees the opportunity to volunteer their time and skills to support nonprofit organizations. The program has been successful in engaging Goldman Sachs’ employees in charitable activities and has raised millions of dollars for a wide range of causes.

These examples demonstrate the potential benefits of employee giving programs for companies, including increased employee engagement and morale, enhanced reputation, and tax savings. By implementing such a program, companies can support the causes that their employees care about and make a positive impact in their communities.

How companies can implement such programs:

If you are a company considering implementing an employee giving program, here are some steps you can take to design and implement an effective program:

Identify the causes that are most important to your employees: Before implementing an employee giving program, it can be helpful to conduct a survey or hold focus groups to find out what causes are most important to your employees. This can help you design a program that aligns with your employees’ values and interests, which can increase engagement and participation.

Offer a range of giving options: To make your employee giving program accessible and inclusive, it can be helpful to offer a range of giving options. This can include payroll deductions, matching donations, and volunteer grants, as well as one-time donations and participation in company-sponsored fundraising events.

Provide clear and concise information: To ensure that your employees understand your employee giving program and how to participate, it is important to provide clear and concise information. This can include guidelines on eligible charities, how to make donations, and how to claim tax deductions, as well as resources and tools to help employees learn more about the causes that they can support.

Promote the program to your employees: To increase awareness and participation in your employee giving program, it can be helpful to promote the program to your employees. This can include sending regular updates and reminders, sharing stories and testimonials from employees who have participated in the program, and recognizing employees who have made significant contributions to the program.

By following these steps, you can design and implement an employee giving program that engages your employees and supports the causes that they care about. This can help your company make a positive impact in your community and enhance your reputation as a socially responsible organization.

Conclusion:

Employee giving programs can provide numerous benefits for both employees and the companies that implement them. These programs can increase employee engagement and morale, help companies meet their CSR goals and enhance their reputation, and provide tax savings for both the company and its employees.

If you are a company considering implementing an employee giving program, there are many resources available to help you get started. You can learn more about the benefits of such programs and find out how to design and implement a successful program that meets the needs of your company and its employees.

By implementing an employee giving program, you can support the causes that your employees care about and make a positive impact in your community. This can help your company stand out in the marketplace and attract and retain top talent, customers, and investors.

Additional resources:

Giving USA: Giving USA is an organization that provides research and data on charitable giving in the United States. Their website includes a section on workplace giving, which provides information on the latest trends and statistics in this area.

Charities Aid Foundation: The Charities Aid Foundation is a nonprofit organization that supports charitable giving and philanthropy. Their website includes a section on workplace giving, which provides information and resources on how companies can implement employee giving programs.

Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy: The Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy is a membership organization that brings together CEOs and senior executives to share best practices in corporate philanthropy. Their website includes a section on employee giving, which provides information and resources on how companies can implement successful employee giving programs.

Giving Compass: Giving Compass is a nonprofit organization that provides resources and information on philanthropy and charitable giving. Their website includes a section on employee giving, which provides information on the latest trends and research in this area, as well as resources for companies looking to implement employee giving programs.

This glossary entry will cover the basics of nonprofit donor relations.

An Overview of Donor Relations – Nonprofit Catalog

Donors power your nonprofit’s work. Without them, you could never deliver your mission to your beneficiaries. And yet some nonprofits make the mistake of viewing their donors as blank checks instead of people. This can be detrimental to your nonprofit’s efforts to fundraise and grow its community.

That’s why focusing on donor relations is so critical for nonprofits—strengthened donor relationships empower you to accomplish your goals and connect with other people who are passionate about your cause and can offer sustained support for your work.

What Is Donor Relations?

Donor relations consists of all the efforts that a nonprofit organization puts into building relationships with its donors and making them feel seen and valued as people.

Your efforts to cultivate lasting relationships with your donors should begin when you first connect with them, whether through prospecting or the donors’ own moves to get involved with your organization. Then, you can continue to build those relationships so that they last.

Donor Relations vs. Donor Stewardship

Often when talking about donor relations, you’ll hear the term “donor stewardship” come up. This makes sense since the two go hand in hand. But there are important differences to note:

  • Donor relations: This relates to how you treat donors and how they perceive your organization.
  • Donor stewardship: Donor stewardship is a form of donor relations that is more specifically employed to express gratitude for gifts and maintain and grow relationships with donors with the goal of them continuing to give in the future.

In other words, donor relations focuses on donors themselves, while its subset, donor stewardship, focuses on donors’ gifts. Both are a critical part of a sustainable and successful fundraising strategy.

Why Should Nonprofits Focus on Donor Relations?

Focusing on donor relations requires an investment of your nonprofit’s time and resources. But doing so can pay dividends as you experience the following benefits:

  • Increased giving and involvement: Better donor relations leads to higher donor retention rates, which can result in more donations over time, as well as other forms of involvement like volunteering, event attendance, and board service.
  • More information about your organization’s community and its needs: The better you get to know your donors, the better you’ll understand your organization’s community and what it needs from you to assist you in delivering your mission.
  • Stronger reputation for your organization: When you treat your donors well, word gets around, strengthening your image as an organization that cares about people and making positive change in the world.

In addition to these benefits, focusing on donor relations just makes logical and financial sense. Some nonprofits are misguided in thinking that skipping crucial opportunities to boost donor relations is the easy way out. In reality, constantly having to acquire new donors and supporters can be more costly and difficult than investing in your relationships with those who are already contributing to your cause.

6 Tips for Strengthening Donor Relationships

Now that you know the basics of donor relations, you’re likely ready to start strengthening the relationships you have with your donors. Here are six tips for doing so:

This is a list of tips for strengthening donor relationships.
  1. Lay a solid foundation by conducting thorough prospect research. Prospect research empowers you to learn about your donors before they actually become donors. Through this process, you learn as much as you can about potential donors’ capacity to give and their affinity for your cause, which can guide you in the relationship-building process.
  2. Get to know your donors. Prospect research won’t be able to tell you everything about your donors. You’ll need to regularly meet with your donors, having an open mind and listening ear, to really get to know them as people.
  3. Work with a nonprofit consultant to fine-tune your strategy. Sometimes it can be helpful to work with an outside expert to fine-tune your approach to fundraising and donor relations. Consider working with a nonprofit consultant who can take an objective look at your current approach and help you implement sustainable improvements.
  4. Communicate often. Just like any relationship in life, staying in touch will be a crucial part of remaining connected to your donors. Reach out often, whether you’re making regular phone calls or chatting over coffee.
  5. Invite donors to further their involvement in your cause. Donating isn’t the only value donors can give to your cause. Let them know about opportunities to volunteer, attend events, or even serve on your board. Better yet, keep an eye out for opportunities that align with their values and interests so that they’ll be more inclined to jump in.
  6. Genuinely thank your donors. Any time a donor gives, whether they’re contributing time, money, or feedback, make sure to thank them. A small thank-you can go a long way in helping you maintain and strengthen donor relationships.

Donor relations is a critical focus area for nonprofits who want to pursue sustained success and future growth. Run with these tips to strengthen your relationships with your donors!

Additional Resources

Nonprofit Catalog – Read up on more nonprofit essentials by exploring our Nonprofit Catalog.

Creating a Capital Campaign Plan: Complete Guide & Template – Donor relations gets a little more complicated with large-scale capital campaigns. Learn how to set yourself up for success by exploring this guide.

Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Your Nonprofit’s Guide — Peer-to-peer fundraising gives donors the unique opportunity to fundraise on your behalf. Check out how it works!

In this catalog entry, you'll learn all about fundraising campaign websites.

Fundraising Campaign Websites – Nonprofit Catalog

Once your nonprofit has put in all the effort to plan a fundraising campaign, you should spread the word to generate support. A fundraising campaign website is one of the most effective tools in your marketing strategy for catching supporters’ interest and empowering them to give. Let’s explore the basics of campaign websites!

What Is A Fundraising Campaign Website?

A fundraising campaign website hosts all the information your supporters need to get involved with your nonprofit’s campaigns. This website will help you promote your campaign, spread awareness about your cause, and get your supporters involved, whether they’re donating, volunteering, or sharing your organization’s message.

Campaign web pages can be created on your main website, or you can create a separate microsite for each large campaign. Microsites are separate from the main website, with a different URL, so they allow you to really feature the campaign and its related details. Depending on the size of your organization and its campaigns, as well as what you know about your supporters and how they engage with your cause online, this could be a great option for you.

What Are The Elements of a Campaign Website?

For your website to be an effective tool, it will need to include certain elements that create a positive user experience for your supporters. Here are some essentials to include:

This image shows all th elements of a campaign website.
  • An Explanation of Your Mission and Campaign: Every fundraising campaign you run should be closely tied to your organization’s larger mission and purpose. Provide a short explanation of what your organization is all about and how your campaign fits into the context of your cause so that supporters know what they’re contributing to.
  • Your Organization’s Branding: Whether you designed it deliberately or not, your nonprofit has its own unique brand that includes everything from your logo and color scheme to your guiding values. Incorporating your brand on your website can make this marketing tool more consistent with the rest of your organization’s operations and help you look more professional and legitimate.
  • A Donation Form: A well-designed donation form is a crucial part of your fundraising campaign website. After all, this is the tool your supporters will use to act on their passion for your cause and donate to your organization. Keep your form short and simple, with only a few questions that capture essential information (payment details, contact information, etc.). To further optimize your form, offer supporters suggested giving amounts, the option to enroll in your recurring giving program, and the chance to check their matching gift eligibility.
  • A Volunteer Sign-Up Form: Similar to a donation form, a volunteer sign-up form empowers supporters to take action in the name of your cause by donating their time and talents. Again, keep the form short but ask for information that will allow you to pair each individual volunteer with a role that suits their age, abilities, and interests as much as possible. If necessary, ensure you include training or waiver information, too.
  • A Fundraising Thermometer: Your supporters will want to know how close your organization is to meeting its campaign goals, so make sure to include a fundraising thermometer on your website. Feature your thermometer in a prominent place on the site, and update it regularly to encourage your supporters to keep giving until it fills up!
  • Social Media Sharing Icons: Your supporters can serve as ambassadors for your cause and your campaigns by sharing your fundraising campaign website with their personal networks. Make it easy for them to do so by including social media sharing icons in the header or footer of your web pages so they can easily click through to their favorite platforms and share about you!

These elements can all work together to make your campaign website a powerful marketing asset. Depending on the nature of your campaign, you may want to include other features like an event registration form, an advocacy campaign explainer, or an online merchandise store.

4 Fundraising Website Design Best Practices

Including the elements discussed above in your fundraising website will allow you to set up a site that pulls your supporters in. Here are some design best practices to implement to take your site to new heights:

  1. Hone the user experience by prioritizing smooth navigation, writing digestible content, and including high-quality images across the site.
  2. Ensure your website is accessible for people of all abilities by following Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).
  3. Optimize your site for mobile so that everything resizes properly and no one has to pinch and zoom to understand your content or use your tools.
  4. Work with a nonprofit website design agency to take the look and feel of your site to the next level!

A well-designed fundraising campaign website that contains all the right elements and information can help your nonprofit succeed in its next fundraising endeavor. Use these tips to get started building your fundraising website today!

Additional Resources

Nonprofit Catalog – Read up on more nonprofit essentials by exploring our Nonprofit Catalog.

Nonprofit Website Builders: The 11+ Best Providers – To make an amazing campaign website, you’ll need the help of a robust website builder. Here are some recommendations.

SEO for Nonprofits: A Complete Guide [+ Optimization Tips] – Search engine optimization (SEO) can help people find your website and campaign pages. Learn how to tap into the power of SEO by reading this guide!