Start Strong: 5 Ways to Maximize Corporate Giving This Year
Ready to maximize corporate giving for your cause? Uncover leading strategies to start the year strong in this guide from our friends at Double the Donation.
Corporate partnerships can significantly amplify an organization’s impact, from matching gift programs to volunteer grants and beyond. As the new year unfolds, nonprofits have a unique opportunity to refine their corporate giving strategies and secure meaningful support for their causes.
By starting strong and leveraging key opportunities early, your team can maximize the support you receive from corporate partners and create lasting relationships that benefit your organization throughout the year.
That said, here are five effective ways to boost your corporate giving efforts and ensure your nonprofit is positioned for success in 2025:
1. Look into still-eligible matching gifts.
One of the easiest ways to raise more through workplace giving is by ensuring your nonprofit is capturing all available matching gifts.
Many companies offer matching gift programs where they double or even triple employee donations to eligible organizations. The key is to identify supporters who may have already donated but haven’t yet submitted their matching gift requests.
Reach out to your donor base and remind them to check with their employers about this valuable benefit. Partnering with workplace giving platforms (like Double the Donation) that help track donations through the matching gift lifecycle can streamline the process, making it even easier for donors to submit their matching requests and for your nonprofit to collect the funds.
2. Encourage supporters to get involved with volunteer incentives.
Volunteer incentive programs, such as volunteer grants or paid time off for volunteer work, can be powerful motivators for supporters to engage with your nonprofit’s cause. Many corporations offer financial contributions in exchange for employee volunteer hours, which can provide an additional revenue stream for your organization.
Encourage supporters to take advantage of these opportunities by educating them on available volunteer incentives. Promote specific events or projects where volunteer hours can be logged and make it easy for supporters to track and report their hours.
Engaging with corporate volunteer programs can also strengthen relationships with employees who feel personally connected to your nonprofit's mission.
3. Form close partnerships with companies in your network.
Building strong, ongoing relationships with companies in your network can open doors to various forms of support, from matching gifts to event sponsorships. Approach local and national businesses with tailored proposals that align with their corporate social responsibility (CSR) goals and values. Don’t limit your engagement to one-time contributions—aim to create long-term partnerships that provide sustainable funding and volunteer support.
By offering mutually beneficial opportunities, such as employee engagement or recognition programs, you can build strong alliances with companies that are committed to helping your cause thrive.
4. Raise awareness around payroll giving.
Payroll giving programs allow employees to contribute directly from their paycheck, often with the added benefit of matching donations from their employer—and it’s a rising trend in workplace giving. This type of program is a convenient and automatic way for supporters to give regularly, and often, employees are more likely to donate when the process is simple and integrated into their work life.
To increase participation, raise awareness among your supporters about payroll giving opportunities with clear instructions on how they can sign up. Highlight the advantages of consistent, small donations, and work with employers to create campaigns or events to promote the program.
Building a culture of payroll giving can provide your nonprofit with a steady, reliable income stream throughout the year.
5. Don’t overlook in-kind corporate giving opportunities.
Corporate in-kind donations can be just as valuable as monetary gifts—and it’s something you certainly don’t want to overlook. Many companies are eager to contribute goods and services that align with your nonprofit’s needs, such as office supplies, event space, or even marketing services.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to businesses for in-kind support, especially for events or initiatives that require resources outside of financial donations. By making in-kind giving a part of your fundraising strategy, you can help alleviate operational costs while providing companies with valuable recognition and exposure.
Keep an organized list of potential in-kind donations and clearly communicate your needs to corporate partners, ensuring they know how their contributions will make a difference in your work.
Maximizing corporate giving is about more than just securing donations—it’s about building long-term partnerships that support your mission and foster a sense of shared purpose. By applying these five strategies, your nonprofit can strengthen ties with corporate partners, inspire employee involvement, and enhance your fundraising efforts.
With the right approach (and the right tools to power it), corporate giving can become a powerful resource for achieving your goals and making a lasting impact on the communities you serve. Start strong this year and make corporate support an integral part of your nonprofit’s success. Good luck!