This article explains how monthly and recurring donors can submit their matching gift requests and how Double the Donation can simplify the process for both donors and nonprofits.
How should donors submit matching gift requests for multiple recurring donations?
How can Double the Donation Matching make recurring donation matching easier for your donors?
How Should Donors Submit Matching Gift Requests for Multiple Recurring Donations?
When a donor signs up for a recurring monthly donation and works for a matching gift company, there are three possible scenarios for submitting a matching gift request:
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Submit the expected annual total donation for the company to match at the time of the initial commitment.
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Submit the monthly donation every month as each donation is made.
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Aggregate donations and submit a matching gift request for multiple months (quarterly or annually), depending on the employer’s matching gift guidelines.
Most Efficient Option
The most efficient method is for the donor to aggregate monthly donations (Option #3) and submit a match request for all donations made over several months. This saves both the donor and the nonprofit time.
Alternative Options
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Monthly submissions (Option #2) are less efficient but ensure matching gift checks are received each month.
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Annual submission (Option #1) is the least efficient because most companies match actual donations made, not pledged amounts. Therefore, this approach might not always be accepted.
How Can Double the Donation Matching Make Recurring Donation Matching Easier for Your Donors?
End-of-Year Email Strategy
For organizations with a large number of recurring donors, sending an end-of-year email is an effective strategy. This email encourages donors to:
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Check if their employer matches their donation.
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Submit a match request for all recurring donations made during the calendar year.
This is particularly important as many corporate matching gift programs have year-end deadlines. The End of Year email stream in the matching module can automate this outreach for your organization.
Automated Outreach for Recurring Donors
Your organization can configure automated outreach in the matching module to recognize recurring donors and treat them differently throughout the year. Key settings include:
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Email sending limits for recurring donations. Limit the number of emails sent to the same donor within a specific time frame. This ensures that donors receive the right amount of messaging without being overwhelmed.
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Related record detection. Automatically associate recurring donors with their historical employer data. This keeps matching gift-eligible donors categorized correctly without requiring additional input from the donor.
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Repeat Donor report. The Repeat Donors report identifies donors who have previously submitted a matching gift request and have un-submitted gifts. This report is crucial for targeting matching gift submission reminders to donors who are highly likely to submit a match.