Double Your Impact with Matching Gifts

Central State University is excited to offer fresh opportunities for alumni and other supporters to contribute to academic excellence. Now, we proudly introduce an improved corporate matching gift program that enables your donations to go even further, providing students with the resources they need to flourish. 

As an Institution of higher education, Central State values every dollar that can enrich student achievement. Corporate employee matching gifts give you the chance to increase a $100 donation to $200, $300, $400, or even $500.

The growth potential is significant. 

If eligible, your employer will give money to Central State when you donate. Checking whether your employer offers a matching gift program can ensure the University is not leaving thousands of dollars on the table. 

In this article, we will explore exactly what to expect when working with matching gifts and how you can make the most of this exceptional giving opportunity. 

What are corporate matching gift programs? 

Many companies provide employee matching gift programs to boost corporate philanthropy and motivate their generous employees like you to support their communities. Companies can expand community outreach by contributing to the same nonprofits as their staff. However, many donors are unaware of their eligibility for these programs, resulting in a loss of between $4 billion and $7 billion in unclaimed matching gift revenue every year. Let's collaborate to guarantee that we leverage these opportunities and enhance their impact. 

The specifics of these programs vary from company to company, but the elements that shape these guidelines are always the same.  

• Match ratio: This defines what kind of donation the company will make with the employee’s initial contribution. A 1:1 ratio indicates that the company will donate the same amount, doubling the contribution to the employee’s chosen nonprofit. Some companies even give donations that exceed the amount donated by an employee.  
• Minimum and maximum: The minimum refers to the amount an employee must donate to qualify for a matching gift. The maximum is the total amount that a company will donate in matching contributions per employee annually. 
• Employee status: Sometimes, the employee’s role at the company can affect the match for which they qualify. For example, a company may offer a $1,000 maximum to part-time employees and a $10,000 maximum to senior leadership. 
• Nonprofit eligibility: Some programs offer different matches based on the nonprofit receiving the gifts. For example, the company may offer a higher match to cultural organizations.
• Deadline: Every program identifies a deadline when the matching gift request must be submitted by the employee. This deadline can be either a firm date (Dec. 31 is common) or a threshold based on the date of the initial donation. 

Thousands of companies offer matching gift programs. A few examples include: 

• Johnson & Johnson — Triples donations with a 2:1 match for current employees while also doubling donations (a 1:1 match) for retirees. 
• Bank of America — Matches donations 1:1 up to $5,000 annually per employee.
• Home Depot — Matches donations 1:1 up to $3,000 annually per employee. 

With millions of employees working for companies that offer similar matching gift programs, it offers an outstanding opportunity for you to make a difference for Marauders and continue the legacy of the HBCU of the Midwest. 

Partnering with Central State  

You have the power to help us reach our goals. Take a moment to check whether you are eligible for a match and discover all the fantastic opportunities available through your company's philanthropy program. Our database of corporations with matching gift programs is here to guide you toward making a meaningful impact. 

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It’s easy to request a gift match! Simply visit centralstate.edu/give and check the box, “Get my company to match my donation.” Then, search for your organization and select it before submitting your gift. 

We will provide you with as much of the following as possible: 

• Up-to-date, company-specific program guidelines. 
• Links to the online matching gift request forms or downloadable PDFs offered by your employer. 
• Our contact information (tax ID, address, fundraising contact), which you may need for your matching gift request. 

If your company is not listed, please contact your HR department to verify whether they offer matching gifts. Your employer may not be aware of the chance to support Central State. While we cannot submit the necessary form on your behalf, we know submitting a matching gift request to your employer will make a significant impact.  

Thank you for partnering with Central State University to help Marauders carve out a better and brighter future for themselves, their communities, and the world.