How to Take Advantage of Charitable Matching Gift Programs

One of the smartest ways to give is through a matching gift program, where a company - or individual - will match donations to charitable organizations. These matches are often dollar for dollar, which doubles your charitable-donation power.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• IRS Forms
• Ledger Books
• File Cabinets
• File Folders
• Tax Preparation Software

1. Check with your company's human resources or payroll department to see whether it offers a matching gift program.
2. Ask for donation guidelines and a list of eligible charities if your company does offer a matching gift program.
3. Watch for matching opportunities through community or Internet fund-raising efforts if your company doesn't offer a matching gift program.
4. Decide how much you want to donate and which organizations you want to donate to.
5. Donate through the matching gift program, filling out the appropriate forms to ensure that the match is donated.

Tips & Warnings

• Community-based matching gift programs often take place during the holidays and are often publicized in local newspapers.
• Online charitable donation sites such as Charitableway.com frequently feature matching gift programs sponsored by corporations or individuals.
• Before donating through a matching gift program, find out whether different giving methods (for example, credit card, check or money order; shop-for-charity; volunteering) result in different matching levels.