Sustaining Nonprofit Success with Workplace Giving: 5 Tips

In today’s fast-changing fundraising landscape, nonprofits need more than one-time donations—they need sustained support that fuels long-term impact. One often-overlooked opportunity lies in workplace giving programs.

These initiatives, offered by thousands of employers, allow employees to donate to nonprofits through payroll deductions, employer match programs, volunteer engagement, and more.

When used strategically, workplace giving can become a reliable revenue stream and a powerful channel for building lasting relationships. In this post, we’ll share five practical tips to help your nonprofit make the most of workplace giving and build a foundation for long-term success:

1. Remind donors about matching gifts.
2. Encourage volunteers to seek volunteer incentives.
3. Work with companies to organize direct partnerships.
4. Promote payroll giving opportunities.
5. Register with workplace giving platforms.

Whether you're new to workplace giving or looking to enhance your existing efforts, these tips will help you tap into the full potential of employer-supported philanthropy.

By aligning your strategies with how people give at work, you can turn everyday generosity into a lasting engine for impact. Let’s begin!

1. Remind donors about matching gifts.

One of the simplest yet most effective ways to boost your workplace giving revenue is by reminding your donors about matching gifts. Many employees don’t realize their employer will match their charitable contributions—sometimes dollar for dollar, or even at a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio. That’s money already set aside by companies, waiting to be claimed, and nonprofits often leave it on the table simply because donors aren't aware.

Therefore, make matching gifts a regular part of your fundraising communications. Include a reminder in your donation thank-you emails, highlight it on your website’s donation page, and mention it in newsletters and social media posts. Better yet, use a matching gift search tool (like Double the Donation) to make it easy for supporters to check if their employer participates.

You can also create a short guide or FAQ on how matching gifts work so donors understand the process. The more you normalize matching gifts as part of giving, the more likely supporters are to take that extra step: turning every dollar they give into an even greater impact on your mission.

2. Encourage volunteers to seek volunteer incentives.

Many companies don’t just match financial donations—they also reward employees for donating their time. Known as volunteer grants or Dollars for Doers programs, these incentives provide nonprofits with financial contributions based on the number of hours an employee volunteers. For example, a company might donate between $10 and $25 for every hour an employee spends volunteering or offer a lump sum once a certain threshold is met.

To tap into this often-overlooked resource, start by educating your volunteers about these opportunities. Include information about volunteer grants in your volunteer onboarding materials, post reminders on your website, and mention them during events. You can also highlight a list of companies known to offer volunteer incentives to prompt supporters to check if their employer participates.

Volunteers are already highly engaged—turning their hours into additional funding is a win-win. It not only maximizes the impact of their service but also deepens their connection to your cause and gives employers another reason to support your mission.

3. Work with companies to organize direct partnerships.

While individual workplace giving is powerful, forming direct partnerships with companies can take your impact to the next level. Many businesses are eager to support causes that resonate with their values and employees, but they need nonprofits to take the lead in shaping those opportunities. That’s where you come in.

Reach out to companies to propose one-off matching gift campaigns, especially around key fundraising moments like Giving Tuesday, year-end appeals, or relevant affinity days/weeks/months. These time-bound, exclusive matches can boost donor urgency and generate excitement among both employees and customers.

Another great way to collaborate is by organizing team volunteer days. Companies often look for group volunteering opportunities as part of employee engagement or CSR initiatives. Whether it’s helping out at a local event, hosting a cleanup day, or assisting with special projects, these activities create meaningful experiences for employees and valuable support for your nonprofit.

To strengthen these partnerships:

• Offer flexible options tailored to a company’s size, interests, and goals.
• Highlight the mutual benefits—brand visibility, employee satisfaction, and community impact.
• Share results and impact stories after the partnership ends to lay the groundwork for ongoing collaboration.

By proactively inviting businesses to get involved, you’re not just raising funds—you’re building champions for your mission within the corporate world.

4. Promote payroll giving opportunities.

Payroll giving is one of the most convenient ways for donors to support your nonprofit consistently, and it’s often underutilized simply because people aren’t aware it exists. Through payroll giving, employees can automatically deduct a portion of their paycheck each pay period to donate to a nonprofit of their choice. It’s simple, predictable, and encourages long-term commitment.

To make the most of this opportunity, start by raising awareness. Let your supporters know that payroll giving is an option and explain how it works. Use email campaigns, social media posts, and in-person events to walk donors through the steps, especially during peak giving seasons like end-of-year or National Payroll Giving Month.

Recurring payroll gifts add up over time and provide your organization with steady, predictable revenue. Even small monthly donations become powerful when they’re multiplied across a group of engaged employees, helping you plan more effectively and sustain impact throughout the year.

5. Register with workplace giving platforms.

To fully participate in workplace giving programs, your nonprofit needs to be visible where employees are making their giving decisions—and that means registering with the right workplace giving platforms. Sites like Benevity, YourCause, Bright Funds, and America’s Charities connect nonprofits to thousands of companies and millions of potential donors through employer-sponsored giving portals.

When your organization is listed, employees can easily find, donate to, and recommend you for matching gift programs or volunteer opportunities. Without that presence, you could be missing out on significant funding simply because supporters can't locate your nonprofit in their employer’s giving system.

Getting started is straightforward:

• Identify which platforms your existing donors’ companies use.
• Register your nonprofit by completing the eligibility and verification process.
• Keep your profile up to date with your mission, programs, and impact stories to attract attention from both employees and CSR teams.

Don’t stop at registration—promote your presence on these platforms. Let your supporters know they can find you in their workplace giving portals, and provide direct links when possible. Being discoverable is the first step to becoming a preferred nonprofit partner in a company’s giving ecosystem.

Workplace giving isn’t just a funding tool. It’s a bridge to deeper donor engagement, stronger corporate relationships, and year-round support.

By taking proactive steps to register with giving platforms, educate your supporters, and strengthen your corporate partnerships, your nonprofit can unlock a steady flow of contributions and increase its long-term sustainability. As donor behavior continues to shift, investing in workplace giving is more than a smart strategy—it’s a vital one for nonprofits looking to grow with purpose.