How to Double Your Event Revenue with Workplace Fundraising Strategies
Fundraisers, did you know that you can double your event revenue with workplace fundraising? This strategy can help you double your donations without asking guests for additional money. Workplace fundraising programs, such as matching gifts, volunteer grants, and corporate in-kind sponsorships, can help you do this at your next event.
We recently held a webinar to showcase how to utilize Double the Donation software to easily manage donations from donor’s employers. What makes this easy for our clients is that this software also integrates with our Muradbid software. Through using tools provided by the company Double the Donation, nonprofits are uncovering more than $1 billion in workplace giving opportunities across 6,000+ organizations. Paired with pre-event consulting from Murad Auctions, these strategies are transforming galas, golf tournaments, and school fundraisers into revenue-boosting experiences.
Let’s explore how you can use workplace giving before, during, and after your next event to raise more money, engage your donors, and build lasting corporate partnerships.
How Double The Donation Helps Increase Workplace Funding
Double the Donation helps nonprofits and schools access more workplace fundraising by:
- Increasing matching gift funding
- Increasing sponsorship and in-kind donation acquisition
- Increasing volunteer engagement at events
- Increasing donor engagement
- Expanding awareness and education about the nonprofit
What Is Workplace Fundraising And Why Does It Matter
Workplace fundraising is a program that companies offer to support employees’ charitable giving. These often include:
- Matching gift programs – Companies match an employee’s donation, usually dollar-for-dollar.
- Volunteer grants and paid volunteer time off – Employers donate money when staff volunteer.
- Corporate in-kind gifts – Donations of products, services, or event resources.
How Workplace Fundraising Benefits Nonprofits
For nonprofits, this means access to a new stream of funding and sponsorship opportunities that align with your mission, such as:
- Corporate in-kind support reduces costs and can enhance the guest experience by securing donated goods and services
- Strengthens corporate relationships by giving companies tangible visibility at community events.
- Creates sponsorship opportunities that integrate brand alignment with mission impact.
- The donation of goods or services by a corporation to a nonprofit organization
- Supplying organizations with essential items at no or low cost that they would be unable to afford otherwise
- Ultimately reduces nonprofit operations costs
- In-kind gifts are invaluable for sourcing auction items, meeting venue needs, catering, and more.
Corporate in-kind donations save your nonprofit money and enhance the guest experience. For instance:
- A local bakery might donate desserts for your gala.
- A tech company might sponsor your auction software.
- A hotel partner might contribute a weekend stay as a live auction item.
In-kind support builds goodwill, reduces costs, and shows your sponsors’ impact in action.
The Benefits Of Corporate Matching Gifts
Matching gifts are a type of philanthropy program where companies match donations their employees make to eligible nonprofits or schools, effectively doubling the contribution to the institution.
These matching gifts double the impact with no extra money required from guests, which helps encourage real-time engagement and provides great post-event follow-up opportunities.
These opportunities can help broaden your donor base. They are crucial for nonprofits to take advantage of because 84% of surveyed donors will donate if they’re match gift eligible. Another benefit is that 1 in 3 donors will give a larger donation than originally planned if a match is offered, with the average donation amount increasing 51%, according to research from the Big-Give Initiative.
Those numbers speak volumes. By simply promoting matching gifts, nonprofits can turn every $10,000 raised into $15,000 or more without adding any extra expense or event time.
Pre-Event Planning – Set the Stage for Workplace Giving Success
Some pre-event workplace fundraising and planning steps can help nonprofits and schools take their fundraising to the next level.
How To Find Potential Corporate Partners
The first step is to identify potential corporate partners. Here are the steps to do this task effectively:
- Find an existing connection to a business, such as donors, alums, board members, or other constituents. This can open doors and significantly enhance the impact of your efforts.
- Align your mission and values with corporations by reviewing what types of companies your supporters commonly work for
- Search for existing philanthropy or CSR initiatives
- Establish nonprofit/school collaborations
Collect Employer Data
The next step is to have a plan to collect employer data. One of the simplest yet most powerful ways to prepare for workplace fundraising is to ask donors where they work when they donate or register for your event.
When you ask for employer information, make sure to let them know how you will use it and explain how it will help. For example:
“We collect workplace information so we can connect you with matching gift opportunities that could double your impact.”
This information helps you identify potential corporate partners. Your supporters’ employers might already have active matching gift or volunteer grant programs waiting to be tapped into. It also enables you to see who you may know at a specific company.
Double the Donation offers a growing list of corporate in-kind giving programs you can use to qualify corporate prospects.
You should also have a strategic plan for inbound partnership prospects.
Create A Matching Gift Page On Your Website
Before your event day, set up a matching gift page on your website to educate donors and provide a way for them to research their eligibility.
Add a link to this page on all your event communications to encourage participation.
Adding simple content like:
“Check if your employer will match your donation at [YourMatchingGiftPageURL]”,
can inspire immediate action and set the tone for bigger giving.
Craft Personalized, Compelling Corporate Appeals
Once you’ve collected employer data, customize your sponsorship outreach. Reference shared values, highlight past collaborations, and suggest specific types of support, such as catering donations, auction item sponsorships, or volunteer teams.
When companies see how their contribution aligns with their brand’s community goals, they’re far more likely to say yes.
Make Workplace Giving Visible and Easy At Your Event
It’s important to inform or remind guests about workplace giving. Here are six different ways to promote it during your event:
Promote Matching Gifts In Your Printed Or Digital Program
Use Event Signage To Promote Matching Gifts
Set up a QR code on event tables, signage, on-stage screens, and at the check-in area that links to your matching gift page. Include information about the impact of matching gifts.
Have volunteers with iPads stationed throughout the venue to help guests look up their companies during the event. This small touch removes barriers and empowers guests to act right away.
For corporate guests sitting at sponsored tables, include custom flyers or digital cards about their own company’s matching gift policy. It’s a great conversation starter.
Promote Matching Gifts From the Stage
Your auctioneer plays a significant role in promoting matching gifts from the stage.
Your auctioneer should remind guests of what matching gifts are, why they matter, how they can take action, why your organization is raising money, how you will use donations, and what your organization has accomplished.
To boost the impact, have a donor discuss why they participate in gift matching.
Here’s a simple script example for the auctioneer:
“I want to share a simple way you can make your impact go even further tonight — and it won’t cost you a dime!
Did you know that thousands of companies will match your donation dollar-for-dollar? That means if you gave $100 tonight, your employer might give another $100 to double your generosity!
Here’s what to do:
Grab your phone, scan the QR code on your table [or on the screen], and search for your company name. If your employer participates, submitting a match request takes just a few clicks.
Every match helps us [insert mission briefly — e.g., “feed more families”], so don’t let those matching dollars go unclaimed!”
Display a slide on screen to show the total raised and the mission goal. The auctioneer can help motivate guests to help reach or surpass the goal.
You can also display a slide on stage showing what different donation amounts can provide for your organization. Include a QR code for more details.
Keep The Momentum Going After The Event
After the event wraps up, send three follow-up emails and continue promoting workplace giving.
Keep the message alive with a few strategic reminders:
- Within 24 hours, thank donors and include a matching gift link.
- After 3 days, remind them that their match request might still be pending.
- After 30 days, follow up one last time to close the loop and share impact results.
Add a short note in your thank you emails and tax receipts, like:
“P.S. Your gift could go even further! Check if your employer matches donations here: [YourMatchingGiftPageURL]”
This gentle reminder can lead to a surge in post-event matches. In fact, emails sent within 24 hours of a donation have an average open rate of 53% for matching gift follow-ups.
Each step helps educate and inspire donors to complete their match request.
Additionally, call your donors to thank them for their donations. This simple action of gratitude makes a significant impact.
Double the Donation, Double the Difference
Workplace giving is one of the most underused yet powerful fundraising tools available. By weaving it into every stage of your event, you can increase donations, deepen engagement, and strengthen relationships with corporate partners.
With a bit of planning, clear communication, and the right tools, your next event can meet its goal and multiply its impact.
Ready to unlock hidden matching gift dollars and elevate your next event? Connect with Murad Auctions or DoubleTheDonation.com for more information to start doubling your impact today.