If you happen to work for a very large company, chances are they have a program where they will match employee contributions to charitable donations dollar for dollar. So in other words you could double the amount of money going to your favourite charities!
It’s one of those things where when you hear about it you think, "Hey, that’s a great idea!" but then it gets filed away and forgotten. More often than not, when a company newsletter comes around reminding you of the program you think about the $20 or $50 you’ve given to charity and how you forgot to take advantage of the free-matching! You probably say to yourself, "I’ll remember for next time!" and then next time comes, and you forget again? I certainly fall into that boat.
So here’s my suggestion: Send an email to your HR person to ask two things.
1) Is there a charitable donation employer-matching program available? (if you don’t know)
2) Ask if you can get 2 copies of the form. Even if you don’t need one right now.
Then keep the forms at your desk. I know for me, usually the sporadic contributions I make to various causes are in the form of $20 here and $20 there, and I think subconsciously I can’t be bothered with finding a form to get that amount matched. THAT’S JUST SILLY! Why do I do that? I know that if the form is already at my desk, I’ll use it for sure.
Many large companies will match their employee’s contributions to their favourite REGISTERED charities for up to $1,000. I think that if we all started to actively use these programs we could collectively make quite a big difference to a lot of beneficiaries in need of charitable donations!
Feel free to tell your friends by sending them a copy of this link, or emailing it to them by clicking on the "Email" link right below the post. Have a great weekend everyone!
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I actually have a question. I work for a non profit agency and have been asked to research how/if our agency is eligible to set up a program whereby the employer matches the employee charitable contributions. Can you direct me to where I need to go for that info.?
Thank you,
Margie
@Margie – I can’t imagine an employer needing to seek approval or apply for eligibility to make donations to charity to match that of their employees. Seems straight forward that it’s purely a management decision. However, http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/tx/chrts/menu-eng.html should get you started in the right direction.
Hello Preet:
My apologies, it seems that I did not explain myself clearly. I am researching this info. for the collective of a non-profit orginazation (Women’s Centre) and we would like to be the receipients of the charitable donations that employers match by employees and, as employers, would like to know how we go about setting that up?
Thank you,
Margie Henderson
Hi Margie – in order to receive charitable donations relies upon the donor. They will be more incentivized to give if you are a registered charity with the CRA so the donations generate tax credits for the donor. In order for the donors to have their donations matched by their employer is an internal matter for that company. Those who offer such programs will generally match donations to any registered charity. So your organization can only ensure that you are a registered charity – the rest is up to the donors and their employers.
Hope that helps and good luck! :)