Did you know that more than 50% of large companies have an employee donation program? Employers are looking for different engagement strategies to retain employees and they offer donations to causes important to their employees as a tactic. Part of my day job is distributing grants to charitable organizations where our employees volunteer. But each year, I am amazed how many people do not take advantage of the funding available.
So, in light of this, here is the inside scoop on how to access this money at your workplace and, as a result, possibly double your support to meaningful causes like ChristmasFuture.
There are primarily two types of employee donation programs:
- Matching Funds – The basic idea is a company will match an employee’s charitable donation up to a maximum amount. For example: The “Encana Cares” program grants a matching dollar-for-dollar donation up to a $25,000 gift.
- Dollars-for-Doers/Volunteer Grants – This program supports employee volunteer efforts. Based on specific criteria, a donation is given in recognition of the employee volunteer efforts. For example: The “RBC Volunteer Grant Program” provides a $500 donation to a charity in recognition of their employee who volunteered 40+ hours annually.
OK, now it is your turn and it will only take four easy steps:
- Check out the employee donation programs at your company. Information may be on your intranet/employee website or call Human Resources, Community Investment or the Communications department for info.
- Apply for the grant and direct the funds to ChristmasFuture if your workplace has a program.
- Wait for cheque to be sent to ChristmasFuture.
- Watch ChristmasFuture put it to good use to create more change in our world.
</ol?Since we are talking about accessing corporate dollars, look into the other upcoming campaigns at your company. Often, there is corporate “peer pressure” to give during this time either through a one-time donation or payroll deduction but most companies give employees the option of choosing either the pre-selected charity OR a charity of the employee’s choice (which would be ChristmasFuture – of course!) Look into this program at your company to see if the opportunity is available – you won’t know until you do.
Being connected to the charitable sector, I often hear about the difficulty in finding sustainable sources for operational funding. And ChristmasFuture is no different. ChristmasFuture’s operating budget is funded through donors giving above and beyond their chosen development project or a philanthropic individual donating or a fundraising event specifically designated to ChristmasFuture operations expenses. These corporate employee donation programs will provide additional support for the operational needs of ChristmasFuture as they continue grow and change the world.
