Payroll Giving Strategies to Unlock Workplace Support and Matching Gifts

In today’s fundraising landscape, sustainability and predictability are top priorities for nonprofits. According to the “Giving USA 2025” report,  corporate giving is on the rise — a hopeful signal in an otherwise fluctuating donor environment. But while major sponsorships and high-profile partnerships grab headlines, one often underutilized form of corporate philanthropy is quietly growing in impact: payroll giving.

This workplace-based donation method allows employees to give directly to nonprofits from their paychecks, creating a scalable stream of monthly revenue. Here’s how your organization can leverage payroll giving as part of a broader strategy to tap into increased corporate generosity and build long-term financial stability.

1. Register With Payroll Giving Platforms

The first step is making your nonprofit eligible to receive these types of donations. Many companies route their workplace giving through third-party platforms that vet nonprofits and distribute contributions on their behalf.

To get started, determine which platforms (such as America’s Charities, Benevity, Bright Funds, CyberGrants and YourCause) companies in your donor base most commonly use and register your organization with each. Most require basic organization details, 501(c)(3) status verification and bank account information for fund transfers. Registering in advance ensures your nonprofit appears in employer giving portals, making it easy for donors to support your organization with recurring payroll contributions.

2. Collect Employment Info to Identify Qualifying Supporters

To grow payroll giving support, you need to know where your supporters work. Many organizations don’t proactively collect this data,  leading to missed opportunities. Build it into your strategy by:

• Adding an optional “employer” field or corporate giving search tool to donation forms and volunteer registration pages.
• Including an employment field in donor surveys.
• Implementing a process to enrich donor profiles with company data when employer information is not yet available.

Once you know where your supporters work, you can segment your outreach, compare that data with a list of companies that offer payroll giving, and tailor your messaging. This insight also helps you spot trends and prioritize outreach to high-opportunity companies.

3. Promote Payroll Giving Programs

Even if donors are eligible, they may not know payroll giving exists or how to enroll. To raise awareness, use marketing channels, such as:

• Your website. Create a dedicated page that explains payroll giving and links to popular platforms or company portals.
• Email. Send targeted emails to supporters whose employers offer giving programs.
• Social media. Share quick facts and success stories to inspire participation.
• Events. Highlight payroll giving at donor events as an easy way to provide ongoing support.

Messaging should emphasize donor benefits: It’s easy, automatic and impactful. For many people, giving a small amount from each paycheck feels manageable — and over time, their contributions add up.

4. Encourage Matching Payroll Gifts

Payroll giving becomes even more powerful when paired with employer matches, which can double — or even triple — the value of each gift. Matches can be automatic, but sometimes employees need to submit a request. For the best results, encourage donors to:

• Check their company’s matching gift policy.
• Confirm if payroll gifts qualify.
• Submit matching gift requests if required.

All in all, promoting matches increases revenue and shows donors their generosity goes further without costing them extra.

5. Recognize and Steward Payroll Donors

Once someone enrolls in payroll giving, they’ve made a powerful commitment to your mission. Treat them like the dedicated monthly supporters they are by:

• Sending personalized thank-you messages acknowledging their consistent support.
• Highlighting their impact in newsletters, reports or videos, showing how their steady gifts are driving real results.
• Creating a recognition tier or community, such as a workplace giving circle to foster belonging and appreciation.

And even though their giving is automated, your communication shouldn’t be. Consistent stewardship ensures donors feel valued and therefore continue their support and possibly increase their gifts over time.

Payroll giving is a win-win. It offers donors a convenient way to support your cause consistently, while providing your organization with predictable, recurring revenue. Best of all, it’s scalable. With the right systems in place, this channel can grow without significantly increasing your staff’s workload.

By registering with payroll platforms, collecting employment data, promoting programs, encouraging matches, and stewarding donors with care, your nonprofit can transform small, consistent gifts into a major driver of long-term impact. Now is the time to invest in payroll giving and start building a more sustainable future for your mission. 

The preceding content was provided by a contributor unaffiliated with NonProfit PRO. The views expressed within may not directly reflect the thoughts or opinions of the staff of NonProfit PRO.