The Money That’s Sitting on the Table
Every year, an estimated $4–$7 billion in matching gift funds goes unclaimed. That’s money employers have earmarked specifically to double or triple employee donations to nonprofits—money that could transform how organizations like I Want To Mow Your Lawn serve communities across all 50 states.
The problem isn’t a shortage of programs. The majority of companies (66%) have open matching gift programs, and 65% of Fortune 500 companies offer them. The problem is that most people simply don’t know the programs exist—or how to use them.
For anyone who wants to stretch their charitable giving further, employer matching gifts offer a straightforward way to multiply impact. Here’s what donors should know.
What Is a Matching Gift Program?
A matching gift program is when an employer commits to match the charitable donations their employees make to eligible nonprofits. The most common structure is dollar-for-dollar: donate $50, and the employer contributes an additional $50 to the same organization. Some companies offer higher ratios—2:1, 3:1, or even 4:1—effectively tripling or quadrupling the original gift.
I Want To Mow Your Lawn, as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is eligible to receive matching gifts from most corporate programs. That means a donation from an employee can become two donations—without any additional effort from the donor beyond a simple submission process.
The Gap Between Eligibility and Awareness
Here’s where the breakdown happens: over 78% of employees at match-eligible companies don’t know if their employer offers matching gifts. Of those who donate to nonprofits, only 1.31% actually submit a matching gift request, even though roughly 10% would be eligible.
That means most people simply don’t realize the option exists. And because matching gift programs aren’t heavily advertised within organizations, millions of dollars intended to support nonprofits sit unclaimed every single year.
The result: nonprofits serving communities with yard care relief, veterans support, and senior care receive only a fraction of the matching funds available to them.
How to Check If Your Employer Offers a Match
Finding out is usually simple:
- Check your employee benefits portal or handbook. Most companies list matching gift programs in HR materials or online employee resource portals.
- Ask HR directly. A quick email or conversation with the human resources department will confirm eligibility, match rates, and any restrictions.
- Search online databases. Websites like DoubleTheGift or your company’s giving partner (if they have one) maintain searchable databases of corporate matching programs.
Once confirmed, the actual process is usually straightforward: donate to IWTMYL, then submit a matching gift form (often online) along with proof of the original donation. The employer then contributes their match directly to the organization.
What Matching Gifts Mean for Communities
Matching gifts matter because they amplify the work of organizations with lean budgets. Every dollar a volunteer’s employer matches is a dollar that doesn’t have to come from grant funding or limited operational resources. That freed-up capacity translates into more volunteer coordination, better training materials, expanded reach into underserved neighborhoods, and strengthened support for older adults and veterans who need yard care relief.
It’s also a form of charitable giving that often flies under the radar of traditional fundraising. Many nonprofits don’t actively promote matching gifts because they lack the staff or visibility to do so. For donors, that means matching gifts represent an underutilized opportunity to create outsized impact.
The Practical Impact of Employer Matches
The average employee generates $1,120 in matched donations per year through their company’s program. For smaller nonprofits, even a handful of matched gifts can shift the budget enough to hire additional volunteer coordinators, improve digital infrastructure, or expand into a new geographic region.
For I Want To Mow Your Lawn specifically, matching gifts from 1,800+ volunteers’ employers—or from donors who support the mission—could translate into thousands of additional dollars flowing directly into the organization’s ability to connect neighbors, veterans, and older adults with free yard care across all 50 states.
A Simple Ask
If someone believes in IWTMYL’s mission, the next step is worth one email: check with HR about a matching gift program. It takes minutes to discover, and if the employer offers a match, a single donation becomes two.
Billions of dollars are left unclaimed every year because people don’t realize the opportunity exists. That money was intended to support nonprofits—to amplify the work of organizations serving communities. By using a matching gift program, donors aren’t just giving twice; they’re reclaiming money that employers set aside specifically for this purpose.
For more ways to support the mission, whether through volunteering or financial contribution, visit I Want To Mow Your Lawn’s volunteer page. And to see the organization’s work in action, try the MOW app—available on the web and in the App Store—which shows real volunteer stories and community impact.
Printable Guide
