Matching gifts are one of the fastest ways to grow event revenue—without asking donors for more than they’ve already given. Colleen Carroll from Double the Donation breaks down how employer matching works, why up to $4–$7B goes unclaimed every year, and simple ways to bake matching into your pre-event, night-of, and post-event workflow. We also cover the Handbid ↔︎ Double the Donation integration and how automated reminders do the heavy lifting for busy teams.

Who this episode is for

Nonprofit leaders, development directors, event planners, and board members who want to increase net revenue without scaling workload.

In this episode (highlights)

• Matching gifts 101: what counts as employer matching, volunteer grants, payroll giving—and how “workplace fundraising” ties it all together.
• Eligibility without HR: use a searchable database so donors can check their company’s rules, minimums/maximums, and submit forms in minutes.
• Automation that converts: a proven reminder cadence (Day 1, Day 3, Day 30) to nudge donors to complete their match—politely and effectively.
• The revenue gap: $4–$7B in matches go unclaimed annually; roughly 10% of the U.S. workforce is eligible—your donors are in there.
• Pre-event momentum: add employer field + company search to forms, prime donors in invites/confirmations, and identify likely matching employers by region.
• On-stage moment: give matching a two-minute spotlight; peer testimony from a donor who’s used matching is the fastest way to drive action.
• Post-event plays: trigger automated emails, then personally follow up on top gifts (call or short video) to secure high-value matches.
• Board & major donor strategy: structure annual giving to maximize match caps and deadlines; set calendar reminders so matches don’t expire.
• ROI math: with entry tiers around ~$1K/yr (varies by org), a couple of matched gifts can cover the cost—and the rest is upside.
• Handbid ↔︎ Double the Donation: surface “Find a corporate match” in Handbid flows, pass donors to the right company form, and track completion.

Resources & links

• https://doublethedonation.com/ 
• Colleen Carroll on LinkedIn 
• Third-Party Integrations with Handbid
  
  

CTA

If you’re ready to unlock matching dollars, Handbid makes it easy to sell tickets, run mobile bidding, and capture employer matches—all in one place. Subscribe to Elevate Your Event for weekly, real-world tactics that raise more (and feel more fun).