Causecast Blog

Matching gifts are the best kept secrets in corporate philanthropy. And that’s a shame.

Online security isn’t something I usually write about, but it’s National Cyber Security Awareness Month, so ‘tis the season. And as the CEO of an online cause engagement platform that companies use to manage their employee volunteer and giving programs, including disaster relief efforts, security is an important issue I get asked about a lot.

“When we can’t afford both medicine and food, I tie scarves around my boys’ bellies at night so they don’t wake up crying from stomach aches because they are hungry.” -Fatmeh, a Syrian refugee in Lebanon

If you’re running a strong employee volunteer and giving program, then you’ve got certain tools in your toolbox that are helping to increase participation in your efforts. Incentives like volunteer grants (also known as Dollars for Doers), matching gifts, and paid time off for volunteering. Benefits like crowdrising competitions and skills-based volunteering opportunities. And, of course, a robust volunteer and giving platform that makes the whole experience social, mobile and interactive.  

The holidays are here (just about), and that means that seasonal giving campaigns are cranking into high gear. Before you know it, we’ll be bombarded with holiday viral campaigns like Office Max’s popular time-killer, Elf Yourself, and opening earth-conscious holiday e-cards from companies instead of the snail mail kind. Since an increasing percentage of shoppers use mobile platforms to do their holiday shopping, our cell phones will be hit with seasonal promotions that benefit charities, like the ones that Starbucks did for The Global Fund to help fight AIDS in Africa. It’s that time of year when most philanthropic giving transpires, so now is when companies are pulling out all of the stops to grab the attention and charitable dollars of their customers.