Employee matching gifts are donations a company makes to match employees’ charitable contributions. Essentially, this is free money that often gets overlooked because Impact100 members are unaware that their employer provides matching gifts, or they lack the know-how to access the program.

But matching gifts are goldmines for nonprofits and can be a straightforward way for Impact100 chapters to ease the burden of administrative costs. According to Double the Donation, a firm that advises nonprofits and companies regarding matching gift programs, about 65 percent of Fortune 500 companies (and many others) match employee donation. For example, John Hancock, a generous sponsor of Impact100 Council, offers a 100% match to any charity an employee contributes to, up to $4,000 per year.

Your Impact100 chapter may have members (or spouses of members) whose employers participate in matching gifts. Research the companies in your region, and you may be surprised at the opportunity for corporate matching gifts. Once received, your leadership team can decide whether this match is best used to cover administrative costs or to help support a member who may not be able to afford the full membership fee on her own. Either way, employee matching gifts are a great benefit to your organization and your community.