With the end of the year quickly approaching, now is the perfect time to double your impact for girls in STEM and sports. How? By utilizing employer matching programs! Every “high five” you give can be matched by your employer, effectively doubling the amount of support you provide to empower girls.

In this blog post, we’ll explain how employer matching works, how you can easily take advantage of it, and why it’s such an important way to amplify your contribution to the High Five campaign. Let’s make your high five count twice or even more — together, we can make a bigger impact!

What Is Employer Matching?

Employer matching is a fantastic benefit offered by many companies to encourage charitable giving among their employees. When you make a donation to an eligible nonprofit organization, your employer may match your contribution, either dollar-for-dollar or at another predetermined ratio. This means that a $100 donation from you could turn into $200 or more with the help of your employer’s matching program.

But that’s not all! Many companies offer matching gift opportunities not only for direct donations but also for volunteer hours, and some even match contributions from spouses or retirees. If you’ve already given to the High Five campaign, you might be able to double your impact simply by submitting your donation for matching. It’s a win-win for both you and the girls we support!

Why Employer Matching Matters

Employer matching is a powerful tool for amplifying your impact. When you take advantage of matching gift programs, your donation goes further, providing even more support for the next generation of girls in STEM and sports. Here’s why it’s such an important aspect of our High Five campaign:

  1. Maximizes Your Contribution: Every dollar you donate is doubled, increasing the overall impact on girls who need mentorship, education, and opportunities. A small contribution from you can make a huge difference when matched.
  2. Helps Reach Our Fundraising Goal: As we near the end of the year, we’re getting closer to our fundraising goal. Employer matching gifts are crucial in helping us reach that target. With matching, we’re able to quickly close the gap and provide girls with more opportunities.
  3. Strengthens the Community: Employer matching encourages a culture of giving and corporate responsibility. It allows companies to demonstrate their commitment to making a meaningful difference, aligning their values with those of the nonprofit organizations their employees support.
  4. Tax Benefits: Donating through an employer matching program could also provide tax benefits. Depending on your company’s policies and tax regulations, your contributions (including the matched portion) could be tax-deductible, allowing you to maximize your impact both financially and philanthropically.

How to Take Advantage of Employer Matching

Taking advantage of your employer’s matching gift program is easier than you might think. Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to ensure you’re making the most out of your donation:

Step 1: Check If Your Employer Offers Matching Gifts

Many companies provide matching gifts, but not all do. To find out if your employer offers this benefit, start here, check your company’s website, employee benefits portal, or HR department. Some employers also offer matching gift search tools that make the process even easier.

Step 2: Find Out the Matching Gift Guidelines

If your company offers a matching gift program, it’s important to understand the guidelines. Some companies match donations on a dollar-for-dollar basis, while others may match at a different ratio (e.g., 50 cents on the dollar). Be sure to review any rules regarding the donation minimum and maximum amounts.

Step 3: Submit Your Donation for Matching

Once you’ve made your donation to the High Five campaign, it’s time to submit your donation for matching. This process varies by employer, but typically, you’ll need to fill out a form online or submit proof of your donation to your HR department. Some companies allow you to submit matching requests via email or a designated portal.

Step 4: Confirm Your Matched Donation

After submitting your request, follow up with your employer to confirm that the matching gift has been processed. This typically happens within a few weeks, but each company’s timeline may vary. Once the match is processed, you’ll receive confirmation, and your gift will have doubled!

Be sure to check with your employer to see if they offer a matching program and if Play Like a Girl is eligible for a match. Many companies also have a specific submission period, so timing is crucial to ensuring that your match is processed before the year ends.

Why It Matters for Girls in STEM, Sports, and Leadership

Employer matching isn’t just a great way to maximize your contribution — it’s also a way to support girls in critical areas like sports and STEM education. Your donation will help provide girls with:

  • STEM programs that encourage problem-solving, innovation, and creativity, opening doors to careers in science, technology, engineering, and math.
  • Sports opportunities that build confidence, teamwork, and resilience — essential skills that will serve them throughout their lives.
  • Mentorship from women role models who inspire them to pursue careers in a wide variety of fields—especially, in fields where women remain underrepresented.
  • Leadership training that equips girls with the skills and mindset to become the next generation of leaders, advocates, and changemakers.

By doubling your impact through employer matching, you’re helping create a more equitable world where girls have the tools and resources they need to succeed in any field.

Employer Matching: A Win for You and for Girls

With just a few simple steps, you can ensure that your donation goes further than ever before. By leveraging employer matching, you’re doubling your support for girls in STEM and sports, giving them the resources they need to excel and empowering them to become the leaders of tomorrow.

We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity today. Your high five could be the one that propels a girl’s career, boosts her confidence, or opens up a whole new world of possibilities. Together, let’s make sure girls everywhere have the chance to succeed — and with employer matching, we can double that impact.