MATCHING CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS

[Guest jfgc]

My company wants to implement a policy where they will match charitable contributions by employees. They do not want to include religious charities. I wonder if this is the norm, surely that would not include religious affiliated colleges. Does anyone have a policy to share or experience with this?

[Sheila K]

We do have a program at our company, for both our employees and our members (credit union lingo!!!). If they volunteer 25 hours at a charity with 501©3 standing, that is NOT a religious organization then we will give that charity a grant of $250 per year. We also made the stipulation regarding religious organizations. Usually a church-affiliated college will have a scholarship fund or foundation that is set up as a 501©3 to raise funds.

[Guest jfgc]

With no luck I have searched the web and contacted many companies to find someone with a policy to share. Do you have any clues where I might find one? Thanks.

[Guest lmrice]

I used to administer a charitable matching program at my former employer (now out of business). In addition to not matching religious organizations, they also included political and controversial (i.e. Greenpeace, PETA, Planned Parenthood, etc.) as ineligible matches. They maxed out the annual amount at $500 per employee, including matching $10/per hour for volunteer hours. The employees would need to send in a receipt or a note on corporate letter head from the charitable agency to be matched. It was a very successful and appreciated benefit.

Hope this helps. Good luck.