Matching gifts FAQ

What is a matching gift? 

A matching gift is when a person donates to a non-profit organization and their employer donates an equal or greater amount to the same non-profit. A matching gift is a great way for a donor to double or even triple their contribution to help the Humane Society of the United States fight for all animals.

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How do I apply for a matching gift?

First go to our Matching Gifts page and search for your employer. If the company is in our database, select it and you will see the specific instructions for your employer’s matching gifts process.

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How do I know if my employer will offer a matching gift for a donation?

Visit our Matching Gifts page and use the search function to find the name of your employer. If the company matches gifts to the Humane Society of the United States, you’ll find resources specific to the company such as minimum and maximum match amounts, program guidelines and information on getting your donation matched.

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Where can I see a list of all companies that match my donations to the Humane Society?

You can use our database to search for any company on our Matching Gifts page.

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What should I do if I can't find my company in the matching gifts search?

If you didn't find your employer in the database, it’s possible animal welfare organizations are not eligible. Please contact your Human Resources department and ask that the Humane Society of the United States be added to their list of matching gift nonprofits.

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What happens if a matching gift is not approved?

Most often a matching gift is not approved because the donation amount isn’t within the program parameters specified by the company such as the minimum donation requirement. Or your employer may have excluded animal welfare organizations. Please contact your Human Resources department and ask that the Humane Society of the United States be added to their list of eligible matching gift nonprofits.

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How long will it take for the matching gift company to process and mail a check for the matching gift?

It varies for each company. If your employer approves the matching gift, the company will send a check for the matching gift according to their company guidelines. You may contact the matching gift company directly to find out how often matching gift checks are processed and mailed. 

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What is the deadline for having a recent gift matched?

Matching Gift guidelines are established by each company. Deadlines for submitting a matching gifts claim vary from 30 days from gift date to more than one year from the gift date. To find out the deadlines associated with your employer’s matching gifts program, please visit the Matching Gifts page.

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I’m retired; will my former employer match my gifts to the Humane Society?

Many companies extend their matching gifts program to match their retiree’s gifts. To find out if your gifts qualify, please visit the Matching Gifts page to search for your former employer.

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Can my spouse’s gift to the Humane Society be matched by my employer?

Many companies extend their matching gifts program to match the gift of their employee’s spouse. Search for your employer to find out if your employer will match your spouse's gifts. 

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What is the tax ID number for the Humane Society of the United States?

The Humane Society of the United States is exempt from federal income taxes under Section 501(C)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our federal tax identification number is 53-0225390 

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