Did you know your donation to Denver Urban Gardens (DUG) could go twice as far, at no additional cost to you?
Thousands of companies offer employee matching gift programs that match charitable donations made by their employees. Yet every year, an estimated $4–7 billion in matching gift funds go unclaimed simply because donors don’t realize they’re eligible.
A quick search through your employer’s matching gift program could help grow even more community gardens, increase access to fresh food, and strengthen neighborhoods across Metro Denver.
What Are Employee Matching Gift Programs?
Employee matching gift programs are a type of corporate philanthropy that allows companies to financially support the causes their employees care about.
Here’s how it works:
- You make a donation to DUG
- You check whether your employer offers a matching gift program
- You submit a short request through your employer
- Your company matches your donation, often dollar for dollar
That means a $50 donation can become $100. A $250 gift can become $500. Some employers even match donations at a 2:1 or 3:1 ratio, multiplying your impact even further.
Why Matching Gifts Matter
Every matched donation helps DUG do more.
Your gift supports our mission to provide equitable access to urban gardening, healthy food, and education by helping us:
- Support more than 200 community gardens and food forests across Metro Denver
- Expand food-growing opportunities in neighborhoods that need them most
- Offer educational workshops and gardening resources
- Train community leaders and volunteers
- Build stronger, healthier, and more connected communities
When your employer matches your donation, they’re investing alongside you in a healthier, greener future for Colorado.
Who Offers Matching Gifts?
Thousands of employers participate in matching gift programs, including many well-known companies across a wide range of industries.
Programs vary by employer, but they typically include:
- A minimum donation amount (often $25)
- A maximum annual match
- A matching ratio (commonly 1:1, but sometimes 2:1 or higher)
- Eligibility requirements based on employment status
- A deadline for submitting your matching gift request
Some companies even extend matching gift benefits to retirees or part-time employees.
Check If Your Employer Matches Donations
Finding out if you’re eligible only takes a minute.
Visit DUG’s Matching Gifts page to search for your employer and access company-specific information, including:
- Matching gift eligibility guidelines
- Donation minimums and maximums
- Match ratios
- Submission deadlines
- Direct links to your employer’s matching gift forms
If your employer isn’t listed, check with your Human Resources department. Many companies offer matching gifts even if they aren’t included in every database.
Every Gift Can Grow Further
Whether you’re helping fund a new community garden, supporting educational programming, or increasing access to fresh, locally grown food, your generosity already makes a difference.
With an employee matching gift, your impact can reach even more neighbors.
Before you make your next donation, or if you’ve donated recently, take a moment to see if your employer will match your gift. It’s one of the easiest ways to multiply your support for DUG and help cultivate thriving communities across Metro Denver.
Ready to double your impact?
Visit our Matching Gifts page to search for your employer and get started today.
