Corporate matching gift programs maximize employee generosity

by Chloie Dale (’17) 

I don’t have much to give. How can I really make a difference at Westminster?” This sentiment is often a concern for alumni and friends when considering a donation to the college. But for many donors, leveraging their company’s matching gift program is an effective way to maximize the impact of their gift.

Vickey Sellers (’84) made her first gift to Westminster last year. She informed her boss that she wanted to take advantage of the company’s match. Not only was Vickey’s gift matched, it was doubled—turning her $250 individual gift into a $750 combined donation to t he college.

“It really takes only a few minutes to do,” she says. “Once I have established an organization to give to, it is in my profile, and the process is easier the next time I give.”

Vickey learned from an early age the importance of giving back. She had an excellent experience at Westminster and wanted to help ensure that students today have access to the educational opportunities she enjoyed.

“Donating to others adds ripples in the pond and changes lives,” she says.

Last year, 26 donors took advantage of their company’s matching gift program, contributing nearly $14,000 to The Westminster Fund, which supports academic programs such as classroom, lab, and library materials, as well as institutional scholarships and much more.

Gifts to The Westminster Fund impact the success of every student at the college. Lan Van, a veteran Army reservist, is a senior majoring in nursing. She lives across the country from her two children and her husband, who is an active-duty soldier stationed in Maryland. Access to scholarship aid has allowed Lan to spend more of her budget to visit her family.

“Students cannot hope to be successful if they believe that their family unity is threatened,” Lan says.

Lan has peace of mind knowing that a college degree will benefit her family in the long run. She is grateful for her scholarship and wants donors to think about how their donations go beyond Westminster’s campus.

“Donors never really know if their investments have paid off,” she says. “Would it not be fortuitous to find out, at some point, that their donations to an anonymous student resulted in compassionate and caring treatment of their own family members?”

Westminster has increased this year’s matching gift goal: $20,000 from 40 donors. Help change lives by finding out if you or your spouse’s company participates in a matching gift program. Contact the Advancement Office at 801.832.2730 or annualfund@westminsteru.edu.

 

 

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About the Westminster Review

The Westminster Review is Westminster University’s bi-annual alumni magazine that is distributed to alumni and community members. Each issue aims to keep alumni updated on campus current events and highlights the accomplishments of current students, professors, and Westminster alum.

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