Top Matching Gift Companies in Boston, Massachusetts

Maximizing employee matching gifts from a nonprofit’s donors is a critical element of fundraising for any organization. Yet, year after year, billions of dollars in corporate philanthropy go unclaimed simply because donors are unaware that their employer offers these benefits.

Double the Donation often receives requests from Boston-based nonprofits asking if there are companies in their city offering employee matching gifts or volunteer grant programs. As one of the oldest and most economically vibrant cities in the United States, Boston is a hotbed for corporate giving. From the financial powerhouses of the Financial District to the biotech giants in Cambridge and the Seaport, the region is teeming with matching gift potential.

To clear up some of the confusion, we’ve highlighted a few of the top companies in Boston that offer to match donations from their employees.

Boston, Massachusetts and Corporate Philanthropy

Boston is the largest city in Massachusetts and, in turn, has a diverse local economy consisting of companies in financial services, publishing, media, biotechnology, and nearly every other industry. It is a city where history meets innovation, and this unique blend has fostered a corporate culture that values community engagement and educational advancement.

If you’re a nonprofit with a large Boston donor base, you should be asking yourself one question: “Are we taking full advantage of philanthropic giving from corporations in Boston?”

There’s a decent chance you’re not. After all, Boston has the 6th largest economy in the country, with many global companies building headquarters in the city. Therefore, there is a major opportunity for matching gift programs in Boston. Nonprofits that prioritize matching gift solicitation effectively receive two donations for the price of one, lowering their cost per dollar raised and increasing donor retention.

The “Ed-Med” Factor

Boston is often cited as a hub for “Eds and Meds,” or Education and Medicine. This is crucial for fundraisers to understand because corporate giving programs in the city often skew heavily toward these sectors. Many local matching gift programs, such as Fidelity’s, have specific stipulations or higher match ratios for educational institutions. If you are fundraising for a university, a prep school, or a medical research facility, you are in a prime position to capitalize on these local corporate values.

The Best Way to Solicit Matching Gifts

When it comes to collecting matching gifts, the biggest obstacle for nonprofits is a lack of education around the subject; many donors are entirely unaware of the potential impact of their donation! This is true in many large cities, including Boston. A donor may love your mission, but if they don’t know their HR department has a portal waiting to send you a check, that money stays in the corporate bank account.

The most important thing your organization can do to secure matching gifts is to educate donors whenever possible about these corporate philanthropy programs. As each company with a matching gift program has different parameters, this may seem like a difficult task. However, with a matching gift software solution, educating donors is actually easier than you may think.

For example, Double the Donation allows organizations to automatically discover match-eligible donors and send them information regarding the gift request process. This solution also equips users to embed an industry-leading matching gifts database into their websites and donation forms so donors can search their own eligibility. By removing the friction from the process, you turn a passive donor into an active fundraiser.

A Quick List of Boston’s Top Matching Gift Programs

Below is a curated list of some of the most generous and prominent employers in the Greater Boston area. Review this list against your own donor database to identify immediate opportunities.

1. Fidelity Investments

Responsible in part for Boston’s status as a top financial center, Fidelity Investments is a giant in the investment world. Their approach to matching gifts is unique because it is laser-focused on the sector that fuels their industry: Education.

Match Ratio: 2:1
Match Limits: Up to $7,000 annually per employee.
Eligibility: Primarily educational institutions (e.g., colleges, universities, and K-12 schools).

The 2:1 match ratio is the standout feature here. Most companies match 1:1, but Fidelity doubles down. If a Fidelity employee donates $1,000 to their alma mater or child’s school, Fidelity contributes $2,000, tripling the total impact. If you are a school fundraiser in New England, Fidelity employees should be at the very top of your prospect list.

2. State Street Corporation

The State Street Corporation has one of the most generous employee giving programs in the game. Headquartered in the financial district, State Street is a pillar of the Boston business community. Their program consists of an individual matching gift program, a fundraising match program, and a volunteer grant program.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $10,000 for most employees.
Executive Bonus: Depending upon the seniority of the employee (such as SVPs or Board Members), they could be eligible for a match of as much as $35,000 to $40,000 per year.
Volunteer Grants: Employees can secure a $250 grant for their nonprofit after volunteering just 8 hours.

The tiered structure of State Street’s program is a critical detail for major gift officers. If you are cultivating a donor who is a Senior Vice President at State Street, know that their matching cap is significantly higher than the standard employee. This knowledge can give you the confidence to ask for a larger gift, knowing the corporate match will help them reach a higher giving tier.

3. Raytheon Technologies

With a massive presence in the Greater Boston area (specifically Waltham and the surrounding tech corridors), Raytheon Technologies is a defense and aerospace leader. Their commitment to STEM education and community safety is reflected in their generous giving guidelines.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $25,000 annually per employee.
Minimum Gift: $25.
Volunteer Grants: They offer a “Dollars for Doers” program where employees can earn grants for the nonprofits they serve.

The $25,000 annual cap is one of the highest in the region. Raytheon employees are often engineers and technical professionals who value precision and impact. When soliciting them, emphasize exactly what that $50,000 (donation + match) will achieve for your organization.

4. Biogen

Cambridge is the biotech capital of the world, and Biogen is one of its crown jewels. Their foundation is deeply committed to science education and community health, and their matching gift program is designed to be accessible and impactful.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $25,000 annually.
Minimum Gift: $15.
Volunteer Grants: Biogen offers a grant of $10 for every hour volunteered, encouraging their scientists and staff to get out of the lab and into the community.

Biogen’s matching program recently expanded to include a wider variety of nonprofits beyond just education, now covering health, human services, and culture. This expansion opens the door for arts organizations and social service agencies to tap into the biotech wealth of Cambridge.

5. Liberty Mutual Insurance

Headquartered in the Back Bay, Liberty Mutual is a Fortune 100 global insurer with a long history of supporting the Boston community. Their “Give with Liberty” program is famous for its high participation rates.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $25,000 annually per employee.
Accessibility: The program is managed through a user-friendly portal that makes submission incredibly fast for employees.

Liberty Mutual’s program is particularly broad, supporting social, health, and human services organizations. Because they are an insurance company, they often have a strong interest in community safety and resilience, making them great partners for disaster relief or housing organizations.

6. Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters will match employee donations up to $1,000 each year to nearly all educational institutions and 501(c)(3) organizations. While the cap is lower than that of some financial giants, the eligibility is very broad.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $1,000 per year.
Global Reach: A unique aspect of this company’s program is its openness to all global employees (e.g., Canada, UK, USA, India), which is helpful for international nonprofits.
Volunteer Grants: An organization is eligible for a $500 grant from Thomson Reuters after an employee volunteers 20 hours in a year.

For smaller community organizations, the volunteer grant is a gem. Twenty hours is a very achievable threshold: essentially one weekend event or a few hours a month. Reminding Thomson Reuters volunteers of this benefit is a quick way to secure an unrestricted $500 check.

7. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is a major publishing firm headquartered in Boston. As a learning technology company, their heart is in education, but their matching program supports a diverse array of causes.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Focus Areas: Educational institutions (K-12 included), Health and human services, Arts and cultural organizations, Civic and community organizations, Environmental organizations.
Eligibility: Both full and part-time employees are eligible for this program.

While their specific matching caps can vary and have historically been lower than those of the major banks, the inclusivity of part-time employees is a significant benefit. This allows a broader segment of their workforce to participate in philanthropy.

8. Bain Capital

One of the world’s leading private investment firms, Bain Capital, calls Boston home. Their “Community Partnership” program encourages employees to give generously to the organizations that strengthen their neighborhoods.

Match Ratio: 1:1
Match Limits: Matches up to $2,500 annually.
Scope: Supports a wide range of 501(c)(3) organizations.

Private equity and investment firms often have employees with high giving capacity. While the official match cap is $2,500, the personal donations from these employees often far exceed that. The match serves as an excellent “foot in the door” to start a relationship with these high-net-worth individuals.

Strategic Matching Gift Fundraising Tips for Boston-Based Nonprofits

Knowing which companies offer matching gifts is step one. Step two is building a strategy to secure them. Here are three tips tailored for the Boston fundraising market.

1. Leverage “Patriots Day” and Marathon Monday

Boston is unique in its celebration of Patriots Day and the Boston Marathon. Many companies ramp up their community giving and volunteerism around this time (April). Use this season to launch a matching gift campaign. Remind runners and their supporters that their marathon fundraising pledges might be eligible for corporate matching, effectively doubling their fundraising minimums.

2. Target the Alumni Networks

With Harvard, MIT, BC, BU, Northeastern, and dozens of other colleges in the area, the alumni networks are powerful. Many of these universities have their own matching gift tools, but if you are a community nonprofit, you can piggyback on this culture. Bostonians are used to being asked for matching gifts by their alma mater; they already know how the process works. You just need to remind them that your nonprofit is also eligible.

3. Use LinkedIn to Filter by Industry

If you have a gap in your donor data, use LinkedIn to find where your donors work.

Search: Filter your connections or donor names by “Company.”
Segment: Create a list of all donors working at Fidelity, State Street, and Biogen.
Email: Send a targeted email to this list: “Did you know your employer, [Company Name], will double your donation to us?”

This high-touch, personalized approach yields significantly higher conversion rates than a generic “Check if your employer matches” button.

Conclusion: Don’t Leave Money on the Table

Boston is a city of champions: in sports, in education, and in philanthropy. The corporate community has put millions of dollars on the table to support the work you do. It is up to you to claim it.

By familiarizing yourself with these top employers (such as Fidelity, State Street, Raytheon, Biogen, and others), you can uncover hidden revenue streams that cost your donors nothing but a few minutes of their time. Implement a matching gift search tool, educate your donors, and watch your fundraising revenue grow.

Ready to start maximizing your matching gifts? Check out these additional resources:

Matching Gift Database: The industry-leading tool to automate your matching gift discovery.
Top Volunteer Grant Companies: Learn how to monetize your volunteer program.
Corporate Giving Statistics: Data to help you make the case to your board.