Non-ProfitFree
Matching Gift Challenge Appeal Writer
Share the match terms and what gifts will fund. Get honest match challenge copy for email, letters and social posts, with the deadline built in.
River's matching gift challenge writer drafts the copy that announces a match and asks donors to give before it runs out. Share who is matching, the ratio, the limit, the deadline and what gifts will fund. River writes the challenge for email, a letter paragraph or social posts, with the match described exactly as agreed.
Match language is easy to overstate. 'Every gift doubled' is only true up to the limit, and some matches are paid regardless of what donors give. The copy says what the match actually does, which keeps the matching donor's trust as well as everyone else's.
This page covers the match copy only. For the full year-end letter, reply card and emails, use the year-end appeal letter writer on meetriver.com, which handles a match as part of the appeal.
How to describe a matching gift honestly
State the terms plainly: who is matching (or 'a group of board members' if they prefer not to be named), the ratio, the maximum, and the deadline. Confirm the wording with the matching donor before anything goes out.
Say gifts are doubled only while the match lasts, and update donors when the limit is reached. If the matching donor will give the full amount regardless, call it a challenge gift and avoid suggesting money will be lost if donors do not respond.
Tie the match to something concrete, such as coats for 600 children, and send a reminder near the deadline. Report the result afterwards and thank the matching donor publicly if they agree.
How it works
Share the terms
Give the matcher, ratio, limit, deadline and what gifts fund.
Choose the channel
Optionally pick email, a letter paragraph, social posts or all of them.
River writes the copy
Each piece states the match accurately and asks for a gift before the deadline.
Adjust in chat
Change the tone, shorten a piece, or write the update when the match is met.
What you get
- Match challenge copy for email, a letter paragraph or social posts
- Accurate wording for the ratio, the limit and the deadline you give
- A deadline reminder and a match-reached update message
- A note on any wording to confirm with the matching donor
Common questions
Is a matching gift challenge the same as an employer matching gift?
No. This page is for a donor or group who agrees to match gifts during a campaign. Employer matching gift programs, where companies match their employees' donations, follow each company's own rules and forms.
Can we say every gift is doubled?
Only up to the limit and before the deadline. The copy says so, and includes an update for when the limit is reached.
Should we name the matching donor?
Only with their permission. If they prefer privacy, the copy uses a description such as "a group of board members" or "a longtime supporter".
Matching Gift Challenge Appeal Writer
Describe what you need, add any files you have, and your workspace opens with the work already underway.