Employer matching gifts can add company support to a donation you already plan to make. For Cougs 4 Kids (C4K), a program of Believe in Me, an approved match helps support mentoring and practical experiences for young people.
As October giving plans take shape, check your workplace benefit before you donate. Or look up a gift you made earlier this year. You’ll need your receipt, your employer’s rules, and the correct nonprofit details.
Here’s how to check eligibility, submit a request, and keep it moving.
How employer matching gifts work
An employer matching gift is a company contribution made in response to an employee’s eligible donation. Your gift and the employer’s match are separate contributions. The company sets the rules and approves the request.
For example, an employer might offer a dollar-for-dollar match up to an annual limit. However, its policy may restrict eligible nonprofits, gift amounts, or who can participate. The Council on Foundations explains how matching programs verify gifts and set eligibility policies.
Start with your workplace giving portal or HR team. Then use the Cougs 4 Kids matching-gift page to find our organization details and request help.
Our donation form opens on Givebutter. Save the receipt so you can use it in your employer’s process.
What your support makes possible
Cougs 4 Kids connects young people with caring mentors, meaningful experiences, and practical support. The program brings WSU students, alumni, and community supporters into that work. You can explore how Cougs 4 Kids works before choosing how to help.
Gifts support work such as mentoring activities, MentorBoost Kits, leadership workshops, and community projects. Behind those opportunities are supplies, planning, and people who help volunteers prepare. Approved employer matching gifts add support for that work.
Every young person deserves a Coug in their corner.
That belief puts the young person’s interests first. A mentor can listen to a question, help explore an idea, or encourage a next step. Donors help make room for those connections without deciding a young person’s path.
Why check employer matching gifts this October?
Fall brings fresh routines and decisions about what comes next. For example, Federal Student Aid has announced that the 2027–28 FAFSA form is available for college and career or trade school aid. That is one reason education and future plans may be on families’ minds.
Meanwhile, October gives donors time to review workplace giving rules before the year ends. Your company’s deadline may differ from December 31, so check its policy now. If you already donated, ask whether that earlier gift still qualifies.
Request employer matching gifts in five steps
You do not need to know every detail before starting. First, gather the information below. Then follow your employer’s instructions in order.
- Check your company’s rules. Find its giving portal or ask HR about eligible nonprofits, match ratios, minimum gifts, annual limits, and deadlines. If you already gave, confirm that donation date is within the matching period.
- Make your gift. Choose an amount that fits your budget and use the Cougs 4 Kids donation form. If your employer requires its own giving platform, follow that process instead.
- Keep your receipt. Save the nonprofit name, donation date, amount, and confirmation details. Also keep any acknowledgment the nonprofit sends you.
- Submit the matching request. Use the recipient details below and upload the documents your employer requires. Where the form allows it, identify Cougs 4 Kids as the program you want to support.
- Track the request. Finally, save your submission confirmation and check its status. If the employer needs nonprofit verification, contact us with its instructions.
Use Believe in Me’s nonprofit details
Recipient nonprofit: Believe in Me
Program: Cougs 4 Kids
EIN: 20-4830357
Because Cougs 4 Kids is a program, your employer’s directory may list Believe in Me. Check the EIN and your receipt before selecting a recipient. If the directory does not show the right record, contact the Cougs 4 Kids team for help.
Keep the match request and tax records straight
Your employer may ask for proof of the original gift. Separately, the IRS explains charitable-gift recordkeeping requirements, including a timely written acknowledgment for a single contribution of $250 or more when claiming a deduction. Keep your records together and ask a qualified tax adviser about your situation.
What could employer matching gifts add?
Illustrative example: a $100 gift + an approved $100 company match = $200 in total support.
This example assumes a 1:1 match and an eligible gift. It does not promise approval or connect a dollar amount to a specific program outcome. Instead, it shows how two contributions can support the same purpose.
Other employers use different ratios or limits. For that reason, choose your own gift amount first and confirm the available match with your company.
No employer matching gifts program? Other ways to help
Your gift still supports the work if your employer does not offer a match. You can also share the matching-gift page with coworkers who want to check their own benefits.
For businesses seeking a direct partnership, explore Cougs 4 Kids sponsorship opportunities. A sponsorship follows a separate conversation about needs and commitments. It should not be treated as an approved employee match.
Employer matching gifts: common questions
Is Cougs 4 Kids eligible for my company’s match?
Eligibility depends on your employer’s policy. Cougs 4 Kids is a program of Believe in Me, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Therefore, use Believe in Me’s details and confirm eligibility through your company’s process.
Should I search for Cougs 4 Kids or Believe in Me?
Search for Believe in Me and verify EIN 20-4830357 against your receipt. Then identify Cougs 4 Kids as the intended program wherever the request allows a designation.
Does my donation trigger a match automatically?
A donation alone does not guarantee a company match. Usually, you must follow your employer’s request process. Check whether you need to submit a form, upload a receipt, or take another step.
Can a donation from earlier this year qualify?
It may qualify if it falls within your employer’s matching period. Before submitting, check the donation date, deadline, and gift requirements. Each company sets its own timetable.
Can recurring gifts qualify?
Ask your employer whether it matches recurring gifts and how to document them. For example, its process may require individual receipts or a summary. Follow the specific instructions it provides.
How long will the match take?
Timing depends on the employer and its giving platform. After submitting, use the portal or HR contact to check progress. If a verification step is pending, ask what information is missing.
What if my employer cannot find the nonprofit?
First, check the recipient name and EIN. If the record is still missing, ask whether the employer accepts nonprofit verification or a new charity request. Our team can help with organization details.
Is a company match the same as a sponsorship?
No. A matching gift responds to an eligible employee donation under company rules. A sponsorship involves a separate agreement about support and any recognition. Start with the path that fits your goal.
Keep these employer matching gifts points handy
- Employer matching gifts require company eligibility checks and approval.
- Use Believe in Me, EIN 20-4830357, and identify the Cougs 4 Kids program.
- Save your receipt, submit the request on time, and track its status.
- Choose a gift that fits your budget; a match adds support if approved.
Put a caring Coug in a young person’s corner
Thank you to the donors, mentors, and community partners who make this work possible. Your generosity helps volunteers show up with practical support and care.
Give an amount that works for you. Then check whether your employer can add a matching gift. A few careful steps can turn a workplace benefit into more support for young people.
P.S. Already donated? Find your receipt and check your company’s deadline today. You may still have time to request a match.
Information checked September 28, 2026
By Cougs 4 Kids · A program of Believe in Me
