Top Payroll Giving Companies: The Ultimate Nonprofit Guide

Imagine starting every month with a guaranteed baseline of revenue that lands in your bank account automatically, without sending a single solicitation email or hosting a gala. For many nonprofits, this financial stability sounds like a dream, but it is entirely attainable through payroll giving companies.

Payroll giving is often overshadowed by its more famous cousin, matching gifts, but it is a powerhouse of sustainable revenue. By allowing employees to deduct small, recurring donations directly from their paychecks, payroll giving programs provide nonprofits with the kind of unrestricted, predictable funding that keeps the lights on and programs running. Yet, despite its value, many organizations fail to actively market this opportunity to their donors.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• The definition and mechanics of payroll giving
• Why it is a game-changer for nonprofit sustainability
• A list of top payroll giving companies with generous programs
• Actionable strategies to market these opportunities to your donors
• How to retain these valuable recurring supporters

Let’s dive in and explore how you can turn corporate employees into your most reliable source of funding.

What Is Payroll Giving?

Payroll giving—sometimes referred to as workplace giving—is a corporate philanthropy program where employees elect to donate a portion of their paycheck to a nonprofit organization. These donations are deducted automatically by the employer’s payroll system and transferred to the designated charity, usually on a monthly or bi-weekly basis.

While the concept is simple, the impact is profound. Unlike one-time donations that require constant re-engagement, payroll giving is a “set it and forget it” mechanism. Once a donor opts in, they continue to give indefinitely until they choose to stop.

How It Works for the Donor

In the United States, payroll giving is typically a post-tax deduction. This means the donation is taken from the employee’s net pay after taxes have been withheld. However, these donations are still tax-deductible. The employee can claim them when filing their annual tax return, provided they itemize their deductions.

For the donor, the process is seamless:

1. Selection: They log into their company’s CSR portal (like Benevity or CyberGrants) and select your nonprofit.
2. Pledge: They choose a specific dollar amount or percentage of their salary to donate per pay period.
3. Automation: The funds are automatically deducted and sent to your organization, often accompanied by a corporate matching gift.

Did You Know?

Payroll giving is one of the most cost-effective fundraising channels. Because the donations are processed electronically in bulk, administrative costs are significantly lower than processing individual credit card transactions or paper checks.

Why Payroll Giving Matters for Nonprofits

The primary value of payroll giving lies in predictability. In a sector often plagued by the “feast or famine” cycle of seasonal fundraising, payroll donations offer a steady pulse of unrestricted revenue.

1. Higher Lifetime Value (LTV)

Donors who give through payroll deductions tend to have a higher lifetime value than one-time givers. Because the donation is automated and occurs frequently (every paycheck), a small contribution of $10 per pay period adds up to $240 or $260 per year—often far more than the average one-time online donation.

2. Unrestricted Funding

Unlike grants that are often tied to specific projects, payroll donations are typically unrestricted. This allows your organization to use the funds where they are needed most, whether that is paying rent, keeping the lights on, or funding a new initiative.

3. Built-in Retention

Donor retention is a major challenge for nonprofits, but payroll giving boasts naturally high retention rates. Because the donation is automated and integrated into the employee’s routine financial life, there is no credit card expiration date to update or “donate now” button to click. The default behavior is to continue giving.

4. The Matching Gift Multiplier

Payroll giving is the perfect vehicle for maximizing matching gifts. Since the donation is processed through the company’s own system, the employer already has a record of the gift. Many companies automatically trigger a match for payroll deductions, eliminating the need for the donor to submit a separate request form.

Top Payroll Giving Companies

While thousands of companies offer some form of workplace giving, a few stand out for the generosity and accessibility of their programs. Targeting donors who work for these companies can yield significant returns.

Microsoft

Microsoft is a titan in the corporate philanthropy space and offers one of the most accessible payroll giving programs in the world.

• Program Details: Microsoft employees can set up recurring payroll deductions for eligible nonprofits through the Benevity platform.
• Matching: The company matches donations dollar-for-dollar up to $15,000 per year per employee.
• Why It Matters: Microsoft’s program is highly integrated, meaning employees can easily set up a donation and a match in the same workflow, ensuring you get double the funding without extra effort.

Apple

Apple’s employee giving program is renowned for its high participation rates and generous limits.

• Program Details: Apple employees can donate via payroll deduction through their internal giving portal.
• Matching: Apple matches donations 1:1 up to $10,000 per year for full-time employees.
• Why It Matters: Apple also matches volunteer time at a rate of $25 per hour, allowing enthusiastic volunteers to monetize their time in addition to their payroll contributions.

Google

Google encourages its employees to give back through a flexible and user-friendly system.

• Program Details: Google uses Benevity to manage its payroll giving, allowing employees to set up recurring or one-time deductions easily.
• Matching: Google matches up to $10,000 annually per employee.
• Why It Matters: Google also offers “peer matching,” where an employee can fundraise for a cause and have their peers’ contributions matched, effectively turning every employee into a fundraiser for your cause.

3M

3M is a staple in the corporate giving world, with a strong focus on education and community.

• Program Details: 3M employees can manage their payroll deductions through the CyberGrants platform (or Benevity in some regions).
• Matching: The company matches eligible contributions 1:1 up to $1,000 per year.
• Why It Matters: While the cap is lower than some tech giants, 3M’s program is accessible to a massive workforce, including retirees who can actively participate in giving programs.

HCA Healthcare

For nonprofits in the healthcare sector or those serving communities with a strong HCA presence, this program is invaluable.

• Program Details: HCA Healthcare allows employees to give to any public 501(c)(3) charity via recurring payroll deductions, with a minimum of just $25 to activate a match.
• Matching: They offer up to $500 in matching funds for general charities and an additional $500 for the HCA Hope Fund.
• Why It Matters: The low barrier to entry makes this an excellent program to target for broader, community-level support.

Bank of America

Bank of America’s program is designed to be as inclusive as possible for its varied workforce.

• Program Details: Employees can make contributions via payroll deduction through the “My Giving” platform.
• Matching: The bank matches gifts 1:1 up to $5,000 annually.
• Why It Matters: Their program is open to both full-time and part-time employees, significantly widening the pool of potential donors.

Quick Tip: Don’t overlook the Federal Government! The Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) is the world’s largest workplace giving campaign. If you are eligible, registering for the CFC gives you access to millions of federal employees and military personnel who can pledge payroll deductions during the annual solicitation period.

How to Market Payroll Giving to Your Donors

The biggest barrier to payroll giving is simply a lack of awareness. Many donors do not know their company offers the program, or they assume it is difficult to set up. Your goal is to educate them and make the process feel effortless. Here are four strategies to market payroll giving effectively:

1. Create a “Workplace Giving” Hub

Do not bury this information in a footnote. Create a dedicated page on your website titled “Workplace Giving” or “Payroll Giving.”

• Explain the Benefits: Clearly state that this is the easiest way to support your mission year-round. Mention that small amounts deducted from each paycheck add up to a massive impact over time.
• Include a Search Tool: Embed a corporate giving database tool (like Double the Donation) that allows visitors to search for their employer’s name and immediately see if they have a payroll giving program.
• Provide Instructions: Offer screenshots or step-by-step guides for major employers (e.g., “How to donate to us via Benevity”).

2. Leverage Impact Stories

Data drives decisions, but stories move hearts. When marketing payroll giving, focus on the cumulative impact of recurring gifts.

• Example: Instead of asking for $10, show what $10 per paycheck achieves over a year. “Your $10 bi-weekly donation provides clean water for one family for an entire year.”
• Donor Spotlights: Interview a current payroll donor. Ask them why they chose this method (e.g., “I don’t even notice the money leaving my account, but I love knowing I’m helping every month”). Share their photo and quote in your newsletter.

3. Launch a Focused Campaign

Treat payroll giving like a dedicated fundraising campaign rather than an afterthought.

• “Pledge Your Paycheck”: Launch a campaign during September or October (typical corporate open enrollment periods) encouraging donors to sign up for payroll giving for the coming year.
• The “Power of the Hour”: Ask donors to donate the equivalent of just one hour of their pay per month. This framing makes the donation feel affordable and personal.
• Incentivize Sign-ups: Offer a small perk for those who confirm they’ve set up a payroll deduction, such as a branded sticker or a digital badge they can share on LinkedIn.

4. Target the Right Audience

You likely already have payroll-eligible donors in your database. Use data to find them.

• Employer Appends: Use an employer append service or scan your email list for corporate domains (e.g., @microsoft.com, @https://www.google.com/search?q=google.com).
• Segmented Email: Send a specific email to donors with these domains: “Did you know as a Microsoft employee, you can set up automatic donations to us directly from your paycheck—and get them matched instantly?”
• New Donor Welcome Series: Include a “Workplace Giving” email in your automated welcome series for new donors. It is a soft ask that plants the seed early in the relationship.

Did You Know?

79% of people who volunteer with a nonprofit also donate to it. If you have corporate volunteers coming in for service days, that is the perfect moment to mention payroll giving as a way to “keep the good vibes going” all year long.

Common Misconceptions About Payroll Giving

There are several myths that keep nonprofits from pursuing this revenue stream. Let’s debunk a few of them.

Myth 1: “It’s too much administrative work.”

Reality: Modern payroll giving is handled by third-party intermediaries like Benevity, YourCause, and CyberGrants. These platforms bundle employee donations and cut a single check (or make a direct deposit) to your nonprofit, often with a report detailing the donors. You do not have to process individual monthly credit card transactions.

Myth 2: “We don’t know who the donors are.”

Reality: While privacy laws vary, most modern platforms allow employees to opt-in to share their contact information with the nonprofit. Even if a donor remains anonymous, you still receive the funds. For those who do share their info, you can steward them just like any other major donor.

Myth 3: “It’s pre-tax, so it’s complicated.”

Reality: In the US, payroll giving is typically post-tax. This actually simplifies things for the nonprofit, as you don’t need to navigate complex tax withholding rules. You simply acknowledge the gift, and the donor handles their own deductions at tax time if they choose to itemize.

Wrapping Up & Next Steps

Payroll giving is the bedrock of a sustainable fundraising strategy. It converts passive interest into active, ongoing support, turning your donor base into a reliable engine for growth. By targeting payroll giving companies and making it easy for their employees to find you, you can secure the unrestricted funding you need to dream bigger and achieve more.

Ready to get started?

1. Audit your database: Identify which of your current donors work for top payroll giving companies like Microsoft, Google, or Apple.
2. Update your website: Create a “Workplace Giving” page that explains how to sign up.
3. Send a targeted email: Reach out to donors with corporate email addresses and invite them to join your payroll giving program.

With a little effort and the right strategy, you can unlock a hidden stream of revenue that will support your mission for years to come.