MATCHING GIFT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Matching Gift Frequently Asked Questions

What is a matching gift?

Employee matching gift programs are corporate giving programs.

For example, if you work for Highmark and donate $100 to Pittsburgh Opera, Highmark’s matching gift program has a minimum gift requirement of $100 and matches your gift at a 1:1 ratio. After you submit your matching gift form, Highmark will effectively double your gift by giving $100 to Pittsburgh Opera, as well.

Retirees may also qualify for a match.

It's a quick and easy way to increase the impact of your gift and leverage your company’s support for Pittsburgh Opera.

How do I request a matching gift from my company to the Opera?

Requesting a matching gift is a quick process that you must initiate. You can do this by completing and submitting either a paper form provided by your employer or submitting the information through your company’s electronic submission process. Your company will then send its matching gift to Pittsburgh Opera.

There are typically 3 steps:

1. Give to Pittsburgh Opera
Make your gift to Pittsburgh Opera and save your tax receipt. Your company’s matching gift program may allow up to one year after you've made your gift for you to request a corporate match.
2. Search for your company’s matching gift program
Using the search bar below, determine if your company has a matching gift program and review the guidelines and your eligibility. If there are no results for your company, contact your company’s human resource department directly to ask whether they offer a matching gift program.
3. Submit your Match
There are two ways to submit the matching gift request:

• Click on your company's portal link provided in the search results. Log-in and submit your request electronically.
• Download your company's matching gift verification form using the link provided in the search results. Print it, fill it out, and send it to Pittsburgh Opera.

Pittsburgh Opera
2425 Liberty Ave, Pittsburgh PA 15222
Attn: Torey Gricks

What are Volunteer Grant Programs?

Volunteer grant programs are corporate giving programs in which companies provide monetary gifts to organizations where employees volunteer regularly.

For example, if you volunteer as an usher for our performances, your employer could potentially make a monetary gifts for our volunteer time.

Each company has specific guidelines for its volunteer grant program. Search in the field above to see if your company offers this benefit and find all the information needed to submit your volunteer time.

I gave to the Opera a few months ago. Can I still apply for a matching gift?

Yes, it's not too late to apply for a matching gift. Your company may even allow you to submit match requests for 1 year following the date of your gift.

Can my company's matching gift be applied to support an Opera event or to a team fundraising goal?

Absolutely! Matching gifts are an excellent opportunity to increase event and team fundraising goals. Email Torey Gricks  for more information.

What if I still have questions?

For questions regarding your company's matching gift program policies, please contact your employer's human resource department.

For questions regarding obtaining a tax receipt or submitting and verifying a matching gift request, please contact Torey Gricks for more information.