Setting Up Matches and Challenges

Matches and challenges are some of the most powerful tools in your fundraising toolkit. They create urgency, inspire competition, and can dramatically increase donor participation during giving days.

Match vs. Challenge

A match is a commitment from a donor to multiply gifts. Example: For every dollar you give today, Jane Smith will match it dollar-for-dollar, up to $5,000. Matches can be dollar-for-dollar or per-donor (a set amount per donor regardless of gift size).

A challenge unlocks when a goal is met. Example: If 100 donors give to the Business School by midnight, the Dean will release $10,000. Challenges can be based on donor count or dollar amount.

Creating a New Match or Challenge

1. Go to Campaigns in your admin dashboard
2. Select the campaign
3. Navigate to Motivation and Sharing, then Matches and Challenges
4. Click New Offline Match or Challenge
5. Choose Match or Challenge

Configuration Options

• Title: A clear headline. Leave blank for auto-generated language.
• Total Amount: The dollar amount being offered.
• Match Structure: Dollar-for-dollar or per-donor matching and rate.
• Unlock Criteria (challenges): Donor count or dollar amount needed.
• Timing: Set start and end times in your time zone. Leave blank to run for the full campaign.

Who Counts Toward a Match or Challenge

You can restrict which gifts count: all donors, specific designations, specific affiliations, specific class years, or a specific group of emails. Important: Restrictions must be based on pre-payment form fields. Post-payment form data is not used for eligibility.

Featuring Matches and Challenges

Feature up to nine matches or challenges by clicking the star icon in Motivation and Sharing. Unfeatured items display by: active status, time-bound closest to closing, then largest dollar amounts.

Troubleshooting

• Gift not counting toward match? Check criteria (designation, affiliation, class year, timing). Post-payment data is not used. Offline gifts cannot be associated with advocates.
• Match total not matching campaign total? Review match settings and the All Gifts report to reconcile overlapping dollars.
• Progress bar not updated? Allow a few minutes after offline gift uploads. Under 1% to goal will not display.