I am a new user for Raiser's Edge 7 and I pretty much understand gift entry, except for matching gifts. I understand that I have to set up the organization that is matching the gift as a 'Matching Gift" Org. and that I have to put in the factor or amount in the org 1 tab. What I'm confused about however is why does the total amount (gift of the donor and matching gift org) show under "match amount" in the gift tab.

 For example: I had a constituent put in $18.75 and her company matched it and gave us a check for $48.90. But in the constituents gift record, under the "matching amount" area under the matching gifts tab, it gives the total amount of $48.90. Shouldn't that just display the amount that her company matched ($30.15)?

My other concern is how to acknowldge these gifts. Do I write a Thank You Letter to the constituent for $18.75 and another for $30.15 to the organization?

 Please help......

~Karen

Karen,

I don't know if I'm correct, but if I'm understanding your situation, the $48.90 shows because it was what the company gave: the amount of the check.  I'm sure some others will be better able to explain how matching gifts are recorded.  My experience with them in RE is limited.

As to acknowledging the gifts, "much has been posted" in the forums.  People will have exceptions, but our general rule we use is that the donor is person/company sending the payment/signing the check.  Donor receives the receipt and tax deduction as appropriate.  We then send the constituent who initiated the donation a letter thanking them for their gift (no $ amount or tax statement) or in some cases we send constituent a copy of the letter we send to the donor so they know we received payment.  Many of our matching gifts come after the person has personally made a gift, so we let them know that the match was received. 

I think this area is going to get more confusing as I just got a letter from a company that matches gifts.  They described two kinds of gifts they send.  Type 1 they say we are to credit and tax receipt the employee.  For Type 2, the company gets tax receipt and employee a soft credit.  We're checking with our CPA's as this is an exception to our general rule.  More fun...

Thanks JoAnn. That makes sense. I suppose I'll just write a Thank You Letter to the company for the full amount and write a seperate check to the actual donor for her contribution. Thanks again!

~Karen

Karen,

Keep in mind the difference between acknowledging and receipting.  Feel free to thank (acknowledge) the actual donor for the entire amount (contribution + match).  Without the original gift, the match would not have come, and I'm sure you'd like to encourage the actual donor to keep giving through their matching gift program.

Receipting is a different story, and there are many forum threads on this topic to read.  These threads also cover how to add gift records for the scenario your describing, original gift and matching gift in one check from the employer.  I just read these yesterday ;) !

jwant