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The Solution

A donor-centered approach to securing matches

TSA-NW reframed matching grants as an extension of existing major-donor generosity rather than a separate fundraising initiative. Frontline fundraisers regularly engaged major donors in conversations that positioned matching gifts as a way to amplify impact and inspire additional giving. In many cases, existing or anticipated gifts were repurposed as match commitments, creating leverage without placing new demands on donors. 

These conversations also helped accelerate year-end giving. By discussing match opportunities earlier in the fiscal year, TSA-NW gained greater clarity around donor intent and timing, creating momentum well before peak fundraising season. 

Accountability and collaboration 

To support consistency, TSA-NW implemented a simple but effective accountability structure. Monthly check-ins with frontline fundraisers and a shared tracking spreadsheet ensured match solicitations, commitments and goals were visible and actively managed. 

Equally important was cross-team collaboration. Donor relations and direct marketing teams worked in alignment, recognizing that matching campaigns benefit both relationship-based fundraising and broad-based appeals. This shared approach reduced internal friction and allowed the organization to maximize the value of secured match funds. 

RKD Group’s role: Activating the match

In partnership, we activated matches across direct mail, email and paid media to drive stronger performance and deeper donor engagement.  

Once matching funds were secured, RKD Group helped bring those opportunities to life through coordinated fundraising campaigns. RKD promoted matching offers across direct mail, email and paid media and in doing so, ensured the message reached donors wherever they engaged. 

By integrating match messaging into existing campaigns, RKD helped TSA-NW increase overall revenue without adding unnecessary cost or complexity. Historically, campaigns that included a match delivered a meaningful performance lift compared to those without. 

Strengthening stewardship through reporting 

As matching campaigns matured, TSA-NW and RKD identified an opportunity to further strengthen donor relationships: closing the loop with impact reporting. Sharing quantified results with match donors and showing how their generosity unlocked additional gifts created a natural pathway to deeper stewardship and future match commitments. 

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The Results

Compared to corps who did not use a match offer, corps that did saw: 

The success of matching campaigns at TSA-NW was not driven by a single tactic but by system-level alignment: 

• A clear, repeatable process for securing match dollars 
• Consistent accountability across frontline fundraisers 
• Strong collaboration between donor relations and direct marketing teams 
• Multi-channel activation powered by RKD Group 

Together, these elements transformed matching grants from a perceived challenge into a reliable growth driver that energized donors, strengthened internal partnerships and amplified the impact of every gift.