As you start planning your contribution to the ONE Future Foundation, we want to encourage you to think about some of the ways you can make each dollar go even further.
Typically, when people think of making a donation, they see a call for donations and reach for a card in their wallet. Which is great! But there are a few ways to be even MORE impactful that we want people to think about if they want to be philanthropically-minded to help us in our efforts and be an integral part of building the ONE Future Foundation’s legacy and longevity. In the coming months, we’ll be highlighting each of the following in-depth:
- Employee Gift-Matching/Corporate Matching Programs
- Recurring Donations (you can set yours up today, even for just $20/month, here!)
- Large donor gifts/setting up your very own legacy program
- Charitable Bequests/Estate gifts (AARP: How To Leave Money To Charities After You Pass, we will cover more on this in a future blogpost)
Read on for a conversation about employee gift matching, and how our Foundation’s Treasurer, Anjeli Singh (Xi Mu, SP10), has successfully secured corporate gifts for the Foundation two years in a row – corporate gifts that go directly to covering our operating costs, ensuring our programming funds are maximized.
Q: Anjeli, you’re a finance leader with 18+ years of corporate experience, and currently serve as the ONE Future Foundation’s Board Treasurer. Why does philanthropy and fundraising mean so much to you?
Anjeli: To me, philanthropy is how we turn compassion into action, connecting us through a shared purpose. Fundraising represents trust – donors rely on us to steward their gifts responsibly, ensuring every dollar creates opportunities, empowers individuals, and strengthens communities. That trust inspires accountability and drives impact, transforming generosity into real, lasting change for the futures we all hope to build.
Q: Why are employee gift-matching and corporate matching programs an important aspect of fundraising?
Anjeli: Corporations benefit from being socially responsible, leading to many companies providing simple, effective ways for employees to support their favorite causes. Corporations “invest” in their employees through corporate donations and matching gifts that amplify individual donations to causes those employees care about, providing a boost in financial support to nonprofits.
Q: Some gift-matching is simple and straight-forward – when you go to donate an amount, you know that your employee matches donations so you make that selection in the appropriate spot in our donation form. But what if you think there could be more? What if you remember hearing that your employer sometimes does more than just match their employees’ donations dollar for dollar? If someone interested in donating to the ONE Future Foundation thinks their employer has a gift-matching program that does more, what should they do?
Anjeli: Yes! We suggest starting with researching whether your employer has a formal giving or Community Engagement Program (CSR), and identifying the right internal contact, which is often someone in HR. Position yourself as a connector rather than a fundraiser, and share about the ONE Future Foundation mission and programs (members of Greek-lettered organizations have so much practice doing this type of engagement trying to attract new members – put that to use here!). We also hope people will reach out to us if they need any guidance on how to present our Foundation and its programs.
Q: What does it look like when someone positions themselves as a connector to open doors for the Foundation? What should they keep in mind and what will they need to provide to “pitch” for a corporate donation?
Anjeli: Once you connect with the right person internally (the person in HR, or whoever’s in charge of the Community Engagement Program), you’ll want to be prepared to explain how the ONE Future Foundation’s mission—such as leadership development or education—aligns with the company’s values. You’ll want to make a clear, specific request, whether for a donation, sponsorship, or in-kind support (think donated goods like event supplies, educational materials, items that can be auctioned/raffled, or donated services like pro-bono legal support, graphic design). At this time you’ll share a brief summary of the Foundation’s nonprofit status, the intended measurable impact that their contribution would have, and a description of the recognition or engagement opportunities (public recognition through our newsletter/social media, impact reports, donor briefings and networking opportunities with other corporate donors and community leaders). Keep the ask professional and concise, and follow up with gratitude and impact updates to help build a long-term partnership. And don’t hesitate to reach out to the Foundation board – we can help with all of this!
Q: How is corporate giving different from individual members’ donations in terms of expectations and outcomes?
Anjeli: Corporate giving is typically more strategic and impact-driven, with an emphasis on measurable results, visibility, and alignment with corporate goals, while individual alumnae donations are often more personal and emotionally connected to the mission. Corporations may expect formal proposals, reporting, and recognition, whereas alumnae donors are usually motivated by loyalty, personal experience, and long-term affinity with the organization.
Q: How can the ONE Future Foundation identify the right companies to approach? And how do you do that?
Anjeli: We like to start with companies where our members work, then research their Community Engagement Program (CSR) priorities, philanthropic history, and whether they support the values that are aligned with our mission. Typically the best way to start is to be introduced by a known entity like a TNX member to the best person at the company to talk to about donations – that’s usually someone in HR, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), or Community Engagement teams.
Q: What types of corporate donations work best for the Foundation?
Anjeli: Cash gifts, event sponsorships, scholarship funding, and in-kind donations like professional services or branded materials will be most effective.
Q: What’s ONE action TNX members can do to help fund the Foundation?
Anjeli: Just as we are proud to represent Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Inc., we should be proud to talk about the Foundation as the philanthropic extension into the community! Sharing information about our Foundation can open doors into opportunities with your employer or for example in my case, my friend’s employer. Having information about the Foundation’s programs and goals spread through trusted networks helps companies see the Foundation as a meaningful cause rather than a cold solicitation.
As a Foundation, we want to focus on partnership, not pressure—clearly explaining impact and showing how a company can make a difference at a level that fits their goals. A little goes a long way for our funding needs at this early stage, so lean into the possibilities with us!
Q: How can we turn a one-time corporate donor into a long-term partner?
Anjeli: Consistent communication such as sharing an impact report, a human connection with a member of the Board that can strengthen and deepen the relationship and continuously share the grand vision, and showing genuine gratitude for their support.
Q: How does the current U.S. government and regulatory environment affect corporate donations to foundations focused on diversity and DEI programs?
Anjeli: The current environment has made some corporations more cautious in how they publicly frame DEI initiatives, but it has not eliminated interest in funding diversity-focused work. Many companies are shifting their language toward leadership development, educational access, workforce readiness, and inclusion rather than using DEI as a standalone label. For foundations, this means being flexible in messaging while staying true to mission—emphasizing measurable impact, compliance, and outcomes that align with corporate and legal considerations.
Support the ONE Future Foundation’s efforts today by setting up a recurring donation, even if it’s just $20 a month: https://onefuturefoundation.org/how-to-help/