Matching Gifts Program
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The Alliant Energy Foundation’s Matching Gifts Program increases the generosity and commitment of Alliant Energy’s employees, retirees and Directors. The Alliant Energy Foundation has designed its Matching Gifts program to meet the diverse interests of all its eligible participants. The Foundation matches — dollar for dollar — each qualifying donation of $25 or more up to $10,000 per year to any approved organization. Each year, the Foundation matches more than $1,000,000 reflected in gifts to a variety of organizations and institutions across the country. If you have questions regarding the Matching Gifts program, please contact Bonnie Beach at 608-458-3828. |
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The Alliant Energy Foundation matches financial contributions made by employees of Alliant Energy and its subsidiaries, retirees of Alliant Energy and its predecessor companies, and members of the corporate Board of Directors.
Each direct gift of $25 or more will be matched dollar for dollar. The maximum amount per qualifying donor per calendar year is $10,000. The date you designate for your gift on EasyMatch or your form is the date used to account for your gifts within a calendar year. For example, if you make a donation on January 1, 2009 or December 31, 2009, it will be applied to your 2009 limit.
Your donation can be made with a check, credit card or the transfer of personal securities. If you’re transferring securities to an organization, you must provide us with documentation indicating the date, the amount of shares and the value of the shares on the date of your transfer.
Depending on the date when the form is received, the Alliant Energy Foundation check to the matching gift recipient will be mailed on or about the fifteenth of January, April, July and October. Incomplete forms can slow down the payment of your match.
In order to be matched, each gift must be made to a charitable organization holding a current Section 501(c)(3) designation letter from the Internal Revenue Service. A gift made in support of a library, museum, zoo, etc., which is operated by a governmental entity would also qualify for a matching gift.
Some examples of eligible organizations include:
Your gift must qualify as fully deductible for income tax purposes. Gifts may be made to one or more eligible institutions or organizations within the calendar year but they must be paid, not merely pledged.
Some examples of gifts that are NOT eligible for matching funds include:
These are not exhaustive lists of eligible gifts or program limitations. If you have questions about a potential gift please review our Frequently Asked Questions and/or ask for advice from the program administrator before making your contribution.
To assure the Foundation is in compliance with IRS regulations, the Board of Directors has determined that gifts given in support of athletic programs at colleges and universities will be matched at 80 percent of the amount of the contribution.
The Board of Directors of the Alliant Energy Foundation is the final authority and reserves the right to determine eligibility of any match.
Participating in the Alliant Energy Foundation’s Matching Gifts Program is easier than ever! You can now request funding through a simple online process called “EasyMatch”.
To make an online Matching Gifts request:
As you click through the process you will be directed to select the organization of your choice. If your organization is not listed, you may enter it. Afterwards, an automated notification is sent to you via e-mail confirming your gift. Your gift is then verified through mail by EasyMatch.
NOTE: If you need assistance with EasyMatch, please contact The JK Group at 1-866-746-7902 or by e-mail on the EasyMatch website at alliantenergy@easymatch.com.
Submitting a paper form:
It is still possible to make a Matching Gift on a paper form; however, the online system lowers the Foundation’s costs to administer the Matching Gifts program, thus allowing us to stretch our giving dollars.
If you are using a paper form, complete the Matching Gifts Request Form [PDF] and mail it directly to the organization with your contribution. The match can be made only after your documentation is received and processed.
1. What is the Matching Gifts Program?
The Alliant Energy Foundation Matching Gifts Program offers eligible participants the opportunity to assist in targeting the Foundation's philanthropic dollars.
The Alliant Energy Foundation partners with eligible employees, retirees or directors who make gifts to qualifying organizations of their choice by matching their gifts on a dollar-for-dollar basis.
This gives your charitable giving an even greater impact and allows the Alliant Energy Foundation distribute more dollars to more communities and programs than could be accomplished without your help.
2. Have there been changes to the Matching Gifts Program?
Yes, the changes are as follows:
3. What is EasyMatch?
The Alliant Energy Foundation has outsourced the Matching Gifts program to The JK Group, Inc., in Princeton, New Jersey. The JK Group provides its clients with comprehensive, technologically advanced and cost-effective solutions to corporate philanthropic programs. “EasyMatch” is the name of our on-line giving program, operated by the JK Group.
You can also keep track of your requests and look up your own giving history on the EasyMatch website. Simply log onto the site, go to “Quicklinks” on the right hand side of the home page and click on “Giving History.”
If you experience any problems logging on or have other questions regarding your donations, contact The JK Group at 1-866-746-7902 or send them an e-mail at alliantenergy@easymatch.com. You may also contact Bonnie Beach at 608-458-3828 or bonniebeach@alliantenergy.com.
4. How do I look up my giving history?
To review your giving history, you may access it at http://www.easymatch.com/alliantenergy. After you login and are on the home page, choose “Giving History” under “Quicklinks” on the right hand side of the screen.
5. How do I submit a Matching Gift request?
6. Can I still use a paper form to make a Matching Gift?
Yes, but we encourage you to use EasyMatch. We have received excellent feedback from many employees who find the new process quick and easy. Also, you can look up and keep track of your own giving history on EasyMatch.
By using EasyMatch, you are also helping the foundation reduce administrative costs, thus stretching our giving dollars further.
7. What is the 501(c)(3) mentioned in the Matching Gifts material?
This is the section of the Federal Tax Code that designates an organization as charitable and tax-exempt. Holding a 501(c)(3) makes most organizations eligible for the Matching Gifts program; however, it doesn’t automatically qualify every organization for the program. Please check with the Foundation staff if you’re unsure if your organization qualifies or not.
8. How do I know if an organization has a 501(c)(3)?
Ask your organization if it has this designation. Organizations seek this designation to be eligible for various gifts and grants and are accustomed to being asked to provide it to donors.
If you are not able to get this information, contact the Foundation staff for assistance.
9. Does the Matching Gifts program match any other organizations?
Yes. In addition to 501(c)(3) charities, the Alliant Energy Foundation matches gifts to the following types of organizations:
Accreditation is required because it is an equitable and cost-effective way for us to ensure that the recipient schools meet and maintain a certain standard of quality.
10. When is a donation to a school or university not eligible?
A donation to a school is not eligible when the donor or a relative receives direct benefit from the gift. This includes tuition, purchase of tickets to events and activities, expenses for trips or activities, or purchase of items (wrapping paper, food, etc.) as part of fundraising efforts.
Seminaries and schools that prepare students for religious careers are not eligible.
11. I purchased materials for a project I’m doing for an eligible organization. Will the Foundation match the money I spent for those materials?
No, your gift has to be a monetary gift. According to Foundation guidelines, the Matching Gifts program will not match “in kind” gifts such as purchases made on behalf of an organization for a project
12. When is an organization that holds a 501(c)(3) not eligible?
Some examples are as follows: religious institutions, groups that support political parties or advocacy programs, as well as contributions to “third party” charitable groups or United Way organizations.
13. Does the Foundation match gifts to churches?
No, Alliant Energy Foundation does not fund organizations whose sole purpose is to promote a particular faith.
However, many faith-based organizations have taken steps to become eligible for Foundation programs. Gifts may be eligible for a match if the programs operated by faith-based organizations meet certain criteria:
14. My child participates in a youth sports team. Can contributions to the program be matched?
Contributions made to athletic, arts, or youth organizations can be matched if the organization has a 501(c)(3) designation.
Also, your contribution has to be a donation, not be for the payment of registration fees, purchase of a uniform, equipment, or any merchandise paid for as a part of a fundraiser.
15. Why aren't contributions matched when they are given to organizations that collect and re-distribute funds (“third party” organizations”)?
The Alliant Energy Foundation Matching Gifts program only matches charitable gifts made from an eligible donor's personal funds directly to an eligible recipient organization. The program is intended to develop a relationship between the contributor, the Foundation and the organization.
Organizations that solicit funds, become the holder of those funds, take an administrative fee, and then re-distribute to organizations in their name, are "third party" organizations. Funds distributed in this way are not identified as coming from you or the Foundation.
16. Why doesn't the program match all organizations?
The Alliant Energy Foundation and its Board of Directors have carefully determined what can or cannot be funded by Foundation assets - whether through direct grants or through the other programs the Foundation offers. Some organizations may have a 501(c)(3) determination but do not meet the criteria that the Foundation has set.
It may be that the organization is restricted to a specific group of citizens or has a mission that is in conflict with our corporate mission. The Board of Directors reserves the right to determine whether a match should be declined.
17. Can I consider the amount of the match to assist in fulfilling my pledge to an organization?
No. Foundation assets cannot be used to relieve a person of a financial obligation he or she would otherwise have to pay.
18. When is my request matched?
The Alliant Energy Foundation matches approved gifts on a quarterly basis in January, April, July and October.
It is cost-effective to approve and pay these requests in "batches.” Many of the recipient organizations receive donations from several donors within the same period of time. Writing one Foundation check to the recipient organization for these several requests helps both the Foundation and the organization reduce administrative costs.
19. How is the annual donor limit determined?
The Foundation Board of Directors periodically reviews the program guidelines and establishes the limit.
The annual limit for each eligible participant is $10,000. The date you designate for your gift on EasyMatch or your form is the date used to account for your gifts within a calendar year. For example, if you make a donation on January 1, 2009 or December 31, 2009, it will be applied to your 2009 limit.
20. I don’t have access to a computer or printer. How can I obtain blank forms?
Please contact the foundation staff at the phone number or e-mail address below.
21. I still have a question that wasn’t answered here. What do I do now?
For questions regarding your specific giving history, the administration of the program or for technical problems (such as resetting your password), please contact:
The JK Group
Phone: 1-866-746-7902
E-mail:alliantenergy@easymatch.com
For interpretation of the program or additional assistance, please contact:
Bonnie Beach, Alliant Energy Foundation
Phone: 608-458-3828
E-mail:bonniebeach@alliantenergy.com
