Are employees more motivated to donate to nonprofits if their employer is willing to match their gift?

Thousands of companies across the United States offer this incentive to employees through “matching gift programs.” In fact, two-thirds of employers surveyed in America’s Charities’ 2015 Snapshot Report indicate they match employee payroll contributions. That’s a 62% increase since 2006. Yet, $6-$10 billion of corporate matching gift money goes unclaimed each year.

Canine Partners for Life (CPL) trains and places certified service dogs with persons who have physical disabilities, mobility impairments, and seizure and cardiac disorders, to increase their independence and quality of life. By assisting its human partner with many physical tasks and providing constant companionship, a service dog can make the miracle of greater independence possible.

Chances are, you are familiar with the mission behind Make-A-Wish® Mid-Atlantic’s work. Serving children who reside in Maryland, the District of Columbia, Northern Virginia, and Central and Southern Delaware since 1983, Make-A-Wish Mid-Atlantic has granted the wishes of more than 8,800 children fighting illnesses such as cancer, pediatric AIDS, cystic fibrosis, Duchene's muscular dystrophy and heart disease.

Each year your organization works hard to meet its social responsibility and employee engagement goals while also meeting your employees' expectations. How did your 2016 employee giving and engagement programs perform?

Here are five key evaluation metrics to consider: