The Caterpillar Foundation is proud to offer the Matching Gifts Program to support our employees, retirees and directors in their contributions to worthy causes. The program matches 1:1 contributions made by employees, retirees, and directors to eligible colleges and universities, arts and cultural organizations, as well as public policy and environmental organizations in the United States.

As of July 1, 2012 the Caterpillar Matching Gifts process has changed. Employees/Retirees/Directors will submit matching gift requests electronically instead of on paper forms. Organizations will then be required to log into the website and approve all matching gifts requests for their organization to be eligible for the Caterpillar Foundation match.

Please review all program rules and restrictions prior to submission of any matching gift requests.

Program Guidelines

How the Process Works

• Step 1: Employee/Retiree/Director – submits a matching gifts request by using the link above and notifying non-profit organization via mail or email with the generated receipt.
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• Step 2: Non-Profit Organization – receives notification from employee/retiree/director of matching gift request. Non-profit then verifies matching gift request from the employee/retiree/director by using the link above.
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• Step 3: Caterpillar Foundation – Reviews submitted request and processes matching check to eligible organization. Checks to organizations are mailed annually (April for the previous year’s gifts).

Eligible Gifts Requirements

• The gift must be a minimum gift of $50 U.S. dollars and the maximum to be matched is $2000 U.S. dollars per institution/per calendar year/per individual.
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• Gift may be made in cash, check, credit card or marketable securities. For matching purposes, the value of securities will be considered the average of the opening and closing price on the exact day the gift was made.
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• Gifts must be personal financial contributions actually made, not merely pledged or an in-kind-gift.
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• Foundation matching funds are restricted to general purpose funds and are intended to help meet the need of the organization. For example, colleges or University must apply the Foundation match to a general building or general scholarship fund.
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• Employees must submit matching gift request and organizations must verify gifts online to the Foundation by January 31 of the year following the donation in order to be eligible for the Foundation match. For legal reasons, the Foundation is prohibited from matching gifts retroactively.

Eligible Organizations

• Educational Institutions:
• Organization must be a degree-granting, two-year or four-year public or private college or university to eligible to receive matching gifts. The institution must be accredited by a nationally recognized regional or professional association and listed in the Accredited Institutions of Postsecondary Education. The institution must be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
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• Arts & Cultural Organizations:
• Nonprofit arts and cultural organizations must be open to, and operated for the benefit of, the general public. The institution must be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
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• This includes:
• •    Performing arts centers: dance, drama, theater, opera, and music
• •    Public libraries
• •    Public broadcasting radio and television stations
• •    Museums and centers of art, science, and history (including zoos and botanical gardens)
• •    Historical museums or societies
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• Public Policy and Environmental Organizations:
• Nonprofit organizations whose philosophy and goals align with Caterpillar's corporate strategies, and are operated for the benefit of the general public, will be considered for eligibility. The institution must be recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization.
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• Examples of organizations that could qualify:
• •    Public Policy - Aspen Institute, CATO Institute, Council on Foreign Relations, etc.
• •    Environment - The Nature Conservancy, Ducks Unlimited, Tropical Forest Foundation, etc.

Ineligible Organizations and programs

• •    Health and human service and Civic organizations (United Way, St. Jude, Susan G. Komen, American Red Cross, Habitat for Humanity, YMCA, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, American Cancer Society, Rotary International)
• •     Elementary, middle and high schools
• •    Other ineligible gifts include but are not limited to: pledges, tithes, or other church related commitments, bequests, insurance premiums, alumni groups, subscription fees, social fund-raising events, clubs, fraternities or sororities, rental of uniforms and instruments, payments for tuition, books, loans, class fees, gifts-in-kind, social programs, athletic programs, activities and maintenance fees, and membership fees.
• •    Disaster relief is sometimes matched by the Foundation through a separate Disaster Relief Program. Please refer to the Caterpillar Foundation tab on this website for more information.

The Caterpillar Foundation administrates the Caterpillar Matching Gifts Program.  The Foundation may at any time exercise the right to change or discontinue the Matching Gifts Program.  The Caterpillar Foundation, whose decision shall be final, shall determine the interpretation, application and administration of these matching gifts provisions.