FAQ - About the 3M Matching Gift ProgramQ: Who is eligible to participate in this program?
A: All regular full-time and regular part-time U.S. 3M employees, retirees, and individuals on pre-retirement/deferred retirement leave. Individuals whose status is pending due to military, family, parental or disability. Members of the 3M Board of Directors, active or retired.
Q: If I leave 3M, can I still participate in the 3M Matching Gift Program?
A: Only if you officially retire from 3M.
Q: My spouse is also a 3Mer. Will 3M double our one gift?
A: Yes. To receive the double match, both donors must enter the gift into their respective matching gift accounts on-line. Print the Gift ID Coupons, and be sure to mail both with your gift to the recipient organization.
Q: If I register a gift and decide to leave 3M, will my gift still be matched by 3M?
A: If you were on the 3M payroll at the time your gift was registered, then it will be matched.
Q: Why is the 3M Matching Gift Program limited to higher education and public broadcasting?
A: These areas were selected because they align with 3M's focus on education, and they are organizations that traditionally receive the support of many employees and retirees.
Q: There are gift(s) in my giving history that are marked ineligible - why?
A: Gifts made during calendar year 2003 must be verified by the institution on or before February 29, 2004. Gifts that are not verified are no longer eligible for a match and are marked ineligible.
Q: If the grant is marked ineligible, is it possible to have it matched?
A: No, once the deadline has passed gifts will not be matched.
Q: Will the program expand to other giving areas?
A: It is unlikely. Annually, 3M donates over $20 million in cash to education, arts, health, human service and environmental organizations. These grants are targeted to address needs that otherwise would be unmet.
Q: Is my gift to higher education or public broadcasting organizations tax deductible?
A: Yes, your donation amount is tax deductible; the 3M Foundation match is not.
Q: Will 3M match my gifts to elementary or secondary schools?
A: No. K-12 schools are not eligible to participate. However, if you volunteer 25 hours or more in a calendar year at a school - or other eligible community non-profit organization - you may be eligible for a match through 3M GIVES. Employees may download a 3M GIVES form at http://intranet.mmm.com/cmpa/community/awards_honors.htm. Retirees may call (651) 733-0144 for a 3M GIVES form.
Q: What if the college or public broadcasting organization I want to support is not listed on the site? Is there a way to have 3M match my gift to that organization?
A: Possibly. Click on the "Request to Add New Organization" link in order to submit an email inquiry asking 3M to review the organization's eligibility. Staff will determine if the organization is eligible for the 3M match, and will send an-email response advising you. Remember that only accredited higher education institutions and public radio and television stations that are affiliated with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting will be matched.
Q: How many different organizations can I donate to?
A: You can donate to as many eligible higher education or public broadcasting organizations as you like. 3M will match your donations up to a total of $5,000 per year.
Q: I'd like my gift and the 3M match to go to a particular department at the university. How can I indicate that?
A: As you're registering your gift online, fill in the department's name in the field titled "Designation." It is the responsibility of the university, not 3M, to direct the funds toward your intended purpose.
Q: I'm planning to give to several departments at the same university. How do I get them matched by 3M?
A: If you are designating your gift to more than one area, then you will need to enter the gifts separately. It is the responsibility of the university, not 3M, to direct the funds toward your intended purpose.
Example: You are writing one check for $100 to a university's chemistry department and another check for $100 for the engineering department. Log onto the 3M Matching Gift site and enter them as two individual gifts. Remember to fill in the department name in the field titled "Designation".
Q: What's the process for making a matching gift online?
A: Follow these steps:
- Log into the system at: www.3m.com/matchinggifts.
- Follow the steps outlined at the site.
- When you've filled in the required information, print two copies of the Gift ID Coupon. Retain one coupon for your records.
- Mail the second coupon, with your gift, to your college or station. Your part is done!
- Your college or station will go on-line and enter the Gift ID number from your coupon, verifying receipt of your donation.
A: A donor may indicate how funds may be used. For example, the gift might be designated to the Chemistry Department, Library or an affiliated non-profit such as a Landscape Arboretum.
Q: What if I want the University to decide how the funds are to be used?
A: You have that option. Simply note in on the gift coupon that you want your gift to go to the "General Fund." The 3M Foundation match will follow your gift.
Q: Why is 3M making this change?
A: Annually the 3M Foundation matches about $1.5 million to higher education. Universities across the country are challenged to raise scholarships to attract and retain students. Together 3M donors and the 3M Foundation will help meet this on-going need. For donors who choose not to designate their gift, both the gift and match will go student scholarships. Donors who want the University to allocate funds should designate their gift to the "General Fund."
Q: Will this affect the colleges and universities?
A: Before making this change, we checked with several colleges. All agreed this approach made sense and supported the change.
Q: Do I need to do anything if I want my gift to go to student scholarships?
A: No. Undesignated gifts and the match will go to student scholarship.
Q: Will the designation affect gifts to public broadcasting?
A: There is no change for the match to public broadcasting.
Q: How much of my gift will 3M match?
A: 3M will match your gift one-for-one up to a maximum of $5,000 per calendar year.
Q: My organization sends me a gift for my donation, e.g., videotape from public broadcasting station. Will 3M match the full amount of my contribution, or will 3M subtract from it?
A: 3M is only able to match the deductible portion of your gift. When you log on to enter a gift, under "Gift Type," you should select "Higher Education Quid Pro Quo" or "Public Broadcasting Quid Pro Quo." Quid Pro Quo is the value of the gift - the portion that is not tax deductible. If you do not know the value of the gift, that's okay. The organization will verify the gift value and the deductible portion.
Q: Will 3M match my stock donation? What date would apply to my stock gift?
A: Yes. Since the value of securities is determined based on the market value on the actual date of the contribution, the date that the organization received the stock would be the date of your gift. Securities must have a publicly listed market value.
Q: I already gave to the organization. Will 3M retroactively match the gift?
A: Yes, back to January 1 of this year, unless the gift has been previously matched.
Q: Will 3M match my pledge to the organization?
A: No. The 3M Matching Gifts Program matches annual gifts made by donors; it does not match against multi-year pledges.
Q: Are monies raised through pledges by an employee work group eligible for a match?
A: No. Only individual 3M employee and retiree gifts are eligible for a match. Monies raised through pledges are not eligible for matching funds.
Q: Is the matching gift made in my name?
A: Yes. The check to the organization for the matching amount will be accompanied by a letter from the 3M Foundation. The letter will include the name of the donor and the amount matched.
Q: How often will 3M match donations?
A: 3M will match gifts approximately in March, September and November. Dates are subject to change, but a minimum of two matches will be made per year.
