FAQ - About the 3M Online SystemQ: What do you mean by a designated gift?
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: 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: Employees: You must enter your 8-digit employee number/Person ID. Example: 01234567 Do NOT use your 3M User ID (example, USXXXXXX). If you're not sure, go to 3M Frontier, the Global Workforce Directory. Look up your name, and refer to the Person ID.
Retirees: If you had a 4-digit 3M employee number: Enter "0100" in front. For example, "4444" becomes "01004444." If you had a 5-digit 3M employee number: Enter "010" in front. For example, "55555" becomes "01055555." If you're not sure, call 1-877-473-6394 or in the Twin Cities, call 651-575-6430. This phone number should ONLY be used to confirm your Person ID.
Q: The system won't accept the initial of my first name.
A: The system links to 3M Human Resources records, and will accept only your preferred first name initial (normally the name on your employee badge).
Q: I see I need to have an e-mail address. What if I don't have one?
A: You need an e-mail address for your password reminder to be sent to you. To make it easy for you, you may use a temporary 3M e-mail account. Enter the e-mail address tempmg@mmm.com. You will not be able to access this account, and it only serves as a "vehicle" to allow you access to the online system. The 3M Matching Gifts program administrator will NOT monitor this account, and mail is purged periodically. Keep your password in a safe place.
Q: Why do I need this temporary e-mail account?
A: To keep track of password information. For the integrity and security of your matching gifts account, the system requires a password to go online, and also requires an e-mail be sent to you with the password confirmation for your records. For the donors who don't have an e-mail address, the temporary 3M account is used.
Q: Why is 3M changing to this online system?
A: To continue the 3M Matching Gift Program to employees and retirees, it was important to reduce administrative costs and improve customer service. The new online system is more efficient and cost effective for 3M and the organizations that receive matching funds. Donors can track the status of the gift - to see when it is received and verified and the date the 3M match is processed. In addition, 3M donors can go online to check their giving history since 1999.
Q: Help! I'm at a library and I can't get into the system.
A: Some libraries have software installed on their computers to block pop-up windows (so that annoying advertisements etc. do not appear). Within this blocker software there is a setting called "Add this Web site to my Allow List". If you add "https://www.cybergrants.com" to the list you will be able to access the 3M online matching gift program.
Q: Are there advantages for the recipient organizations?
A: Yes. The online process eliminates considerable staff time sorting forms, data entry and postage costs. A 3M account is established that tracks pending gifts and actual payments.
Q: What if I don't have a computer?
A: 3M employees and retirees must submit their gifts online. To participate, you do not need to own a computer - you must have access to a computer. Public libraries, family members or friends can lend assistance. Another requirement is an e-mail address. To accommodate this concern, 3M established an e-mail address solely for individuals who do not use e-mail. When you are prompted to enter an address, enter tempmg@3M.com.
Q: Can anyone else view my matching gifts account?
A: Only you and the 3M Matching Gifts administrator will be able to see your account. The organization's gift administrator will see only gifts made to the organization. The site is protected by 3M security standards.
Q: What do you recommend for a password?
A: The number of characters must be between 4 and 8 characters. The characters may be a mix of text and numbers.
Q: What happens if I forget my password?
A: Your password confirmation will be e-mailed to you when you first set up your matching gifts account. However, if you forget or misplace your password, simply go online and click the "click here to receive a password reminder" line at the bottom of the login page, complete the e-mail form, and submit it. Within 24 hours (excluding weekends and holidays), you will receive an e-mail back with your password. Please print and retain it.
Q: The system says I'm not an eligible 3Mer. What's going on?
A: The system receives updated status codes monthly from 3M Human Resources. If your status has recently changed, you may not be able to log on. Click on the "Need Support" link, complete the e-mail form, and submit it. Within 24 hours (excluding weekends and holidays), you will receive an e-mail back letting you know how to proceed.
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: How do I find the organization's name?
A: If you are donating to an organization that is not in your personal matching gift history, you can search by any or all of the words in the organization's name. Be sure to spell correctly! The system will bring up a list of all organizations with that name. You may select only from the "Approved" listing of organizations.
Q: I can't find my organization.
A: Organizations are listed by legal name. For example, if you are looking for TPT or KTCA, you must search on the legal name "Twin Cities Public Television."
Q: I can't find my higher education or public broadcasting organization, and want to add it to the list of organizations eligible for a 3M match.
A: Click on "Request a New Organization" on the left side of the screen. Provide the name and address of the organization. You will receive an e-mail response within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays).
Q: Why do the organizations' names say "Recommended/Approved," "Rejected," or "Pending" after them?
A: A search for your organization may reveal some additional organizations with the same or similar name. Only those organizations marked "Recommended/Approved" are eligible for the 3M Matching Gifts Program as they have received 3M matching gifts previously. Eligible organizations are higher education institutions and public broadcasting stations. "Rejected" organizations will not be matched by 3M. "Pending" organizations have not yet been reviewed, and may not be eligible.
Q: Under Gift Type, what do the choices "Higher Education (Quid Pro Quo)" and "Public Broadcasting (Quid Pro Quo)" mean?
A: Quid Pro Quo is the value of a gift that you may have received from the organization as part of your contribution, for example, a magazine subscription or video. This portion of your contribution is not tax deductible. 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)." 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: I see I can designate to a university's department. How does that work?
A: Select the university name. If you are making a gift to a university, and would like your funds and the 3M match to be designated to a particular department, indicate it in the "Designation" field.
Q: The coupon didn't print the department where I want my gift designated.
A: Make a note on your check or enclose a note with your gift to let the college or university know how you'd like your gift designated. 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: When I searched for the University of Minnesota, it found lots of names. Which one do I use?
A: All 3M matching funds - regardless of the designation - go to the University of Minnesota Foundation. The foundation, in turn, re-designates the funds to the various areas. The only University of Minnesota that you'll be able to select from the list is "University of Minnesota Foundation."
Q: I'm unable to print the coupon. What do I do?
A: What is important is not the format but the information. If you don't have a printer, simply copy down the website address, Gift ID number, and directions on a piece of paper and mail with your gift to the organization. Explain that the organization must go online to verify the gift at the website provided.
Q: What if I made a mistake, and I need to correct it? For example, I selected the wrong organization or put in the wrong dollar amount.
A: You can hit the "Return to Previous Screen" button, and make your corrections. Check it carefully. But after you have "Saved" the gift, you will no longer be able to go in and fix it. You'll need to send an e-mail to matchinggifts@mmm.com, and explain what changes should be made.
Q: Will the online site remember organizations that I've given to in the past?
A: Yes. You can choose from an organization that you've given to in the past by selecting the organization and clicking the "Register Gift to Selected Organization" button. Or, you may simply search for another organization by specifying the name of the organization in the "Keyword" field, selecting a state and clicking the "Search for Organization" button.
Q: How many years of my personal giving history to higher education and public broadcasting will I be able to view?
A: You'll be able to see back to 1999.
Q: Will I be able to view my gifts to special challenge matches, 3:1 matches, food and clothing drives, or disaster relief?
A: No, only your gifts to higher education and public broadcasting can be viewed.
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 online.
Q: Will the organizations know how to verify my gift?
A: Yes, a letter has been sent to all the current 3M Matching Gift organizations notifying them of this change. However, you MUST print the Gift ID Coupon and send it with your gift to the organization in order for the organization to successfully verify your gift.
Q: Will I know when my donation has been matched by 3M?
A: In order to find out if/when 3M has matched your gift, you may view the status by going to www.3M.com/matchinggifts, log in, click on "I accept," and your giving history will appear.
Q: My organization hasn't verified my gift yet. What should I do?
A: 3M will follow up on gifts entered by 3M donors that have not been verified online by the organization. You're welcome to call the organization and remind them of this process.
Q: Can I make my gift by credit card online through this 3M Matching Gifts site?
A: No. However, you could check your organization's web site to see if they'll accept online gifts. Then you would need to return to this site to complete the match information.
Q: How are credit card gifts matched by 3M?
A: Use the procedure established by the organization, e.g., phone, receipt, organization form, etc. Register your gift at www.3M.com/matchinggifts, send in the Gift ID coupon, and the organization will verify your gift.
Q: Will this on-line system provide a printable paper record of my donation for tax purposes?
A: No, your canceled check or documentation from the organization should serve as your receipt.
Q: Who should I contact if I need help using the online system (question is NOT related to 3M guidelines, etc.)?
A: If your question is NOT 3M-specific (for instance, you're getting an error message while saving your information), you should login to the system at www.3M.com/matchinggifts. Once you've read the overview and clicked the link at the bottom to login, click the "Need Support" link, fill in the e-mail form and submit it. You should receive an answer via e-mail within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays).
Q: Who should I contact if I have a specific question regarding the 3M Matching Gift Program (question has to do with 3M guidelines, etc.)?
A: You should send your question by e-mail to matchinggifts@mmm.com. You should receive an answer via e-mail within 48 hours (excluding weekends and holidays).
Q: I don't have an e-mail address. Can I call for answers?
A: We're sorry. In order to reduce administrative costs, we are unable to offer this service.
Q: Tell me again why I can't use the paper form.
A: To continue the 3M Matching Gift Program to employees and retirees it was important to reduce administrative costs and improve customer service. The new online system is more efficient and cost effective for 3M and the organizations that receive matching funds. Donors can track the status of the gift - to see when it is received and verified and the date the 3M match is processed. In addition, 3M donors can go online to check their giving history since 1999.
