Payroll giving donors are some of the most consistent and committed supporters nonprofits have, but they’re often overlooked in day-to-day fundraising strategies. These donors contribute through employer-sponsored workplace giving programs, with regular donations automatically deducted from their paychecks. While the individual donations may be modest, the long-term impact of this steady support is significant.
Recent tax changes also provide a potential boost, allowing non-itemizers to deduct up to $1,000 for single filers and $2,000 for married couples. This could incentivize smaller-dollar donors to engage more actively in payroll giving, increasing participation and the overall impact of these programs.
That’s why it’s more important than ever to have a plan for nurturing payroll giving donors. Thanks to workplace giving partners like America’s Charities, many nonprofits now receive detailed reports that include donor information—giving you the opportunity to identify, thank, and build relationships with these supporters. However, engaging payroll giving donors requires a thoughtful approach tailored to how and why they give.
In this post, we’ll share five practical tips to help nonprofits nurture payroll giving donors, deepen their connection to your cause, and raise more through the programs. Whether you’re just starting to track this audience or looking to improve retention and lifetime value, the following best practices will help you turn payroll donors into lasting champions for your mission:
- Send prompt, personalized thank-you messages.
- Keep donors up-to-date with regular impact reports.
- Create an exclusive payroll giving donor community.
- Celebrate milestones.
- Invite further involvement.
These small but intentional actions can go a long way in making payroll donors feel seen, appreciated, and connected to your mission. By recognizing their ongoing commitment and tailoring your stewardship efforts, you’ll not only boost retention, but foster a sense of belonging that turns workplace givers into long-term advocates for your cause.
Let’s dive into five key strategies to get started.
1. Send prompt, personalized thank-you messages.
One of the most important ways to nurture payroll giving donors is to acknowledge their support promptly and personally. Because payroll gifts are automatically deducted from paychecks, these donors may not receive the same level of recognition as those making one-time or online gifts, making it all the more important to go the extra mile.
As soon as you receive donor information from a disbursement partner (such as America’s Charities), take the opportunity to send a warm thank-you message. For the best results, you’ll want to include:
- Their name
- The impact of their recurring gift
- A brief note that acknowledges their choice to give through their employer
Even a simple message like “Thank you, Alex, for setting up a payroll donation through your workplace giving program—you’re helping us make a difference every month” can build goodwill and reinforce their connection to your cause.
All in all, a prompt, thoughtful thank-you lays the foundation for stronger engagement and sets the tone for future communication. It shows donors that you’re paying attention and that their recurring generosity doesn’t go unnoticed.
2. Keep donors up-to-date with regular impact reports.
Payroll giving donors often give quietly and consistently in the background which means they may not always see the tangible results of their generosity. To keep them engaged and inspired, it’s essential to regularly share the value of their ongoing support.
In other words, because payroll donors typically don’t interact with your organization each time they give, corporate impact reports serve as a vital touchpoint. These reports don’t have to be long or formal. Brief monthly or quarterly updates that show where their donations are going can be incredibly effective. Highlight the real-world outcomes of their contributions, such as how many meals were provided, how many students were reached, or how their steady giving helped sustain a specific program.
Whenever possible, personalize these updates by referencing their donor segment: “As a payroll donor, your ongoing support plays a key role in helping us plan ahead and respond consistently to community needs.” You can even include cumulative milestones like “Your monthly donations this year have added up to $240 in support!”
While many employers have year-round opportunities for employees to give and it’s important to keep in touch with those donors throughout the year, the opportunity to enroll in payroll deduction giving most often occurs in the third and fourth quarters of the year. That makes timing especially important when thanking current payroll donors and encouraging them to continue supporting your nonprofit’s mission.
By keeping payroll donors informed, you help them see themselves as a crucial part of your mission’s success. This ongoing connection builds trust, strengthens loyalty, and reminds donors that their automatic gift is actively making a difference—even when it may feel out of sight.
3. Create an exclusive payroll giving donor community.
Payroll donors may not always feel the same connection to your organization as one-time or major donors, especially since their giving happens automatically in the background. One powerful way to change that is by creating an exclusive community just for payroll giving supporters.
This doesn’t need to be a formal membership program. Even something as simple as a branded name like “The Monthly Impact Circle” or “Workplace Giving Champions” can give donors a sense of belonging and shared purpose. You can invite payroll donors to subscribe to a dedicated email list, join a private Facebook group, or attend exclusive events like behind-the-scenes tours, impact webinars, or virtual meet-and-greets with your team.
By offering recognition and engagement tailored specifically to payroll donors, you’re reinforcing that they’re not just anonymous contributors; they’re part of a committed, values-driven community. This type of identity-building increases donor satisfaction and retention while also encouraging supporters to spread the word about your mission within their workplace.
When donors feel like they’re part of something meaningful (and exclusive), they’re more likely to stay involved and deepen their connection to your cause over time.
4. Celebrate milestones.
Payroll giving donors may not always realize how much of an impact they’ve made over time, especially when their donations are small but consistent. That’s why celebrating key milestones is an important way to recognize their long-term commitment and deepen their connection to your mission.
These milestones could include:
- Anniversaries (e.g., 6 months or 1 year of giving)
- Total contribution thresholds (such as $250 or $500 cumulatively)
- Broader goals reached with the help of payroll gifts (like funding a program for an entire month)
Upon reaching such milestones, personalized emails, handwritten notes, or digital badges can go a long way in making these donors feel valued. A simple message like “Thanks to your steady support over the past year, you’ve helped us deliver 100 meals to families in need!” is both impactful and deeply appreciated.
You can also highlight payroll donors in newsletters, larger impact reports, or social media shoutouts (with permission) to show public appreciation and inspire others to give in the same way. Recognizing these milestones not only reinforces the importance of recurring giving but also reminds donors that every paycheck contribution is building toward something bigger.
Celebrating milestones makes donors feel seen and appreciated which are two essential elements in keeping payroll givers engaged for the long haul.
5. Invite further involvement.
Payroll giving donors have already taken a meaningful step by committing to support your organization through regular contributions. But that doesn’t have to be the end of their involvement. In fact, it’s just the beginning.
One of the best ways to deepen engagement with these supporters is to invite them to connect more fully with your mission through additional opportunities.
For example, start by promoting employer matching gifts. Many payroll donors give through their workplace, which means their employers may also offer corporate matching gift programs. Remind donors to check with their HR department or use your matching gift search tool to see if their contributions can be doubled. This not only increases impact but also further involves donors in the fundraising process.
Next, consider inviting payroll donors to participate in volunteer opportunities, both in-person and virtually. Payroll givers may be interested in taking a more active role, whether that’s helping at events, serving on committees, or lending their skills in areas like marketing or finance. For the best results, highlight roles that fit flexible schedules and offer meaningful experiences, and don’t forget to remind them about potential employer-sponsored volunteer programs like volunteer grants and VTO, too!
You can even invite payroll donors to attend impact events, join peer-to-peer fundraisers, or participate in advocacy campaigns. These thoughtful invitations show that your organization values them not just as recurring donors, but as mission-driven individuals with much more to contribute.
By offering ways to deepen their involvement—on their own terms—you help payroll donors feel even more connected, appreciated, and empowered. This strengthens their loyalty and turns consistent givers into passionate, long-term advocates.
All in all, payroll giving donors represent a unique and valuable segment of your supporter base, offering reliable, recurring gifts that can add up to a significant long-term impact. With donor details often included in disbursements from CSR partners, your organization has the opportunity to move beyond passive receipt toward intentional relationship-building.
By implementing these thoughtful stewardship strategies, you can transform payroll donors into loyal advocates for your mission. After all, these individuals have already taken a meaningful step by giving through their workplace. Now, it’s your turn to show them that their support matters, and to invite them into a stronger, more connected relationship with your cause.
Interested in learning more about nurturing payroll giving donors?
Check out the webinar, Navigating Workplace Giving Disbursements and Trends, to continue growing your knowledge.