Donation Guide
Reaching a world free of multiple sclerosis (MS) will take all of us — our time, energy and resources. Every dollar works to achieve our mission — we can't do it without you.
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Matching Gifts Overview
The Basics
A matching gift is a gift from a donor's employer that matches the donor's original gift, often dollar-for-dollar. You can significantly increase your fundraising by asking your donors to apply for matching gifts if their employer offers them.
How Matching Gifts Work
Donors must submit the appropriate information to their company regarding matching gifts for their donation. The company may reach out to us to confirm the donation was made and our staff will send confirmation to the donor's company.
Once we receive the matching gift check, we will credit the amount to your fundraising. Please remember, this process may take some time depending on how frequently companies pay out charitable donations. However, if we have received the matching gift paperwork by the fundraising deadline, we will include the pending donation in your fundraising total.
Steps to Submitting a Matching Gift
1. Search for Employer’s Matching Gift Program
To find out if your employer has a matching gift program, search for your employer below, ask your human resources staff, or visit your company's intranet.
2. Request a Matching Gift
Talk to your employer about their matching gift process. Generally, your human resources department is a great place to start.
3. Send a Matching Gift Form
Refer to the instructions on the matching gift form from your employer. If you need to mail or email the form to us, please use the following information (please include the participant's name and event with your matching gift form):
Email:
MatchingGifts@nmss.orgMailing Address:
National MS Society
Attn: Matching Gifts
733 Third Avenue, 3rd Floor
New York, NY 10017Our Tax ID# is 13-5661935.
Track Your Matching Gift
Check the "Progress" section of your Fundraising Center. It usually takes months before we receive matching gifts; however, you will still receive credit for matching gifts for prize purposes – just make sure the gift shows as “pending” in your fundraising totals.
If the gift is not yet showing as "pending" on your fundraising totals, please save the confirmation provided by the company when you submitted the matching gift request and email MatchingGifts@nmss.org.
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Checks & Receipts
Addressing a Check
Checks must be made out to the “National MS Society”. If you receive a check payable to your team, write "National MS Society" above your team name. If it's made out to you, please endorse the check payable to the National MS Society. Write your name, event and event year on the memo line of every check you turn in (e.g., "John Martinez, [insert event name] 2025") — whether through the app or mail.
Electronically Deposit a Check Donation
Download the DonorDrive app on your Android or iOS device. When you receive a check donation, upload it to your Fundraising Center. To access the feature in the app, tap on “Deposit a Check”.
Typically, your fundraising total will quickly update after uploading the check; however, some checks may take up to 3 business days. This is the quickest way for check donations to reflect in your fundraising account. After you upload the check, there is no need to mail the physical check.
Mailing Donations
Pro tip: The fastest, most convenient way to process a donation is to upload the check in the DonorDrive app (and there’s no need to mail it!). See details above.
If you choose to mail your check rather than upload it, please send your donations to your local Society office PO Box. Find your local office address here. Refer to details above for how to make the check payable, and what to write on the memo line. If possible, please include a completed Donation Tracking form when sending your donations.
Please contact Fundraising Support at 855-372-1331 if you need assistance.
Donor Receipts
Everyone who makes an online donation will receive an email confirmation receipt for tax purposes. Donors who give $250 or more online will receive a thank you letter and receipt by mail. Donations submitted by check through the mobile app need to include an email address so a receipt for the donation can be sent to you. We are only able to mail letters and receipts in response to mobile checks upon request.
For donations less than $250, the IRS will accept the following as proof of a charitable donation: a canceled check, bank or credit union statement or a credit card statement.
