Matching Gifts
The Matching Gifts program is designed to encourage current and retired employees of Wisconsin Public Service, Michigan Gas Utilities and Minnesota Energy Resources to support nonprofit organizations within our communities.
The Wisconsin Public Service Foundation will match $1 for each $1 of active and retired employee contributions. The minimum active or retired employee contribution to any one organization that will be matched is $50. The maximum match per fiscal year ending Dec. 1 is $5,000 per active employee and $2,000 per retired employee. Any application received after Dec. 1 will be processed in the first quarter of the following year.
A completed online application is required for a matching gift. Acknowledgement in the active or retired employee’s name from the nonprofit organization indicating the tax-deductible donation amount is required to process a matching gift request. A copy of a check or canceled check is not sufficient. No goods or services may be exchanged for a donation.
Contributions can be made in the form of cash, check, credit card, stock in a publicly traded company or donor-advised trust disbursement.
Eligible contributions
Contributions to organizations in the categories below may be eligible for matching funds. Each organization must be tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, operating in good legal standing, and located within the company’s service area unless otherwise noted.
- Arts and culture
- Community and neighborhood development
- Education (including accredited K-12 schools in the Wisconsin Public Service, Minnesota Energy Resource or Michigan Gas Utilities service area or post-secondary educational institutions in the U.S.)
- Environment
- Health and human services
Gifts of cash or marketable securities must be paid, not merely pledged. Securities must have quoted market value.
Memberships in cultural organizations (such as public television) are eligible when they are tax-deductible and function primarily as contributions. The foundation’s gift should not be used to enhance the status of the individual donor.
Eligible active and retired employees must submit their match request and receipt within one year from the date of the gift.
Ineligible contributions
Because our companies have many opportunities to give, and limited funding, the Matching Gifts program does not support contributions to these types of organizations:
- Organizations with a philosophy or mission that conflicts with company positions
- United Way or other combined appeals
- Pooled contributions by more than one individual
- Civic groups, including fraternal, social or union organizations
- Religious or political organizations
- Private foundations
- Gifts to individuals
- In-kind gifts
- Gifts fixed by a school as a condition for student enrollment, or payment for tuition, books or other student fees
- Gifts to youth or school sports teams wherein any benefit has been received, or to cover fees for enrollment, registration, uniforms, tournaments or traveling for children, relatives or friends of active or retired employees.
Administrative conditions
We reserve the right to suspend, change, revoke or terminate this program at any time, and to determine eligibility of the donor and the recipient organization. No obligation is imposed upon or accepted by the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation by reason of the Matching Gifts program. The interpretation, application and administration shall be determined by the Wisconsin Public Service Foundation and its decisions will be final. Intentional abuses of the program may result in future disqualification of the donor and/or the recipients.
Applications
To apply, choose the application for your respective company:
Questions?
Contact the matching gifts coordinator at 920-433-1433.