Volunteer

Matching Incentive Program (MIP)

The Verizon Matching Incentive Program provides an opportunity for all eligible active employees and retirees to have their contributions matched in one or more categories of giving that meet Verizon's eligibility criteria: Higher Education (Accredited Colleges and Universities) and “Employee Choice” ( US 501 (c)(3) organizations, and International equivalents) Eligible employees may contribute in both categories:

Eligible employees may contribute in both categories:

  • Colleges and Universities: $5,000 per year, matched 1:1.
  • Employee Choice: $1,000 per year for any qualified nonprofit organization, matched 1:1.

Eligible retirees may contribute to accredited colleges and universities to earn a maximum match of $5,000 each year.

For information on MIP program rules, click here.

Here are some frequently asked questions about the Verizon Foundation Matching Incentive Program:

What types of monetary donations can be matched by the Verizon Foundation?
In order to be eligible for a MIP match, employee/retiree donations must be in the form of a personal contribution of $25 or more from the employee/retiree's own assets, paid directly to the eligible nonprofit organization. Donations must be current contributions from the employee/retiree's own assets, and must be made, not merely pledged. A matching gift cannot be used to satisfy a personal pledge (e.g. a pledge of $2,000 cannot be satisfied by $1,000 from the employee and $1,000 from the Foundation match). Donations can be in the form of one of the following:
  • personal check/cheque
  • money order
  • credit card payment
  • transfer of stock certificate
The Foundation will not match donations of real estate, in-kind services, materials or supplies. Contributions, or portions thereof, that are not tax deductible will also not be matched. Purchases of raffle or lottery tickets to play games of chance to support a charitable cause are not eligible for matching as they are not tax-deductible donations under IRS guidelines.

Employees/retirees must maintain an accurate record (e.g. canceled check, credit card statement) of their contributions including the date, amount and method of payment for three years from the date of the donation.
Can I donate to a private foundation?
No, Verizon Foundation does not fund private foundations - only tax exempt IRS qualified 501(c)(3). NCES schools or international equivalent organizations are eligible for matching grant from the Verizon Foundation.
Is the Verizon Foundation permitted to enter/register Matching Gift requests on behalf of an employee/retiree?
No. The policy and compliance rules that govern the Verizon Volunteers Matching Gifts and Volunteer Incentive Program prohibit the Verizon Foundation from registering a donation on behalf of an employee/retiree. Eligible employees and eligible retirees must register their gift online at http://foundation.verizon.com/donor. Employees/Retirees can contact the Verizon Foundation Customer Service Center at 1-866-247-2687 from 8:00AM to 8:00PM Eastern Time Monday through Friday- this staff answer questions about registration – but are not permitted to enter any donation.
Can I move money from my college/university account to another type of organization as long as I stay within my total allotment?
No, you can only earn foundation dollars as allocated in the program.
Can I donate to my private or public elementary, junior or senior high school as part of my $1,000 "Employee Choice" allotment?
Yes, as long as the private or public school is a tax exempt IRS qualified 501(c)(3) charity or international equivalent. (The Matching Incentive Program is not a substitute for tuition and cannot be used as such.)
Can I give to United Way, my favorite dance theatre or neighborhood YMCA with my $1,000 "Employee Choice" allotment?
Yes, you can select any public charity of your choice, as long as they are a qualified United States nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status or international equivalent.
Can donations to an eligible nonprofit organization be matched by the Foundation, when the employee/retiree or someone with whom they share close personal relationshipor family member receives direct or indirect financial compensation from the organization?
No. The Verizon Foundation does not permit award of matching grant if the employee, employee family* member or someone with whom they share a close personal relationship** receives direct or indirect financial compensation from the organization.
If I collected donations through a fundraiser, such as a bake sale, or by setting up a collection box to help raise money for a particular nonprofit, will this money be matched by the Foundation through the Matching Incentive Program?
No. Only personal donations made by active employees, and eligible retirees are eligible to be matched by the Foundation. Donations must be current contributions from the employee/retiree's own assets, and must be made, not merely pledged. A matching gift cannot be used to satisfy a personal pledge (e.g. a pledge of $2,000 cannot be satisfied by $1,000 from the employee and $1,000 from the Foundation match).
If I collected money from fellow co-workers, family members, friends, and/or customers of Verizon, are these donations eligible for a match through the Matching Incentive Program?
No. Only personal donations made by active employees and eligible retirees are eligible to be matched by the Foundation. Donations must be current contributions from the employee/retiree's own assets, and must be made, not merely pledged. A matching gift cannot be used to satisfy a personal pledge (e.g. a pledge of $2,000 cannot be satisfied by $1,000 from the employee and $1,000 from the Foundation match).
Are monies raised, by an employee, through pledges eligible for a match through the Matching Incentive Program?
No. Only individual active Verizon employee and eligible retiree contributions are eligible for a match. Monies raised through pledges are not eligible for matching funds.
Can I transfer Verizon stock over to an eligible 501(c)(3) or international equivalent nonprofit and have it matched by the Verizon Foundation through the Matching Incentive Program? If so, what date would apply to my gift of stock to the nonprofit?
Yes. Since the value of securities is determined based on the market value on the actual date of the contribution, the date that the nonprofit received the stock would be the date of your gift. Securities must have a publicly listed market value.
Does the Verizon Foundation require any special documentation in conjunction with a gift made via stock transfer?
Donors should retain a copy of the stock transfer from their broker/financial institution as this may be needed by the nonprofit when confirming the donation.
Does the Verizon Foundation match employee/retiree donations to qualified nonprofits through Donor Advised Funds?
As of January, 2008, donations made by employees and eligible retirees to qualified nonprofits through Individual or Family Donor Advised Funds qualify for matching gifts (MIP) from the Verizon Foundation.
How does the nonprofit verify receipt of my gift/donation?
The nonprofit must verify receipt of your gift/donation online at http://foundation.verizon.com/nonprofit/mip. The Verizon Foundation will not consider a MIP grant to be eligible for payout if there is any discrepancy between the donation dollar amount entered by the donor and the donation dollar amount verified/confirmed by the nonprofit.

If the organization needs assistance navigating through the verification process, they may contact the Verizon Volunteers Program Support Center via email at vznmail@cybergrants.com or by calling (866)247-2687 between 8AM and 8PM ET. Note: Employees should ensure that someone at the nonprofit, other than themselves or someone with whom they share a close personal relationship, confirm receipt of their gift/donation.
Can I register membership dues, fees paid or monies for which I receive a benefit/gift for matching?
No, you are not permitted to request a MIP grant on behalf of organizations where you or afamily member* or someone with whom you share a closer personal relationship* recieves any direct or indirect commercial or financial benefit as a result of your donation (including memberships, tickets,VIP packages, tuition, etc.)
Can I use the matching gift to subsidize a personal pledge or fee?
No, the matching gift cannot be used to satisfy a personal pledge (e.g. a pledge of $2,000 cannot be satisfied by $1,000 from the employee and $1,000 from the Foundation match).

Ready to register your matching gift? Click Here.