Pam Russell
Director of Communications
CASE
+1-202-478-5680
russell@case.org

For Immediate Release
May 1, 2007

CASE and HEP to Merge Matching Gift Programs

Users will Benefit from Expanded Database, More Products and Services

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Matching gift programs operated by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education and HEP Development Services will be merged, giving users of both programs access to an expanded database of companies that match private donations to charitable organizations.

Thousands of companies across the United States support private philanthropy by matching employee gifts to nonprofits, including educational institutions, museums, hospitals, public television networks, and community organizations. Both CASE and HEP currently offer databases and other tools that help nonprofits grow fundraising by identifying companies that match charitable gifts. Both programs also help nonprofits educate donors about corporate matching gift programs that can multiply the value of their gifts.

“A partnership between CASE and HEP makes sense because both organizations are committed to growing philanthropy,” said CASE President John Lippincott. “The educational institutions that make up CASE’s membership will benefit more if we pool our knowledge of companies that match gifts than if we continue to compete. Users of both CASE and HEP products and services will gain from the combined knowledge and commitment of both organizations.”

“HEP is excited to be partnering with an organization like CASE and to make our resources available to its users,” said HEP CEO Steve Hafner. “This partnership will provide nonprofits with an extensive array of databases and products that are designed specifically to increase match donations. HEP/CASE users will now have access to the best data and technology in the market as well as unparalleled customer support.”

Under the agreement, CASE will license its corporate matching gift database and current products to HEP, which will manage the joint program. Current CASE products in addition to a matching gift database include, for example, a matching gift directory and leaflets that help nonprofits communicate with donors about matching gift opportunities.

HEP provides the widely used eMatch donor link™ to nonprofit Web sites, allowing donors to instantly verify if their gifts can be matched and providing access to matching gift forms. In addition, HEP’s GiftPlus matching gift database provides real-time access to company-specific matching gift policies to aid gift accounting staff.

CASE and HEP will market the combined database to nonprofit organizations as the HEP/CASE Matching Gift Network.

The current contracts of all CASE matching gift customers, including educational institutions as well as other nonprofits, will be honored by HEP. The arrangement is expected to take effect by July 1, and no customers should experience a break in service.

“The merging of CASE and HEP will benefit CASE members, other nonprofits, donors, and corporations that can now work with one unified and comprehensive matching gift program,” Lippincott said. “CASE remains committed to helping its members grow matching gift opportunities and will continue to promote and provide resources on matching gifts as part of its partnership with HEP.”

“At the end of the day, this partnership will make it easier for both fundraisers and donors to identify and follow through on match opportunities and, ultimately, raise more money,” according to Hafner.

About CASE

Headquartered in Washington, D.C., with offices in London, Singapore and Mexico City, the Council for Advancement and Support of Education is the professional organization for advancement professionals who work in alumni relations, communications, fundraising, marketing and other areas.

CASE is one of the largest nonprofit education associations in terms of institutional membership. Its membership includes more than 3,400 colleges, universities, independent elementary and secondary schools, and educational associates in 74 countries around the world. It serves nearly 65,000 advancement professionals on the staffs of its member institutions.

CASE helps its members build stronger relationships with their alumni and donors, raise funds for campus projects, produce recruitment materials, market their institutions to prospective students, diversify the profession and foster public support of education. CASE also offers a variety of advancement products and services, provides standards and an ethical framework for the profession, and works with other organizations to respond to public issues of concern while promoting the importance of education worldwide.

About HEP
HEP Development provides matching gift products, wealth tracking and data-cleansing to more than 4,000 nonprofits nationwide. HEP is based in Leesburg, Va. For more information on HEP, visit www.hepdata.com or call (800) 681-4438.

###