2024 Saints MatchGrants Details

(To see this page as a PDF, click here.)

 

A total of $17,000 has been appropriated to the 2024 MatchGrants Program

 

Here’s How It Works

1. A Saints member makes a voluntary donation to an eligible organization between September 1 and December 31, 2024 (organization must have a working relationship with the Saints in calendar year 2023-2024; a list appears on our website).
2. Saints members need to download a two-part form from the Saints Member website.
3. The member completes the top portion of the MatchGrants form and forwards it with their donation (or online donation information) to the eligible organization.
4. The organization verifies the tax-deductible qualifying donation, completes their portion of theform (including their EIN) and sends the form to MatchGrants@saintschicago.org or mails to MatchGrants, c/o The Saints, 4043 N. Ravenswood Ave. #306G, Chicago, IL 606135. Make sure your donor lets you know that they have submitted their part. It’s a win-win!
5. That’s it. First come, first served! Beginning in February of 2025, the Saints will begin the process of forwarding checks to the organizations with the total of the match donations. These are unrestricted donations from the Saints (not additional donations from the donor and are not tied to any restrictions which the donor may have stipulated). No subsequent reporting is required back to the Saints.

MatchGrants Q & A

 

Q: Who is eligible to receive Saints MatchGrants?
A: The recipient must be 1) A performing arts company with a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status (verify online at: https://apps.irs.gov/app/eos/ ), 2) An organization that works with The Saints, and 3) Must have received the donation between September 1 and December 31, 2024. (See 2024 MatchGrants Eligible Organizations.)

 

Q: Can I donate to any not-for-profit performing arts company in the Chicagoland area?
A: Sorry, no. They must be on the 2024 MatchGrants Eligible Organizations list.This is a special thank you to companies who make their performances available to the Saints. Other performing arts companies are welcome to apply for our regular Arts Grants program which is based on application and evaluation/recommendation of the Saints Grants Commission.

 

Q: Are my donations limited to $100?
A: No, but there is a $100 match limit per Saint donor, per organization. Donations will only be matched up to the maximum allowed.

 

Q: Can I make more than one donation to a company and have the Saints match them?
A: Yes! You can give up to $100 per organization, per donor. If you send $50 in September and another $50 in December, $100 will be matched by the Saints, funds permitting.

 

Q: I make monthly automatic donations – can I get the donation matched?
A: Only donations made between September 1 and December 31, 2024 can be matched. For example, if you give $25 a month in the automatic donations, the company would verify $100 ($25 each for Sep., Oct., Nov., and Dec.) during the applicable time period of this program and the Saints would match the $100.

 

Q: I’m giving a donation specifically to pay actors. Can Saints MatchGrants be restricted to my wishes?
A: No. You can certainly restrict your personal donation, but The Saints-matched donation is an unrestricted donation to the company to use as they determine.

 

Q: What if I send one payment for a ticket subscription ($100, say) and a $50 donation?
A: The company would certify only the donation of $50 for which the donor received no personal benefit.

 

Q: If I make a maximum match donation of $100, will I get a tax receipt for $200 – my portion and the match grant?
A: No. You should get a receipt from the company for your donation of $100. The Saints make their matching donation of $100 and the Saints receive ‘credit’ for their $100 donation.

 

Q: If I donate online through a company’s website, do I still have to submit a form?
A: Yes. Fill in your portion of the form from The Saints website and send it along with information about your qualifying donation to the company. The receiving company will complete the form and submit it to The Saints.

Q: What if the company doesn’t respond back by December 31, 2024 to claim the match?
A: It may not be matched if funds are exhausted. The MatchGrants program donation window expires December 31, 2024 and organizations have ONLY until January 15, 2025 to submit their documentation.

 

Q: If the company fails to send back the verified form, what do you do?
A: The rules are very clear. If the donation does not meet the restrictions and/or all required documentation is not returned by the deadline, The Saints cannot make a matching donation. The Saints member may want to encourage the organization to get in the documentation as soon as possible before the deadline.

 

Q: If the full $17,000 appropriation is not claimed, will companies get bigger donations?
A: Funds not claimed in the MatchGrants program are turned over to the general grants fund to be awarded in our annual Arts Grant program with recommendation by the Saints Grant Commission and approval of our board.

More questions? Please feel free to reach out to us at MatchGrants@saintschicago.org!