Ranking Workplace Employer Append Services for Schools + Universities

For schools and universities, knowing where your alumni, donors, and supporters work can be a game-changer. Employer data opens the door to matching gifts, volunteer grant opportunities, and tailored corporate engagement strategies. But acquiring accurate employment information isn’t always easy, especially when relying on incomplete donation forms or outdated records. That’s where workplace employer append services come in.

Dedicated workplace append providers help educational institutions enrich their donor databases by identifying current employer information, often using a combination of public records, proprietary databases, and advanced data matching techniques.

In this post, we’ll review and compare top workplace employer append providers specifically for K–12 schools and higher education institutions, so you can make an informed decision and unlock more fundraising potential. We’ll cover:

• What to Know About Workplace Employer Append Services
• #1 Workplace Employer Append Option for Schools + Universities: Double the Donation
• #2 Workplace Employer Append Option for Schools + Universities: NPO Info
• How We Ranked These Top Workplace Employer Append Services
• How to Choose the Right Workplace Employer Append Provider for Your School

Ready to explore the top options available to your institution and supercharge your donor database with invaluable insights? Read on to find out how you can do so with the right tools.

What to Know About Workplace Employer Append Services

Workplace employer append services are tools used by nonprofits, schools, and universities to enrich their donor or alumni databases by identifying individuals’ current employers for the purpose of growing revenue through workplace giving. Once returned, this information helps increase matching gift revenue, tailor personalized workplace giving communications, and build strategic corporate partnerships.

These services typically work by taking an existing list of contacts—such as donors, alumni, or volunteers—and matching them against external data sources to identify where they work. The process can involve data from professional directories, social media, public records, and proprietary business databases. The result is a list of updated records with employer names added to previously incomplete or outdated contact files.

As you consider the appending process, it’s important to know that not all workplace employer data sources are created equal. Some prioritize speed and automation, while others offer manual research. Some are built with workplace giving strategies in mind, providing insights into whether an employer offers corporate giving programs, while others simply supply a company name with little to no added context.

#1 Workplace Employer Append Option for Schools + Universities: Double the Donation

When it comes to workplace employer append data providers tailored for educational institutions, Double the Donation stands out as the clear leader. Known for its robust workplace giving automation platform, Double the Donation also offers a highly effective employer data tool designed specifically to help schools and universities identify where their donors, alumni, and other supporters work.

What sets Double the Donation apart is its dual focus on accuracy and actionability. Not only does the service provide verified employer information, but it also connects that data to corporate giving program details, giving advancement teams more than just a company name on file. With this insight, schools can uncover hidden employee giving opportunities, improve corporate outreach, and personalize donor engagement.

The process is simple: schools provide a file of donor or alumni records, and Double the Donation returns updated files with matched employer information, along with the ability to connect those supporters to workplace giving eligibility where applicable. For institutions already using Double the Donation’s full automation platform, this data can be seamlessly integrated into their system to fuel automated follow-up and campaign targeting.

#2 Workplace Employer Append Option for Schools + Universities: NPO Info

Coming in at #2 on our list is NPO Info, a dedicated workplace employer append provider that works exclusively with nonprofits, including schools and universities. While NPO Info focuses solely on employer append services, it delivers a solid option for institutions looking to enhance their donor records with employment data.

NPO Info’s service is built around manual research and data matching, allowing for a customized and human-verified approach. Schools provide a donor or alumni file, and NPO Info returns updated records with current employer information based on its available sources.

However, one of the main distinctions between NPO Info and the top provider is the level of workplace giving insight included. While NPO Info helps you learn where your supporters work, it does not provide extensive information on each employer’s matching gift, volunteer grant, or payroll giving programs. As a result, the data may be less actionable for schools that are focused on maximizing corporate giving potential.

Still, for institutions looking to simply fill in the blanks on employment data—especially when other systems lack that information—NPO Info remains a reliable and accessible solution. It’s a good fit for schools and universities looking for a straightforward employer append process without the added features or functionality that comes with more advanced platforms.

How We Ranked These Top Workplace Employer Append Services

When evaluating workplace employer append services for schools and universities, we focused on the features and functionality that matter most to educational institutions. Specifically, those seeking to strengthen fundraising efforts, improve donor engagement, and tap into corporate philanthropy.

Our rankings were based on a combination of key criteria that reflect both data quality and fundraising impact.

Here’s an overview of what we considered:

• Relevance to Education Fundraising – We prioritized services that specifically cater to K–12 schools, colleges, and universities, with tools or processes that align with the unique needs of educational advancement teams.
• Data Accuracy and Reliability – The quality of appended employer information was a top factor. We looked for services that use verified sources, have strong data hygiene practices, and deliver dependable results.
• Workplace Giving Insights – Since many institutions use employer data to drive matching gift and volunteer grant revenue, we favored providers that offer not just employer names, but also insight into corporate giving programs.
• Ease of Use – Services that offer seamless workflows, fast turnaround times, and compatibility with existing workplace giving platforms scored higher in our rankings.
• Value for Investment – We considered each provider’s pricing structure and the overall value their service delivers based on features, data quality, and fundraising potential.

Using these criteria, we identified the top employer append services that provide the best balance of accuracy, impact, and relevance for schools and universities.

How to Choose the Right Workplace Employer Append Provider for Your School

Selecting the right workplace employer append provider is an essential step toward strengthening your school or university’s fundraising efforts. But with multiple options available, how do you know which service is the best fit for your institution?

Start by identifying your goals. Are you primarily focused on increasing matching gift revenue? If so, prioritize providers that not only return employer data but also offer insights into workplace giving programs. Some offerings, like Double the Donation, go a step further by connecting appended employer data with workplace giving automation tools, making it easier to act on the information in a timely manner.

Consider your school’s size and budget. Smaller institutions may benefit from a cost-effective, streamlined solution that provides the essentials, while larger universities with more complex advancement operations may require a platform with deeper insights and custom features.

You’ll also want to evaluate ease of use. A provider that returns well-formatted, actionable data—and offers responsive support—can save your team time and ensure higher ROI.

Ultimately, the best workplace employer append provider for your school is the one that aligns with your team’s capacity, fundraising priorities, and long-term engagement strategy. By choosing carefully, you’ll turn basic contact records into powerful tools for identifying corporate giving opportunities and building lasting relationships with your supporters.

Wrapping Up & Additional Employer Data Resources

Choosing the right workplace employer append can significantly impact your school or university’s fundraising strategy. From increasing revenue to enhancing engagement in workplace giving, accurate employment data empowers your advancement team to make smarter, more personalized corporate outreach decisions. Whether you’re a small private school or a large public university, investing in the right data partner can streamline your efforts and boost your results.

As you evaluate your options, consider your institution’s size, budget, and goals; then look for a provider that aligns with your data needs and fundraising objectives. With the right service in place, you’ll be well-equipped to turn employment insights into stronger donor relationships and greater institutional support.

Interested in learning more about employer append services for your school? Check out these additional resources to continue growing your knowledge:

• 4 Easy Ways to Find Alumni Employment Data for Schools. Employment data is an essential part of a well-rounded donor profile. Explore four leading ways schools can uncover this information⁠—including appends!
• The Ultimate Guide to Employer Appends for Fundraisers. Dive deep into the world of employer appends with this complete guide. Learn what they are, how they can benefit your school, best practices, and more.
• What Your Employer Appends Might Be Missing⁠—and Why it Matters. Make sure your employer appends aren’t missing this key piece of information: workplace giving eligibility! See why it matters in an append and more.