GENERAL FAQS

How does Matchable work?

Matchable is a digital platform matching companies and their employees with innovative, high impact projects at non-profits (charities & social enterprises) and impact startups.

We base this match on the specific skills and interests of each individual, and the skills required by the non-profit or impact startup to complete the project.

We are B2B focused, meaning we typically work in collaboration with a company's HR, L&D and/or CSR teams to design a partnership that works for them, with our platform then being made available to all of their employees.

How long does it take to get started?

Just two minutes! Click here if you are a non-profit or impact startup with a project to submit, or here if you are interested in offering Matchable at your company.

We are a B2B focused platform, so if you are an individual interested in doing a project you currently need to go through your employer.

Sign up here to stay in the loop or get in touch with us at hello@wearematchable.com.

What sort of projects do you offer?

All of our projects are innovative or high impact (or both!), with an upskilling angle for the individual carrying out the project.

From helping develop a business strategy for an innovative impact startup creating virtual worlds for children dealing with bereavement, to testing and co-creating the Red Cross' latest product. Take a look at our case studies for some examples.

How much time do volunteers have to commit?

As much as they want to fit in with available employee volunteering days!

All of our projects are fully flexible to suit our volunteers, whether it's a half day workshop or an hour commitment every week over 2-3 weeks (or months!), or even a few minutes spent Beta testing an app! Many organisations we work with are also happy to start with a short initial chat with someone in the relevant field.

How much does it cost?

We do not charge a fee to non-profits or impact startups submitting a project - all matches are free of charge!

For companies, we charge a monthly membership fee which varies based on the size of the company (number of employees) and the service provided.

We've written a blog all about it here.

FOR COMPANIES

I’m interested in offering Matchable projects to my employees - how do I go about that?

We’d love to help. Visit our homepage to get started or get in touch with [hello@wearematchable.com] to have an initial chat.

How much time does my team have to commit to a project?

Our projects are flexible so there are lots of options depending on how much time you and your team have available. Projects start from as little as 30min for user testing and an hour for a general chat, and go up from there.

Why isn't your volunteering free?

It's a common misconception that corporate volunteering is free of charge for companies. It costs the charities money, time and resources to host you either in-person or online. Someone in their team has to take time out of their day-to-day activites to explain the volunteering project, and in some cases oversee your work. You are also paying a small fee to Matchable for sourcing innovative volunteering projects that contribute to at least one of the UN's sustainable development goals, and that can't be found easily with a Google search.

Can projects be done remotely?

Yes, the majority of our projects are currently offered remotely. We also have in-person projects for those who are keen to get out and about and do a project with their team!

Can we trial the service before rolling it out to all of our employees?

We’re happy to design an initial trial with a few employees or one specific team before a wider rollout. To find out if we can do this for you please email hello@wearematchable.com

What are the benefits for my company?

Every Matchable project incorporates an upskilling element, meaning it will help prepare your employees for the future of work. Experiential learning has been proven to be the most effective training method, with personal development programmes also helping to boost employee satisfaction, aid in employee retention and help to attract new talent.

As all of our projects are submitted by non-profits and impact startups, they can also form part of your CSR strategy giving employees a new sense of purpose and aligning their experience at work with your company's values. Companies with a CSR scheme also report increased employee commitment to the organisation and improved job performance.

How much does it cost?

We charge a monthly membership fee which varies depending on the size of your company and the service provided. Please email hello@wearematchable.com if you would like more details and a quote.

FOR EMPLOYEES

How do I sign up to do a project?

If your employer has informed you that you have access to Matchable projects, we will have provided your employer with a link to our sign up page so that you can register and access your matches!

If you have not received this link, we recommend getting in touch with either your employer or you can email us here.

Do I have to do a project if I sign up?

Not at all! We understand that you may just want to peruse the projects and see what is available, before going away to think about it. Signing up doesn't commit you to doing anything, it just gives you access to your recommendations and first dibs on any new projects on our database via the shortlisting function!

Do I have to do a project in my own time?

Most companies that we work with will offer you a number of volunteering days or hours each month or year, which you can use to complete your project during working hours.

I don't think I'm qualified enough for the projects in my area of expertise, can you help?

Even if you think you aren't qualified enough to complete the project exactly as it is described, you will absolutely have experience, transferrable skills and insight that could be relevant for the organisation. Why not ask us to put you in touch for a short chat with the organisation, to see how you could help them? They are often just looking for someone who cares about their cause and is enthusiastic and excited to help out in any way they can!

Can I do a project with the rest of my team?

We certainly have projects available that could be done by a team. If you're not sure which ones, feel free to get in touch with us here and we'll be happy to suggest some group projects.

FOR INDIVIDUALS

How do I get matched with a project?

We are a B2B focused platform, which means that we are unfortunately not currently matching individual volunteers. If you and your colleagues may be interested in doing a project we can work together with your company to facilitate this. If you are an individual who is interested in volunteering you are welcome to sign up for our newsletter in the footer to stay in the loop, we hope to be able to offer one-off individual projects in future.

Can I ask my company to sign me up?

If your employer does not currently offer Matchable projects you can definitely chat to them and see if they would be willing to sign you up. If you would like any materials to present to your employer please let us know, we have plenty of informative content to share, and we're happy to work with you to help get your company onboard!

FOR IMPACT ORGANISATIONS

I need help on a project - how do I submit the details?

Go to this page and fill in the project submission form and our team will get back to you.

Who are your volunteers and what skills can I access?

All of our volunteers are employed by one of our corporate partners. They have a diverse set of job titles and skillsets. To give you an idea here are a few:

  • Admin
  • Marketing and Branding and PR
  • Sales and Account Management
  • HR
  • Tech
  • Data
  • Operations
  • Finance
  • Legal

In terms of their experience and seniority level, our volunteers range from CEOs to graduates so we can find you an individual that fits your needs.

What kind of project can I submit?

All of the projects we list must be either innovative, high impact, or both. This means we avoid more operational projects such as helping you to recruit for a permanent position on your team, finding a trustee for your Board or finding office space, in favour of more strategic projects. If you are unsure whether your project fulfills these criteria drop Sareeka an email at sareeka@wearematchable.com or take a look through our case studies for some inspiration.

How long can my project last?

Every project is different - some might just be user testing an app and giving feedback, some might require a half-day workshop, others could involve a few hours per week or a few successive days. We’ll always do our best to find someone with the capacity for the time your project requires. Often the non-profit or startup will discuss the details of the scope and timing with the corporate partner or employee we match them to as part of an initial introductory call.

What happens once I’ve submitted a project?

Once a project has been submitted we upload it onto our platform, where it can be accessed by our community of corporate partners. We also share projects in weekly newsletters with our partners.

Once someone selects your project to carry out you will receive an email from us with details on the volunteer. If you think they are a good match you can request to connect with them and an email will be sent to both parties, suggesting an initial call.

Once you've been matched, it’s up to you how you arrange the rest (although we're happy to help with scoping or ad hoc input where required). We will regularly check-in throughout the project and request feedback throughout.

When your project is complete, we'll also write up a case study for you to share.

What are the benefits for my organisation?

You’ll get access to top corporate talent to help you achieve your social impact ambitions. All our corporates are vetted to ensure they are committed to delivering the project with you and are a good cultural fit.

How much does it cost?

We do not charge impact organisations to list projects or find volunteers through Matchable. All we ask is that you submit an innovative and/or high impact project.