Until now, the New York Times matched employee contributions to charity at $1.50 for every staff dollar donated. In January, the company will reduce that rate, and only match non-profit donations dollar-for-dollar—up to $3000 a year per person, according to a company-wide email from publisher Arthur Sulzberger sent this morning.

Dear Colleagues,

Our Matching Gifts program will change starting in January. While the Company will continue to support contributions to eligible organizations by our directors, employees and retirees, it will match these donations dollar for dollar. This marks a change from our Company's previous practice of matching gifts at $1.50 for every dollar donated. The change allows the Company to continue to provide a valuable program through which we can support organizations that matter to us, up to a total of $3,000 a year per person. The new policy is in line with that of most companies in our business.

Our commitment to philanthropy remains strong. The Matching Gifts program is only one of many charitable efforts that the Company is proud to support, including the Neediest Cases Fund, The New York Times Company Foundation, community service, volunteerism, charity drives, blood drives and more.
.
Please read about our Matching Gifts program, including information about eligible institutions, details about how the program works and a link to make your donation online, by visiting Insite.* Remember, any gift made after Dec. 31, 2007 will be matched at the new ratio of one to one.

Thank you,

Arthur and Janet