If you’re searching for an online giving provider for church, you already know you have quite a few options to pick from. Finding the right one is crucial to increased giving as it’ll appeal to more members and even non-members.
With everything from PayPal to specialized online giving platforms, you should consider all your options carefully. Don’t worry, though. Once you know what criteria to look for, it’s easier than you might think to find the perfect solution for your church.
In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about choosing an online giving platform that is perfect for your church. After reading, you should check out our list of the top 7 best online giving providers for churches.
Ready to learn more? Let’s jump in.
Estimated reading time: 1 minute
Table of contents
Online Giving for Churches
Churches have long relied on the generosity of their congregations to fund their missions, support their communities, and maintain their operations. Traditionally, this giving took place in the form of cash or checks collected during Sunday services. However, the way people give has evolved over time, and with the rise of technology, online giving has become a vital tool for churches.
The Evolution of Church Giving
In the past, church giving was a simple, in-person act. Attendees would place their donations in the offering plate as it was passed around during the service. While this method worked for many years, it had its limitations. People had to remember to bring cash or a checkbook, and if they missed a service, they might miss the opportunity to give. As technology advanced, churches began to explore new ways to make giving easier and more convenient for their congregants.
The introduction of online donations marked a significant shift in how church giving was done. With the advent of church management software, churches could now offer their members the option to give through websites, mobile apps, and even text to give. This evolution has made it possible for church members to give from anywhere, at any time, making the act of giving more accessible and consistent.
The Importance of Online Giving
Online giving is important for churches today for several reasons. First and foremost, it meets people where they are—online. In a world where most transactions happen digitally, offering online donations allows churches to keep up with the times and make giving as simple as possible. Many people prefer the convenience of online transactions, whether they are shopping, paying bills, or donating to their church.
Additionally, online giving is crucial for reaching younger generations. Millennials and Gen Z, in particular, are used to handling their finances online. If a church only offers traditional giving methods, it may miss out on engaging these younger members who are more comfortable with digital transactions.
Benefits of Online Giving
There are numerous benefits to offering online giving for churches. One of the most significant is the ability to set up recurring donations. Recurring donations allow church members to set up a regular giving schedule, which can help ensure a steady flow of contributions throughout the year. This can be particularly helpful during the summer months or holiday seasons when attendance might dip but the church’s financial needs remain constant.
Another benefit of online giving is the ease of tracking and managing donations. Church leaders can use church management software to monitor giving trends, generate reports, and even follow up with donors. This data-driven approach can help churches better plan their budgets and fundraising efforts.
Online giving also expands the reach of a church’s fundraising efforts. By using online giving tools and text to give, churches can encourage donations not just from local members but also from supporters who may live far away or only attend services occasionally. This can be especially valuable during special fundraising campaigns or mission projects.
Why Churches Should Make Online Giving an Option
Churches should make online giving an option to stay relevant and accessible in today’s digital world. Offering online donations through church giving software is not just about keeping up with technology; it’s about making it easy for people to support the church’s mission. Whether through a website, an app, or text to give, providing multiple giving options ensures that everyone can contribute in the way that suits them best.
Moreover, an online giving tool integrated into a church management system streamlines the entire process for both the church and its members. It reduces the need for manual processing, minimizes errors, and provides a transparent and secure way to manage church giving. You can use it on Sundays, over the week, for church fundraising, and more!
In conclusion, the evolution of church giving has brought us to an era where online donations are not just a convenience but a necessity. By embracing online giving, churches can ensure that they continue to receive the financial support needed to thrive and fulfill their mission in the modern world.
Top 6 Tips for Choosing an Online Giving Provider
And that’s everything you need to know about online giving! Now, let’s explore the top 6 tips you can use for choosing the correct online giving provider. With so many options out there, it can be difficult to find the perfect one for your church. Well that’s what this section is all about.
Let’s dive in.
1. Think About Ease Of Use
One of the most important things to consider with any online giving solution is how easy it is to use. If you add an option to your church’s website that requires visitors to go through 5-10 different screens to make a simple donation, they’ll probably just skip it.
Look for providers that make it as simple as possible for a user to go from start to finish as quickly as possible in just a few clicks. The easier it is for someone to tithe online, the more likely they are to use that option. Things like recurring giving also make tithing even easier for church members.
2. Consider Any Fees
Being classified as a non-profit doesn’t automatically exclude you from getting hit with fees. While members might find it more convenient to tithe online, you could be losing 5% or more, especially if they’re using credit cards. It might not seem like much, but if your entire church family uses your online option, you’re losing quite a bit of money.
Look for low fees or providers that offer non-profit programs, such as PayPal. Some credit cards even have programs that allow card holders to donate without any fees. Look carefully at any fees before settling on any of the giving platforms for churches.
3. Look For All-In-One Solutions
Odds are, your community prefers to tithe in different ways. Some do it during service, while others prefer their phones and still others like their desktops. For best results, look for a provider that offers multiple options. A few options you might need include:
- Website giving
- Mobile giving (46% of churches now offer mobile giving)
- Recurring giving (set up a recurring payment)
- Options to give to different programs (especially for upcoming events)
The last thing you want is to have to use multiple solutions. This only confuses your site’s visitors.
4. Seek Compatible Options
Depending on your website, some online giving providers might not be an option for you. Before choosing anyone, look at any limitations of the provider and your own site. For instance, if you have a responsive website, but a provider’s forms aren’t responsive, it’s not going to be a great match for your church’s site.
Some providers may require you to use a plugin, which may or may not be compatible with your current site. Make sure everyone’s happy working together before committing to a solution.
5. Remember Security
Believe it or not, there are scam providers that seek to steal money or even user identities via their tools. Even if the provider isn’t a scam, some online giving providers don’t use proper encryption and security features to keep users’ personal data safe when tithing.
Look at all security features when choosing a provider. If there aren’t any security measures listed, move on to another provider immediately!
6. Ask The Community What They Prefer
If you’re on the fence about what provider to choose, ask your members. After all, they’re going to be the ones using it the most. Get their feedback on how they’d prefer to tithe and what payment method they’d be most likely to use, such as credit cards.
The more you know about what your current member prefer, the easier it is to find a provider that meets their specific needs. While you obviously want something that appeals to non-members as well, the odds are good that whatever your church family wants is what visitors to your site would want as well.
Incorporate Online Giving
In today’s fast-paced, digital world, online giving is more than just a trend—it’s an essential tool for churches to thrive. By offering online donations, churches can meet the needs of their congregations, engage younger members, and ensure a steady flow of support throughout the year. With the help of church management software and online giving tools, the process becomes seamless and efficient, benefiting both church leaders and members. Embracing online giving not only simplifies the act of giving but also empowers churches to continue their vital work and reach even more people in their communities.
Don’t be afraid to add online giving as an option in your church. With many churches struggling with overall offerings, it pays to have as many options as possible for members and non-members to give what they can. Online giving is convenient and no one feels judged if they can’t give as much as usual.
We hope this article was helpful for you in finding the right online giving platform for you. Let us know how the process is going for you in the comments below!
Ready to add an online giving provider to your website? Contact our friendly team today to see how to get started.
More Resources on Online Giving
About The Author
Comments 4
looking for a giving system for my church we already use pay pal for other uses we have website
Author
Paypal is one direction you can look at. We wrote a post about our favorite online giving companies. There are a lot of advantages to using a church specific provider (not paypal). If we had to choose just one company, there first place we would look would be to tithe.ly
please keep in touch, I need a website done first…
Hi Aran,
I am on the REACHRIGHT team here. I shot you an email earlier. I would love to connect to discuss your website needs. Let us know if we can help you further!