In 2024, there are so many ways for people to give to your church. Check, cash, credit card, you name it.
In this podcast, we’ll explore the top giving strategies in the modern day and rank them in order from best to worst so that you can make an informed decision when managing your tithes and offerings.
This ranking will cover a variety of different factors involved in choosing the best giving strategies. We encourage you to consider everything presented to make the most informed decision possible for you and your church.
So what’s the best church giving strategy for you? Let’s find out.
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
Table of contents
Top 10 Church Giving Strategies
Let’s get into our list of the top 5 church giving strategies. In our podcast, we’ll rank these 5 strategies from best to worst when considering all pertinent factors.
Cash/Check
Let’s start with a classic. Tithing to a church via cash or a check. This physical means of church donations has been around the longest and still takes place in most churches today. Typically in America, these offerings are collected near the beginning of service as ushers pass buckets through the aisles.
Looking at stats from Enterprise Apps Today (via ChurchTrac), we see that 40% of all church donations come from in-person cash or checks. That’s almost half your church body!
Collecting cash and checks as offerings is a tried-and-true way that still holds up today. Especially if your church has older members, having an option to give physically can open the door to lots of extra donations.
But is it the best?
Online Giving
Next up we have online giving, which is primarily done with credit cards. This option allows people to give online from anywhere and at any time. Depending on the service provider, the church may have to pay monthly fees for this or pay out a percentage from each donation they receive.
This option is great because it provides members with a digital option that is really flexible. They don’t have to wait to be at church on Sunday to give, they can give whenever and wherever they want. They can also just give straight from their bank accounts, without having to go through the hassle of withdrawing money or writing a check.
A drawback to this is the cost of the service provider. There are many amazing services that provide churches with online giving methods, but they all have some sort of cost. Setting online giving up for your church may also require someone who is techy and knows what they’re doing.
According to the same article cited above, 49% of churchgoers give with credit cards or other electronic means, which is almost 10% more than in-person giving. That means that accepting online donations is a no-brainer for every church.
Cryptocurrency
Now here’s one you might not have expected.
Did you know that 40% of American adults now own some form of cryptocurrency (according to Security.org)?
That was probably more than you were thinking. Bitcoin and other forms of crypto have skyrocketed in popularity (and value) over the past few years, and now they may be a more viable form of currency than ever.
This is a new and exciting way to receive church donations. Let’s look at the pros and cons.
Pros:
- Expand donor base (especially among younger members).
- Less fees than credit card processing.
- Enormous tax incentives for givers.
- Church can easily liquidate donations into cash to avoid risk.
Cons:
- Requires some tech-savviness to set up.
- Will only cater to a small percentage of your community.
- Has potential risks (as crypto goes up and down in value).
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies may not be as popular as other forms of giving right now, but they could open the door to even more opportunities.
Text-to-Give
Next up is Text-to-Give.
Text-to-give is a mobile donation method that allows people to give by texting a specific keyword and donation amount to a designated phone number. It’s a quick and convenient way for donors to contribute, often used by churches and nonprofits for easy, on-the-go giving.
Text-to-give is fast and convenient, making it ideal for congregants who prefer mobile transactions. It encourages spontaneous giving during services or events, as users can donate by simply texting a keyword and amount.
This method is also highly accessible, reaching tech-savvy donors and younger members who might not carry cash or checks.
Despite its ease, text-to-give has limitations. Fees may apply per transaction, reducing the total donation amount. Setup may also be complicated, especially for smaller churches, and some congregants may find it less personal or may be hesitant to use digital payment systems.
Recurring Payments
Recurring payments are automatic, scheduled donations that individuals set up to contribute regularly, often weekly or monthly. This method allows donors to plan their giving ahead of time, enabling consistent support for organizations like churches, nonprofits, or subscription services.
For churches, recurring payments create a steady revenue stream, which is especially helpful for budgeting and long-term planning. Donors benefit from convenience, as they only need to set up their gift once, reducing the need to remember to give regularly.
It can also encourage greater overall giving since people may be more inclined to give continuously with less friction.
However, recurring payments can feel impersonal to some donors who prefer to give actively. Additionally, it may be challenging for some individuals to monitor their finances with automatic payments, and they may forget to adjust or cancel donations if their financial situation changes, leading to potential issues.
Pledge Campaigns
Pledge campaigns are fundraising initiatives where individuals commit to giving a specific amount over a set period, often for special projects or annual budgets.
These campaigns provide financial predictability, helping churches plan and allocate resources effectively. They also encourage members to consider and commit to a higher level of generosity, fostering a shared sense of purpose for specific goals.
On the other hand, pledges aren’t always fully fulfilled, potentially leading to budget shortfalls. Additionally, they require ongoing communication and follow-up to keep donors engaged, which can demand extra time and resources from church leaders.
Donor Galas
Donor galas are formal fundraising events where churches or nonprofits invite supporters to enjoy a meal, entertainment, and presentations about the organization’s mission and needs. The event typically includes live or silent auctions, pledges, or donation drives.
Benefits of Donor Galas:
- Engages and thanks key donors personally
- Raises substantial funds in a single evening
- Builds community among supporters and strengthens donor relationships
Drawbacks of Donor Galas:
- High costs for venues, catering, and event planning
- Requires significant volunteer and staff time
- May exclude potential donors who can’t attend due to cost or location
Overall, while donor galas can boost donations and foster engagement, they require careful planning and resources.
DAF Giving
Donor-Advised Fund (DAF) giving allows individuals to donate to a fund held by a public charity, where assets grow tax-free until the donor recommends grants to their chosen charities, including churches.
DAFs provide donors with immediate tax deductions upon contribution and the flexibility to distribute funds over time, enabling thoughtful, long-term support for charitable causes. This method also simplifies record-keeping, as all donations are processed through the DAF.
However, churches may experience delays in receiving funds since donors control the timing. Additionally, DAFs often involve administrative fees, which can reduce the total amount available for donation.
Church App Giving
Next up is church app giving refers to the ability for congregants to make donations through a mobile application specifically designed for their church. This method allows users to give easily, often with options for one-time gifts or recurring donations.
It enhances convenience for donors, enabling them to contribute anytime and anywhere. Many apps also offer features like event registration, sermon notes, and community engagement tools, creating a centralized platform for church activities.
At the same time, reliance on technology may alienate less tech-savvy members and could lead to security concerns about online transactions.
Additionally, the initial setup and ongoing maintenance of the app can involve costs and require technical support.
Email Donation Campaigns
Finally, we have email donation campaigns.
These involve sending targeted emails to a church’s congregation or potential donors, inviting them to contribute financially. These campaigns can highlight specific needs, such as funding a project, supporting a ministry, or general giving.
They offer a direct and personal way to reach supporters, allowing for tailored messaging that can resonate with specific audiences. Email campaigns are cost-effective, enabling churches to communicate their needs without significant expenses, and they allow for easy tracking of engagement and contributions.
However, they can easily be overlooked or marked as spam, resulting in low open and response rates. Additionally, crafting compelling messages that motivate giving requires time and skill, and there’s the potential for donor fatigue if campaigns are too frequent or poorly targeted.
Online Giving for Churches
Incorporating a variety of giving strategies can greatly enhance a church’s ability to sustain and grow its mission. By offering multiple ways to give, such as traditional options like cash and checks alongside modern methods like online giving, text-to-give, and recurring payments, churches can meet their members where they are.
Each method has its own benefits and challenges, so finding the right mix that suits your congregation’s needs is essential. Ultimately, fostering a culture of generosity through these diverse giving options can help build a stronger, more engaged community that’s invested in the church’s vision and future.
We hope our ranking list helps you make a decision!
More Resources on Church Giving
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