Churches that embrace online giving see a powerful boost in overall donations. These five practical steps will help grow your parish giving – both offline and online – and keep your church financially healthy all year long.
Have you heard the news? Online giving is in!
Today, more people prefer to give digitally than ever before. In fact, nearly half of all church donations now happen online.
If your parish isn’t offering flexible giving options, you may be missing out.
Let’s explore how you can create a year-round giving strategy that meets your community where they are and helps your church thrive in every season.
Generosity is at the heart of a healthy parish as church members respond to their blessings by giving back.
If you’re looking to grow giving in your church, here are five simple strategies to get started.
When it comes to encouraging generosity, simplicity matters.
People are far more likely to give when it’s easy and intuitive, so the first step is making the process as smooth as possible.
Do this by setting up an online giving form that allows for recurring gifts. This makes tithing just a few clicks away for members who don’t carry cash or checks.
Plus, with recurring giving, supporters can set it and forget it. No need to remember to tithe each month.
If you’re exploring options, Donorbox is a great parish online giving platform, with easy-to-build customizable donation forms that are perfect for tithes, offerings, alms, special appeals, and more.
And because recurring giving is baked into Donorbox, it not only helps simplify life for your members but also brings more consistency to your church’s financial planning.
Have a look at the St. Paul’s Episcopal Church‘s Donorbox-powered donation form for inspiration. Parishioners have the option to make a once-off donation or a monthly recurring donation:
While parish giving online offers the flexibility to give anywhere, in-person giving still plays an important role in your parish.
Many people feel most moved to give during church, whether it’s after a powerful sermon, a moment of prayer, or during the offertory.
That’s why it’s important to create easy opportunities for generosity while people are physically present.
One great option is setting up a giving kiosk in your church foyer using a tool like the Donorbox Live™ Kiosk app so members can pay on the spot with cards and digital wallets.
It’s a simple way to bridge the gap between traditional and digital giving, making generosity more accessible in the moment.
For some inspiration, check out how the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church and Shrine placed their kiosk at the entrance of their building:
Bonus resource: Check out our dedicated guide to church giving kiosks for more tips.
Different generations have different giving habits, and that’s okay!
Whether someone prefers dropping cash in the plate or tapping their phone to donate, it’s important your parish offers options that resonate with each age group.
When you meet people where they are, you show that their presence and participation matter.
Smartphones have become the go-to tool for just about everything, including electronic giving.
With a parish giving app, church members can easily tithe from anywhere, anytime.
Mobile giving platforms like Donorbox make it easy to accept a wide variety of payment methods like Apple Pay, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, Stripe, and more.
This flexibility ensures that everyone, from younger digital natives to tech-savvy retirees, can give in a way that’s comfortable for them.
And don’t forget about the power of a simple text! Text-to-Give inspires generosity with just a quick message.
Supply your campaign ID and text-to-give number during announcements, and your church community can text it to receive an instant link to donate.
When parishioners understand how their giving is being used and actually see the impact, it builds trust, engagement, and a deeper sense of shared mission.
Giving comes from the heart, but clarity and communication go a long way in nurturing a generous culture.
Transparency starts with solid tracking. With tools like Donorbox, you can easily monitor donations and turn raw numbers into exportable reports and meaningful donor insights.
These features not only help you share campaign progress but also reveal patterns, like year-end giving surges, that help you plan ahead with confidence.
We get it, writing thank you messages for every donor isn’t always realistic. That’s where automation can help, especially for bigger parishes.
Many giving platforms allow you to set up automatic follow-up emails and updates, complete with personalized updates and giving receipts.
These small gestures go a long way in showing appreciation and building lasting relationships with your parishioners.
Donorbox makes this process incredibly simple with automated, customizable donation receipts. Plus, our AI fundraising assistant writes exceptional thank-you messages.
We understand many churches are working with limited budgets, and every dollar counts. That’s why choosing the right giving platform is about more than just features, but long-term value.
The right tools should not only be affordable but also help you save time and ultimately grow generosity within your parish.
As you explore different options, take time to compare features, pricing, and scalability. Here are a few smart things to look for:
Keep in mind that some platforms, like Donorbox, offer free plans to get started, making them a great option for churches that want to test the waters before investing in more advanced features.
With a little research, you can find a solution that fits your parish’s needs today and can grow with you in the future.
A healthy parish recognizes that generosity matters all year. Creating a year-round giving plan helps ensure consistent financial support while keeping your church focused on ministry throughout every season.
As you build your giving calendar, think through how and when you’ll communicate with your parish, whether that’s through email updates, bulletin inserts, your website, or social media. Regular communication keeps generosity top of mind.
You might also plan to spotlight specific ministries or needs each quarter. This gives parishioners a clear picture of how their giving is making a difference across different areas of the church.
One simple and effective way to plan ahead is by tying your fundraising campaigns to the Church calendar.
Seasons like Lent, Advent, and Christmas are natural opportunities to invite generosity as people reflect on Christ’s sacrifice and blessings.
Plus, themed campaigns during these seasons can be engaging and fun, helping your parish connect generosity with worship in meaningful ways.
A strong parish giving strategy is built on trust, simplicity, and meeting your church members where they are.
Whether it’s offering easy mobile giving options, building year-round campaigns, or making generosity feel more personal, these small steps can make a big impact on the life of your church.
If you’re looking for a complete solution to support your parish giving strategy, consider partnering with Donorbox.
From customizable online donation forms and recurring giving to text-to-give, in-person kiosk options, and transparent reporting tools, Donorbox MinistryMomentum gives you everything you need to grow generosity in a way that’s affordable, scalable, and simple.
And best of all, it’s free to get started! Sign up and explore how Donorbox can help your parish build a thriving culture of giving all year long.
With a background in professional writing, Lydia has over five years in nonprofit communications under her belt. Lydia’s passion for supporting nonprofits sparked during her college internships with global mission organizations, where she gained valuable insights into fundraising marketing strategies. These experiences have continued to fuel her dedication to empowering nonprofits through her writing.
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Lydia Wohlgemuth