Giving to your church is an act of faith—and in today’s world, it’s also an act of convenience. With busy schedules and countless distractions, churches that make giving simple and meaningful see their support grow. Whether you’re a pastor, a church leader, or a generous member, knowing how to encourage giving can make a big difference. Here are seven simple tips to help your church increase donations—build stronger connections, inspire generosity, and keep your mission thriving. Ready to see how easy it can be? Let’s dive in.
1. Make Giving Easy and Accessible
If it’s hard to give, people won’t. It’s that simple.
Whether someone is sitting in the pew or scrolling on their phone at home, they should be able to donate in just a few steps. That means offering multiple ways to give: in-person baskets, text-to-give, QR codes, and online forms that actually work.
If your church has a website (and it should), create a dedicated “Give” page. Keep it simple—one clear message, one clear button. No distractions, no long explanations.
Online giving platforms like SquareDonations can help make this seamless. They allow one-time and recurring giving, send instant receipts, and work well on phones—which is where most people are when they decide to give.
The easier you make it, the more consistent the giving becomes.
2. Show the Impact of Every Gift
People don’t just give to budgets—they give to purpose.
When someone donates, they want to know their gift made a difference. Did it help feed families? Support a youth program? Fix the leaky roof?
The more clearly you show the impact, the more likely people are to keep giving. Use real stories, photos, or even short videos to highlight where donations go. A picture of the new community fridge or a quote from someone helped by the church can do more than a spreadsheet ever will.
Make it a habit to share updates in services, on social media, and through email. When people see how their generosity is changing lives, they’re inspired to keep going—and even to give more
3. Encourage Recurring Giving
One-time gifts are great. Regular, automatic ones? Even better.
Recurring giving helps your church plan better. It creates steady, predictable support—especially during slower months or when attendance drops.
Make it easy for people to set up monthly or weekly donations through your giving platform. Show them how simple it is and explain how even a small amount given consistently can make a big impact.
For example, someone giving $20 a month might not think it’s much. But over a year, that’s $240 —enough to fund supplies, meals, or utilities.
Recurring giving isn’t just convenient. It turns supporters into long-term partners.
4. Keep Donors Engaged Throughout the Week
Giving doesn’t only happen on Sundays. If people only hear from your church once a week, you’re missing chances to build real connection.
Stay in touch through email updates, a Facebook group, or even text messages. Share small wins, prayer requests, or behind-the-scenes moments that remind people why the church matters in their lives.
This ongoing relationship builds trust—and generous people give to what they trust.
You don’t need to be everywhere, just consistent. A short midweek message or a thoughtful post can be enough to keep hearts connected and hands open.
5. Celebrate and Thank Donors
People don’t give to be noticed—but they should still feel appreciated.
A simple thank-you goes a long way. Whether it’s a handwritten note, a quick email, or a personal thank-you during service, acknowledging generosity shows that it matters.
You don’t need to overdo it or make it awkward. Just be sincere. Celebrate milestones like “50 families gave this month” or “This week’s giving helped us support three local families.”
When people feel seen, they feel valued—and valued people keep showing up and giving.
6. Make Giving Part of Worship
Giving shouldn’t feel like a break in worship—it should feel like part of it.
When church leaders speak openly about generosity and explain why giving matters, people listen. Not with pressure, but with purpose.
You don’t need a long speech. A few sincere words about how giving supports the church’s mission, followed by a prayer or scripture, is enough.
Train your team to talk about giving in a way that’s hopeful and grounded in faith. When giving feels like worship, not obligation, people respond from the heart.
7. Be Transparent and Set Clear Goals
People give more when they know where their money is going—and why it matters.
Be upfront about your church’s financial needs. If you’re raising funds for a new roof, youth outreach, or missions work, say it clearly. Set specific goals, share progress, and celebrate when those goals are met.
Also, let your congregation know how past donations have been used. Whether in a brief Sunday update or a simple pie chart in your newsletter, transparency builds trust.
Donors aren’t just giving money—they’re investing in your mission. Show them it’s handled with care.
OUTRO:
Increasing church donations doesn’t have to be complicated. With a clear focus on connection, transparency, and ease, your church can inspire generosity all year round. And if you’re looking for a simple way to make online giving smoother and more reliable, SquareDonations is here to help. It makes setting up and managing online donations easy — so you can focus on what matters most: serving your community. Ready to take your church’s giving to the next level? Give SquareDonations a try and watch the difference generosity can make.
