Last year was record-breaking for #GivingTuesday with $380 million raised online, a 38% increase in digital giving from 2017. This year, experts predict that we’ll see a 26% increase in online gifts and raise over $502 million. Since Giving Tuesday’s inception in 2012, it’s taken time for this global day of generosity to catch on. But, the impact grows noticeably year after year.
That's why there's no better time to launch (or relaunch!) online giving for your church. Providing your congregation a better way to connect to the church ignites giving
Within seconds, people can give to your #GivingTuesday fund via text, in-app, or online. Beyond giving, they can sign up to volunteer, register and pay for upcoming events, and provide additional one-time gifts. Plus, they can do this on their smartphone.
While launching digital giving before #GivingTuesday is a smart choice, it's essential to have a plan. Below, you'll find the best practices for launching digital giving before peak giving days. Having a plan in place is essential as you kick off the season of generosity.
Customize Digital Giving to Your Church’s Brand
With digital giving platforms like easyTithe, it won’t take long to familiarize yourself with the control panel. You can easily manage your church’s brand so it is familiar to your users. Make sure you add your church’s logo, colors, and more.
If you’re relaunching digital giving, take this time to make sure everything is up to date. The more you customize the technology and keep it current, the more comfortable people will be using it to engage with the church.
Focus on One Cause for #GivingTuesday
Faith-based organizations saw the largest percentage of gifts last year for #GivingTuesday versus other sectors. While people value the work churches do every day, one reason engagement increased on this particular day is because the focus was on a single purpose. That’s why it’s vital to make your #GivingTuesday fund unique from other campaigns you run throughout the year.
One way to choose a cause that people want to get involved in is to ask your community what’s most important to them. For a little extra inspiration, these were the top 5 issues people were engaged in last year.
- Public and societal benefits
- Human services
- Education
- Health
- Environment and animals
Select a Small Group to Test the Features
If this is your first time launching digital giving, consider a soft rollout by selecting a small group of volunteers or staff to go through the process of giving digitally. Have them test the quality of the different functions like setting up a recurring gift. This gives you time to further customize your giving pages, event registrations, and other forms and ensure the best experience for new users. Plus, you'll have a group of people that are confident giving digitally and can walk others through the process.
Plan a Dedicated Launch Date
Once you’ve customized your features, picked your cause for #GivingTuesday, and finished the soft rollout, it’s time to choose an official launch date. Select a day that lets you promote digital giving in-person and online. Here’s a checklist to ensure you maximize the launch:
- Have greeters hand out pamphlets showing how to donate via text, in-app, and online
- Give a short demonstration before service and share slides with simple instructions
- Dedicate a staff member to spend time with those that aren't familiar with the technology
- Share the link to your online giving page and your unique text-to-give number in emails and on social media
- Send invitations out before #GivingTuesday with the steps to give and highlight your cause
Learn more about launching (or relaunching) online giving before #GivingTuesday with the video course How to Launch Digital Giving at your Church.
Continue Your Efforts Beyond the Launch
After the initial introduction of digital giving, continue your efforts to grow engagement. At the end of services, remind people that you’ve launched digital giving. Roughly 51% of Americans only go to church once a month, and you want to reach everyone. Also, share information often on your website and social media, so it's readily available for first-time givers.
By taking these proactive steps, you’ll see more people inspired to engage and participate in furthering your church’s vision on #GivingTuesday and beyond.
Learn More About Digital Giving Before #GivingTuesday
4 Ways to Market Your Digital Giving Campaigns
4 Ways You Should be Communicating About Digital Giving
How Changing Tax Laws Can Impact Digital Church Giving
