7 Myths and Tips For Church Success with Online Giving
Cloud software company Blackbaud reported that online giving grew 21 percent last year, even though the pandemic was hitting the world hard.
The report said nonprofit organizations saw positive growth in online giving in 2020: big churches reported an average increase of 15.0 percent, while midsize nonprofits had an average increase of 24.9 percent. Smaller churches and nonprofits also saw growth at an average increase of 22.3 percent.
Online giving in churches is a hot topic, and there are many misconceptions surrounding the best strategy for setting up an online giving platform. To help you address these misconceptions, we’ve compiled a list of 7 common myths about online giving and provided evidence to dispel those myths.
Do you recognize any of these seven myths? If so, contact us at DonorWerx to make the most of your giving strategy.
1. Younger Church Members (Youth and Millennials) are Not Likely to Give
This is one we hear a lot. But looking at social media fundraisers, crowd-funding, and the way Millennials have been using Facebook Donate pages means their mindset is changing. Granted, what they can afford to give may not be as large as your other sponsors’ donations, but don’t let this discourage you from asking them to give.
2. People Don’t Feel Comfortable Giving Online
This has also changed with the growth of online transactions and trusted digital banks. Nowadays, folks are quite accustomed to paying their bills online, shopping online, anything and everything with a swipe of their cellphones. Donating online is also seeing huge growth during the pandemic when people are forced to do everything from the security and safety of their homes.
3. Church Apps are Not Trusted Methods of Donating
Some folks believe that people would rather donate through your website page or an online portal, not a separate church app. Again, we believe that this depends on the donor. Those who are used to operating via apps may have no qualms about giving their tithes this way. Others may choose more traditional forms of giving. And still, others would rather hand you their donation in person. You could also take polls and surveys to find out what your congregation prefers. You may be surprised at the number of folks who choose apps because of their ease and convenience.
4. It Takes Too Long to Get Donors Used to Online Giving
This is all about perspective. The more time and effort you focus on any task, and the better your strategy, the more likely you will see results. If you are doing all you can to move forward with new ways of giving and better options for your donors, you make it easier for everyone to participate. For examples of the resources we have to help you Get started in the online giving journey, check out this page.
5. Online Giving Is Only For Young People
Here is another old stereotype that, sadly, many churches fall for. While it is true that the younger donors might be more eager to embrace digital giving options, that does not cancel out everyone else who has the desire to support your ministry. You could make it a team effort and focus on training your outreach and fundraising teams to prioritize online giving campaigns. Once some catch on, start doing it and see how easy and safe it is. It is likely that others will follow—no matter their age.
6. Our Church Can’t Handle the Tasks of Online Giving
It’s possible that you feel like your small team can’t handle the big missions you already have at hand. Maybe there is too much on your leaders’ plates. Perhaps you feel that you don’t yet have the technology needed to succeed. Always look for partners who have a good history of working with churches so that they are aware of your needs, as well as strengths and weaknesses. No doubt you have seen other churches who are thriving with donations, even during a crisis. See how they are leveling up with their websites, online platforms, and digital tools.
7. We Don’t Want to Be Seen as a Corporation Only Concerned with Money
To do God’s work, you need the funding. Donors who know you and your cause will always understand this. Having a greater online presence does not mean you have to compromise values. In fact, you will find that streamlining these processes will make it easier for you to do your best work. As spiritual leaders, you focus on strengthening the congregation, inspiring them to do better in their everyday lives. You can hire or partner with the right teams who will do the best job at handling the accounting or digital tools with you.
How DonorWerx Can Help
The good news is that you don’t have to go on this journey alone. We at DonorWerx have committed to guiding churches who may be just starting out with online giving, helping them find the most efficient strategies and tools.
Call us today for a free consultation, and begin to see a difference in the donations and success of your church.
