Churches that offer online giving see 20-50% increase in total giving. But implementing it wrong leads to frustration, low adoption, and payment processing fees with no real return.
The difference is between a platform that's integrated into your church's ecosystem and one that's bolted on. This guide walks you through what matters when choosing, what to expect from fees, and how to get members actually using it.
Why Online Giving Matters
People Give More When It's Convenient
Passing an offering plate or asking someone to write a check creates friction. Online giving removes that friction. People who can give with one tap on their phone give more often and in larger amounts.
You Get Better Financial Visibility
Online giving platforms show you giving trends in real time. You can see how many people give, how often, and how much. This information helps you understand your congregation's giving patterns and plan accordingly.
Recurring Giving Stabilizes Your Budget
People who set up recurring weekly or monthly giving give 30-50% more per year than those who give sporadically. Recurring givers show deeper commitment and allow your church to forecast revenue more accurately.
It's Safer Than Cash
Digital transactions are traced and recorded. You don't have to handle large amounts of cash. You reduce theft risk. You have a complete audit trail.
Understanding Giving Platform Costs
How Platform Fees Work
Most platforms charge:
- A percentage of each transaction (1-2.5%)
- A per-transaction fee (30 cents)
- Sometimes a monthly subscription ($0-99)
Example: A $100 gift online might cost you $3.29 (2.2% + $0.99). A $100 ACH bank transfer might cost $1.00 (1% + $0).
Fees Compared to Giving Increase
If you implement online giving and your church goes from $200,000 annual giving to $250,000, you've gained $50,000 in revenue. Minus $8,000 in platform fees, you're still up $42,000. Fees pay for themselves quickly.
Hidden Costs to Watch
Some platforms charge setup fees. Some charge for customer support. Some charge for reporting or data export. Read the contract carefully and ask about all costs upfront.
Comparing Major Giving Platforms
Pushpay
Best for: Most churches. Established platform with excellent features.
Cost: 1.99% + $0.99 per transaction. No monthly fee for basic version.
Strengths: Simple interface, great mobile app, text-to-give, strong reporting.
Limitations: Can feel overwhelming for very small churches. Customer service varies.
Tithe.ly
Best for: Churches wanting all-in-one platform. Small to mid-size churches.
Cost: 2.2% + $0.80 per transaction. Optional monthly subscription for premium features ($20+).
Strengths: Clean interface, great mobile app, strong community, good documentation.
Limitations: Slightly higher fees than some competitors. Premium features cost extra.
Subsplash
Best for: Churches that want giving + church app + website in one platform.
Cost: 2.2% + $0.50 per transaction. Monthly subscription required ($99+).
Strengths: All-in-one solution. Strong app and website builder. Good support.
Limitations: Higher monthly cost. Less flexible for churches that want multiple vendors.
Donorbox
Best for: Small churches or nonprofits with limited budgets.
Cost: 1.5% + $0.30 per transaction (or 2.2% + $0.30 if you want donor data).
Strengths: Affordable. Flexible. Works on any website.
Limitations: Less robust than larger platforms. Fewer integrations.
Planning Center Online Giving
Best for: Churches already using Planning Center.
Cost: 1.5% + $0.25 per transaction. Included with Planning Center subscription.
Strengths: Integrates seamlessly with Planning Center. Lower per-transaction fee.
Limitations: Only for Planning Center users. Limited outside that ecosystem.
Implementation Strategy: Getting People to Use It
Week 1-2: Announce and Educate
Don't quietly launch online giving. Announce it prominently. Explain why it matters. Show how to access it. Make it the centerpiece of your communication for 2 weeks.
Week 3-4: Provide Access Everywhere
- Website homepage (prominent button)
- QR codes in worship bulletins
- Mention during offering time
- Email newsletter with giving link
- Social media posts
- In your church app (if you have one)
Week 5-8: Monitor and Optimize
Check your platform daily. How many people used it? Did they give successfully? Are there error messages preventing giving? Fix issues quickly.
Ongoing: Celebrate Online Givers
Occasionally share (anonymously) how online giving is working. "Our online giving system has processed $25,000 in gifts from 300 members this quarter." This makes it normal and visible.
Advanced Features Worth Considering
Text-to-Give
Members text a keyword to a number and receive a giving link. Works well as a secondary option for spontaneous givers, but don't rely on it as primary.
Recurring Giving Setup
Make it dead simple to set up weekly or monthly recurring gifts. This is where the real revenue potential is. People who give recurring give 40%+ more annually.
Tiered Giving Requests
Some platforms let you suggest giving amounts ($25, $50, $100, $250+). This helps people who don't know how much to give. It works well.
Integration With Your ChMS
If your church uses a ChMS (Church Management System), look for platforms that sync giving data automatically. Manual data entry is error-prone and time-consuming.
Common Mistakes With Online Giving
Launching it and forgetting about it. You need ongoing promotion. People forget about options they don't see regularly.
Making it hard to find. Your giving button is buried on page 3 of your website. Make it prominent on your homepage, your app, everywhere.
Only offering one payment method. Some people prefer credit card, some prefer bank transfer, some prefer mobile wallet. Support multiple options.
Not training staff. Your staff don't know how to help people who have questions. Train them on your platform.
Ignoring failed transactions. Someone tries to give, the transaction fails, and you never contact them. You lose that gift. Have alerts for failed transactions and reach out to help.
Looking for a complete giving strategy? Check out our guide on church stewardship messaging to build a healthy giving culture year-round.
Make Giving Simple
The best giving platform is the one your church members will actually use. Implementation and promotion matter as much as the platform itself. Choose something sustainable for your church size, promote it consistently, and monitor adoption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should churches offer online giving?
Online giving increases total giving by 20-50% on average. People who give online give more frequently and in larger amounts. It's convenient for members and safer than handling cash in large quantities.
Which online giving platform is best for churches?
The best platform depends on your church size and needs. Pushpay and Tithe.ly are most popular. Subsplash is good if you want all-in-one (giving + app + website). Donorbox is affordable for small churches.
What fees do online giving platforms charge?
Most platforms charge 1-2.5% of transaction plus 30 cents per transaction. ACH bank transfers typically cost 0.8-1%. Fees add up, but increased giving usually offsets platform costs 3-5x over.
Can church members set up recurring giving online?
Yes. Most platforms allow weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly recurring gifts. This increases giving stability and member engagement. Recurring givers typically give 30-50% more annually.
Should churches use text-to-give?
Text-to-give is growing but converts at lower rates than other methods. Use it as one option among many. It works well for first-time givers or as a supplementary channel, not primary.
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