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Last year, faith-based organizations saw the largest uptick in generosity on #GivingTuesday with an 18.1% increase in online donations. And in December, roughly 30% of annual giving happened. Statistics like this matter because they help churches identify giving patterns and better understand how (and when) people prefer to give. That’s why we’ve compiled a list of essential year-end giving stats that every church should know. We’ve also included a few ways to incorporate this information into your campaign and ensure a fruitful giving season.
1. The last 3 days of the year make up 10% of all giving
While 30% of annual giving occurs in December, the last three days of the year dominate. The reasons donations swell during the last three days of the year vary. Being inspired by the season of generosity, procrastination, tax incentives, and budget clarity after the holidays are just to name a few.
A good rule of thumb is to reach out to people beyond Christmas. Remind them how to give online and highlight the funds your church is supporting. Also, let donors know that you’re more than happy to provide them with a tax receipt.
2. The average online donation amount is $128
Online donors are just as generous as those that write checks or give cash. That’s why it’s vital your church have multiple online giving options. While the average amount is $128 for online giving, 41% of those receiving donations got at least one online gift of $1000 or more.
Provide givers with a clear purpose behind online giving and update them on the progress. Some people may choose the amount to donate based on where the needle currently is on your goals.
3. Over $400 million was raised online last year for #GivingTuesday
Since its beginning in 2012, #GivingTuesday (the global day of giving) has expanded in popularity and donations. Last year, people gave 3.6 million online, and that number is expected to grow in 2020.
Only 1 in 4 people donated offline, so make sure you have options available like text, mobile, and online giving. Keep in mind, people are 7x more likely to give through a branded donation website page!
4. Volunteers are 2x more likely to donate than other givers
While your giving campaign may focus solely on donors, you might want to incorporate ways to reach out to volunteers as well. Volunteers are 2 times more likely to donate versus non-volunteers, and it’s a great way to expose community members to your ministry.
5. Mobile giving donations have increased 15% since 2014
Mobile giving isn’t going away. If anything, it’s only getting more popular! If you don’t accept mobile donations, now is the ideal time to integrate them into your generosity strategy. If you do have mobile giving available for donors—that’s fantastic! Just make sure you’re using them to their fullest potential.
At easyTithe, we encourage you to schedule a one-on-one session with a Success Coach. Success Coaches are unique from support because they’re here to help you grow generosity and provide training on specific features and functionality (like in-app mobile giving!).
6. Churches with a year-end giving plan are twice as likely to reach their goals
Benjamin Franklin once said, “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail.” While not all year-end giving efforts fail without a plan, you are twice as likely to reach (or exceed) your goals when you create a strategy.
For inspiration, check out our free crash course How to Turn Year-End Gifts into Year-Round Gifts. Not only does this course dig into ways to increase recurring giving, but it teaches how to inspire consistent generosity throughout 2020.
Want to learn more about how easyTithe can help you ignite the giving spirit at your church? Reach out at your convenience by calling 1-888-778-4843 or emailing sales@easytithe.com.
