Set up an online giving page (if you haven’t already)
Online giving is a simple and cost effective way to enable donations from visitors and occasional givers, both for those who are joining you in-person and via a livestreamed service. Through an online giving page you can create multiple “digital fundraising buckets” (campaigns) if you would like to accept donations for other causes as well as your church over the Christmas period.
A member of your PCC could set up an account for online giving in less than half an hour with the National Church’s recommended provider, Give A Little. If your account holder registers for Parish Buying, your church will benefit from lower transaction fees of 1.95% and premium functionality such as Gift Aid declaration capture.
You can follow our step-by-step guide for setting up your account and online giving campaign here.
Share QR codes in festive resources
QR codes act as a bridge between the physical and digital world, and are an excellent way to take people to your online giving page from printed resources. Donors simply scan the image with their smartphone camera, click the link that pops up on their screen, and give through the webpage that appears.
Make it easy for people to donate during church services give by displaying a card in pews explaining how they can give. See our QR pew card templates including information on giving via standing order or via the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS).
Make sure that your contactless giving device is clearly signposted
In an increasingly cashless society, contactless giving is a key way through which visitors will donate to your church. Make sure that the device is located in an area where visitors congregate, and that a sidesperson or welcomer is nearby to thank people who use it to make a donation.
Use posters to highlight where your machine is located – along with a warm appeal to give. We have some posters for the following devices:
If you don’t yet have a contactless giving device and would like to borrow one to try, please contact our Giving Team. We still have a few devices which can be used whether or not you have WiFi.
Use the animation on ACNY
A Church Near You (ACNY) has a video generator through which you can customise an animated video encouraging people to give to your church this Christmas. Your customised video could be shared via your church website, social media, and played during services over Advent and Christmas.
Wherever you share your video, make sure to include a link to your online giving page so that people can easily make a donation if they would like to.
To create your customised video, visit ACNY’s video generator.
Write Christmas cards to your supporters
A recent study revealed that “less than a third of Anglicans say they are regularly thanked for their giving”. Why not use this Christmas to write a thank you note to your regular donors?
A good thank you card or letter will reflect what people’s giving has enabled over the last year. If you’re not sure where to start, you can use our sample thank you letter.
For more ideas on how to encourage generous giving in your parish, please contact a member of our Giving Team.
