Online giving can increase donations from people who do not normally give; from those who donate by cash; or from occasional and new givers. It can also raise funds outside services when churches are closed. As more of our churches grow their online presence, being able to accept donations online opens them up to a whole new community of people who want to support their local church. It has never been more crucial.
'We saw an uptake in giving overall just from going digital, despite the church being closed.'
Greg, Treasurer at St Anselm, Kennington Cross
Recommended platforms are safe and secure to use, some can claim Gift Aid on your behalf, and you can usually embed a donate button or QR code on your website. Fundraising pages are a key way to raise money and enable giving during fundraising events.
Choosing a provider
The PCC should consider:
- costs: set-up, transaction, and monthly fees vary
- benefits: can include Gift Aid reporting and automated ‘thank you’ messages.
Parish Buying has negotiated a very good offer with Give A Little (in partnership with SumUp), offering you the lower transaction rate we have seen (1.95%) and free premium membership until at least the end of 2026. To set up an online giving page with Give A Little, follow our step-by-step guide.
There is a comprehensive list of providers with with Parish Buying’s special rates, and many church management apps also provide online giving options, although these can be expensive.
'It really has been a game-changer for us… the amount of work we have to do has been vastly reduced.'
Alistair, Treasurer at All Saints, Kingston
Setting up an online giving page
Different providers have slightly different requirements for signing up so please check with the provider you select. We suggest having the following to hand:
- your Registered Charity Number, your HMRC Gift Aid Reference (if you are an excepted charity) or proof of charitable status certificate from ACNY
- your bank details and some recent bank statements
- details of your Churchwardens and Treasurer.
Setting up your online giving account through Parish Buying is free and easy. Follow our guide for step-by-step instructions. Please email Gabby Parikh for a link to ensure that you are getting a discounted account and transaction fees.
Ensure your PCC Treasurer and Gift Aid Secretary are aware of how and when online donations will reach your church bank account, and how Gift Aid will be claimed on them. This Good Governance Guide provides a common sense approach to issues arising from online giving.
What makes a good giving page?
Your website is your digital front door! For 81% of churchgoers, it’s the first stop before deciding to visit in person. It’s where people explore your ministries, check out events, and often decide whether to give. A well-designed giving page doesn’t just invite generosity, it makes it easy, meaningful, and accessible.
By following the steps below, you can maximise your giving page to enhance your online donations:
- Make giving easy to find on your website. Whether this is through a giving button or a designated Giving page/tab, when giving options are clear and accessible, donors are more likely to contribute.
- Emphasise the impact that their donation will have. You can achieve this by adding a short heartfelt paragraph at the top explaining why their giving matters
- Keep your website updated. This lets donors know that they are not donating to projects or campaigns that are no longer running
- Provide various ways to give. Add a section outlining all available giving methods (online links, QR codes, standing orders, Parish Giving Scheme, cash/contactless options). Having various options means that no one is excluded from the opportunity to give.
- Personalise your page. Add photos of your church, community events, or ministry in action. These images reinforce your message, and help visitors feel part of your community
Sharing your online giving page
Once you have set up your online giving page, make sure spread the word, sharing the link widely. Here are some different ways you can share your message.
QR codes
QR codes are a free and easy way to point people to your online giving page, both in and out of the church building. Whether it’s on notice boards, posters, pew cards or flyers, QR codes are a clear way to show someone how to give. Explore out resources and read more about using QR codes to enable generous giving on the blog.
Where can I find my QR code?:
For Give A Little Campaigns:
To download a QR code, please first create a Web campaign in your Give A Little admin account. Once you have published your Web campaign, there is a share function available beside the campaign name. Click this and you will see the option to download your QR code.
For Non Give A Little Fundraising:
If you use an alternative fundraising site please see this link for how to create your own QR code
For SumUp QR codes :
For SumUp please follow this article on creating your QR code. For advice on sharing your QR codes with others please follow this article
Using 'A Church Near You'
You can create a dedicated donations page on your ACNY profile and access a customisable video which explains why giving to your church matters. Watch this video for help with using your ACNY page to encourage online giving.
You can also download a proof of charitable status certificate from ACNY. This is useful for any excepted churches which do not have a Charity Number. A video showing how to do this can be found here.
Easyfundraising – free funding for your church
During 2025, churches and religious groups using easyfundraising benefitted from over £300,000 in completely free funding. Not through events, or grant applications, in fact with no additional effort at all.
We want you to get your share in 2026
If your church was part of the success in 2025, a huge well done – we know this will make a difference to your church. If not, you simply need to register with easyfundraising using the link below – it takes a matter of minutes and is safe and secure. https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/southwark-anglican
Once registered you can:
- Raise free donations when your congregation shop online with 8,000 retailers – at no additional cost. The likes of Argos, eBay, John Lewis, Eden, M&S and Tesco will give to your church (and many more well-known retailers too)
- Raise free donations when your congregation shop in person at selected stores
- Access resources to help you encourage your church community to shop in support and raise as much as possible throughout the year
This is a year-round source of unlimited free funding for your church, so don’t miss out.
