3 Common Obstacles to Increasing End-of-Year Church Giving (And How to Overcome Them)

Even when people want to give, small barriers can stand in the way of end-of-year church giving. These hidden roadblocks can cause last-minute gifts to be delayed — or lost altogether. But with a few simple fixes, you can make giving to your church seamless, meaningful, and stress-free this holiday season. 

The story every pastor knows 

Picture this: It’s the Sunday before Christmas. Your church is full, the music is joyful, and the message has everyone reflecting on gratitude. After service, a longtime member stops you in the hallway and says, “Pastor, I meant to give my Christmas offering, but I forgot my checkbook. I’ll do it later.” 

You smile and thank them, but you know how it usually goes. “Later” turns into “after the holidays,” and by January, their good intention is replaced by a new routine. 

It’s not because people don’t care or don’t want to give. Most of the time, it’s because small, hidden obstacles make it hard to follow through. Maybe they forgot, got distracted, or couldn’t remember if they had already given the week prior.

These small moments — multiplied across dozens of members — can quietly chip away at your end-of-year church giving goals. 

The good news? With just a few easy updates, you can remove these barriers and help more generosity flow into your ministry before the end of the year. 

Obstacle 1: People don’t know where or how to give 

Even your most faithful members can get lost if the path to giving isn’t clear or feels complicated. During the holidays, when attention spans are short and inboxes are overflowing, even the smallest point of friction can lead to a missed gift. 

Think about the many ways people connect with your church during this season: Some attend in person, others watch online, and some may only see a single social media post about your Christmas service. If your giving instructions aren’t obvious or the process feels uncertain, donors might hesitate or forget altogether. 

The fix: Make giving visible, simple, and secure 

Before the giving rush begins, take a few minutes to review how your congregation might find your place of worship and make a gift.

• Test your giving flow as if you were a first-time donor. Is it clear how they can give? Does it take too many steps? Are you confident your gift was submitted? Does it feel safe and secure to give?

• Add your Givleify Snap-to-Give code to bulletins, slides, and church signage so anyone can give instantly by scanning a QR code with their phone.

• Include your giving link in every digital communication, such as email updates, livestream descriptions, and social posts. 

• For livestreamed services, add lower-third banners with your church name and giving link so online viewers can give easily. 

Every time you make giving easier to find, faster to complete, and more transparent, you remove uncertainty and invite generosity. A seamless experience tells your members, “Your gift matters, and it’s safe with us.” 

Obstacle 2: People don’t know who you are or what you stand for 

In a season filled with donation appeals — from national nonprofits to local toy drives — it’s easy for church giving to blend into the noise. People want to give to causes that feel personal and purposeful. If your church’s identity and mission aren’t clear, even the most generous hearts may scroll past. 

The fix: Make your mission unmistakable 

When new visitors or online viewers come across your church’s website or giving profile, they should immediately understand your heart for ministry. Your digital presence is an extension of your church’s welcome. It should feel warm, trustworthy, and mission-driven. 

• Add a profile photo to your Givelify page. Faces and familiar visuals build connections and help people recognize your church right away. 

• Write a short mission statement that captures your “why.” Share how each gift makes a difference — whether it supports local outreach, community care, or global missions. 

• Update your contact information so givers feel confident they’re donating to the right organization. 

Sharing your “why” isn’t about marketing — it’s about ministry. When people understand the purpose behind your work, their giving becomes an act of shared faith, not just a transaction. 

Obstacle 3: People forget or get distracted during the holidays 

The holiday season is a time of joy, but also chaos. Between family events, travel, and year-end deadlines, even the most consistent givers can lose track of their regular giving rhythms. Some assume they’ll give later; others simply forget amidst the busyness. 

The fix: Keep generosity top of mind 

You can help members stay connected to giving through gentle, consistent reminders and convenient options. 

• Share your giving link in every holiday update — whether you’re sending a Christmas service invite or a New Year’s reflection. 

• Encourage members to plan their holiday gifts early so they can stay connected to generosity throughout the season.

• Send friendly year-end reminders. In the final weeks of December, share a message about the impact their gifts have made and invite them to finish the year strong. 

The goal isn’t to pressure people — it’s to make it easy for them to live out their faith through generosity, even when life gets busy.

Removing barriers helps end-of-year church giving flow 

When you clear away confusion and distraction, you create space for people to give with joy. A few small changes can make all the difference — not just for your church’s finances, but for deepening your members’ faith through giving.

Remember: The end-of-year church giving season isn’t just about reaching a goal. It’s about helping your congregation experience the blessing of generosity. By making giving effortless and meaningful, you invite them to take part in something bigger than a donation. You invite them to share in faith, purpose, and community.

This holiday season, take a moment to remove these barriers so that generosity can flow freely. The tools are simple, the setup is quick, and the impact can carry your ministry into the new year with renewed strength.

Your checklist for end-of-year church giving prep

Before the holidays get into full swing, take 15 minutes to make sure your giving experience is ready to go. Here’s a simple checklist to help your church remove roadblocks and inspire more generosity this season. 

Make giving easy to find and complete: 

• Add your Snap-to-Give code to bulletins, slides, and social posts 

• Include your giving link everywhere — emails, website, livestreams, and text messages 

• Add lower-third banners during services for online viewers 

• Test your giving flow to make sure it’s fast, clear, and confirms completion 

Strengthen trust and connection: 

• Add a current profile photo and ensure your church name and address are accurate 

• Write a short mission statement for your Givelify profile that explains your ministry’s impact 

• Gather stories or examples you can share of how giving has changed lives in your congregation or community 

Keep generosity top of mind: 

• Send gentle reminders leading up to Christmas and New Year’s Eve 

• Encourage members to plan for holiday gifts early if they’ll be traveling

• Share your giving link on social media during key holiday moments 

Celebrate and thank your givers: 

• Send a heartfelt thank-you message or post after the holidays 

• Let donors know how their gifts made a difference this year 

• Start the new year with gratitude and a fresh invitation to give again 

When you take these small steps now, you remove friction, inspire confidence, and make generosity feel joyful.