Don’t Let Generosity Take a Holiday: Tips to Boost Year-End Giving

The holiday season is a time of joy, reflection, and generosity, but it’s also one of the busiest times of the year. Many of your congregants may find themselves traveling, immersed in family gatherings, or simply caught up in the holiday rush. 

Last year alone, over 115 million people were on the move during the holiday season, and it’s likely that many of your congregants will be traveling this year, too. This increased mobility can disrupt regular worship attendance and, as a result, impact giving. 

For many places of worship, the end-of-year giving season is crucial for meeting annual goals. To ensure that your congregation continues to support your mission, even while on the go, it’s vital to make giving as easy and accessible as possible. 

In this blog, we’ll explore essential tips and tools to help you maximize donations during this critical time, keeping generosity at the forefront of the holiday season. 

The importance of accessible giving during the holiday season 

Shifts in worship practices 

The holiday season often brings about changes in how people worship. With many congregants traveling or attending holiday events, hybrid and virtual worship services become even more important. 

According to the 2024 Giving in Faith report, only 38% of faith-based individuals reported attending their place of worship primarily in person. This shift underscores the need for places of worship to offer flexible giving options that cater to both in-person and online worshippers, especially during the holidays when routines are often disrupted. 

Why accessibility is essential 

During the holiday season, your congregants might be attending services from various locations — at home, in transit, or on vacation. The busyness of the season, coupled with travel and family commitments, can easily distract from regular giving habits. 

Providing accessible giving options ensures that their ability to contribute remains unhindered, regardless of where they are. By accommodating their needs during this busy time, you help maintain their connection to your place of worship and ensure that their generosity continues. 

Common mistakes that lead to missed donation opportunities 

Limited diversity in giving methods 

Offering only a few ways to give, such as cash or checks, can alienate those who prefer or require digital options, particularly during the holidays when people are often on the go. With the prevalence of digital transactions today, it’s crucial to meet your congregants where they are — on their phones, tablets, and computers. 

In fact, 77% of givers stated that they utilized at least one digital means, such as a website, mobile app, or digital currency, to make donations to their places of worship in 2023, according to our latest research. 

Lack of visibility for giving options 

Even if you offer multiple giving methods, they can easily go unnoticed if they’re not prominently displayed during services and on all communication platforms. If your congregants aren’t aware of how they can give, they may unintentionally miss the opportunity to do so. 

Overlooking the needs of remote worshippers 

If your giving options are tailored only to those physically present at your place of worship, you risk missing out on contributions from those attending virtually or not attending at all due to travel. During the holiday season, it’s important to consider the needs of your entire congregation, including those who are engaging from afar. 

Tools to make giving more accessible during the year-end giving season 

Giving slides: present during service 

Incorporate slides that clearly outline how congregants can give, whether in-person or online. Show these during service announcements and at key moments during your holiday worship services to ensure that everyone is aware of their giving options. 

This is particularly important during special holiday services when attendance may be higher or include visitors who aren’t familiar with your regular giving methods. 

Giving links: share across all platforms 

During the holiday season, your digital presence becomes even more vital. Ensure your giving link is easily accessible on all digital platforms — your website, social media, email newsletters, and any online events or services. 

A consistent presence will help remind congregants to give, even when they’re busy with holiday plans. For livestreams, drop your giving link in the chat during the call to give and pin it so people can see it as they join. 

Also, include your giving link in the description or comments when you upload your holiday services to YouTube, and in your social posts, as followers may share your posts with others. 

Givelify buttons: Add them to your website and emails 

Integrate the Givelify giving button prominently on your website and in all email communications, especially during the holiday season. This provides a seamless and secure way for congregants to give at anytime, from anywhere, whether they’re home for the holidays or traveling. 

Snap-to-Give QR codes: display them physically and virtually 

Utilize QR codes that link directly to your giving platform. These can be displayed on screens during services, on printed materials like holiday bulletins or flyers, and even on your website, allowing congregants to give instantly by simply scanning the code with their phones. This quick and easy method is perfect for busy congregants who want to contribute but may not have the time for more traditional giving methods. 

Instructional flyers: provide clear instructions 

Distribute instructional flyers with clear, step-by-step instructions on how to give using Givelify. Place these flyers throughout your place of worship, include them in your holiday outreach mailings, and make them available for download online. 

These flyers are especially valuable during the holiday season, ensuring that even those less familiar with digital giving can easily contribute. They’re also valuable for new visitors attending services with family members, making it simple for them to participate in giving during the holidays. 

Tips for engaging online worshippers during the holiday season 

Make virtual worshippers feel a part of the service 

The holidays are a time when many people seek connection, even if they can’t be physically present. Most places of worship aren’t engaging their online audience effectively. 

Acknowledge and interact with those participating virtually. During livestreams, have your faith leader welcome virtual worshippers with greetings like, “If you see us in the chat, say hello” or “Tell us where you’re watching from today.” 

You can set up your live stream so that the faith leader can monitor comments on their phone or tablet, or have someone in the ministry respond to the chat. This personal touch can make online worshippers feel included in the holiday celebrations, even when they can’t be there in person. 

Make appeals to give during livestreams 

Include lower thirds on broadcasts to effectively communicate with your online audience. Those watching may not stay until the end of the broadcast, so these visual cues give you more control. 

Be sure to include a call to action and list the methods for giving, such as “Give now” or “Ways to give.” If you use Givelify, include the Givelify logo, a QR code, and a specific call to action, like “Give now to support holiday outreach” or “Help us spread holiday cheer.” 

Communicate virtually 

During the holidays, it’s essential to ensure that all your communication is as inclusive as possible. If you include something in your physical bulletins, be sure to include it in your online one too. You might have a QR code in the physical bulletin, but make sure you have a QR code and link for the online version as well, so congregants can easily give while looking at their phones. Consider offering a digital subscription to your bulletin or newsletter to keep your congregants informed, no matter where they are during the holiday season. 

Make giving effortless this holiday season 

By prioritizing accessible giving, you’re not only making it easier for your congregation to contribute but also ensuring that your place of worship receives the support it needs during this critical end-of-year giving season. 

Don’t let the busyness of the holiday season impact your donations. Implement these strategies today to maximize your congregation’s generosity, no matter where they are, and keep the spirit of giving alive throughout the holidays.