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Faith Leaders 6min read

10 Religious Donation Statistics For Faith Leaders

It is no secret that stats help give a glimpse into where to focus efforts in seeking gifts. Going over prior data helps organizations adapt to changes in giving trends. Together, a better grasp of why and how people choose to give will increase conversions. So, who is giving to charity and how are they doing it? We set out to answer those questions by looking at recent giving numbers.

What Religions Donate to Charity?

The short answer is all of them. The rate and mean giving per week vary by religion. Christians lead the way in religious giving per household, followed by Sikhs and Muslims. Muslims make up a larger group of religious servants, making the gift totals larger. Continue reading to learn more about who is giving and how.

Do Churches Donate to Charity?

Yes! Many churches and religious organizations support charities. Typical gifts from churches include global mission trips, community building, and the giving of time.

Many more churches support outside charities. Samples of these include the Red Cross, Blue Shield, and global humanitarian efforts. You can always do research or simply ask to find out what charities your church or religious group supports.

Religious Donation Statistics Every Faith Leader Should Know

Women Give at a Higher Rate and Frequency Than Men

According to a recent study by the Indiana University Purdue University (IUPUI) Women’s Philanthropy Institute, women gifted almost double the rate of men. Women also donated over 58% of the total money through an online gifting service.

The study exposed that men gave higher dollar amounts per gift but that women gifted more often. It was also found that women gifted to smaller charitable organizations than men.

Online and Mobile Giving Rates Have Vastly Increased

Almost half of the gifts in 2020 were made using online or mobile gifting systems. Also, over 60% of donors said they would give to their church digitally. This trend can be explained via the ease of gifting online systems provide. Donors are more likely to give the more simple it is to give. Making it as easy as possible will increase gifting. Online and mobile gifting systems like Givelify help make it more simple for both the donor and the organization to give and track donations.

29% of Donations in 2018 Went to Religious Organizations

Churches and religious organizations maintain their spot as the top grantee of giving. Religious gifts made up almost one-third of the total donations in 2018, a trend that has persisted for decades. There are many reasons for this truth which we will explore shortly.

20% of Donors Gave to Multiple Places of Worship During the Pandemic

Not all donors gave to only one church or religious organization. One in five donors gave to more than one in 2020. This raises the chances of conversions amongst donors that already support religious giving. Religious firms can use this data to expand their reach for religious gifts.

Giving Amounts Through Givelify Grew 10% Compared to Without

20% of donors gave more than they would in person. As peoples’ day-to-day lives become busier, finding a more simple way to accept gifts becomes more vital. Online giving systems like Givelify allow people to quickly give without being put out. This convenience raises giving rates.

55% of Donors Remained Consistent or Increased Giving During the Pandemic

It was found that most people continued to give through the pandemic, per an article by Givelify’s own Wale Mafolasire. The Future of Church Giving is Online dove into the theory behind these numbers. Mafolasire surveyed Givelify’s donor data and found that the online platform helped make it more simple for people to give while at home. It also took away the need for in-person giving.

Average Giving Amounts Increased During the Pandemic from $102 to $112.50, a Nearly 10% Increase

In another article by Givelify’s Juana Véliz titled Generous Giving Prevails in the Time of COVID, it was found that 31% of people surveyed said their reason for giving was raised by the pandemic. The need for in-person giving at church lessens as technology furthers. Online giving platforms like Givelify make this within reach. Per Juana, “a recent trend that Givelify has observed is that donors are becoming more cause-driven.” Organizations using Givelify can label distinct causes for giving to make use of these findings.

79% of Donors Give to Be Obedient to Scripture

It’s no secret that Scripture calls followers to give. Religious organizations should continue to remind their members of these teachings.

Include details such as where the money will be used, who it will help, and how people’s gifts will serve their community. There exists a definite balance between lordly and select requests. Being able to spot how to best ask for help will go a long way.

90% of Millennials Say They Are Motivated to Give Through Compelling Stories

Pleasing the newest age group of givers helps boost religious gifts. Studies show the best way to do this is to include gripping stories through video. The more personal touch of being able to see someone tell their story or include a call to action leads to a higher success rate amongst younger donors.

More than 70% of Money Donated to Churches Comes from Individuals

Single donors make up a large bulk of the religious gifts received. About 17% of the money comes from foundations. About 10% of the money comes from bequests. Finally, about 5% of the money comes from corporations. Knowing this will help guide your money-seeking efforts.

Conclusion

As we’ve seen, there are certain things you can do to increase giving to your organization. Knowing who is most likely to give and how will help increase conversions. Online giving systems help make things as easy as they can be for donors. Use the stats laid out in this post to guide your fundraising efforts. Sign up for Givelify and get set up for mobile donations in under 5 minutes.

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About the Author

Giving Illustration

Luis Orozco is a contributing writer. His passions and expertise are nonprofit fundraising and development. He uses Givelify to support his local church and the social justice causes.

Luis Orozco