Digital giving covers two key areas:
- online gifts made over the internet, either on a computer via the web browser or on a smartphone via a QR code
- contactless giving using a credit or debit card on a device in your church.
You can get started by watching our webinar below.
Digital giving can supplement giving through other routes and help reach those beyond your congregation.
However, the main priority for your church should be maximising planned giving which is the main source of funding for day-to-day ministry. Those giving cash each Sunday should be encouraged to move directly to planned giving rather than switching to giving via contactless card readers.
Below are some mechanisms that will help to make giving easier for your donors. These include contactless giving, QR Codes, and online giving.
Online donations
Online donations are gifts given over the internet, either on a computer via the web browser or on a smartphone via a QR code.
An online donation page can help you to reach people who aren't physically in your church building and who only come into contact with you through your website, A Church Near You, on Facebook or through Zoom services.
All of these people might want to support your ministry but, if they can't do that online, they won't be able to donate.
QR codes
QR codes are black and white patterns that can be scanned with the camera of a smartphone. Each code is unique and directs your phone to a specific webpage.
QR codes are great for reaching non-regular givers and worshippers because they can be easily printed and put on things like newsletters, pew sheets, noticeboards, community information boards and so on. This means they can reach a very wide audience without you having to be in front of the donor with a card machine.
This short video explains more.
You can set up a QR code for your church with our recommended provider, Give A Little. Watch this video to see how easy it is.
Contactless giving
A contactless card reader is a small terminal that enables donations to be made to your church via debit or credit card, or by using Apple / Android pay on a smartphone or watch, up to a value of £100.
With fewer people carrying cash it is becoming essential for a Church to be able to offer a contactless option so that it doesn't miss out on anyone's generous gift.
These machines can be useful in many different ways - from enabling collections at special services and festivals, to taking payment for sales at church cafés and other social events - but different readers do different things, so you'll need to make sure you pick the right one for your Church.
This will depend on how much you want to spend and how you plan to use the reader. You should normally be able quickly to recoup the costs involved from the extra donations you receive. For help with the different options and to place orders see the Parish Buying website.
Got questions?
Email David Senior, Mission Enabler for Stewardship and Evangelism.