Personalize Your Church Giving Statements for Greater Impact

When it comes to church stewardship and finances, the annual church giving statement plays a pivotal role. Yes, it's a legal requirement. Yes, it's the paper trail of your members' generous contributions.

However, there is untapped potential for deeper personalization when it comes to giving statements. Personalizing your church giving statements can create a more profound connection with your congregation, resulting in increased engagement, a stronger sense of community, and ultimately, more robust support for your ministry.

This guide breaks down the art of creating personalized giving statements that resonate with your church members on a personal level. We'll explore the strategy behind making these critical communications as impactful as possible.

What Must Be Included On Church Giving Statements

First, let's talk about what is legally required to be included in a church-giving statement. These are non-negotiables.

At a minimum, a giving statement needs to include:

• The name of the church or organization
• The amount of the contributions
• A description (but not value) of non-cash contributions.
• A statement describing whether the organization offered any goods or services as a return for the donation, including a description and a good faith valuation of those goods or services. If the sole benefit provided is intangible religious benefits, a statement indicating so must be included.

A few additional notes:

• For any non-cash donation exceeding $5,000 in value, with a few exceptions, the donor is required to secure a qualified appraisal for the donated item.
• Should the donor receive goods or services in return for their donation, aside from intangible religious benefits, the church must issue a statement detailing the value of those goods or services.

These are the things that must be included in a church-giving statement. But don't stop with the bare minimum. Your church-giving statements can have a much bigger impact if you personalize them.

Importance of Personalizing Church Giving Statements

Why is it important to personalize church-giving statements? Several reasons:

Stronger Bond With Church Community

A personalized giving statement acknowledges a person's contribution to your church and its mission. It shows that their support is valued and appreciated. It makes them feel more connected to your community.

This can lead to increased levels of future giving from members since they feel like they're closely connected to the church community. Personalization of giving statements can also lead to more engagement and involvement in other aspects of the church, such as volunteering or attending events.

Acknowledging Personal Sacrifice

Many members give sacrificially to their church, whether it be through tithes or additional offerings. Personalization of giving statements allows you to recognize and acknowledge this sacrifice.

It shows that you understand the personal impact of their contribution. It also shows that you're grateful for their generosity. This can strengthen the relationship between your church and its members, as they feel seen and appreciated for their sacrifices.

Encouraging Future Giving

We touched on this already but it's worth expanding upon. When a member receives a personalized giving statement, they're more likely to feel appreciated and valued. This can inspire them to continue giving in the future.

Personalization shows that their contributions are making an impact and encourages them to keep supporting your church's mission. It also allows for easier tracking of giving patterns, so you can identify consistent givers and show appreciation for their dedication.

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Building Stronger Relationships

Personalization also helps build stronger relationships with individual members. For example, if a member consistently gives towards a specific cause or ministry, you can highlight that in their giving statement. This shows that you know about and highly value their specific interests and contributions.

Additionally, personalization allows for more communication and connection with members. You can use their giving statements as an opportunity to reach out and thank them personally for their contributions, or even share updates on how their donations are making a difference in your church. This personal touch can create a sense of community and deepen the bond between your church and its members.

How to Personalize Church Giving Statements

Now that you know the why of personalizing giving statements, let's talk about the how.

Use Member Names

This is a small but really important thing to do. If you don't address giving statements personally, then members will just see it as another generic communication from the church. Most church membership software allows you to easily personalize giving statements with member names.

Addressing members by name adds a personal touch to giving statements. Make sure to use the correct spelling and form of address for each member, whether it's their full name or preferred nickname. This shows that you value them as individuals and appreciate their contributions.

Include A Compelling Cover Letter

The cover letter is the first thing your members will see when they receive their giving statements. Use this as a chance to show genuine appreciation and share meaningful updates about your church's impact.

You want to go beyond simply telling church members how much they gave to the church in the past year. Rather, you want to tell a compelling story that demonstrates how a member's giving made a real impact on the church.

For example, share a specific story about how donations helped launch a new ministry or support someone in need. This will not only personalize the statement but also show the tangible results of their contributions.

Express Deep Gratitude

In the body of the giving statement, take the time to express your gratitude for each member's support. Use personal language and mention specific contributions they made throughout the year. This shows that you acknowledge and appreciate their individual efforts in supporting your church.

It's also important to thank members for more than just financial contributions. Consider mentioning how their volunteer work or participation in events also greatly contributes to the church's growth and impact. This will make members feel valued and recognized for their overall involvement.

Tailor The Statement To Individual Members

This requires more effort, but it can go a long way in making church-giving statements feel more personal. Include personalized messages that are specific to each member, such as thanking them for their consistent support or highlighting how their donations have made a difference in a particular ministry they are passionate about.

On its own, the church-giving statement is just a series of numbers and figures. You want to go beyond this to help members see what the giving statement really means. In other words, show them the impact of their generosity and how it aligns with their personal values and passions.

Include Goals For The Coming Year

In addition to expressing gratitude and showing the impact of donations, use the giving statement as an opportunity to share your vision for the future. This can be in the form of outlining specific goals or initiatives that your church plans to undertake in the coming year and how member contributions will help make them a reality.

This not only gives members a sense of where their donations are going, but it also helps them see the bigger picture and feel like they are a part of something greater. It can inspire them to continue giving generously in the future.

Sample Personalized Church Giving Statement

Here is a sample church-giving statement that you can use to inspire you when it's time to send out your own giving letters.

...

Dear [Member Name],

We are grateful for your continued support and generosity towards [Church Name]. Your contributions have made a significant impact on our ministries. For example, [Specific Ministry]  has seen [Impact Of Donations]. Additionally, [Specific Ministry] was able to [Impact of Donations].

I want to thank you specifically for giving to [Specific Ministry or Cause]. Thanks to your donations, [Specific Ministry] was able to [Impact of Donations].

Thank you for being an integral part of our church community and fulfilling the mission of spreading God's love. Thank you for your faithful giving, which had made it possible for our church to fulfill its mission of [Church Mission].

As we look ahead to the coming year, we have set some ambitious goals that align with our mission and vision for the future. These include [Specific Goals], which we believe will help us continue to reach more people and make a meaningful difference in their lives.

Your continued support is crucial in helping us achieve these goals and impact even more lives. We invite you to join us on this journey and be a part of something greater.

On the following page, you will find specific giving data that you can use for tax purposes. If you have any questions about any of the information, please contact [Contact Person] at [Contact Information].

Thank you once again for your faithful giving. May God continue to bless you abundantly.

In Christ's love,

[Your Name]

[Church Name]

...

Make The Most Of Your Church Giving Statements

Your church-giving statements serve not just as financial records but as heartfelt expressions of gratitude. They reflect the invaluable role each member plays in the life of the church and its mission.

By presenting both the tangible impacts of their generosity and the vision for the future, these statements encourage a continued partnership in faith and service.