How Church Contribution Software Can Streamline the Donation Process

Many church leaders grapple with the challenge of increasing giving within their congregations. They organize impassioned sermons, arrange community outreach programs, and tirelessly emphasize the virtues of generosity—only to find the offering plate returning lighter than hoped. The assumption might be that people are reluctant to give, but often the real barrier is far simpler: convenience.

Convenience is king, claims an article published by Forbes in 2021. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted our ways of life in radical ways, and like it or not, it also accelerated a trend towards digital interaction. We now live in a world where meals, rides, and even our weekly shopping are just a few taps away on a smartphone...and it’s no longer the “early adopters” or “techies” that rely on digital tools to perform simple tasks. This even extends to how we fulfill the Biblical admonishment to “[sow] generously” (2 Corinthians 9:6).

So, when it comes to giving, the traditional methods—writing checks, withdrawing cash, remembering to bring it on Sunday—feel outdated and cumbersome. They disrupt the seamless digital flow of our daily lives. That’s where church contribution software comes in as an unexpected hero. Church contribution software is designed to make generosity to the Church simple, seamless, and even fun. It’s great for donors and even better for church leaders. In the following article, we’ll talk about how church contribution software can change the game for your church...whether your monthly income is $1,000 or $100,000.

The Power of Convenience

We live in an age where ease of use is paramount. Our ancestors might have walked miles every day, but today, many balk at the idea of walking to a different room to fetch their smartphones. People want tasks to be easy and fast–and with the advent of mobile technology, that’s a fair expectation.

While the desire for instant gratification can certainly lead to an unhealthy mentality when it comes to things like growing as a follower of Christ, it also offers a significant upside for churches. While churches are responsible for helping members understand that walking toward spiritual maturity is not as simple as listening to the right sermon or even reading a chapter in the Bible every day, they would be remiss not to acknowledge that certain things should be fast and convenient–like giving. If church members are accustomed to speed and convenience, offer them speed and convenience in ways that are beneficial, not harmful.

By making it easy to make online donations through user-friendly platforms, churches not only meet expectations in healthy ways but also potentially increase giving....and in turn, funding. Simple actions like setting up recurring tithes or making offerings via a mobile app can significantly boost regular and one-time contributions. Plus, offering this kind of technology makes a powerful statement to new visitors: Your church may not be huge, for example, but you use helpful technology that makes life easier for everyone!

How Contribution Software Works

So, what is church contribution software?

The short answer is that church contribution software is a digital tool that makes it easy to give anywhere, at any time. The longer explanation is that church contribution software is designed to integrate all aspects of church financial management into one cloud-based system. This includes online giving, fund accounting, and generating giving statements. Donors can use text messages for text-to-give options, or set up automated recurring donations via credit card, debit card, or ACH transaction. Many church contribution software tools also come with customizable giving forms that allow you to tailor the experience to your church’s branding.

Ideally, the church contribution software is integrated with a ChMS tool that meets specific church needs, from child check-in for Sunday services to volunteer management for special events.

Pros and Cons of Contribution Software

Does church contribution software have any cons? Sure it does. But first, let’s look at the pros that make this tool an asset to churches large and small.

Pros

The benefits of contribution software are plentiful, including:

• Ease of Use: Simplifying the donation process for users. Donors can give with a couple of clicks from the palm of their hand.
• Streamlined Donation Processes: Efficient handling of funds from donation to deposit. Online giving is safe, secure, and accurate!
• Valuable Data Analytics: Providing insights into attendance and giving trends, enabling better decision-making for church leaders. For example, using church contribution software might show you that giving typically dips in the summertime, allowing your church to prepare for this seasonal shift ahead of time.

Cons

Church contribution software is not without its challenges. Some users, particularly those less comfortable with technology, might find transitioning to a digital-first approach daunting. However, most systems offer robust customer support and are designed with non-tech-savvy users in mind, ensuring that everyone can navigate the platforms effectively. Even non-smartphone users can use contribution software on a desktop computer or tablet.

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Caution: Side Effects of Contribution Software

Don’t say we didn’t warn you...there may be radical side effects of using church contribution software at your church. Here are a few wanted side effects:

• Big Funds: A significant increase in giving can alter budgeting and outreach strategies. All of a sudden, you may just have the funding to make that long-needed renovation or (finally) hire a children’s pastor.
• Free Time: Staff may find they have more time for pastoral care or community engagement as administrative tasks are automated. Caution: This may lead to more smiles and laughter across the office!
• New Interest in Tech: You might suddenly find your entire staff looking for more tech solutions across all church functions, from ChMS to membership management. Yep, this even includes that one staff member who still uses a flip phone.

All jokes aside, church contribution software can wonderfully alter the environment of your church staff...and most importantly, make room for God to provide generously and outrageously for your community.

Breeze: The Easy, Breezy Church Contribution Software

Church contribution software isn't just a tool for tithing; it’s a transformative platform. For churches looking to increase giving and streamline their administrative workflows, adopting a church contribution software can be a gamechanger.

Okay, so you’ve been convinced: church contribution software is a no-brainer choice for your community. But how do you choose a tool that’s right for you?

Among the plethora of options, Breeze stands out as an affordable tool that delivers on giving functionality.

With its emphasis on cloud-based accessibility and ease of use, Breeze is more than just a giving platform; it's a full-service church management system that helps churches meet their mission while catering to the digital expectations of their congregations. Breeze makes it simple to give, but also acts as an all-in-one church software solution. Breeze offers tools for storing contact information (and so much more), event management (including event registration), small group coordination, volunteer management, and communications.

Best of all, these key features will integrate smoothly with online giving–making the entire process easy, Breezy (sorry, we couldn’t help it).

To learn more about how you can use Breeze for your church, click here.