By Gina Calvert

Free Tips and #GivingTuesday Resources for Churches

On December 1, #GivingTuesday will attract the generosity of the entire world. Though nonprofits of all types may seem to take center stage, data shows that on #GivingTuesday “religious organizations remain the most popular cause to donate to in America, receiving 38% of the funds raised.” (Source) So why not leverage #GivingTuesday for churches?

Try a Community Collaboration

Community or partner collaboration for #GivingTuesday began trending a few years ago. These types of campaigns are especially fitting for the spirit of this day of gratitude. In fact, the organization says that the trend of including non-financial donations (volunteering, non-cash gifts, etc) in #GivingTuesday totals is a contributing factor in the movement’s growth. (Source)

A community project is an ideal way to rally your members and neighbors to accomplish something local together. The easiest way to participate is to partner with a nonprofit already participating in #GivingTuesday and support their campaign.

But churches could also consider collaborating with other local churches, schools or businesses to fundraise for a specific local need that relates to underserved families or children. Some whole towns have created their own #GivingTuesday event with great success.

Checklist for a Partnered #GivingTuesday

Set a financial goal.

Remember that SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time-bound—create better results.

Get your youth group involved in planning.

#GivingTuesday is primarily an online event, though email can be successful for older demographics. Teens and young adults will be skilled at choosing a theme and memorable hashtag for your cause and encouraging givers to post #unselphies (which gained popularity after Typhoon Haiyan) on social media.

Enlist your community partners.

Partners can participate in a variety of ways:

  • Sponsoring donation
  • Promotion of the cause
  • Fundraising among their circle of influence
  • Providing volunteers
  • Matching donations. (People are 84% more likely to donate to a fund that matches their gift)

Promote your cause.

Local newspapers and radio stations are always looking for news, so be sure to share your #GivingTuesday cause and collaboration on these channels, too. Create a flyer or poster to put in store windows. The more organizations participating, the less this will look like you’re just promoting your church.

Activate your members to not only donate, but fundraise.

In the days and weeks leading up to #GivingTuesday, promote your church, community or partner nonprofit’s event to your members and ask them to help by giving and sharing details about your cause online, with a link to donate online.

Make it fun!

Consider friendly competition between groups, perhaps incentivized by a prank against the leaders from one or more of the collaborating organizations (identified and approved in advance, of course).

Show your Progress

Fundraising experts at Hubbub state that if you “add someone to a leaderboard and tell them what position they’re in, their competitive nature will take over.”

On #GivingDay itself, update donation results frequently via social media, especially as the day draws to a close. Progress bars and leaderboards provide a psychological nudge proven to prompt givers to reach to achieve the goal and encourage others to help the drive finish strong.

Make sure your online giving tool is up to the task.

Last year, #GivingTuesday donations totaled $1.9 billion, with $511 million of that being donated online. Is your online giving platform fast, secure and user-friendly? If it requires donors to go to a third-party site or set up an account, then the answer is NO. If it contains too many fields or is complicated and glitchy, it’s NOT.

Free #GivingTuesday Resources

Here are some links to free #GivingTuesday resources:

Free Giving Experience Check-up prior to #GivingTuesday


Did you know that 83% of the people who visit your website LEAVE without making a donation?

Our team will review your church’s online giving experience against 60 of the most common obstacles that get in the way of a giver’s generosity. We will then send you a detailed set of recommendations that will help you to reach your true giving potential.

Click here to Schedule your free Giving Experience Check-up now.