Online Church Giving Trends & Data
How digital giving is transforming church finances, including mobile giving growth, text-to-give adoption, and data on which platforms and methods drive the most generosity.
Overview
Online giving has moved from a convenience feature to a financial lifeline for churches. The shift to digital donations, dramatically accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, has fundamentally changed how churches receive and manage contributions.
Two-thirds of congregations (67%) now use online giving, according to the Hartford Institute for Religion Research's 2023 EPIC report, more than double the 31% that did so in 2015.
The online giving landscape continues to evolve rapidly. Text-to-give, giving apps, QR codes, and even cryptocurrency donations are emerging alongside traditional web-based giving forms. Understanding which technologies are gaining traction and what drives digital generosity helps church leaders make informed decisions about their giving infrastructure.
Key Statistics
3 data points from published research
Congregations that use online giving a lot report per-capita annual giving of $2,428, compared with $1,809 in congregations without online giving, almost a 30% difference
Source: Hartford Institute for Religion Research, EPIC project, "Back to Normal? The Mixed Messages of Congregational Recovery Coming Out of the Pandemic" (2023)
This is a correlation rather than proof that online giving causes higher giving, but it is consistent with earlier Faith Communities Today findings that per-capita giving rose the more a church emphasized online and electronic giving.
The share of congregations that use online giving a lot rose from 8% in 2015 to 48% in 2023
Source: Hartford Institute for Religion Research, EPIC project, "Back to Normal?" (2023)
Churches are not just adding online giving; they are relying on it more heavily, which makes the reliability and ease of the giving experience more important.
Tithely reports that over 70% of all giving in its 2023 State of Giving analysis was done Monday through Saturday
Source: Tithely, "2023 State of Giving Survey" (2023)
Tithely analyzed giving to more than 37,000 churches and surveyed more than 6,000 churches, most of them Tithely customers. The finding suggests that when giving is available digitally, much of it happens outside the Sunday service.
Key Trends
Major trends shaping this area of church life
Integrated Giving Experiences
Leading churches are moving beyond standalone giving pages toward integrated experiences where giving is embedded in the church app, accessible from the sermon page, linked in email communications, and available via QR codes in the worship center. The goal is to make giving feel like a natural part of the worship and engagement experience rather than a separate transaction.
Implication for Church Leaders
Churches should look for giving solutions that integrate with their broader church management platform rather than operating as a separate, siloed tool.
Generosity as Discipleship
There is growing recognition that giving technology is not just a financial tool but a discipleship pathway. Some platforms now include features like giving goal-setting, progress tracking, generosity challenges, and educational content about stewardship. This shifts the conversation from 'we need your money' to 'giving is part of your spiritual growth journey.'
Implication for Church Leaders
Consider how your giving platform can support spiritual formation around generosity, not just process transactions.
Real-Time Giving Analytics
Church finance teams increasingly expect real-time dashboards showing giving trends, donor retention rates, campaign progress, and comparative analytics. The days of waiting for monthly financial reports are fading as churches adopt the same data-driven approaches used by nonprofit organizations and businesses.
Implication for Church Leaders
Invest in a giving platform that provides robust reporting and analytics, enabling proactive stewardship rather than reactive financial management.
Analysis & Commentary
The online giving revolution in churches is well underway. Faith Communities Today data shows that congregations that use online giving heavily report higher per-capita giving than those that don't use it at all, which suggests digital giving is more than a convenience.
However, technology alone is not the answer. The most successful digital giving strategies combine easy-to-use platforms with intentional stewardship communication, regular giving challenges, and transparent reporting. Technology removes friction, but inspiration and trust drive generosity.
Churches also should not put all their eggs in one basket. While mobile giving is growing rapidly, offering multiple channels — web, mobile, text, kiosk, and even traditional methods — maximizes the total giving base. Different donors prefer different channels, and the most generous churches meet people where they are rather than forcing a single method.
Action Items for Church Leaders
Practical steps based on the data
Audit your giving process from a first-time donor's perspective — how many steps does it take to complete a gift? Aim for three or fewer.
Enable the 'cover processing fees' option if your platform supports it, so donors who want to can absorb the cost of their gift.
Set up automated giving receipts that go out within 24 hours of each transaction.
Create QR code giving links for use in worship services, printed materials, and social media.
Review your giving page on mobile devices to ensure the experience is smooth and fast.
Implement recurring giving prominently and make it the default or most prominent option.
How MosesTab Helps
MosesTab's giving platform is built for modern churches, with mobile-optimized giving pages, multiple payment methods, recurring giving, custom giving categories, and real-time analytics. Processing is handled through Stripe, and each church gets its own branded giving experience that integrates seamlessly with member management and communication tools.
Data Disclaimer
Statistics are compiled from published research and may not reflect current data. Sources are cited for reference. Always verify with the original research for the most current figures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about online church giving trends & data
Fees depend on the platform and the payment method, so compare each provider's published pricing. Card transactions usually cost more than ACH (bank transfer) transactions, and many platforms let donors choose to cover the processing fee on their gift.