For generations, churches were among the top recipients of charitable giving. Sunday offerings, mission pledges, and fundraising events formed the backbone of community life. Yet in recent years, churches have seen a declining share of total giving compared to other nonprofits. This trend raises important questions: why is this happening, and how can churches respond in ways that build stronger, sustainable fundraising?

The good news is that with the right strategies, and tools like Giveable, churches can reverse the decline and create new pathways to generosity.

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Why the Decline is Happening

Studies from Giving USA and the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy have documented how giving to religious organizations has dropped as a percentage of overall charitable contributions. While total giving in the U.S. has increased over time, the slice directed to churches has gotten smaller.

Several factors explain this shift:

1. Generational change: Younger donors are often less connected to religious institutions and more motivated by specific causes such as poverty relief or climate action.
2. Competition from nonprofits: With so many organizations telling compelling stories, donors have more choices than ever before.
3. Changing attendance patterns: As weekly church attendance declines in many regions, so does traditional in-person giving.
4. Economic pressures: Inflation and rising costs mean households are more selective about where their money goes.

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Why This Matters for Churches

A declining share of total giving does not necessarily mean people are less generous. It means churches must rethink how they fundraise. Instead of relying only on Sunday offerings, churches can develop diverse strategies that reach donors where they are and engage them in deeper ways.

This includes:

• Building strong recurring giving systems.
• Offering digital giving options for remote and younger members.
• Launching fundraising campaigns tied to specific missions or community needs.
• Creating transparency that builds trust and donor retention.

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How Giveable Helps Churches Address the Decline

Adapting to the modern giving landscape requires more than a collection plate. This is where Giveable plays a vital role. It is a platform designed not just for receiving donations but for empowering churches to build smarter fundraising strategies.

Key Benefits of Giveable

• Recurring Giving Features: Helps stabilize income by encouraging consistent contributions.
• Mobile and Online Accessibility: Reaches donors anytime and anywhere, aligning with modern habits.
• Campaign Tools: Allows churches to create dedicated fundraising efforts for missions, building projects, or community outreach.
• Transparent Reporting: Builds trust by showing how funds are used and what impact they have.
• Donor Engagement: Keeps members connected to the mission, not just the act of giving.

By combining these features, Giveable equips churches to counteract the declining share of giving and foster sustainable generosity.

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Examples of Churches Responding to the Decline

1. A mid-sized church in the Midwest noticed giving was plateauing. They launched a recurring giving initiative through Giveable and saw monthly support rise steadily, creating reliable income for outreach programs.
2. A multicultural urban church used Giveable’s campaign tools to highlight community projects like food banks and tutoring. By tying giving to tangible outcomes, they engaged younger donors who wanted to see direct impact.
3. A historic congregation introduced mobile giving for the first time. Older members appreciated the convenience, while younger members found it aligned with their everyday digital habits. The result was a measurable increase in total fundraising within a year.

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Turning Decline into Opportunity

The reality of declining share of total giving does not need to be discouraging. It can be an invitation for churches to evolve. By understanding donor motivations, embracing technology, and focusing on impact-driven campaigns, churches can not only recover but thrive.

Giveable provides the bridge between faith traditions and modern fundraising tools, helping churches remain financially strong while continuing their mission to serve.

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A Few More Valuable Insights

The declining share of total giving is a challenge, but it is not the end of the story for churches. With strategies that honor both tradition and innovation, and with tools like Giveable, churches can inspire generosity, build trust, and create sustainable fundraising for the future.

Take the next step and empower your church fundraising with Giveable today.