For generations, giving at church often involved a familiar Sunday morning ritual: placing cash or a cheque in an offering plate or envelope as it was passed through the congregation. The desire to give hasn’t changed. But the way people give certainly has.
As fewer Canadians regularly carry cash or write cheques, churches are increasingly offering ways for members to give that reflect how they manage the rest of their finances. Pre-authorized contributions, e-Transfers, and online credit card donations can all make giving simpler and more convenient.
For churches, adapting to these changing habits isn’t simply about technology. It’s about removing barriers to generosity and helping people practise giving in ways that work for them. Some of these options – such as credit cards - come with fees, however they still may be worth exploring if they make giving easier.
Digital giving can be particularly helpful for people who want to make giving part of their regular financial routine.
An automatic bi-weekly or monthly contribution, for example, allows someone to intentionally include giving in their household budget rather than remembering to make a donation each week. It can also provide churches with a more predictable flow of contributions throughout the year, including during summer holidays and other times when Sunday attendance may be lower.
Offering several options can help accommodate different preferences. Some people may appreciate the simplicity of an e-Transfer. With Interac discontinuing recurring e-Transfers, others may prefer a pre-authorized withdrawal from their account or an online credit card donation, particularly if they like to earn cash back or rewards. If members bank at the same financial institution as their church, recurring member-to-member transfers may also be an option. And there will continue to be members who prefer the familiarity of cash or cheques.
The goal doesn’t need to be moving everyone to one method. It can simply be making generosity accessible.
Another opportunity is helping members understand that generosity doesn’t always need to come from their bank account.
For Canadians who own investments, donating publicly traded securities directly to a registered charity can be a particularly tax-efficient way to give. Generally, eligible publicly traded securities donated directly to a qualified donee can receive a zero capital-gains inclusion rate, while the donor may also receive a charitable donation receipt based on the value of the gift.
That can make donating securities worth exploring for someone who has investments that have increased significantly. This allows them to continue to give generously while avoiding costly capital-gains taxes.
Churches don't need to become tax experts to introduce this possibility. Simply letting members know that gifts of securities may be accepted, and encouraging them to speak with their financial advisors, can open the door to a different kind of generosity.
For some people, generosity is also part of thinking about the legacy they hope to leave.
Someone might choose to include their church in their will, for example. Others may incorporate charitable giving into their broader estate or financial plan through life insurance or a charitable fund. Depending on individual circumstances, thoughtful planning can allow someone to provide meaningful support to their church or another charitable organization while also considering the needs of family and other beneficiaries.
Charitable gifts made through an estate can also have tax implications, making it important to involve appropriate legal, tax, and financial professionals in the planning process.
Churches can encourage these conversations without making members feel pressured. An occasional reminder in a newsletter, a planned-giving information session, or a simple note on the church website can let people know the option exists.
Whatever the method, giving remains a personal expression of faith, gratitude, and commitment to community. Technology simply gives us more ways to put that generosity into practice.
For churches, that means there is value in periodically looking at how members are invited to give. Are the available options easy to understand? Can someone set up a recurring contribution? Is it clear how to make an e-Transfer or online donation? Do members know whom to contact if they would like to donate securities or discuss a planned gift?
Sometimes, encouraging generosity isn't about asking people to give more. It's about helping them discover a way to give that fits their circumstances, their financial plan, and the values they want their money to reflect.
Interested in exploring giving options for your church? At Kindred, we can help you consider all of your options and make the choices that are best for your church. Book an appointment, drop by a branch, or call 1-888-672-6728.