7 Reasons To Use A Church Giving Kiosk In Your Community

What is a Church Donation Kiosk?

A Church Donation Kiosk is an electronic device or terminal that enables congregants and visitors to make financial donations to a church using a touchscreen interface. These kiosks are designed to be user-friendly, secure, and accessible, allowing individuals to contribute through various payment methods such as credit/debit cards, and sometimes even contactless payments. 

Donation kiosks often feature customizable screens where donors can select specific church funds or projects they wish to support, enter their donation amount, and complete the transaction in a few simple steps. They provide a convenient and modern alternative to traditional cash or check donations, facilitating increased giving by making it easier and more engaging for people to donate before, after, or during church services and events.

Why use kiosks? One of the easiest ways to increase giving in your church is to provide more ways for people to  give .

From collecting an offering during your service to providing mobile and online giving options, there are several ways your church can encourage people to give. However, one option that many churches overlook is the church giving Kiosk.

Now, let us be clear ... we're NOT encouraging you buy an expensive piece of hardware that looks like an ATM sitting in your lobby. We're simply suggesting for you to grab a few inexpensive tablets (e.g., iPads) and put them on simple stands. You can lower your costs by using tablets, which will also allow you to be mobile with your devices.

In this article, we’d like to share with you seven reasons why your church needs a (mobile) giving Kiosk.

#1. People don’t carry cash or checks

Many churches report an increase in giving when they use a giving Kiosk for churches.

Why? Simple ...

Many people don’t carry cash or checks with them. In fact, answer this question... do you have any cash in your pocket right now? Do you know where your checkbook  is? Many of you reading this likely don't have any cash on hand and haven't seen the check book in weeks!

But, chances are you have your credit and/or debit card in your pocket right now! Am I right? When it comes to giving, many people will be more inclined to give if they can just swipe their card.

#2. Tablets are inexpensive and mobile

Your church doesn’t have to invest thousands of dollars to install a stand-alone church giving Kiosk that looks like an ATM sitting in your lobby. With Tithe.ly, you can turn any tablet with a browser and WiFi into a full-fledged online giving Kiosk.

Whether your church worships in a building you own or rented space, all you need to do is load the giving kiosk form onto the tablet of your choice.

#3. Giving Kiosks provide another opportunity to give

Church giving Kiosks provide members  with an additional opportunity to give. Whether it’s before or after your worship service, Kiosks provide an easy way for people to donate and help while they're  in the building. Be sure to mention it in your announcements, bulletin, signage , etc. so that people are aware!

#4. Giving Kiosks are easy to use

With Tithe.ly, you can turn your tablets into a giving Kiosk that enables people to give a one-time gift in seconds. What is more, donors will receive a gift receipt via email (which is better than writing down a gift in a ledger statement, right?) and they can set up a recurring donation, too.

#5. Kiosk giving makes for easy reporting

Your church will need to continue to count cash, add checks, make deposits, and input this data into your system. But, with giving through a Kiosk, accounting and reporting are made significantly easier.

No manual counting cash/checks. No trips to the bank account. No merging data from different systems. No more risk of theft.

After donations are made, you and your staff will get access to the data immediately for simple reporting and accounting.

#6. Reduced risk

Although we'd like this not to be the case, people steal. And people steal in Church.

Passing  the plate around presents a risk  of people stealing money out of the plate while it's being passed and risk of volunteers or staff stealing while they are counting.

I know, it's painful to think about, but it happens.

With digital giving done via a church giving Kiosk in your church building, you remove 100% of the risk by not having any cash or check donations being passed around. Individuals give using their credit or debit card directly without any other people "in the middle".

#7. Increase engagement

Depending on the Kiosk giving solution you offer, you can engage people in new ways. For example, with Tithe.ly, you can provide several new ways to connect with people:

• Make it simple for people to read the Bible and take notes
• Allow people to submit prayer requests
• Give app users the ability to listen to your sermons on the go
• Send push notifications about announcements or a Bible verse
• Send push notifications about upcoming events & event registration

Considering that more people are adopting smartphones, it’s a good idea to start engaging with your church members and visitors in a way that they prefer to communicate.

Benefits of Giving Kiosk for Churches 

Using Kiosks Can Increase Giving

Kiosks enable congregants to donate conveniently through the kiosk, contributing to church funds electronically, which can lead to increased giving. The option to support church projects with touchscreen selections makes it easier for members to direct their donations where they feel most passionate.

They Can Simplify Event Registration

Beyond donations, kiosks can automate the event registration process for efficiency, allowing congregants to sign up for church events with just a few taps on the screen.

Online Giving is More Secure 

Kiosks allow for transactions to be conducted securely with credit or debit cards, providing a safe way for members to contribute without the need for cash or checks.

People Can Use Kiosks Before or After the Service

The flexibility to access giving options via an intuitive interface before or after church services means that giving can fit seamlessly into the congregant's schedule.

Kiosks Provide a Physical Reminder to Give

The presence of kiosks acts as a reminder for congregants to donate, with options to customize donation amounts and designations according to their capacity and preference.

Digital Giving Can Provide Valuable Data

The integration of giving data with church management software means that every transaction provides insights that can help in planning and understanding the congregation's giving habits.

Kiosks Come in a Variety of Models

Churches can select from various kiosk models that allow congregants to navigate through donation categories easily and select preferred funds for contributions.

You Can Customize Some Kiosks to Fit Your Church's Brand

Customization options enable churches to tailor the kiosk's appearance, including the ability to process payments quickly and securely, ensuring a smooth and branded giving experience.

Free online giving tools for your church

Tithely provides the best online tools to help you increase generosity, manage your church, and engage your church members.

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What Should Donation Kiosks Include for an Effective Giving Process?

Mobility

Donation kiosks should be easy to move, allowing them to be placed in strategic locations to maximize visibility and accessibility.

Ease of use

The kiosks should facilitate smooth donation experiences for all users, with a user-friendly interface that simplifies the giving process.

Fast payment options

To ensure efficiency, kiosks must process payments quickly, minimizing wait times and encouraging more people to donate.

Fun customizations

Offering fun customizations can make the donation process more engaging, encouraging donors to interact with the kiosk.

Data tracking

Kiosks should record each donation for financial transparency, allowing churches to report on giving trends and donor participation. This data can be used to analyze contributions to guide church budgeting and update donor information in real time.

Tips to Encourage People to Give On-Site With a Donation Kiosk

Make an announcement

Regular announcements about the kiosk can inform the congregation of its purpose and how to use it, enhancing donor participation.

Use volunteers

Having volunteers assist with kiosk use can help authenticate donor identities for recurring gifts, ensuring a secure and personalized giving experience.

Include branding

 Branding the kiosk to match the church's identity can make it more inviting and reinforce the connection between the donation and the church's mission.

Keep it versatile

The kiosk should offer various options for giving, including the ability to encourage generosity with suggested donation levels, catering to different donor preferences.

Security

It's crucial to secure sensitive financial information effectively, building trust with donors that their contributions and personal data are handled with the utmost care. Continuous monitoring of kiosk usage and functionality can further ensure a secure and reliable giving environment.

Choosing the Right Church Donation Kiosks

Should Be Easy to Activate

The ideal kiosk should be user-friendly and efficient, ensuring a straightforward setup process that allows churches to quickly activate the device. Its interface should be touchscreen-enabled for ease of use, making it accessible to all congregants.

Should Offer Various Giving Options

A versatile and multifunctional donation kiosk should provide various secure and convenient giving options, including credit/debit card payments, contactless giving, and options for setting up recurring, donation-specific contributions. Each transaction should be data-encrypted for security.

Must Collect Your Donor Info

The kiosk must be capable of securely and transparently collecting essential donor info, maintaining financial accountability and privacy-respecting practices. An automated system can facilitate the efficient and accurate gathering of this information.

Should Support Your Fundraising Platform

Integration with your existing fundraising platform is crucial, making the kiosk an integrated part of your church's financial ecosystem. It should support real-time updates to donor records and financial data, providing a reliable and network-connected solution for managing fundraising efforts.

Should Be Customizable for Your Church

Customizability is key, allowing the kiosk to be tailored to reflect your church's brand and specific fundraising needs. An interactive and customizable interface can enhance the donor experience, while the system's overall design should be adaptable and versatile to meet various fundraising campaigns.

Let us be clear, we believe there is a place for a giving kiosk as you can tell from the above information, but a giving kiosk should NOT be the primary method of giving. Here's why: Everyone is walking around with a mobile giving kiosk in their pocket. It's called a smartphone! The beauty of mobile giving is that church members can give anywhere, anytime without having to be in the building or wait in line.

Training your church to use their mobile device for giving is by far the most beneficial and sustainable way to increase generosity. Do that first, then get to work on your kiosk.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is kiosk giving?

Kiosk giving refers to the use of electronic kiosk stations set up within a church or organization where individuals can make donations using a touchscreen interface. These kiosks are typically user-friendly, secure, and may offer various giving options such as credit/debit card payments, contactless contributions, and selections for specific church funds or projects. Kiosk giving provides a convenient and modern way for congregants to support their church financially.

What is it called when you give money in church?

Giving money in church is often referred to as "tithing" or "offering." Tithing traditionally means donating a tenth of one's income to the church, while offerings can be any financial gifts given over and above the tithe. These contributions support the church's operations, missions, and community services.

How do you give money to a church?

You can give money to a church in several ways:

• Traditional Cash or Check: Placed in a donation envelope or offering plate during services.
• Online Giving: Through the church's website or a designated online giving platform.
• Text-to-Give: Sending a donation via text message to a specific number provided by the church.
• Kiosk Giving: Using donation kiosks available on church premises, allowing for electronic contributions.
• Recurring Donations: Setting up automatic transfers through your bank or the church's giving platform to donate regularly.

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Each method offers different levels of convenience and security, catering to various donor preferences.

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Editor's Note: This post was updated on February 19, 2024 for accuracy and comprehensiveness.