5 Best Online Giving Platforms for Small Churches

Few things are more important for small churches than the weekly tithes and offering. Giving is the lifeblood of small churches, enabling them to fulfill their mission and serve their communities.

Giving technology, like mobile donation apps, has dramatically altered the giving landscape in the past 10 years. Whereas once, small churches could simply pass the basket during a service, now there are a plethora of online giving platforms available to help facilitate donations.

These platforms make the giving process easier for congregants and also provide churches with valuable data and analytics to help them manage their finances more effectively.

Additionally, many people now prefer electronic transactions over paper ones. With the advent of platforms like Venmo and Zelle, online giving has become the norm for many individuals.

In this article, we will explore the top 5 online giving platforms for small churches, and discuss their features and benefits.

Key Features of Online Giving Solutions

Before looking at specific online giving platforms for small churches, we need to discuss what features small churches should look for in a platform.

Multiple Giving Options

Not all church members may be comfortable giving online, so it's important for the platform to offer multiple giving options. This could include traditional methods such as cash or check donations, as well as newer options like text-to-give or kiosks.

Having a variety of giving options ensures that all members have the opportunity to contribute in a way that is convenient and comfortable for them. It also allows for flexibility during times when online giving may not be accessible, such as during power outages or technical difficulties.

Recurring Giving

Recurring giving is an important feature for small churches to consider when choosing an online giving platform. This allows donors to set up automatic, recurring donations on a regular schedule, such as weekly or monthly.

Recurring giving provides a consistent source of income for the church and helps with budget planning. It also makes it easier for donors to give regularly without having to remember or manually make their contributions each time.

User-Friendliness

The personnel dynamics are much different in smaller churches than in megachurches. Small churches often lack the resources to employ full-time staff solely dedicated to managing online giving platforms.

Additionally, many of those who will be using the online giving platform will not be the most tech-savvy individuals. After all, in small churches, one person often plays many roles. An administrator might also be responsible for managing giving in a church.

It's crucial that the platform be user-friendly and easy for volunteers or part-time staff to manage. While a platform can't be 100% mistake-proof, it should be intuitive enough to minimize user error. All of the key features should be easily understandable, as well as easy to use. 

Affordability

Small churches often have limited budgets, and online giving platforms can be costly. When making a decision on which platform to use, it's important to take into account the various fees that may be associated with each platform. Some platforms charge transaction fees or monthly subscription fees, while others offer free options for small churches.

It's especially important to evaluate not only the direct costs of each platform but also the long-term financial implications, including hidden fees that may arise during usage. Platforms that offer flexible pricing structures or tiered plans can be particularly helpful. They allow small churches to choose options that align with their budgetary constraints while still meeting their online giving needs effectively.

Integration With Other Church Software

Many churches use various software platforms to manage different aspects of their operations. Think platforms like Church Community Builder, Planning Center, etc. These platforms enable churches to perform a number of really important tasks, like:

• Event management
• Accounting
• Volunteer management
• Attendance tracking
• And more

When choosing a giving platform for a small church, it's essential to consider how well the platform integrates with other software the church is already using. Does the platform offer any integration options with popular church management systems? Can data be easily passed back and forth between systems with little or no manual labor?

These issues can save time and effort when it comes to managing financial data and donor information across different platforms. They also ensure consistency and accuracy in reporting and record-keeping.

Security

Security is a top concern for any online transaction. Churches must make sure their donors' personal and financial information remains secure at all times. The platform should have appropriate security measures in place, such as encryption protocols, to protect sensitive data from hackers or other threats.

Additionally, it's important for the platform to be compliant with industry standards and regulations, such as PCI-DSS (Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard).

If members of a small church don't feel like their information is safe, they simply won't give. Plus, no church wants to deal with the potential legal and financial consequences of a data breach.

Mobile Optimization

Many people do almost everything on their phones, including giving to their local church. That's why it's crucial for a small church to choose a giving platform that is optimized for mobile use.

The platform should be easy to navigate and use on a smaller screen, with buttons and links that are large enough to click without difficulty. It should also have a streamlined checkout process so donors can quickly and easily make their contributions from their phones.

The best online giving platforms for small churches will also provide an app for church members to use. This makes giving even easier and more convenient, as they can simply open the app and make their donation with just a few taps.

Customer Support

For small churches, having excellent customer support from their online giving platform is essential. They may not have the resources to troubleshoot technical issues on their own, so having a responsive and helpful customer support team can make all the difference.

The platform should offer multiple channels for reaching customer support, such as email, phone, or live chat. It's also beneficial if they have resources like FAQs or tutorials available for self-help.

Additionally, it's important for the platform to provide timely assistance in case of any issues with donations or transactions. This helps the church maintain a positive relationship with its donors and ensures that their contributions are properly recorded and acknowledged.

Best Online Giving Platforms For A Small Church

Now that we're clear on what features you should be looking for in an online giving platform, let's look at specific platforms that are currently available.

Tithely

Tithely is a robust, all-in-one online giving platform designed specifically for churches. It offers a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for members to contribute and even easier for church employees to manage.

It offers features like customizable giving forms, recurring donations, and a mobile app for church members. Tithely also offers top-notch customer support through multiple channels.

Key Features of Tithely:

• Online Giving: Members can easily give using credit/debit cards, ACH bank transfers, or even text-to-give.
  
  
• Recurring Donations: Members can set up automatic recurring donations to support the church on a regular basis.
  
  
• Customizable Giving Forms: The platform allows churches to create their own unique giving forms with specific funds and donation options.
  
  
• Mobile App: Tithely's mobile app makes it easy for members to donate anytime, anywhere.
  
  
• Integrations: It seamlessly integrates with many church management systems and other software.
  
  
• Detailed Reporting and Analytics: The platform provides in-depth reports and analytics to track giving trends and donor behavior.
  
  
• Customer Support: Tithely offers excellent customer support through various channels, including live chat, phone, and email.

Among all the online giving platforms for small churches, Tithely stands out for its ease of use and numerous powerful features. Among all the giving platforms, it is simply the best for small churches.

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BreezeChMS

BreezeChMS is another popular online giving platform that caters to the needs of small churches. It offers a simple and intuitive interface that makes it easy for both church staff and members to use.

Along with its online giving features, BreezeChMS also includes church management tools such as event management, volunteer tracking, and communication tools.

Key Features of BreezeChMS:

• Online Giving: Members can give using credit/debit cards or ACH bank transfers.
  
  
• Recurring Donations: Members can set up automatic recurring donations on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis.
• Low Fees: BreezeChMS offers competitive transaction fees for both credit/debit card and ACH donations.
  
  
• Customizable Giving Forms: Churches can create their own giving forms with different funds and donation options.
  
  
• Reporting and Analytics: The platform provides detailed reports and analytics to track giving trends and donor behavior.

With its user-friendly interface and affordable pricing, BreezeChMS is a great option for small churches looking for an online giving solution.

Pushpay

Pushpay is another popular online giving platform specifically designed for churches. It offers a simple, streamlined giving experience for both members and church employees.

One of the standout features of Pushpay is its ability to segment donors based on their giving history, allowing churches to target specific groups for fundraising efforts.

Key Features of Pushpay:

• Customizable Giving Forms: Churches can create custom forms with different funds and donation options.
  
  
• Recurring Donations: Members can set up automatic recurring donations.
  
  
• Segmentation: The platform allows churches to segment donors based on their giving history for targeted fundraising efforts.
  
  
• Text-to-Give: Pushpay offers a text-to-give option for easy and convenient donations on-the-go.
  
  
• Event Registration: It also has a feature for online event registration and ticket sales.

Pushpay also integrates with popular church management systems, making it easy to manage donations and donor information in one place.

EasyTithe

EasyTithe is a simple yet powerful online giving platform that emphasizes ease of use for both churches and donors. With its user-friendly interface and affordable pricing plans, it's a solid option for some churches.

Key Features of EasyTithe:

• Customizable Giving Forms: Churches can create personalized giving forms with various donation options.
  
  
• Recurring Donations: Members can set up automatic recurring donations.
  
  
• Text-to-Give: EasyTithe offers a text-to-give option for quick and convenient donations.
  
  
• Event Registration: The platform also has a feature for event registration and ticket sales.

EasyTithe is known for its exceptional customer support, making it a great choice for churches looking for reliable assistance with their online giving needs.  It also integrates with popular church management systems.

Vanco Payments

Vanco Payments is a well-established online giving platform that has been serving churches for many years. It offers a wide range of features and competitive pricing plans, making it a solid choice for some churches.

Key Features of Vanco Payments:

• Customizable Giving Options: Churches can create custom forms with different funds and donation options.
  
  
• Recurring Donations: Members can set up automatic recurring donations.
  
  
• Text-to-Give: Vanco Payments offers a text-to-give option for easy and convenient donations on-the-go.
  
  
• Event Registration: The platform also has a feature for event registration and ticket sales.

In addition to its online giving capabilities, Vanco Payments also offers other services such as e-check payments and in-person giving solutions. It can be an effective solution for churches looking to streamline their donation process.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to choosing an online giving platform for your small church, there are a number options available. Tithely stands above the rest as the best online giving platform for small churches. With its numerous features and ease-of-use, Tithely can help your church increase its giving and simplify the donation process for both members and staff.

No matter which platform you choose, implementing online giving can greatly benefit your church. Among other things, it can make donating much more convenient and accessible for members. It also allows for better tracking and reporting of donations, making financial management easier for churches.

With the right online giving platform in place, your church can continue to thrive in its mission of serving others and spreading God's love.

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