Online giving is no longer optional for small churches. Giving USA research consistently shows that churches offering online giving receive 32 percent more in total contributions than those that do not. The reason is simple: people give when it is convenient, and the offering plate on Sunday morning is not always convenient. A member who is traveling, who forgot their checkbook, or who prefers automatic payments will give more consistently when online options are available.
Setting up online giving does not require a technology budget or a technical staff member. It requires choosing a platform, setting it up, and introducing it to your congregation. This guide walks through all three.
Choosing an Online Giving Platform
There are dozens of online giving platforms for churches. Here are the most practical options for small churches, evaluated on cost, ease of setup, and features.
Tithe.ly — Best overall for small churches
Tithe.ly charges 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction for credit/debit cards, and 1% for ACH bank transfers. There is no monthly fee. Setup takes about 30 minutes. It integrates with most church management software and offers a mobile app, text giving, and a giving kiosk option. For most small churches, Tithe.ly is the best combination of features and cost.
Pushpay — Best for churches wanting a full app
Pushpay is more expensive than Tithe.ly but offers a more complete church app experience. It is worth considering if your church wants a branded mobile app that includes giving, events, and communication. The cost is higher and the setup is more involved, but the result is more polished.
PayPal / Venmo — Simplest to start
If you want to start accepting digital giving immediately with no setup, a church PayPal account or Venmo account works. The fees are similar to Tithe.ly (2.9% + $0.30 per transaction), but there are no church-specific features. This is a good starting point for a church that wants to test online giving before committing to a dedicated platform.
Giving Fuel — Best free option
Giving Fuel offers a free plan for churches with basic giving needs. The free plan includes online giving, recurring giving, and basic reporting. Transaction fees apply (2.9% + $0.30 for cards). For a very small church that wants to minimize costs, Giving Fuel’s free plan is worth considering.
What to Set Up
Once you have chosen a platform, set up these four things before you announce it to the congregation:
- General fund giving. The primary giving category for most congregation members. Make this the default option.
- Recurring giving option. Allow members to set up automatic recurring gifts — weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Recurring givers give 42 percent more annually than one-time givers (Giving USA).
- Designated giving categories. If your church has specific funds (missions, building, benevolence), set these up as separate giving categories so members can designate their gifts.
- A giving page on your website. Add a prominent “Give” button to your church website that links directly to your giving page. This should be visible on the homepage and in the navigation.
How to Introduce Online Giving to Your Congregation
The most common mistake churches make when introducing online giving is announcing it once and assuming people will find it. Online giving requires active introduction and ongoing promotion.
Announce it from the pulpit. Explain what it is, why the church is offering it, and how to use it. Demonstrate it briefly — show the giving page on a screen if possible. Make it clear that the offering plate is still available and that online giving is an additional option, not a replacement.
Include it in the bulletin and newsletter. Add a brief note about online giving to the bulletin for several weeks after launch. Include the giving page URL and a QR code that links directly to it.
Send a personal email to regular givers. A personal email from the pastor to regular givers explaining the new option and inviting them to try it is more effective than a general announcement. Keep it brief and personal.
Make it easy to find. The giving page should be accessible from the church website homepage, from the church’s social media profiles, and from any email communications. Do not make people search for it.
Online giving works best when it is introduced as part of a broader stewardship culture. The free MinistryPlace Annual Stewardship Campaign Guide walks through how to build a giving culture in a small church.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of church giving should be online?
For most small churches that have offered online giving for more than a year, 30 to 50 percent of total giving comes through digital channels. Churches that actively promote online giving and make it easy to find tend to see higher percentages. The goal is not to maximize online giving at the expense of other giving — it is to make giving as convenient as possible for every member.
Should the church cover the transaction fees for online giving?
Some churches ask givers to cover the transaction fee (typically 2.9% + $0.30) by offering a checkbox option when giving. Others absorb the fee as a ministry cost. Both approaches are reasonable. If you ask givers to cover the fee, make it optional and explain why. Most givers who are asked will cover it.
Is online giving secure?
Yes. Reputable church giving platforms (Tithe.ly, Pushpay, Giving Fuel) use the same security standards as major banks and e-commerce sites. They are PCI-compliant, which means they meet the security standards required for processing credit card transactions. Online giving through a reputable platform is as secure as any online purchase.
How do I encourage recurring giving?
Make recurring giving the default option on your giving page, not an afterthought. When you announce online giving, specifically mention the recurring option and explain its benefits — it is easier for the giver and more predictable for the church. A brief personal ask from the pastor to regular givers to consider setting up recurring giving is the most effective way to increase recurring gift enrollment.