Make December Count: Easy Ways to Encourage Year-End Giving at Your Parish
Somewhere in your parish, a parishioner may be deciding where to make one final charitable gift before December 31. Will your parish come to mind?
December is a wonderful opportunity to encourage generosity, strengthen offertory giving, and invite parishioners to make a special year-end gift. Many people are already reviewing their charitable giving for the year. Sometimes, a simple reminder from their parish is all it takes to inspire an additional gift.
And we've made it easy for your parish to get the word out!
Ready-to-Use Resources for Your Parish
The Archdiocese of Baltimore Advancement Department has created a collection of free, customizable year-end giving resources to help parishes encourage generosity throughout December.
You can download and use:
Pastor Emails: Ready-to-send messages encouraging parishioners to consider a special year-end gift.
Bulletin Inserts: Attractive flyers highlighting the different ways parishioners can support their parish.
Social Media Graphics: Facebook-ready posts promoting year-end gifts, stock donations, IRA giving, and planned gifts.
Everything is designed to be quick and easy. Use the materials as written or customize them with your parish's name, giving information, and specific needs.
Remind Parishioners of All the Ways They Can Give
One of the biggest opportunities in December is simply helping parishioners understand their giving options.
While many think of placing a check in the offertory basket or making an online donation, others may be considering additional ways to support charitable organizations before the end of the year.
This is a great time to remind them that they can:
Make a special year-end gift to their parish.
Increase their regular offertory or begin recurring online giving.
Donate appreciated stocks.
Make an eligible charitable gift directly from their IRA.
Remember their parish through a gift in their will.
For some parishioners, giving stock or making a qualified charitable distribution from an IRA may be an especially appealing option. These are opportunities worth sharing, particularly during December when many people are making financial and charitable giving decisions.
Let's Finish the Year Strong!
A bulletin insert, a personal email from the pastor, and a few social media posts can help keep your parish in mind as parishioners make their year-end giving decisions.
Download what works for your parish, share the message, and let's make the most of this season of generosity!
