Online Giving Resources and templates: Increase your Offertory collection this summer.
Online giving promotion resources here:
In the ups and downs of parish life, certain seasons bring with them a unique set of challenges and opportunities. As the warmth of summer approaches, many of our parishes witness a common trend: a noticeable decrease in giving. This seasonal dip can be particularly impactful, as evidenced by the offertory giving figures from 2023.
During the spring months of March, April, and May, offertory giving amounted to $22,651,673. However, as summer set in during June, July, and August, there was a noticeable decrease to $19,742,630, marking a significant drop of $2,909,043.
This trend shows the importance of developing a sustainable approach to parish support. One of the most effective strategies to ensure consistent support throughout all seasons is to cultivate a strong base of recurring online givers. Encouraging your parishioners to set up automatic, recurring gifts using your online giving system can create a stable and predictable flow of resources that supports the parish's mission year-round.
The Importance of Recurring Giving
Recurring giving is not just a convenience; it's a commitment. It signifies a parishioner's ongoing dedication to their faith community, allowing the parish to plan more effectively and confidently for both current needs and future projects. By transitioning to a model where a significant portion of our funding comes from recurring online gifts, we can mitigate the uncertainty that often accompanies seasonal giving patterns, such as the $2,909,043 decrease observed last summer.
Encouraging the Shift
The key to encouraging this shift lies in communication and education. Our parishioners lead busy lives, and the option of online recurring giving may not be something they've considered. To help slow or reverse this downtrend in giving we can highlight not only the ease and security of setting up such a gift but also the profound impact it can have on the parish's ability to serve, especially in light of the financial fluctuations we experience seasonally.
To aid in this effort, the Advancement Department has developed a suite of resources designed to help promote recurring online giving within your parish community.
Available Resources
Email Templates: Ready-to-use email content that can be personalized and sent to your parishioner list, explaining the benefits of recurring giving and how to get started.
Pulpit Announcement: A script for an announcement that can be made during Mass, inviting parishioners to consider setting up a recurring online gift.
Social Media Posts: Engaging posts that can be shared on your parish's social media channels, spreading the word about the importance of consistent giving and how to participate.
For access to these valuable tools, please visit:
Together, let's embrace this opportunity to fortify our parishes' financial foundations, ensuring that we can continue to advance our mission, regardless of the season.
If you have any questions or need help reach out to:
Kim Montgomery
Chief Advancement Officer
443-263-1920
Mark Talcott
Sr. Director of Philanthropy
410-547-5554
