Giving Tuesday and year-end fundraising ideas to engage your congregation

The last quarter of the year is one of the most meaningful seasons for generosity. People are reflecting on what matters most—faith, family, gratitude—and they’re often looking for ways to give back. It’s also when charitable giving peaks: nearly 30% of all annual donations happen in December, and around 10% arrive in the final three days of the year.

For churches, that combination of spiritual reflection and practical timing creates a powerful moment to invite people into generosity.

With tools that simplify giving, reveal engagement trends, and make administration simple, churches can spend less time managing systems and more time nurturing the souls of the congregation.

The momentum of Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday began in 2012 as a global movement to celebrate generosity and community. What started as a small campaign to balance the consumer rush of Black Friday has become one of the most inspiring giving moments of the year. In 2024, donors in the U.S. contributed more than $3.6 billion in 24 hours. But its real impact can’t be measured in dollars alone.

For churches, Giving Tuesday can be more than a single day, it can be the spark that fuels your entire year-end campaign. When it’s anchored in story and simplicity, it builds momentum that carries through December.

That might look like sharing one powerful story of transformation. A family restored, a student discovering faith, a community served through your outreach. It could mean launching a matching gift challenge and inviting a faithful donor family to help double the impact of each contribution. Volunteers can also play a vital role by sharing their own stories or short videos online, reminding others how generosity changes lives.

And with the right digital tools, like your Pushpay app’s giving form or a midweek message streamed through Resi, your congregation can participate from anywhere. Treating Giving Tuesday as the launchpad for your year-end giving season helps set a generous tone for everything that follows.

Building a year-end campaign that connects

Once Giving Tuesday creates momentum, the goal becomes sustaining it. A thoughtful, well-planned campaign connects people not only to your church’s mission but also to each other.

Start with clarity. Define your focus, perhaps raising funds for next year’s mission trips, supporting a local outreach, or expanding youth ministry, and share that vision openly. Show progress along the way with a tracker on your giving page or small updates during services so your congregation can celebrate each milestone with you.

Consistency builds trust. Keep your visuals, tone, and messages unified across email, text, social, and weekend announcements. ChurchStaq makes that easy by coordinating communication across platforms, so every message reinforces the same story.

And while financial goals are important, impact stories carry the heart. Highlight the people behind the numbers: a single mom who found hope through your care ministry, or a student whose life changed on a retreat funded by your congregation’s generosity. Send personal thank-yous, short text messages, or video updates from your pastor as you reach milestones.

The most successful year-end campaigns help people see what generosity makes possible.

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Creative Giving Tuesday and year-end fundraising ideas for your church

The giving season is the perfect time to add a touch of creativity and joy to your church’s outreach. A little imagination goes a long way in helping generosity feel meaningful and communal.

You could host a gratitude night, live streamed through Resi, where your pastor and ministry leaders share stories of transformation and lead a brief time of worship and prayer. Or consider a “12 Days of Impact” series on social media, posting daily stories leading up to Christmas that highlight lives changed through your ministries.

Recurring giving can also become a key focus. According to the M+R Benchmarks 2025 report, monthly gifts now represent more than 30% of all online donation revenue. Invite your congregation to turn a one-time year-end gift into an ongoing act of faith that fuels ministry well into 2026.

Visual storytelling often outperforms long-form appeals. A short, heartfelt clip from your pastor or a quick testimonial from a ministry volunteer can stir more emotion and action than a lengthy email ever could. And involving families helps cultivate a culture of generosity early—children’s ministry classes can create thank-you cards for donors, while youth groups can take part in a family service project tied to your year-end goal.

When your church combines creativity, authenticity, and purpose, generosity becomes contagious.

Engaging loyal and new donors alike

Every giver has a story, and honoring those stories builds long-term engagement. The most effective year-end campaigns recognize that loyal donors, new supporters, and volunteers each experience generosity in unique ways.

For those who’ve given faithfully for years, start with sincere gratitude. A personal note, a video message, or a one-on-one conversation can mean more than any public recognition. Show them the direct impact of their giving, what ministries they’ve helped sustain and the lives they’ve changed, and, if it feels appropriate, invite them to help inspire others through a matching gift or testimony.

New donors often respond best to clarity and warmth. Keep your donation page simple, your messaging welcoming, and your follow-up immediate. Pushpay’s Giving software makes that first experience easy, secure, quick, and available on any device, so generosity never feels out of reach.

And don’t forget about volunteers. Their service is a vital part of generosity. Help them see that their time and talent are gifts that work alongside financial giving to further your church’s mission.

According to the Fundraising Effectiveness Project (AFP), donor retention remains one of the biggest challenges for ministries today. The churches that thrive are those that see giving not as a transaction but as a relationship.

Simplifying your campaign with the right tools

When your systems work together, generosity becomes effortless. The right technology frees your staff to focus more on ministry than management.

• Pushpay Giving: A secure, seamless giving experience across web, app, and text that meets people wherever they are.
  
• Pushpay Insights: Real-time analytics that track progress, measure engagement, and identify opportunities for growth.
  
• ChurchStaq: Integrated communication and engagement tools that help your team plan, coordinate, and connect effectively.
  
• Resi: High-quality livestreaming that lets your church share stories and moments of gratitude with those who can’t attend in person.
  

Together, these tools create the simplicity and connection that drive meaningful participation and long-term generosity.

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Finishing strong and carrying momentum into the new year

As December draws to a close, take time to celebrate what God has done through your congregation’s generosity. Share updates on how much was raised, but focus even more on what those funds will make possible in the year ahead. Public gratitude builds trust, and trust turns one-time donors into lifelong supporters.

In January, follow up with a spirit of celebration. Thank your congregation again, share stories of impact, and invite people to continue giving or serving regularly. Every moment of generosity can lead to a deeper connection with your church’s mission when people see how their giving changes lives.

Most of all, remember that every gift represents a story of faith. When your church helps people experience the joy of giving, you’re not just closing out a campaign—you’re building a culture of generosity that lasts all year long.

Quick tax reminder: Gifts made by December 31 typically qualify for that year’s tax deduction, even if given electronically on the final day (IRS Publication 526). Always encourage donors to consult their own advisors for guidance.

FAQs

Why should my church participate in Giving Tuesday?

Giving Tuesday is one of the most generous days of the year, with billions donated globally in a single 24-hour period. It’s a natural opportunity for your church to share stories of impact and invite people to give with purpose. More than fundraising, it’s a way to reframe generosity as worship—helping your congregation see how their gifts bring hope to others.

How can Giving Tuesday fit into our larger year-end campaign?

Treat Giving Tuesday as the kickoff, not the finish line. Use it to build excitement, share stories, and introduce your year-end theme. Then carry that momentum through December with consistent communication and updates on progress. Many churches launch a simple matching challenge or story-focused appeal on Giving Tuesday, then expand that message across email, weekend services, and social media through year’s end.

What are some creative ways to engage our congregation this season?

Connection drives generosity. Try hosting a livestreamed gratitude night, sharing a “12 Days of Impact” social media series, or highlighting testimonies of lives changed through your ministries. Encourage recurring giving for the year ahead and invite families to participate in service projects or creative giving challenges. These efforts keep generosity personal and joyful, not transactional.

How can technology make our campaign easier to manage?

The right tools simplify communication and giving so your team can focus on ministry.

• Pushpay Giving offers a frictionless giving experience across web, app, and text.
  
• Pushpay Insights helps you track engagement and see giving trends in real time.
  
• Pushpay ChurchStaq centralizes communication, events, and giving management.
  
• Resi lets you livestream worship, stories, and gratitude moments to reach your entire congregation.
  When your tools work together, your church can inspire more people to give and engage.

What’s the best way to thank donors after Giving Tuesday or year-end campaigns?

Gratitude fuels retention. Send a thank-you email within 24 hours, follow up with impact stories in January, and celebrate milestones publicly. A short video message or handwritten note from your pastor often carries more meaning than any formal receipt. Remember, appreciation is part of discipleship—it helps people see how their generosity makes ministry possible.

How can we encourage recurring giving beyond year-end?

Recurring giving helps sustain ministry long after the holiday season. Highlight how ongoing gifts provide stability for programs, missions, and outreach throughout the year. During December, invite donors to convert one-time gifts into recurring ones. With Pushpay Giving™, it takes just one click to set up, making it easy for people to turn generosity into a lasting habit.

Are year-end donations tax-deductible?

Yes, charitable gifts made to a registered nonprofit church by December 31 typically qualify for the current year’s tax deduction, even if given electronically on that date. Always remind donors to consult their own tax advisors for guidance. For additional information, refer to IRS Publication 526.

How do we measure success for our year-end giving campaign?

Success is more than hitting a dollar goal—it’s about connection, participation, and impact. Track giving totals, new donors, and recurring commitments, but also look at engagement metrics like message opens, livestream views, and volunteer involvement. With Pushpay Insights, you can view these patterns in real time to understand how your community is growing in generosity.

How can smaller churches make an impact during Giving Tuesday?

You don’t need a large budget to make Giving Tuesday meaningful. Focus on authenticity. Tell one great story, highlight a single ministry, and use personal communication—texts, short videos, or testimonies—to reach your people. Simplicity often drives more engagement than production value.

What’s the most important takeaway for church leaders this season?

Generosity grows when people feel seen and connected. Whether your goal is $5,000 or $500,000, focus on storytelling, gratitude, and spiritual growth. Behind every dollar is a story of faith—and when your congregation sees that, giving becomes an act of worship, not obligation.

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