Should your church use Cash App for donations? Here’s what to know

The rise of mobile giving in churches

It’s not a surprise anymore. We’re living in a world where most people pay their bills, send birthday money, and split the dinner check using their phones. That shift didn’t skip the church.

More and more churches are leaning into online giving, and for good reason. It’s convenient, fast, and it meets people where they already are—on their phones.

And with that shift has come a question: Can we just use Cash App for church donations?

Let’s talk about it.

What is Cash App and how does it work?

If you’ve ever sent someone money for coffee or paid your babysitter through an app, you’re probably familiar with Cash App. It’s a mobile payment app that lets users send and receive money instantly, right from their phones.

You can link a bank account, use a debit card called the Cash Card, even invest in stocks or buy Bitcoin if that’s your thing. It’s popular, especially among younger people, and it’s easy to download and set up through the App Store or Google Play.

But here’s the thing: Cash App wasn’t built for churches.

It’s built for personal transactions. That’s important to keep in mind when you’re thinking about whether to use it for your giving strategy.

Why some churches are using Cash App for donations

There’s no denying the appeal.

For smaller churches, new church plants, or ministries trying to meet people where they are, Cash App can feel like a quick solution. It’s already on people’s phones. There’s no complicated setup. You just give out the church’s $cashtag and watch the donations roll in.

Some churches like that it doesn’t require a formal system or big software investment. And when you’re trying to get things off the ground, sometimes “simple” feels like the best option.

But simple doesn’t always mean sustainable.

The drawbacks of using Cash App for church giving

If you’re trying to build a healthy, trustworthy, and transparent giving experience for your church, Cash App probably isn’t your best bet.

Here’s why:

• There’s no built-in way to generate receipts or send end-of-year contribution statements. You’d have to track all of that manually, which gets messy fast.
• Recurring donations? Not supported. That means fewer opportunities for consistent generosity.
• No donor tracking tools. You can’t easily see who gave what, when, or why unless you spend time digging through transactions.
• If you’re using a personal Cash App account to receive donations, that opens the door to a whole bunch of accounting and transparency issues.
• And maybe most importantly, it’s disconnected from your church management system. So, if you’re using tools to manage members, small groups, or events, Cash App won’t sync with any of it.

It’s a bit like trying to run an entire church out of your personal inbox. Sure, it technically works. But it’s not built for the job.

Don’t forget about the fees

Another thing to consider: Cash App charges fees for certain transactions.

If you want to access your donations immediately, you’ll pay an instant deposit fee. Larger transfers may come with other processing fees as well.

You’re also missing out on features you’d get from a dedicated church giving platform, like donor communication tools, customizable donation forms, or the ability to route gifts to specific funds (like missions or building projects).

It’s worth asking: what are you really saving?

Better tools built for online church giving

The good news? There are tools built specifically for churches that handle online giving with a lot more intention.

Church giving platforms offer things like:

• Recurring giving options so people can support the ministry consistently
• Custom giving forms that match your church’s brand and voice
• Integration with church management software, so you can track giving and connect it to attendance, groups, or volunteer roles
• Automatic receipts and contribution statements, which make tax season easier for your givers and your staff
• Fund designations, so donors can give to the general fund, building projects, or wherever they feel called

These tools help your givers feel confident that their generosity is going where it should, and that your church is stewarding gifts wisely.

How to move from Cash App to a better solution

If your church is currently using Cash App for donations, don’t worry, you’re not stuck.

Here’s a simple way forward:

1. Choose a church-focused giving platform that works with your existing tools.
2. Let your congregation know why you’re making the switch—clarity, consistency, better tracking, and a more secure experience.
3. Make it easy for them to give. That could mean a giving button on your website, a link in your app, QR codes in your bulletin, or a giving kiosk in your lobby.
4. Equip your team to answer questions and help people get comfortable with the new platform.

Transitioning might take a few weeks, but it’s worth the effort. You’ll come out with a giving system that actually supports your ministry, not just one that gets you by.

Should your church use Cash App?

It’s not that Cash App is bad. It’s just not made for churches.

If you’re serious about encouraging generosity and building trust with your donors, invest in something that’s built with ministry in mind.

There’s a better way to do online giving.
And your church deserves it.

DISCLAIMER: this content has been generated, at least in part, by artificial intelligence.