Church giving looks different than it did even five years ago. The shift to digital that accelerated during COVID has now become permanent, and new patterns are emerging that every church leader should understand.
Here is what the data tells us about church giving in 2026.
Digital giving is now the majority
For the first time, more than half of all church donations are made digitally. This includes online giving pages, mobile apps, text-to-give, and QR code giving. Cash and check giving has not disappeared, but it is declining steadily, particularly among members under 50.
Churches that have not yet adopted online giving are leaving money on the table. The barrier to entry is lower than ever, with platforms like ChurchRaise offering free online giving with no platform fees.
Recurring giving continues to grow
Recurring giving, where a member sets up an automatic weekly or monthly donation, now accounts for roughly 40 percent of total digital giving at churches that offer it. This is significant because recurring givers tend to give more consistently and more generously than one-time givers.
Churches that actively promote recurring giving during onboarding and stewardship campaigns see the biggest impact. A simple prompt like "Would you like to make this a recurring gift?" at the point of giving can increase adoption substantially.
Mobile giving is up, desktop is flat
Among digital givers, mobile devices now account for nearly 65 percent of transactions. Desktop giving has plateaued. This means your giving page, bulletin, and website must be optimized for phone screens first. If members have to pinch, zoom, or scroll horizontally to complete a gift, you will lose them.
Generational giving patterns are diverging
Baby Boomers and older Gen X members still prefer larger, less frequent gifts, often monthly or quarterly. Millennials and Gen Z tend to give smaller amounts more frequently, often weekly, and are more likely to use text-to-give or QR code giving.
This means churches need to offer multiple giving channels to serve every generation. A single "Donate" button on the website is not enough.
Designated giving is increasingly popular
More donors want to choose exactly where their money goes. Fund designations like missions, youth ministry, building fund, or benevolence are seeing higher adoption. Churches that offer clear fund options in their giving platform see 15 to 25 percent more in designated gifts compared to a single general fund.
Text-to-give adoption is accelerating
Text-to-give, where a member sends a text message to a phone number to initiate a donation, has gone from novelty to mainstream. Churches that promote their text-to-give number during services report that 10 to 20 percent of their digital giving comes through this channel.
The appeal is simplicity. No app download required, no account creation, just a text message. This is particularly effective for first-time and impulse giving during a sermon or event.
What this means for your church
The takeaway is clear: churches that make giving easy, mobile, recurring, and flexible are seeing growth. Churches that rely solely on passing the plate or a desktop-only giving page are seeing decline.
The good news is that adopting these trends does not require a big budget. Free platforms exist that support all of these giving methods. The most important step is simply making it available and letting your congregation know it is there. For practical ways to boost generosity, see our guide to running a successful church fundraising event.