Question 1

Is ChurchRaise really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every core feature (people management, online giving, email and SMS, website builder, forms, reports, events, groups, and background checks) is free. There is no monthly platform fee, no per-user fee, and no feature gating for the Free Platform. You can use the full ChMS without entering a credit card.

Question 2

Do I need AI credits to use ChurchRaise?

Accepted Answer

No. AI credits are not required to use ChurchRaise or the core ChMS. People, giving, communications, events, groups, forms, and the rest of the platform work without credits. Credits are only for optional AI image generation and related AI media and graphics features.

Question 3

What are AI credits for?

Accepted Answer

AI ministry credits on ChurchRaise are for optional image generation and related AI media tools (stills, motion backgrounds, social graphics, and audio transcription). They are not required to use the core platform. Credits just cover our costs for those AI features. Every new account receives 1,000 free credits; for example, an AI-generated image costs 75 credits and a motion background costs 150 credits. You can purchase additional credit packs anytime.

Question 4

Why do AI credits exist if the platform is free?

Accepted Answer

Credits just cover our costs for optional AI image generation and related media tools, fair cost recovery for the compute those features use. They are not a platform fee and they are not needed to run ChurchRaise.

Question 5

What is Plus+ for?

Accepted Answer

Plus+ is for churches that want to use their own payments provider. It unlocks linking to external giving platforms (bring-your-own Stripe, Square, or another processor) instead of using ChurchRaise Giving alone. Plus+ is $20/month and also includes monthly AI credits and the ability to purchase additional credit packs.

Question 6

How does ChurchRaise make money if the platform is free?

Accepted Answer

ChurchRaise is supported by optional donor tips and an optional service fee on giving transactions. When someone gives online, they can leave a tip to support ChurchRaise, or your church can enable a service fee at checkout. Either way, your church receives 100% of every gift. There are no platform fees charged to the church on the Free Platform.

Question 7

What happens when I run out of AI credits?

Accepted Answer

All core platform features continue to work. Credits are only consumed by optional AI image generation and related AI media features. When your balance reaches zero, those optional AI tools pause until you add credits, the ChMS does not.

Question 8

Is there a limit on how many contacts or members I can manage?

Accepted Answer

No. There are no limits on the number of contacts, members, groups, or records. ChurchRaise is designed for churches of every size.

Free church software.
Giving as low as 2%*.

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Start free. Add AI or Plus+ only if you need them.

Everything in one place. Start with what you need.

Less time updating records. More time connecting with people.

Giving that stewards the gift, not the platform fee.

Sunday content that keeps working through the week.

Small groups without another roster to chase.

Plan worship your volunteers can actually follow.

Events, rooms, and teams that stay in sync.

A shared media library for every Sunday need.

Free church software.Giving as low as 2%*.