Easter is full of fun and exciting traditions and experiences. All the chocolate and candy help to sweeten it even more! But more importantly than all the stuff and things to do, Easter is the perfect time to share the beautiful message of the gospel. It is commonly the most attended mass at parishes and dioceses. And with higher attendance, even more people get to hear the good news. Plus, with so many parishioners and visitors present, online giving can help increase donations this Easter, allowing more opportunity for ministry and outreach.
Some parish leaders may feel a little awkward talking about money on a day where there are so many new guests. But honestly, many people want to contribute to organizations that are making a difference. And often people don’t give because they aren’t even aware there is a need. So, making it known that there is an opportunity to contribute to something good can help inspire generosity.
Below, we’ll look at how online giving and church management software (ChMS) can not only increase giving but make administrative life easier for your parish staff.
Why Use Complete Church Management Software and Online Giving for Easter?
Parish administration is simpler with an all-in-one ChMS. Aside from the obvious benefit of tracking attendance and all the new people that arrive, you’ll want to engage Easter visitors because you want them to return. You can reach more people and follow up with them. Send out communications thanking new attendees and inviting them to take next steps or attend a religious education class.
Online giving is simple for donors and is synced to parishioners’ records. They’ll have access to their giving amount and frequency and be able to update their information at any time. And with integrated ChMS, it makes it easy for staff to send communications, updates, and appreciation notes.
Rather than having multiple software solutions with numerous logins and passwords to remember, complete church management software ties all the systems together. That’s why having your ChMS and online giving platforms “talk” will really make a difference.
#1 Make Giving Easy
With so many new and returning visitors, Easter is the perfect time to emphasize the importance of generosity. Increase donations with digital giving options, including online, text-to-give, and mobile app options. Most parishioners are going to have their phone handy on Easter Sunday! Make giving seamless by allowing them to give straight from their mobile device.
Online Giving
Provide an easy-to-find giving page directly on your parish website. People can also sign up for recurring giving and select how frequently they want their donations to be taken out automatically. There is the option to provide a dropdown for fund management—where the giver can choose which ministry or campaign they would like their gift to be designated.
Text-to-Give
People always have their phone, so texting to give is a hassle-free way for parishioners and visitors to donate right from their fingertips. Text giving meets donors where they are and enables spontaneous giving. They simply text a specific word, like GIVE, to a designated 10-digit number that’s assigned to your parish. Then they will be prompted to fill out a giving form to submit their payment in only a few seconds. Talk about an easy way for people to contribute during Easter mass!
Mobile App Giving
A mobile app is a great way for parishioners to be able to send donations, schedule recurring giving, or contribute to a giving campaign. They can manage giving on the go and contribute at any time that is convenient for them. Aside from the offertory during your Easter mass, they can give during the week from wherever they may be.
#2 Digital Giving Form
Include an embeddable giving form on your parish website and the form link when people text your parish’s giving phone number. Create custom payment forms within your giving web page. These forms allow parishioners to easily input their information to make their donation. It includes things like their name, contact info, and the amount of money they desire to give. Be sure to offer the option for people to choose recurring giving too. They are more likely to donate more with recurring giving than by making multiple one-time gifts.
#3 Reporting
On top of the benefits for givers, online giving and ChMS will make life easier on parish staff. Your finance team can instantly access valuable reports. All contributions are viewable from one system and can be managed in real-time. View trends and see who is donating when, where, and how. It also makes it super simple to follow up with donors after Easter and even send a little “thank you” note.
Online Giving and Complete ChMS for Your Ministry
Accelerate generosity this Easter with online giving and church management software. ParishSOFT makes it easier to maximize your parish’s impact while simultaneously reducing administrative burden. Bundle our powerful services to create a complete church management system that will work for your ministry. Contact us today to get started!
