7 Free Church Donation Letter Samples and Writing Guide

Donations from church members are what keep the church running and help it achieve its mission. But it's not always easy to know how to ask church members to donate. It can be difficult to balance the need for financial support with respecting individual budgets and personal circumstances.

To make it easier, we have compiled a writing guide and seven free church donation letter samples that you can use as a guide when creating your own donation letters. These samples cover a range of scenarios and can be adapted to fit your specific needs and church culture.

Key Elements Of A Church Donation Letter

There are a number of key elements that should included in every church donation letter. Let's look at those in detail.

Church Name and Contact Information

At the top of your letter, make sure to include the name and contact information of your church. This includes the address, phone number, email address, and web address. This will ensure that donors know exactly where their donations are going and how to reach out if they have any questions or concerns.

Date

Including the date on your letter is important for record-keeping purposes and also shows donors that the letter is current and relevant. It also allows you to track when donations were received and send out timely thank-you notes.

Salutation

Start your letter with a warm and personal salutation such as "Dear [Donor's Name]". This sets a friendly tone and shows appreciation for the donor's support. Remember, even if you're sending these letters out to many people, each donor should feel like they're receiving a personal message and that their individual giving matters.

Free online giving tools for your church

Tithely provides the best online tools to help you increase generosity, manage your church, and engage your church members.

Sign Up Free

Introduction

In the introduction, thank donors for their previous contributions and express your gratitude for their continued support. This is also a good place to share any recent accomplishments or updates about your church's mission and impact on the community.

You may also consider including a scripture verse related to generosity or giving, to reinforce the spiritual aspect of donations and remind donors of their role in supporting the church's mission.

For example, you might say:

Dear [Donor Name],

In the Bible it says "Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." (2 Corinthians 9:7)

Your generous donations have helped us continue our mission of [briefly describe mission]. We are grateful for your ongoing support and wanted to share some updates with you.

Specific Donation Request

Be specific and direct about what you're asking for and how the donation will be used. This can include a particular project or initiative, or even just general operating expenses. Let donors know exactly where their money is going and how it will make a difference in the life of the church.

Clarity is absolutely essential here. If donors feel unsure about where their money is going or how it will be used, they may be less likely to donate.

For example:

We are currently raising funds for our [specific project/initiative]. Your donation will go directly towards [specify use of funds], and will make a tangible impact in the lives of [who/what will benefit from the project/initiative]. We are hoping to raise [specific amount] by [date], and we would be so grateful for your support in reaching this goal.

The goal of this section is to give potential donors total clarity regarding what is being asked, why it's being asked, and the end goal. The more specific and transparent you can be, the more likely donors will feel confident in making a donation.

Impact of Donations

Donors want to know that their contributions are making a difference. Use this section to showcase the impact of donations and demonstrate how they have helped further the church's mission. This could include sharing success stories, statistics, or testimonials from those who have benefited from the various ministries of the church.

The point is to help people make the connection between their giving and the real-world impact it has on individuals and the community as a whole. This not only shows donors that their contributions are valued and appreciated, but also motivates them to continue giving in the future.

How To Give

Donors need very clear instructions on how to donate. Ideally, you want to give donors as many possible ways to donate as possible, including:

• Online giving
• Text-to-give
• Mobile app
• In-person donations
• Mailed-in donations

Be sure to include any necessary links, instructions, or information for each method of giving. You don't want there to be any confusion regarding how to give.

Other Ways to Give

In addition to monetary donations, there are other ways that donors can support the church's mission. This could include volunteering their time and skills, donating goods or services, or participating in fundraising events.

Encourage people to get involved in as many ways as possible and make it known that their support is not limited to financial contributions.

Conclusion/Thank You

It's important to always express gratitude towards donors, regardless of the size of their contribution. In this concluding section, reiterate how much their support means to the church and its mission. You could also include a personal message from the pastor or another leader in the church expressing their appreciation for each and every donor.

7 Church Donation Letter Samples

Now that you have a good sense of what you should include in a church donation letter, you're ready to start writing it. Here are 7 free church donation letter templates for you to use.

General Request For Donations To Church

Use this church donation letter template to ask for general donations to the church. Include some of the ministries or programs that donations will support to give donors a better understanding of where their money will go.

Template

Dear [Church Member Name],

We are so grateful that you are a part of [Church Name]. Your participation is invaluable and we could not accomplish our mission without you.

As we continue to serve our community, we rely on the generous contributions of our church members to support our ministries and programs. Your donations help us reach out to those in need, spread the word of God, and make a positive impact on people's lives. 

We would like to invite you to consider making a donation to [Church Name]. No amount is too small, and every contribution helps us continue our important work. Every donation is tax-deductible and will be used to further the mission of our church.

If you would like to donate, you can do so in the following ways:

• [Option 1]
• [Option 2]
• [Option 3]

Thanks to member support, as a church we've been able to [result of giving] and [result of giving]. We couldn't have done this without the generosity of our members.

We realize you may not be able to make a financial donation due to economic reasons. If that's the case, there are other ways to support the church, such as [ways that a person can give their time or talent].

Thank you for your continued support and generosity. We are blessed to have you as a part of our community.

Blessings,

[Your Name]

[Church Name]

Specific Fundraising Campaign

If your church is running a specific fundraising campaign, use this template to ask for donations towards that particular cause. Be sure to clearly state the goal of the campaign and how each donation will make an impact.

Template

Dear [Church Member Name],

As you know, [Church Name] is dedicated to serving our community and spreading the love of Jesus. We are currently running a special fundraising campaign in order to [Purpose/Goal of the Campaign]. Our goal is to raise [Amount of Money] and we need your help to make it happen.

Your donation will directly support our efforts and make a [Specific Impact/Solution] possible. By giving, you are not only contributing to the growth and success of our church, but also making a positive difference in the lives of those we aim to serve.

If you would like to donate, you can do so in the following ways:

• [Option 1]
• [Option 2]
• [Option 3]

We understand that everyone may not be able to contribute financially, and that's okay. We appreciate any support you can give, whether it's through monetary donations, volunteering your time, or using your talents to help promote the campaign. Every effort counts and helps us reach our goal.

We are incredibly grateful for your continuous support and generosity. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of others and bring glory to God through this campaign.

Blessings,

[Your Name]

[Church Name]

End-of-Year Giving Request

The end of the year is a crucial time for many churches, as it marks the final opportunity to reach their yearly fundraising goals. Use this template to encourage members to give generously before the year ends.

Template

Dear [Church Member Name],

As we near the end of another year, we want to take this opportunity to thank you for your faithful support and dedication to [Church Name]. Your generosity has allowed us to continue our mission of spreading the love of Jesus and serving our community. Specifically, we've been able to:

• [Achievement 1]
• [Achievement 2]
• [Achievement 3]

As we reflect on all that we have accomplished this past year, we also look ahead with excitement and anticipation for what is to come. Our vision of making a positive impact in the lives of those around us is only possible because of your contributions.

We understand that not everyone may be in a position to donate financially, and we completely respect that. However, if you are able and willing, we kindly ask that you consider making a year-end donation to help us reach our fundraising goal for the year.

There are several ways you can contribute:

• Make a one-time monetary donation
• Volunteer your time and talents
• Donate items or services that can be used for fundraising events

No matter how big or small, every donation makes a difference. Your support not only helps us continue our mission but also sends a message of love and hope to those in need.

If you would like to donate financially, you can do so in the following ways:

• [Option 1]
• [Option 2]
• [Option 3]

We are incredibly grateful for your continuous support and generosity. Together, we can make a positive impact and spread God's love to all those around us. Wishing you a blessed holiday season and a happy new year.

With love and gratitude,

[Your Name]

On behalf of [Church Name]

Church Building Donation Request

When constructing a new church building, donations from church members are crucial. Without them, the building process usually is not possible. Use this template to request special donations for the church building project.

Template

Dear [Church Member Name],

We are excited to announce that our church has officially begun the process of building a [Building Type] This project has been long-awaited and we are grateful for the opportunity to create a space that will bring people closer to God.

However, as with any construction project, there are many costs involved. We have carefully budgeted and planned for this endeavor but we still need your support. We are asking for special donations from our church community to help us reach our goal.

We understand that everyone's financial situation is different, so please know that any amount you can contribute will have a significant impact on the success of this project. In addition to monetary donations, we also welcome any in-kind contributions or volunteer work.

If you would like to contribute, there are a few ways you can do so:

• [Option 1 ]
• [Option 2 ]
• [Option 3 ]

We truly appreciate your support and generosity. Your contribution will not only help us build a physical structure, but also create a space where people can come together and grow in their faith.

Thank you for considering our request. May God bless you abundantly.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

On behalf of [Church Name]

Church Event Donation Letter

There may be times when your church hosts an event to raise funds for a specific cause, such as a church-building project. In these instances, you may need to reach out to your members and ask for their support through donations. Here is a template you can use for this purpose:

Template

Dear [Church Member Name],

As members of our church community, we all share a common goal - to create a space where people can come together and grow in their faith. With this vision in mind, we are excited to announce an upcoming event at our church.

The [Event Name] will be held on [Date], and all proceeds from this event will go towards [Specific Cause]. This project is a reflection of our commitment to bringing people closer to God, but it also comes with a significant financial burden.

This is where we need your help. We understand that everyone's financial situation is different, so please know that any amount you can contribute will have a huge impact on the success of this project.

If you would like to support us in this endeavor, here are a few ways you can do so:

• Consider making a one-time donation towards the [Specific Cause]
• Attend the event and bring your family and friends along for a fun-filled day
• Spread the word about our event and cause through social media or by inviting others to attend

If you would like to contribute financially, there are a few ways you can do so:

• [Option 1 ]
• [Option 2 ]
• [Option 3 ]

We truly appreciate your support and generosity. Your contribution will not only help us reach our financial goal but also bring us closer as a community.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

On behalf of [Church Name]

Mission Trip Donation Letter

Many churches send groups of people on mission trips to serve and spread the word of God in different parts of the world. These trips can be life-changing for both the missionaries and those they serve, but they also come with a significant financial cost.

If you are planning a mission trip, it is important to reach out to your church members for support. You can use the below template as a guide:

Dear [Church Member Name],

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing to inform you about an upcoming mission trip that our church is organizing.

The [Mission Trip Name] will take place from [Trip Dates] in [Destination Country]. We will be working with local communities to spread the message of God and provide much-needed support to those in need.

As you can imagine, this trip comes with a significant financial cost. We are reaching out to our church members for support, and any contribution you can make will go a long way in helping us achieve our mission.

If you would like to support us in this endeavor, here are a few ways you can do so:

• Consider making a one-time donation towards the mission trip.
• Support individuals going on the trip
• Pray for us as we go to [Destination Country] and serve

If you would like to contribute financially, there are a few ways you can do so:

• [Option 1 ]
• [Option 2 ]
• [Option 3 ]

We truly appreciate your support and generosity. Your contribution will not only help us reach our financial goal but also bring us closer as a community.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Church Name]

Christmas Church Donation Letter

Christmas is a time of generosity and giving, and many church members are in a giving spirit during the Christmas holiday. This is the perfect time to reach out to your congregation for support and donations towards a special Christmas project. Use this template to help you write a Christmas donation request letter:

Template

Dear [Church Member Name],

As we head into this Christmas season, we remember that it is truly the season of giving. Our church, [Church Name], has always been dedicated to spreading the love and message of God to our community and beyond. This year, we have a special project that we would like to share with you.

*We are organizing a [Event] for [Group] to bless them this Christmas. We will be giving them [Gift], and [Gift], and even [Gift].

Our goal is to show them the love and generosity of our church community and bring some joy and hope into their lives during this holiday season. We believe that together, we can make a meaningful difference in the lives of these individuals and families.

We are reaching out to you, one of our faithful members, for support towards this project. Your donation will go directly towards purchasing gifts and materials for this event. We believe that every little bit helps and your generosity will go a long way in making this project a success.

There are several ways you can contribute to this project:

• You can make a one-time donation of any amount to our church, specifying that it is for the Christmas project in the memo line.
• You can give online at [Web Address] and put the project in the notes section
• You can text to give at [Text Number]

No matter how big or small, your contribution will help us spread love and joy to those in need this Christmas season. We appreciate any support you can give towards our project.

Thank you so much for being a part of our church community and for sharing in the spirit of giving during this special time of year.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

[Church Name]

Final Thoughts

Writing a church donation letter doesn't have to be intimidating. It's a great opportunity to share your church's mission and invite others to join in supporting a special cause.

By using a personal tone, highlighting the impact of their contribution, and providing different ways to give, you can effectively communicate your message and inspire others to give generously.