Text-To-Tithe: Making Giving Effortless with Mobile Donation Solutions

How many text messages do you send a day?

If you’re the average smartphone user, you send between 40-70 text messages. You might text to make plans, say hi, ask a question, or give an update. But do you text to give?

While texting for the purpose of connection and communication can be wonderful, texting to give can be revolutionary.

Thanks to mobile technology, we can give to the Church and build generosity as a regular rhythm very easily. We can tithe or give from anywhere, at anytime. And we can do it all with our thumbs.

Texting to give is an awesome method for churches of every size–along with nonprofits–to empower their members and donors to be generous. In the following article, we’ll dive into this mobile donation solution, giving you the tools and strategies you need to know to get started.

What is Text-To-Tithe?

Text-to-tithe (or text-to-give, as it’s more commonly known) is a mobile giving approach that allows people to make donations simply by sending a text message. This method leverages the ubiquity of mobile phones, making it easy for anyone to give, regardless of their location.

By eliminating the need for cash, checks, or physical donation envelopes, text-to-give streamlines the donation process, making it more efficient and accessible to be generous.

Text-to-give is especially beneficial for churches that ask people to give during weekend services or at special events, like conferences. Speakers or leaders can communicate simply about this: Participants can simply take out their phones and text a special code to give.

Of course, text-to-give relies on special security measures to keep everything safe. The good news? With today’s technology, it’s quite possible to give safely and securely from your mobile phone.

The Benefits of Mobile Donation Solutions

1. Convenience: With text-to-give, donating to the church is as simple as sending a text. Congregants can give any time and anywhere without the need to be physically present in the church. This is especially useful for church members who are frequently absent during weekend services.
2. Speed: The process is quick and straightforward. Once set up, donations can be made in seconds, providing an immediate way to support the church's needs.
3. Increased Engagement: Mobile donation solutions can lead to increased engagement and participation in giving. The ease of use encourages more frequent contributions, especially among younger, tech-savvy members. Plus, a text-to-give option can be a powerful way to show church members your commitment to using technology and staying abreast of trends.
4. Improved Fundraising: Text-to-give can be a significant asset during fundraising campaigns, whether you are raising money to help out a specific church member or you are raising money for a building. When donors can give on their mobile devices right within their texting app, making a small (or large!) gift feels like an easier “ask.”
5. Transparency and Tracking: Text-to-give platforms often come with features that allow donors to track their giving history, providing a transparent record of their contributions for personal and tax purposes. Likewise, churches that use this tool can track financial gifts and improve donor engagement, and even store donor information.

How Text-To-Tithe Works

Implementing text-to-give in your church is a straightforward process. Here’s how it typically works:

1. Setup: The church partners with a mobile giving platform that supports text-to-give (Tithely is a popular option, which we’ll explain more below). The platform provides a unique phone number and custom keyword for the church.
2. Communication: The church communicates the new giving method to its members through announcements, bulletins, social media, and the church website.
3. Giving: Congregants text the keyword (e.g., "GIVE") to the provided phone number or shortcode. They receive a link to a secure donation form or donation page where they can enter their donation amount and payment information, such as a credit card or debit card.
4. Confirmation: Donors receive a confirmation message after their transaction is completed, along with a receipt for their records.

Success Stories

Many churches that have adopted text-to-give have reported significant increases in donations and overall engagement. By implementing texting options for generosity, churches all over the world have seen increases in giving. For example, San Diego Church of Christ saw a 23.8% increase in overall giving by offering digital giving, including text-to-give.

Best Practices for Implementing Text-To-Give

To maximize the benefits of text-to-give, churches should consider the following best practices:

1. Education and Training: Ensure that church staff and volunteers are well-versed in how the platform works so they can assist congregants with any questions or issues. Providing FAQs and tutorials can be very helpful. One easy way to do this is to create a few simple instructional slides to display during a weekend service.
2. Promotion: Regularly promote the text-to-give option through various communication channels to keep it top of mind for members. Use text messages, social media, and in-person announcements to reach all demographics, and make sure to be mindful of those who may be less tech-savvy.
3. Integration: Integrate the mobile giving platform with the church’s existing financial and communication systems for seamless tracking and reporting. This also helps in managing donor data effectively.
4. Feedback and Support: Encourage feedback from congregants to identify any areas for improvement and provide prompt support to address any issues. Make the donation process as user-friendly as possible.

Leveraging Text-To-Give for Fundraising

Text-to-give is not only ideal for regular donations but also for specific fundraising events and campaigns. Here are a few ways to leverage this functionality:

• Fundraising Events: Use text-to-give during events such as conferences, holiday services, and church-wide retreats to encourage real-time donations. Donors text a custom keyword and shortcode to quickly and conveniently make donations from their cell phones. Just make sure to display clear instructions.
• Recurring Donations: Promote the option for recurring donations, allowing congregants to set up regular contributions effortlessly. Churches that rely on recurring giving see higher, more frequent donations. In fact, recurring giving can actually double monthly donations to your church.
• Special Campaigns: Launch targeted text-to-donate campaigns to raise funds for specific projects or needs. Communicate fundraising goals clearly to motivate donors.
• Peer-to-Peer Fundraising: Encourage members to share the text-to-give information with their networks, expanding the reach and impact of your fundraising efforts.

Text-to-Give with Tithely

Text-to-give fundraising represents a significant advancement in the way churches can receive donations. Making giving effortless and accessible empowers congregants to support their church's mission and vision more effectively. As mobile technology continues to evolve, embracing solutions like text-to-give will be crucial for churches looking to thrive in the digital age.

Tithely Giving is a free, easy-to-use giving platform that provides a text-to-tithe option for churches looking to receive online donations with a text message. With Tithely, churches of all sizes can use this powerful fundraising method to run a text-to-give campaign or receive ongoing donations with text-to-give.

Whether through regular tithes, special campaigns, or fundraising events, the flexibility and ease of mobile donations can help churches of all sizes achieve their fundraising goals and engage new donors. Text-to-give is just the next step in creating an optimized giving experience. It’s easy, interactive, and safe, making this a no-brainer for your giving strategy.

Check out Tithely Giving for your text-to-tithe and online giving needs.

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