As the calendar winds down, churches across the country enter one of the most important (and busiest) times of the year. The holiday season is full of celebration, reflection, and generosity. In fact, research shows that over 30% of annual charitable giving happens in the last quarter alone, with December being especially significant.
As a church leader, you know that this is more than an opportunity for generosity. It’s a chance to invite people into God’s mission in meaningful ways and lay the foundation for a strong start to the new year. But making the most of this opportunity takes planning, clear communication, and a heart for ministry.
That’s why we created The Year-End Giving Guide – a free resource designed to help churches approach year-end giving with purpose and confidence. It’s filled with practical tips, templates, and ideas for every stage of the campaign.
Here’s a look at some of the insights inside the guide, and how they can help you finish the year well.
Start with Vision, Not Just Goals
One of the biggest challenges with year-end giving is moving beyond the idea of “meeting a budget.” People are more inspired by impact than by numbers alone.
The guide encourages church leaders to start by asking:
- What ministry goals do we want to accomplish in the coming year?
- How will year-end giving help us get there?
From there, you’ll learn how to set SMART goals (specific, measurable, actionable, relevant, and time-bound) that reflect both financial needs and ministry outcomes. For example:
- Engage 150 households in year-end giving, including 25 first-time donors.
- Raise $60,000 to launch a new children’s ministry in 2026.
When people can clearly see the “why” behind your campaign, they’re more likely to give with both their hearts and their resources.
Speak to Both the Heart and the Head
Giving is deeply spiritual, but it’s also practical. The Year-End Giving Guide offers ideas for communicating with both aspects in mind:
- Biblical inspiration: Scripture reminds us that generosity is part of discipleship. Verses like 2 Corinthians 9:7 (“God loves a cheerful giver”) or Matthew 6:21 (“Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also”) help connect giving to faith, gratitude, and obedience.
- Practical clarity: People want to give, but confusion or inconvenience can hold them back. The guide walks you through how to offer multiple ways to give, such as online, via text, through apps, or even with non-cash gifts like stock donations or real estate.
By combining spiritual purpose with clear instructions, you make giving both meaningful and accessible.
Use Multiple Ways to Connect
One of the most valuable sections of the guide covers outreach methods. People engage differently, so using multiple channels ensures your message reaches the whole congregation.
Some highlights include:
- Website updates: A clear, easy-to-find giving page with impact stories can significantly increase follow-through.
- Email templates: Save time with sample thank-you notes, reminders, and impact updates.
- Social media ideas: Share countdowns, donor spotlights, and ministry stories to keep generosity top of mind.
- Printed materials and pulpit announcements: In-person touchpoints still matter, especially for members who are less engaged online.
- Text and voicemail messages: Quick, personal reminders can make a big difference as December 31 approaches.
The guide even provides sample language for each channel, so you can spend less time drafting messages and more time engaging with people.
Stay Organized with a Complete Campaign Calendar
A highlight of the guide is its 8-week campaign calendar. Starting in early November, it breaks the season into manageable steps, showing you what to share each week, from social media posts to service announcements to email updates.
This structure helps you:
- Build momentum gradually.
- Keep messaging consistent across all platforms.
- Avoid last-minute scrambling for content.
Whether you follow it exactly or adapt it for your church, the calendar offers a clear roadmap for finishing the year well.
End with Gratitude and Look Ahead
Finally, the guide emphasizes what comes after December 31st: saying thank you and keeping the momentum going.
Practical ideas include:
- Sending personalized thank-you messages right after gifts come in.
- Sharing impact reports so people see the results of their generosity.
- And, inviting one-time donors to consider recurring giving in the new year.
When people feel appreciated and see their gifts making a difference, they’re far more likely to stay engaged for the long term.
Get the Full Guide
These are just a few highlights from The Year-End Giving Guide, which is packed with templates, sample messages, planning checklists, and ready-to-use resources to save you time and help your church thrive this season.
If you want a simple, practical way to plan your year-end giving campaign while keeping it grounded in faith and ministry impact, this free resource can help.
Download The Year-End Giving Guide and take the next step toward a meaningful, well-organized, and spiritually rich season of generosity.
