5 Key Giving Days to Boost Church Donations in 2025

In today’s dynamic world of charitable giving, certain dates on the calendar provide powerful moments for places of worship to inspire generosity within their communities. 

These “giving days” not only highlight the importance of one’s faith but also serve as meaningful opportunities to nurture generosity among congregants. 

By aligning fundraising efforts with these significant dates, places of worship can cultivate a culture of giving that aligns with their members’ values and beliefs.

In this blog, we’ll highlight five key giving days in 2025 that can help boost donations, along with actionable tips to inspire generosity.

1. New Year’s Day 

January 1, 2025 

New Year’s Day marks a time of reflection and renewal, with many people setting goals focused on personal growth, health, and community involvement. This is a unique opportunity for places of worship to encourage congregants to include generosity and giving back as part of their New Year’s resolutions. By tapping into the spirit of new beginnings, you can inspire your congregation to support your place of worship throughout the year. 

Tips for encouraging donations: 

• Kickoff the year with purpose: Deliver a New Year’s sermon that highlights the importance of generosity and community support as meaningful resolutions. Share impactful stories of how past donations have positively affected the congregation and community. 

• Set a year-long giving challenge: Encourage congregants to commit to a regular monthly giving plan or set a personal donation goal for the year, helping them develop a habit of consistent giving. 

• Share your vision for the year: Outline specific projects or initiatives that donations will fund in the coming months, helping congregants connect their giving with tangible, meaningful outcomes. 

2. Easter Sunday 

April 20, 2025 

Easter, symbolizing resurrection, hope, and renewal, is a cornerstone of the Christian faith. It’s also one of the most attended worship days of the year. During this time, many congregants feel especially connected to their faith and church community. This day offers a meaningful moment to reflect on themes of sacrifice and generosity and encourage your congregants to embody these values. 

Tips for encouraging donations: 

• Hold a special Easter service: Focus on the message of giving within the context of resurrection and renewal. Encourage congregants to consider generosity as a way to honor the spirit of Easter. 

• Launch Easter outreach initiatives: Organize community-focused projects, such as food drives or service events, and invite congregants to support these initiatives through donations. Clearly communicate how their financial contributions will make a difference. 

• Use visual reminders: Display visuals like banners or videos to showcase the impact of past Easter donations, helping congregants see how their support has benefited both the church and the wider community. 

3. GivingTuesday 

December 2, 2025 

Although widely recognized by nonprofits, GivingTuesday aligns closely with the mission of places of worship. As a day dedicated to charitable giving following the consumer-driven days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, GivingTuesday invites people to turn their focus toward supporting meaningful causes. Participating in GivingTuesday allows places of worship to join a national movement of generosity, inspiring congregants to reflect on the importance of giving back to their faith community and beyond. 

Tips for encouraging donations: 

• Create a giving campaign: Develop a GivingTuesday campaign around a community need, such as supporting a local charity or funding church initiatives. Craft a compelling message that highlights the impact of the campaign and the difference it will make. 

• Engage with stories: Share testimonials from beneficiaries of past donations, showing how congregants’ generosity has positively changed lives. Use video messages, social media posts, and special announcements to bring these stories to life and inspire more giving. 

• Utilize social media and live updates: Build excitement on social media by sharing live updates throughout the day, showcasing the impact of donations as they come in. Encourage congregants to share your campaign with friends and family, amplifying its reach for even greater community support. 

4. Christmas 

December 25, 2025 

Christmas, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, embodies themes of love, generosity, and community. It’s a time when many congregants feel compelled to give, both in celebration and in gratitude for the blessings of the past year. This holiday presents an ideal opportunity for churches to inspire acts of generosity as congregants reconnect with their faith and community. 

Tips for encouraging donations: 

• Incorporate giving into services: Create special Christmas services that focus on the message of giving. Offer moments for congregants to contribute through a special offering or by using digital giving platforms like Givelify, making it easy for them to support the church. 

• Organize holiday outreach programs: Organize community outreach initiatives, such as holiday meal distributions or toy drives, to engage congregants in acts of generosity. These programs not only provide tangible help to those in need but also foster a sense of community and connection among congregants. 

• Host a Christmas giving event: Plan a Christmas concert or community gathering centered on generosity. Share impactful stories and encourage donations, while fostering community spirit during the holiday season. 

5. End-of-year giving 

December 26-31, 2025 

The end of the year is a time for reflection, gratitude, and planning for the future. As many people review their finances and charitable contributions, it’s a prime opportunity for places of worship to encourage generosity. This period allows congregants to make impactful gifts before the year closes, reinforcing their commitment to their faith and community. 

Tips for encouraging donations: 

• Send personalized reminders: Reach out through email or direct mail with thoughtful reminders that emphasize the importance of year-end giving. Include easy instructions for how to donate to make the process seamless. 

• Highlight tax benefits: Educate congregants about potential tax deductions for charitable donations made before December 31, underscoring the practical benefits of their generosity. 

• Showcase impact: Share a year-in-review update celebrating the accomplishments made possible by congregants’ contributions. Seeing the tangible impact of their giving can create a powerful incentive to contribute before year’s end. 

Additional 2025 giving days to consider 

In addition to these five key giving days, places of worship may want to consider other opportunities throughout the year to encourage generosity. 

Here’s a calendar of additional giving days to keep in mind: 

Leveraging Givelify to boost donations on giving days 

As your place of worship prepares for key giving days, utilizing a mobile and online giving platform like Givelify can enhance your fundraising efforts. Givelify offers a suite of features and tools designed to make the giving process seamless and engaging for both congregants and faith leaders. 

Here are some ways places of worship can leverage Givelify to boost donations on these important days: 

Easy online and mobile giving 

Givelify allows congregants to donate effortlessly through a user-friendly mobile app and website. By promoting the Givelify app during key giving days, places of worship can ensure that congregants have a quick and convenient way to contribute, whether they are attending services in person or participating from home. 

Pro-tip: Send reminders via email and social media on giving days, including direct links to your Givelify donation page. Highlight the ease of using the app and how it facilitates giving in just a few taps. 

Custom giving envelopes 

Givelify enables places of worship to create giving envelopes for specific giving days or fundraising initiatives. Whether it’s a special Easter offering or a GivingTuesday campaign, churches can tailor their donation options to encourage giving to support specific campaigns or causes. 

Pro-tip: Craft compelling narratives around each campaign, emphasizing the impact that donations will have on the community and the church’s mission. Use Givelify’s giving envelopes to visually represent these initiatives, making it easy for congregants to understand where their money is going. 

Real-time tracking and analytics 

Understanding donor behavior is essential for improving future fundraising efforts. Givelify provides real-time tracking and analytics, allowing places of worship to see how donations are coming in during key giving days. This information can be used to adjust strategies and improve engagement. 

Pro-tip: After each giving day, analyze the data to identify trends. Use these insights to plan future campaigns more effectively. 

Recurring giving options 

Encouraging congregants to consider recurring donations can provide a steady stream of support throughout the year. Givelify allows congregants to set up recurring giving, making it easy for them to commit to ongoing support without the hassle of remembering to give each time. 

Pro-tip: During key giving days, emphasize the benefits of recurring giving and how it can help sustain the church’s mission. Promote this option alongside one-time giving opportunities to maximize overall contributions. 

Special recognition for donors 

Recognizing and appreciating donors can foster a sense of community and encourage continued support. Givelify allows churches to send personalized thank-you messages to donors, expressing gratitude for their contributions. 

Pro-tip: Consider implementing a recognition program that personally thanks donors for their contributions. Showcasing the impact of their generosity can motivate congregants to give on future giving days, knowing their support is valued and appreciated. 

Elevate your 2025 giving 

Utilizing key giving days as focal points for fundraising allows places of worship to deepen their connection with congregants and cultivate a culture of generosity. As 2025 approaches, consider these dates as opportunities not just to boost donations but to strengthen the bonds within your faith community, ensuring that your place of worship’s mission continues to thrive.