Your Checklist to Holiday Giving Success – A Guide for Churches and Places of Worship 

November and December are peak months for charitable giving, presenting a unique opportunity to inspire generosity within your congregation. 

For many faith communities, the values of giving and service are deeply connected to the spiritual significance of this season. As your congregation gathers for holidays like Christmas, Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, it’s the perfect moment to inspire them to give in ways that honor their faith and uplift others. 

But to make the most of this time of year, thoughtful planning is key. A well-organized holiday giving campaign not only fosters generosity but also ensures that it’s intentional, impactful, and aligned with your place of worship’s mission. 

In this guide, we offer five practical steps to help you plan and execute a successful giving campaign that strengthens your congregation’s giving spirit this holiday season. 

1. Set a giving goal 

Establishing a clear and realistic fundraising goal is essential for a successful holiday giving campaign. It not only provides your congregation with a tangible reason to give but also lays the foundation for a well-organized and impactful campaign. Here’s how you can set an impactful goal for your holiday campaign. 

Define your purpose 

Start by clearly defining what your holiday giving campaign will support. Whether it’s providing meals to local families, purchasing gifts for children in need, or supporting a holiday community event, a well-defined purpose helps mobilize support. 

Determine the amount 

Set a realistic and achievable fundraising target. Review past giving trends during the holiday season, assess your current needs, and consider the size of your congregation. Your campaign’s giving goal should be both aspirational and attainable. 

Consider these inputs when calculating your goal: 

• Fundraising goal: Specify the total amount you aim to raise. For example, your goal may be to raise $5,000 to fund a holiday food drive or toy distribution. 

• Average church attendance: Take into account the number of people who regularly attend your services. For instance, if you typically have 50 attendees each week, this will help gauge potential support. Don’t forget to include your online supporters too. 

• Average number of givers: Estimate how many individuals are likely to donate. If historical data suggests that 50% of your attendees typically give, this will help refine your target. 

• Average donation per giver: Determine the typical donation amount per person. For example, if past donations average $50 per person, use this figure to help estimate the number of donors needed to reach your goal. 

By analyzing these factors, you can set a feasible target that aligns with your congregation’s generosity and your campaign’s objectives. Consider establishing incremental goals to maintain focus and offer opportunities to celebrate progress along the way. 

2. Set a timeline 

A well-structured timeline will help your holiday giving campaign reach its full potential. A clear plan keeps your team aligned and helps coordinate the many moving parts of your campaign, ensuring every activity is executed smoothly. 

Determine a duration 

Decide on the length of your campaign. For instance, you might start after Thanksgiving and run through New Year’s Eve. This timeframe encompasses key holiday dates and moments of heightened generosity, when people are often reflecting on gratitude and giving back. 

Identify key dates and activities 

Milestones serve as guideposts to keep your team focused and your congregation engaged. Each milestone marks a critical phase in your campaign, from preparation to execution to post-campaign follow-up. 

When developing your timeline, consider including these key milestones and activities: 

Initial planning 

4-6 weeks before launch 

• Identify team members: Determine who will be involved in the campaign, including staff, volunteers, and their specific responsibilities. 

• Schedule meetings: Set a kickoff date for the campaign and plan regular check-in meetings to monitor progress and address any issues. 

Campaign launch prep 

2-4 weeks before launch 

• Assemble stories: Gather compelling stories that will inspire givers and connect their contributions to the impact of your place of worship’s vision. 

• Create announcement schedules: Develop a schedule for pre-, during, and post-announcements, including live events, emails, newsletters, and social media posts. 

Campaign launch 

Start of campaign 

• Official kickoff: Announce the start of the campaign with a special service or event. Use this opportunity to present the campaign’s goals, stories, and ways to give. 

Mid-campaign check-in  

Midway through the campaign 

• Progress report: Share updates on how much has been raised and how close you are to reaching the goal. Use visuals like Givelithons to display progress. 

• Special services or events: Plan services or events around major holidays like Christmas or Hanukkah to incorporate giving into the celebrations. This can include special sermons, charity drives, or community gatherings. 

Final appeal 

Last week of campaign 

• Urgent call to action: Emphasize the urgency to donate before the campaign ends. Highlight any remaining gap to the goal and how close you are to achieving it. 

• Countdown reminders: Use countdowns to create a sense of urgency as the campaign nears its end. 

Post-campaign follow-up 

1-2 weeks after the campaign ends 

• Express gratitude: Send personalized thank-you messages to all donors. Recognize their contributions in newsletters, on social media, or during services. 

• Share results: Communicate the campaign’s success, including total funds raised and the impact on the community or project. 

By mapping out your campaign timeline with these key activities and milestones, you can stay organized, maximize your reach, and ensure a successful and impactful holiday giving season for your place of worship. 

3. Prepare your story 

Personal stories and testimonials can be particularly effective in illustrating the impact of past donations and the need for current support. An inspiring story will help you craft a compelling ask. 

Incorporate these essential elements as you build your narrative: 

• Your mission: Explain the core mission of your church or place of worship.  

• Specific campaign details: Describe what the campaign is about and how it aligns with your mission.  

• Person/people who benefit: Highlight the individuals or groups who will benefit from the donations.  

• Supporting data: Provide relevant data or statistics that support the need for the campaign.  

• Fundraising goal: Clearly state the amount you are aiming to raise.  

• Expected impact: Describe the anticipated outcomes and how the donations will make a difference.  

• Call to action: Include a direct and motivating call to action, encouraging supporters to contribute. 

Crafting a narrative like this not only motivates your congregation to give, but also connects their contributions to the impact they can have on others. 

Incorporate visuals 

Bring your holiday campaign narrative to life by incorporating powerful visuals like photos and videos. Show the impact of past donations with images of families who’ve benefited or short video testimonials of community members sharing their stories. 

These visual elements help evoke emotion by showing the tangible difference their gifts can make — building deeper connections with your congregation and inspiring greater generosity. 

4. Make the ask 

When making the ask, use clear, heartfelt language that resonates with your congregation. Emphasize how their donations will make a meaningful difference and why their support is crucial during this season of giving. 

Leverage multiple channels 

To maximize your reach, consider these channels for communicating your ask:  

• Sermons: Incorporate your ask into holiday sermons, connecting the act of giving to the spiritual themes of the season. For example, during your Christmas Eve service, you could say, “As we celebrate the gift of Christ, let us also be a gift to those in need.” 

• Emails: Send out a series of emails, each highlighting a different aspect of the campaign. One email could share a personal story of someone who has benefited from past donations, while another focuses on the urgency of hitting your year-end goal. 

• Social media: Use platforms like Facebook and Instagram to post impactful images and stories. Encourage followers to share your posts to extend the campaign’s reach and consider using video clips to make the ask more personal. For example, you can post a video message from your faith leader asking for support with a direct link to give. 

• Physical mail: Send personalized letters or cards to members of your congregation, especially those who may not be as active online. These mailings could include photos of community members impacted by your church’s work, along with a donation envelope or Givelify’s Snap-to-Give QR code. 

Encourage participation 

Make giving as easy as possible for your congregation by offering multiple ways to donate. Use platforms like Givelify or a dedicated giving page on your website to make donations quick and secure. 

Include clickable donation links in emails and on your social media pages. Make sure these links take donors directly to a secure giving page to streamline the process. 

For those who prefer in-person giving, set up clearly marked donation boxes at key locations around your church. You can encourage members to drop off their contributions before or after services during the holiday season. 

5. Say thank you 

Expressing gratitude is a crucial part of maintaining strong relationships with your donors and encouraging future generosity. A well-crafted thank-you message can leave a lasting impression and deepen the connection between your congregation and your mission. 

Express gratitude 

People are more inclined to give when they feel appreciated. Acknowledge and thank donors promptly with heartfelt, personalized messages. 

For example, you could send handwritten notes or personalized emails that express your sincere appreciation: 

You can also recognize donors during services, through a public acknowledgment, or on your church’s website or social media pages. 

Share results 

Once your campaign concludes, let your congregation know the impact of their contributions. This transparency builds trust and encourages continued support. 

Provide detailed updates on how much was raised, what was accomplished, and the difference it will make. For example, you might say: 

Sharing the results through a special sermon, newsletter, or video message can help reinforce the connection between giving and impact. 

Celebrate together 

Consider organizing a special event or service to celebrate your supporters and the success of your campaign. This could be a post-holiday gathering, a gratitude service, or even a small reception. These moments not only recognize donors but also create a sense of community and shared accomplishment. 

Maximize the impact of the holiday giving season 

The holiday season is a powerful time to inspire giving within your congregation. By setting a clear goal, preparing your story, and executing a thoughtful plan, your holiday giving campaign can make a meaningful impact. 

Whether focused on community outreach or helping those in need, a well-executed campaign encourages generosity while strengthening the bonds of faith and service. 

With careful planning, you’ll not only meet your fundraising goals but also uplift and inspire your congregation during this season of giving.