Ready to avoid a summer financial dip?
While you’re still riding the energy of Easter Sunday, it’s the perfect time to lock in your summer giving strategy—because what happens next could significantly affect your ministry’s momentum.
Here’s the Game Plan:
- Promote recurring giving now – so donations continue even when members are away.
- Tie generosity to impact – show how summer ministries like VBS, camps, and missions are funded through faithful giving.
- Watch the trends – summer giving often dips. With a plan, yours doesn't have to.
Easter may be your biggest Sunday, but what follows can quietly become a ministry roadblock. If you wait until June to focus on summer giving, you’re already behind.
Here are seven reasons to plan now and avoid a financial slump later:
1. The Post-Easter Slump Is Real
One seasoned church leader noted it used to take until late August to recover post-Easter attendance. Now, many churches don’t rebound until October. This isn’t just anecdotal—it’s a confirmed trend across churches of all sizes.
Without a plan to maintain momentum, post-Easter weeks often lead to a budget shortfall that’s tough to recover from.
2. Historical Trends Signal Financial Risk
Reviewing your giving history will likely reveal that summer has been a weak season for giving. Just like ignoring a slow tire leak, brushing off the pattern can lead to trouble. It’s not just about data—it’s about being proactive.
3. Summer Competition Pulls People Away
Vacations, lake trips, ballgames, and outdoor events compete with weekend worship. As in-person engagement dips, so does giving—unless you’ve created a strategy that travels with your members.
Tip: Promote mobile giving and recurring options so giving doesn’t stop when attendance does.
4. Falling Behind Now Makes Fall Harder
If you're already two to three weeks behind budget, hoping summer will fix it is wishful thinking. Without an intentional strategy, that shortfall only gets worse, and the pressure in the fall becomes intense.
5. Don’t Rely on a Strong Fourth Quarter
Yes, December giving can be strong—but it’s not a safety net. Many churches find year-end giving isn’t enough to make up for a summer slump. Planning ahead avoids counting on a miracle to close the gap.
6. Summer Ministry Deserves Full Funding
Summer isn’t downtime—it’s ministry prime time: VBS, youth camps, mission trips, and community outreach are all happening. These initiatives deserve to be fully funded—not scaled back due to giving gaps.
When people see impact, they’re more motivated to give. Use storytelling to show how generosity fuels ministry.
7. Staying Ahead Beats Catching Up
Church finance is like a race—if you fall behind early, you expend more energy catching up. Staying ahead of your giving goals reduces stress, avoids last-minute cuts, and helps ministry thrive all year long.
Strategic Tip: Push Recurring Giving Now
One of the most effective ways to combat summer slumps is to encourage recurring giving before the dip begins.
Why Recurring Giving Works:
- Increased Consistency: Giving doesn’t stop when people travel.
- Reduced Anxiety: Ministry leaders can plan and budget with confidence.
- Better Forecasting: Predictable income allows for smoother cash flow management.
Churches can launch a recurring giving campaign every May, encouraging members to set up automated donations before they head out for the summer.
Try This:
Use email, text, in-service announcements, and social media to spread the word. Even simple tweaks—like updating your giving confirmation messages to promote recurring giving—can increase participation.
Looking to go deeper? These articles from OnlineGiving.org can help:
The Bottom Line: Plan Now, Not Later
If your church waits until June to address summer giving, you’re already behind. But with the right strategy, you can turn a giving dip into a season of growth.
OnlineGiving.org equips churches with tools, coaching, and support to stay ahead of the curve. If your current provider isn’t helping you plan for seasonal giving challenges, it may be time for a change.
Let’s make summer strong—before the slump hits.
Ready to Build Your Summer Giving Strategy?
We’re here to help you plan now and avoid a shortfall later.
Call us at (615) 206-4000 or email support@onlinegiving.org to get started today.
