How Churches Can Break Through the Noise and Inspire Generosity
Every church has a mission—to spread hope, faith, and the love of Christ. But in today's digital world, where people are bombarded with thousands of messages daily, how do you ensure your church’s message is heard, remembered, and acted upon?
The answer lies in a multichannel approach—a strategy that ministries and nonprofits have long used to meet people where they are and inspire them to give.
A recent study puts the challenge into perspective:
"Giving requires at least two steps. Step one is receiving the appeal in some manner; step two is responding to the appeal.”1.
If your congregation never receives the message, they can’t respond to it. That’s why churches must intentionally engage members across multiple platforms—email, text messages, Sunday services, social media, and direct mail—to ensure their message breaks through the noise.
Why a Multichannel Approach Matters
According to Forbes, the average American is exposed to between 4,000 and 10,000 advertisements daily.2. However, studies show that people are consciously aware of only about 98.5 of them per day. 3.
This means that if your church relies on just one communication method (such as Sunday announcements or a single email), your message is likely getting lost.
So, how can a church ensure its life-changing message is heard? By using a multichannel approach—reaching people through various platforms to reinforce engagement and increase response rates.
The Proof is in the Data
- Multichannel donors give up to three times more than single-channel donors.4.
- Donors who give both online and offline are over three times more valuable to an organization than those who give through a single channel.5.
- Multichannel donors have a 56% higher retention rate than offline-only donors.6.
In short—the more ways you engage your congregation, the more likely they are to give and continue giving.
First: Implement a Multichannel Giving Strategy in Your Church
A multichannel approach means using multiple communication platforms—such as email, social media, direct mail, and in-person interactions—to reach a broader audience. It ensures your message reaches people in the spaces they frequent, increasing the likelihood of engagement and giving.
Step 1: Communicate Your Message Clearly
- Define why giving matters and how it impacts your ministry.
- Share real-life stories to inspire generosity.
- Provide clear, easy ways to give in every message.
Step 2: Use Multiple Channels to Engage Your Congregation
- Sunday Announcements & Bulletins – Highlight the impact of generosity.
- Email Campaigns – Send personalized giving appeals and thank-yous.
- Text Messages – Short, engaging donation reminders with links.
- Social Media & Video – Use storytelling to showcase your mission.
- Direct Mail & Pledge Cards – Some donors still prefer physical mail.
- Your Church Website & Giving Page – Make online giving seamless and mobile-friendly.
Step 3: Offer Multiple Ways to Give
- Online Giving & Recurring Donations – Let members give anytime, anywhere.
- Text-to-Give – Quick and easy mobile donations.
- Traditional Offering Plate – Many members still prefer in-person giving.
- Mailed Checks & Direct Deposits – Keep options open for all donors.
Next: Link the Message to Giving
Once you’ve engaged your audience with your message, the next step is to make it easy for them to give.
Consider these findings from Infinity Concepts on what type of appeal inspired donors to give:
- 30% Direct Mail
- 22% Email
- 20% Social media
- 16% Podcast/video/website
- 14% Television
- 14% Phone call
- 9% Text
- 6% Radio
- 12% Other means. 7.
Additionally, many donors still prefer to give through an offering plate during worship services. This is why offering multiple giving methods is crucial—it meets people where they are and makes giving convenient.
How OnlineGiving.org Can Help
At OnlineGiving.org, we are an engagement platform that also processes transactions.
- Our tools help you build an engagement strategy that leads to increased giving.
- We integrate seamlessly with your church's website, email, text marketing, and more.
- We provide expert support to help you set up and optimize your multichannel approach.
For more insights, check out these recent posts:
How Text Marketing Transforms Church Communication
Reaching Irregular Church Attendees
Ready to Increase Engagement and Giving?
Contact us today for a free demonstration of how our platform works and how it can support your ministry’s goals. Email us at support@onlinegiving.org or call (615) 206-4000.
With the right multichannel strategy, your church can strengthen engagement, increase giving, and advance the Kingdom.
Is your church’s message getting lost in the noise? A multichannel approach can boost engagement & increase giving! Learn how to reach more people & inspire generosity:https://t.co/6OSH9vMhpo pic.twitter.com/v9g0zPpVug
— Online Giving (@onlinegivingorg) January 30, 2025
1. Infinity Concepts. (2025). How Donors Think: Evangelical Giving Perspectives. Retrieved from https://www.infinityconcepts.com / How-Donors-Think-Downloadable.pdf
2. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2017/08/25/finding-brand-success-in-the-digital-world/
3. https://www.digitalsilk.com/digital-trends/how-many-ads-do-we-see-a-day/
4. https://virtuous.org/blog/multichannel-fundraising/
5. https://creativefundraisingadvisors.com/optimizing-multichannel-fundraising
6. https://www.nextafter.com/blog/advanced-guide-to-integrated-fundraising/
7. Infinity Concepts. (2025). How Donors Think: Evangelical Giving Perspectives. Retrieved from https://www.infinityconcepts.com / How-Donors-Think-Downloadable.pdf
