TL;DR:
Don’t let summer giving slow your ministry down. As attendance drops during vacation months, many churches face a financial slump—but it doesn’t have to be that way. By planning ahead, casting a compelling vision, telling stories of impact, and promoting recurring giving, your church can stay fully funded and mission-focused all summer long.
Avoid the Seasonal Slump
OnlineGiving.org provides the tools, seasonal strategies, and support to help you beat the slump and build momentum for the rest of the year.
Easter’s high attendance is behind us, but a new challenge is approaching: the summer giving slump. As families head to the beach, mountains, or camps, church attendance and financial support often decline.
Yet ministry doesn’t pause. Programs like Vacation Bible School, mission trips, and youth camps still need funding. Your church can’t afford to lose momentum just because school is out and people are traveling.
The good news? You can stop the slump before it starts—with the right plan in place. Here’s how to keep your ministry vibrant and fully funded all summer long.
Start Planning Now
Many churches don’t have a plan for summer giving. Instead, they cross their fingers and hope for the best. But as the old saying goes, “Hope is not a strategy.”
Waiting until your budget is stressed to act is risky. The only way to avoid a dip in giving is to prepare ahead of time. By starting now—before school lets out and people scatter—you help ensure your church's financial future. That’s how you keep ministry going strong when it matters most.
At OnlineGiving.org, we provide churches with season-specific giving plans to help you stay funded year-round. Our partners rely on these plans to proactively engage givers and avoid financial slowdowns. Ask yourself: is your current provider helping you plan ahead?
Call us at (615) 206-4000 or email support@onlinegiving.org to set up a time to learn more.
Cast a Vision That Inspires Generosity
The most successful summer giving campaigns start with a compelling vision.
People don’t give to line items—they give to impact. When you cast a clear and inspiring vision for what God is doing through your church this summer, your congregation will respond with generosity.
Make the Vision Clear:
- What is the spiritual goal of your VBS or camp?
- How will the mission trip change lives—both locally and globally?
- What are you trusting God for this summer?
Don’t assume your members see the bigger picture. Show them how their giving is tied to life-change and ministry growth. If you frame your appeal around “making the budget,” it’s likely to fall flat. But if you tell them how their giving changes lives, they’ll lean in.
At OnlineGiving.org, we call this the “connecting power of vision.” It’s not just about the ask—it’s about showing people what their gift makes possible.
Tell the Story, Before and After
The weeks leading up to and during summer events should be filled with story-driven communication. This is your show-and-tell season.
Share photos and personal stories before your events begin. Talk about what you’re praying for, preparing for, and believing God to do. Then, after the event, celebrate the outcomes with your congregation.
Imagine a social media post with a picture of your youth group at camp and a caption that reads, “Thanks to your generosity, 105 kids heard the Gospel this summer!” When people see the impact of their giving, they’re more likely to continue giving—and to give again.
Recurring Giving: Your Summer Safety Net
One of the most effective ways to beat the summer giving slump is by encouraging recurring giving.
When people set up recurring gifts, their support continues even when they’re away. This adds stability to your budget and reduces the stress of trying to “catch up” in the fall.
Why Promote Recurring Giving?
- Ensures consistent giving even when members are on vacation
- Reduces monthly giving fluctuations and budgeting headaches
- Builds long-term generosity habits among your congregation
- Helps your church maintain financial momentum year-round
Many of our partner churches see over 80% of their giving come through recurring gifts—and they credit that with helping them thrive through the summer.
May is the perfect time to promote recurring giving. As school winds down, families are making summer plans—help them include your church in those plans by making their giving automatic.
We’ll even help you run a recurring giving campaign. Check out a great success story here:
https://www.onlinegiving.org/support/release-more-money-for-ministry-with-onboarding
Make This Summer Your Strongest Yet
Don't wait for July to bring budget pressure and financial uncertainty. This May, share your summer vision with clarity and passion. Use stories to inspire generosity. Promote recurring giving to create financial consistency.
At OnlineGiving.org, we’re here to help you every step of the way. We provide the tools, the strategy, and the ongoing support to help your church thrive—not just survive—this summer and beyond.
Ready to talk? Call (615) 206-4000 or email support@onlinegiving.org to connect with our team.
Let’s make this summer a season of abundance, impact, and momentum—for your ministry and your mission.
Ministry doesn’t take a summer vacation—your giving strategy shouldn’t either! Plan now, inspire generosity, and skip the summer slump.https://t.co/zqZu5hC5E6 pic.twitter.com/S7XnOxAcur
— Online Giving (@onlinegivingorg) April 21, 2025
