Millennial Giving Trends and What Churches Need to Know
I’m a millennial. If you are too, you may already bethinking, I don’t really fit the stereotype.
I used to feel the same way – until I realized the habits I bring to churchgiving are very much shaped by my generation. And that’s not a bad thing. Infact, it points to how churches can grow.
A Conversation That Sparked Insight
Recently, my soon-to-be supervisor asked why younger families weren’t tithing as often.
I answered honestly:
“I don’t think you need my offering. I know other churches, missionaries and faith-based nonprofits where my gift is mission critical.”
That wasn’t an excuse to withhold generosity. I give faith fully to causes I care about.
But I want my giving to move a mission forward, not simply keep the lights on.
When I joined my current church, I’d already committed to three or four ministries where my passions matched their greatest needs. And the weekly reports at my new church always showed giving was ahead of budget.Even when I forgot to reset my recurring gift after an online giving up grade, no one reached out. I never received a thank-you letter. It seemed clear the mission would continue – with or without me – so I kept focusing on those other organizations.
The Bigger Picture
That conversation crystallized something: younger generations, who now make up more than half the U.S. population, will reshape how churches think about tithing. To stay strong, churches need to meet two key expectations.
1. Make Giving Effortless
Remember when giving meant a plate passed down the pew and a quick reach for cash or a check? Simple.
Online giving was supposed to keep it simple – and during the pandemic it became essential – but in many churches it’s anything but.
Ask yourself:
- Can someone give on their first visit without creating an account or downloading an app
- Is your giving page buried behind menus or a long form?
Consider tools people already use. A scannable QR code on the screen or in a bulletin is intuitive. Digital wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay make it even easier. After that first gift, you can followup to invite them to set up recurring giving.
Convenience isn’t a luxury – it’s a welcome mat.
2. Show the Impact
Churches often describe giving as an act of worship or an opportunity to give back to God. True statements, but not always enough to inspire action.
Platforms like GoFundMe have shown that people are eager to respond when they see a clear, personal impact. In 2021 alone, someone donated on GoFundMe every second.
Your congregation includes people who have given that way. They aren’t less generous than older generations; they’re motivated differently.
The next generation needs to see how their gifts change lives:
- Tell stories of ministries every week
- Share quick updates in newsletters or videos
- Frame giving as a way to work through the church for Kingdom impact, not just to the church
When passion meets visible need, generosity follows.
Start Small, See Momentum
The good news: momentum doesn’t require a complete overhaul.
Even small shifts – clearer stories of impact, a simpler online giving path – can dramatically increase engagement.
- Embrace younger givers.
- Make giving easy.
- Show the difference every gift makes.
That’s how churches can thrive in the decades ahead.