There’s
no shortage of data in the world today. More data was created in the last two
years than in the previous 5,000. In fact, 90% of the data we
currently use was created in the last two years! For churches, the
enormous amount of giving data is enough to make your head spin, but it’s still
necessary to collect, organize, and apply it. Healthy churches know that with
the right giving information at their fingertips, they’re better equipped to
cultivate generosity and grow their vision.
Before collecting another
piece of giving data (or ignoring it because of the overwhelming amount), here
are four time-saving tips to help organize and make it actionable this year:
1: ACCESS A SYSTEM THAT
SEAMLESSLY COLLECTS GIVING INFORMATION FOR YOU
In the past, there were fewer
ways to give to the Church. Today, people can tithe 24/7 on a range of devices
and use a variety of payment methods. While this convenience inspires
generosity, it also provides useful information. Not to mention the giving data
and statistics coming in from sources other than your ministry.
By
taking advantage of time-saving tools for online giving data collection, your
church directly accesses the information you need to identify giving trends.
With a powerful online giving platform, navigating through different reporting
options is effortless because the layout is clean and understandable. When the
church receives a tithe, whether it’s via text, mobile app, or branded donation
page, it goes straight to the reporting system for you to view.
2: ANALYZE GIVING DATA THAT ENHANCES GENEROSITY CAMPAIGNS
With access to an easy-to-use reporting system that collects online giving data, you
can select the information you want to see to better forecast for the future.
There are hundreds of customizable reports to choose from, and each one
provides ministries with opportunities to improve generosity campaigns and
understand tithing patterns.
Some
examples of helpful reports are:
- Recurring giving
information
- Daily, weekly, monthly,
and yearly giving activities
- Most recent donations
- Most successful giving
days
- Custom date range reports
While
these reports stay organized, you can have them emailed to you and print them
off if you prefer. There are also graphical reports available to help you get a
bird’s eye view of giving patterns.
3: SCHEDULE A SET TIME TO REVIEW GIVING DATA
The primary reason to collect
and organize data is to review and apply it. Schedule a set time every week,
month, or quarter to look over the online giving information you’ve gathered. Knowing where to focus your attention saves
time and energy.
For
instance, let’s say you notice that recurring givers in your ministry donate
10% more than one-time givers. In your next generosity campaign, emphasize the
convenience and benefits of signing up for recurring giving.
4: GET RID OF GIVING DATA THAT ISN’T RELEVANT
A key to staying organized is
to purge information that’s no longer useful. This type of data is distracting
and can muddy the waters when you’re sifting through current information.
Your
church’s needs can change in the blink of an eye based on natural disasters,
building repairs, and more. By keeping data organized and up-to-date, you can
quickly adjust your strategy for generosity campaigns.
Source: Valerie Russell – Content Specialist for Ministry Brands
Shelby
Systems is committed to helping churches large and small streamline their
giving process. We provide the software and the plan that can help your church
make the leap to digital giving. To find out how, contact one of our Ministry Consultants today.