Most churches today collect donations online, but not all church giving tools are created equal. 

Unlike tools like Paypal or Venmo, church donor management software is specifically designed to handle the unique needs of churches.

In this post, we’ll break down what donor management software is, what features to look for, and how to choose the right one for your church.

TL;DR: Church donation software exists to make giving easier for your members and your team. It’s built specifically for church needs like tithes, recurring giving, and tax statements. The best platforms increase giving, reduce admin time, and build trust. 

What Is Church Donor Management Software?

Church donation software helps churches receive, track, and organize donations efficiently. It simplifies giving for members, automates donor records, and provides easy access to reports and tax statements—so church leaders can focus more on ministry and less on spreadsheets.

But it’s not just about collecting money. It’s about managing generosity well. It helps your people give with confidence and your staff stay focused on ministry.

Features to Look For in Donation Software

The best church giving platforms don’t just look good—they solve real problems. They make it easy for people to give, simplify donation tracking for your team, and help your church steward generosity with transparency and efficiency. Here are the key features to look for in a church donation platform:

1. Recurring Giving

Life gets busy. Recurring giving keeps generosity consistent, even when people forget. It helps your church plan ahead and gives your givers peace of mind.

2. Custom Giving Categories

Your givers want options. Let them give to specific missions, building funds, or fundraising opportunities that matter to them.

3. Text-to-Give or QR Code Giving

When someone feels moved to give, don’t make them search for a button. Give them an immediate and user-friendly way to respond.

4. Donor Management and Reporting

You need to see who gave, when, and where it went, without hunting through spreadsheets. The right software keeps everything in one place, makes recording donor data simple, and allows you to make data-driven decisions. 

5. Giving Statements and Tax Receipts

No more scrambling in January. Let the new system handle statements and compliance for you.

6. Security and Compliance

Your church handles real money from real people. Make sure the platform follows PCI-DSS security standards. Anything less is a risk you don’t want to take. No shortcuts here.

7. Integration with Church Software

Giving tools shouldn’t create extra work. You should not have to manually enter giving data in multiple places. Find a tool that syncs with your ChMS or accounting system. 

8. Transparent Processing Fees

Some platforms hide fees in the fine print. No one likes hidden costs. The best platforms are upfront about fees and give you options to control costs without surprising your donors.

4 Benefits of Using Church Donation Software

Donation software doesn’t just save time. It increases generosity.

1. Churches that use digital giving tools often see growth in giving, simply because the process becomes more consistent and easier for people to follow through.
2. It also reduces manual data entry, streamlines financial reporting, and gives your team more time to focus on people instead of paperwork.
3. Beyond the admin benefits, it improves relationship management and boosts donor engagement. When giving is easy and transparent, your supporters feel more connected to the mission and more confident in their contributions.
4. Most importantly, it creates a system that builds trust. Your congregation can see that their gifts are handled with care, and that builds long-term confidence in your church leadership.

Choosing the Best Donor Management Platform

The biggest mistake churches make is choosing based on what looks impressive, not what actually works for their team and their members. The right software is designed to help, not just wow you in a demo, but actually solve real problems and support your ministry every day.

Start by asking the right questions:

• What’s your team’s comfort level with tech?
• Do you need just giving tools or a full church management system?
• What’s your budget when you factor in all fees?
• How important is responsive support when something goes wrong?

The right software fits your people, your processes, and your mission. If it doesn’t meet all three, it’s the wrong choice. 

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

You’ve got options, but some of them come with headaches you won’t see until it’s too late (especially for small and mid-sized churches with limited time and resources). 

Here’s what to watch out for:

• Choosing based on looks instead of usability.
• Not reading the contract terms or asking about all the fees.
• Picking a system your congregation won’t actually use.
• Ignoring how strong or weak the customer support really is.

Test before you commit. Ask real questions. And never assume it will “just work” because it looks good on a demo.

This church leader saved over $1500/year in online giving fees

I had a conversation with a church leader at a conference last month. Their church was paying over $3,000 a year in online giving fees on top of their giving platform subscription. 

When they switched to ChurchTrac, they were not only able to remove their costly monthly subscription, but they were able to leverage ACH Giving to save their church over $80 in fees per donor, per year! 

Selecting the Best Tool for Your Church's Mission

Church donation software is no longer optional. It’s a core part of running a church that is financially healthy, trustworthy, and ready to grow.

The right tool helps you raise more, track better, connect with donors more personally, and serve your givers with excellence.

Take time to evaluate your current system. What’s working? What’s costing you time or clarity? What needs to change? Selecting the best platform means finding one that meets your church’s unique needs, not just today, but as you grow.

Church Donation Software FAQs

Here are the top frequently asked questions concering church donation software:

Is online church giving secure?

Yes. Look for platforms that follow PCI-DSS security standards and use data encryption. Security should be the default, not the upgrade.

Do older members actually use digital giving?

Yes, especially when the tools are simple. Options like text giving or scheduled bank transfers are widely adopted across age groups.

Can we generate tax receipts automatically?

Most modern donation platforms do this for you. It saves your team time and ensures donors have what they need.

Does ChurchTrac charge added giving fees?

No. ChurchTrac does not add extra percentage fees to giving. You only pay the base rate from the payment processor.

Do we need full ChMS features or just giving tools?

That depends on your size and your staff’s workload. All-in-one platforms help smaller churches stay organized and save money. Larger teams may want something more customizable.

Can nonprofit organizations other than churches benefit from this?

Absolutely. While ChurchTrac is built with churches in mind, many of the giving tools, like recurring donations, donor management, and automated receipts, can benefit any nonprofits looking to build stronger donor relationships and maximize their fundraising efforts.

Explore ChurchTrac’s giving tools and see what’s possible when software fits your mission.