How to write the perfect church thank-you letter for donations

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Have you ever received a heart-felt “thank you” after giving someone a gift? Knowing that your gift was appreciated is incredibly rewarding!

Could this experience also be true for your church’s donors?

The truth is that pastors who don’t send church thank-you letters for donations miss out on powerful opportunities to model thankfulness, build ministry partners, and encourage more generosity!

Let’s explore why it’s important to send church donation letters thanking your givers, how to write them, and the best times to send them. We've also included 5 sample thank you letters you can use as templates for writing your own!

The Apostle Paul set an early precedent for expressing gratitude to ministry supporters when he wrote his thank-you letters to the Philippians and Colossians. 

Today people have many options for donating to your church, including online giving through a church’s website, mobile app, and text-to-give. Regardless of how people choose to give, sending church thank-you letters for donations is an important practice for every church because it provides opportunities to:

Demonstrate thankfulness: The first benefit of sending donor thank-you letters is exemplifying a thankful heart. Your letters show that you appreciate how your givers are making a sacrifice to support your ministry.

Build ministry partners: Donor-appreciation letters allow you to tell the story of the tangible impact your ministry is making on people’s lives and in your community—all made possible by your donors’ generosity. This builds a sense of partnership between a church and its donors.

Encourage more generosity: According to scientific research, gratitude prepares the brain for generosity. Demonstrating how to be thankful for another person’s generosity actually encourages people to be more generous! For churches, this results in turning first-time supporters into repeat donors, better donor retention, and increased overall donations! 

How to write thank-you letters to church givers

Every thank-you for your donation letter should include the following seven elements in order to be maximize their effectiveness:

1. Personalized greeting: Nobody likes getting a letter that begins generically with, “Dear donor”. Be sure to use the person’s first name in your greeting, and double-check to make sure their name is spelled correctly. 
2. Don’t focus on the dollar amount: Donor thank-you letters can often feel transactional, like receiving a receipt that simply lists the dollar amount and date of the donation. Keep the focus on thanking your donors for their generosity. However, if your church is a 501(c)(3) organization, you can let the donor know they will receive an end-of-year statement listing their tax-deductible charitable contributions.
3. Highlight the donor’s role: Always tie the donor’s shared contribution in the impact your church is making. “Because of you. . .” 
4. Showcase your church’s impact: This is your opportunity to include a short statement of the practical impact your church is making on people’s lives. If the donor gave to a specific fund (e.g., missions, children’s ministry, capital campaign), be sure to share some highlights of that ministry’s successes. 
5. Your pastor’s signature: For most churches, the pastor is the most publicly visible leader, so having their signature on the letter can create a stronger impression. 
6. A handwritten message: When possible, including a short handwritten note in the letter goes a long way to add warmth and sincerity to your message.
7. A self-addressed giving envelope (optional): Some churches find that including a giving envelope in these letters results in better donor retention and increased recurring giving. 

To make your letters even more meaningful, consider designing and printing beautiful donation thank-you cards to show extra appreciation. If you’re sending thank-you emails for donations, consider including a brief video from the pastor thanking church givers for their gifts.

5 sample thank-you letters for donations to your church

To save your team time and mental energy, create a church donation thank-you letter template. Here are 5 examples to get you started!

Church thank you letter—Sample #1

Dear [first name],

I’m writing to thank you for your recent donation to [church name]. As pastor, I can tell you that your generosity is much appreciated, and we’ll be stewarding it to bear good fruit. 

This year our church has [include an impact statement that shares who is being helped and how. For example, how many missionaries are supported, the number of baptisms, or how programs like Celebrate Recovery or Vacation Bible School are impacting people’s lives.] 

Because our church is a 501(c)(3) organization, you will receive an end-of-year letter with your contributions in case you would like to claim them for tax-deductible purposes. 

Once again, thank you for your generosity, and may God bless you! 

Sincerely,

[Signature]

[Typed Name of the Pastor/Church Leader]
[Title/Role in the Church]

[Optional: Insert hand-written message. The more meaningful, the better. For example, “Beth, it was great meeting you and your family last Sunday! It really is such a privilege to serve our community through our church. Please let us know how we can pray for you, and if you have any questions or need any support. God bless!”]

Church thank you letter—Sample #2

Dear [First Name],

On behalf of the entire [church name] community, I wanted to take a moment to express our sincere gratitude for your recent donation. Your support is an invaluable contribution to our mission of spreading love, compassion, and hope.

With your generous donation, we have been able to make a significant impact in our congregation and the wider community. Whether it's providing assistance to those in need, organizing uplifting events, or fostering spiritual growth, your contribution plays a vital role in making it all possible.

We are a community that believes in the power of unity and shared values, and your belief in our mission is truly inspiring. Your donation not only helps us carry out our important work but also strengthens our commitment to serving others and deepening our faith.

Once again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your kind and generous support. Your dedication to making a difference is a shining example for us all. May God bless you abundantly for your kindness and may your generosity inspire others to follow in your footsteps.

With deepest appreciation,

[Signature]

[Typed Name of the Pastor/Church Leader]
[Title/Role in the Church]

[Optional: Insert hand-written message]

Church thank you letter—Sample #3

Dear [First Name],

We want to express our sincerest thanks for your recent donation to [church name]. Your support is vital to our ongoing efforts to create a welcoming and inclusive space where individuals can experience God's love and find solace and strength.

With your contribution, we have been able to extend our reach and touch the lives of many in our community. Your generosity allows us to offer programs and services that uplift, inspire, and provide much-needed support to those facing challenges.

Your faithfulness in supporting our church is deeply appreciated, and we are committed to being good stewards of your donation. We will use it wisely to continue making a positive impact in the lives of others.

We will be keeping you in our prayers and asking for God's blessings upon your life. We are truly grateful to have you as part of our church family, and we value your ongoing partnership in fulfilling our shared mission.

Thank you once again for your unwavering support and for being an integral part of our church community.

Blessings and peace,

[Signature]

[Typed Name of the Pastor/Church Leader]
[Title/Role in the Church]

[Optional: Insert hand-written message]

Church thank you letter—Sample #4

Dear [First Name],

Warm greetings and blessings to you! I wanted to take a moment to express our deepest gratitude for your recent contribution to [church name]. Your act of generosity has touched our hearts and made a significant impact on our church community.

Your support allows us to continue providing meaningful worship experiences, uplifting spiritual guidance, and fostering a sense of belonging among our members. Through your support, we are able to offer programs that nurture personal growth, strengthen families, and cultivate a deep and abiding faith.

Your belief in our mission is a testament to your own dedication to making the world a better place. We are truly humbled and inspired by your commitment to our church and its endeavors.

Please know that your kindness has not gone unnoticed, and we will keep you in our thoughts and prayers. May God's abundant love and blessings be poured out upon you, and may your generosity be multiplied in ways beyond measure.

With heartfelt thanks,

[Signature]

[Typed Name of the Pastor/Church Leader]
[Title/Role in the Church]

[Optional: Insert hand-written message]

Church thank you letter—Sample #5

Dear [First Name],

Grace and peace to you! We are writing to express our sincerest appreciation for your recent donation to [church name]. Your generosity has brought joy and encouragement to our entire congregation.

Through your support, we have been able to provide a place of worship, fellowship, and spiritual growth for our members. Your contribution directly contributes to the meaningful experiences and transformative moments that happen within our church community.

Your donation is not just financial support; it represents a shared commitment to our vision of spreading love, hope, and compassion. It is through the collective efforts of individuals like yourself that we are able to make a positive difference in the lives of those we serve.

Please accept our heartfelt gratitude for your partnership and dedication. We will continue to work diligently to make the most of your contribution and honor your trust in our mission.

May God's abundant blessings be with you and your loved ones as you continue to be a beacon of light in the world.

With deep appreciation,

[Signature]

[Typed Name of the Pastor/Church Leader]
[Title/Role in the Church]

[Optional: Insert hand-written message]

When to send a church giving thank-you letter

When your donors receive a well-timed church contribution thank-you letter, they are more likely to donate again and more often to your ministry. Let’s take a look at five of the best opportunities to share your gratitude for your donors. 

1. First-time donations: Thank-you letters for donations (or emails) should be sent within 48 to 72 hours after a first-time donation is made. 
2. After a capital campaign or project is finished: Reaching fundraising goals is an ideal time to celebrate and send a “We did it!” letter of thanks to your donors! 
3. Special holidays: Some donors give a bit extra (or for the very first time) during special holidays or seasons, such as Easter and Christmas. This is a great time to send a thank-you letter to your church givers with a message that is tied to the theme of that holiday.
4. “Just because:” A great way to show appreciation to your regular tithers is to send them an unexpected handwritten thank-you letter for their generosity. This practice lets them know that you see and appreciate their ongoing support and generosity. 
5. End-of-year: For most churches, nearly a third of their annual donations come in the month of December. Sending a church thank-you letter for donations before the end of the year is a great way to stay on their radar as they decide where to put their last minute charitable contributions. 

Exemplify gratitude while encouraging generosity

Sometimes it’s the little things that make a big difference, like saying “thank you” to someone who gives you a gift. By sending church thank-you letters for donations, you have a chance to model thankfulness, retain more of your donors, and encourage generosity! 

Subsplash exists to provide tools to make the truth of Jesus incredibly accessible. An essential part of sharing the gospel message with more people is inviting people to support your ministry through donations. Learning to be generous and developing a thankful mindset are both important steps of each person’s discipleship journey! 

That’s why we created Subsplash Giving, the powerful online giving platform that allows your donors to give through your ministry’s website, mobile app, and text-to-give. Its powerful giving dashboard allows you to keep track of incoming donations, and provides you with the information you need to thank your donors and keep them engaged. 

If you’re looking to grow your church’s giving to help your church thrive and impact more people, click here to learn more.

If you’re already a Subsplash client and want to give your congregation the best giving experience, connect with your Client Success Manager, or log in to your dashboard to get started!