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Just like any business or nonprofit organization, churches need to bring in money in order to continue their mission for the long haul. At many churches, the answer is to simply depend on the generosity of their congregation. However, relying solely on tithes and offerings can leave a church vulnerable to financial strain. So, how do churches make money, and which income strategies work best?
To start, diversifying church income sources is key. From traditional donation methods to more modern strategies, churches can build a stable financial foundation that not only supports day-to-day operations but also enables growth. And, let’s face it, there are churches where their income can be shockingly low or high. But with the right mix of revenue streams, churches can balance their financial needs with their mission-driven goals.
Join us as we explore 14 unique ways churches can generate income to create a stronger, more consistent financial future.
Accepting donations in the form of stocks or cryptocurrencies offers members a modern, tax-efficient way to contribute, especially for those who prefer non-traditional methods of giving.
Rather than selling and facing a hefty capital gains tax, churchgoers can donate their stocks or a portion of their cryptocurrency directly to the church. This means churchgoers may be able to receive a tax deduction for the full value of the donation, and the church receives the funds without any extra fees or headaches.
For a long time, this was only an option that savvy donors from larger churches with full-blown financial teams could pull off because of the complex paperwork and legal red tape involved.
Thanks to modern tools like Subsplash Giving, this process is now as simple as a few clicks. Now, any church can accept high-dollar contributions like stocks or crypto without needing an expert accountant on staff.
More churches and other faith-based organizations are turning their online presence into a significant revenue stream. You can share sermons, teachings, and other content on YouTube and social media, which can then be monetized through ads and viewer donations. It’s a way to not only reach a broader audience but also generate income in a modern, scalable way.
Whether it’s through viewer donations, ad revenue, or even live-streaming events with built-in monetization options, churches have the ability to turn their digital content into a sustainable source of income while spreading their message far beyond the local congregation.
With crowdfunding, churches can build excitement and engage people who might not attend in person but still want to support a cause that matters to them. It’s a powerful way to raise significant funds via platforms like Subsplash’s Campaigns and Pledging features in a short period while fostering a sense of community and shared purpose.
For instance, you want to raise $50,000 to renovate your aging community center. Rather than relying solely on traditional fundraising methods, your church launches a crowdfunding campaign where you share the project’s vision and impact with both church members and the broader public.
Through social media and email outreach, the campaign gains traction. Not only do regular attendees contribute, but friends of members, local businesses, and even strangers who resonate with the cause chip in as well. To keep the momentum going, the church offers small perks—like handwritten thank-you notes or exclusive behind-the-scenes updates—for different donation levels.
Churches can build consistent, recurring revenue streams by providing exclusive online courses, sermon series, or other resources through a subscription model.
Members can sign up for a monthly subscription to access premium content. Whether it’s a 4-week course on leadership, a series on improving your marriage, or a library of devotional content, members pay a small fee for access.
This is a way for churches to create more value that extends far beyond the pews and build a financially sustainable model that keeps members engaged and supported.
Affiliate marketing allows churches to provide valuable resources to their community while earning commissions in the process. This happens when churches partner with like-minded Christian-based businesses or organizations to promote their products or services via affiliate links. Then, churches earn commissions for each sale made through their affiliate links.
Let’s say a church sends out a weekly newsletter featuring a recommended devotional book for that month. Within the newsletter, they include an affiliate link to an online bookstore. Every time someone clicks the link and buys the book, the church earns a commission on the sale.
Bonus idea: Churches can also take advantage of the Google Ads Grant, which provides up to $10,000 in free advertising each month so they can spread their message and promote community events online.
One of the oldest and most consistent sources of income for churches is tithes and offerings. According to Scripture, a tithe is a biblical principle where believers are encouraged to give 10% of their income to support the church and its mission. (Leviticus 27:30)
These regular financial contributions fund the church’s day-to-day operations, ministries, and outreach efforts. In fact, 20% of Christians regularly tithe and give at least 10% of their income to their church as a tithe. While some members give their tithes in person during Sunday services, others prefer the convenience of setting up recurring online donations, which are easy for churches to set up using platforms like Subsplash Giving.
This traditional system not only supports the church but also strengthens the sense of commitment within the congregation, as members contribute to the church’s long-term sustainability.
Churches often benefit from the generosity of their members, not just during their lifetimes but also through trusts and charitable bequests left in wills. This can be a powerful way for members to leave a legacy and contribute beyond their lifetime. These gifts, which can include money, property, or other assets, provide long-term financial support that can sustain a church’s mission well into the future.
Whether it’s a lump sum of cash, real estate, or even investment accounts, these charitable trusts and bequests offer churches a stable financial foundation, often used for larger projects like building renovations, scholarship funds, or long-term outreach initiatives.
There are two key ways churches can benefit from government money: through grants and their tax-exempt status.
It’s possible to secure government grant money for churches to support specific community initiatives, such as food pantries, homeless shelters, or various social services. These grants help fund outreach efforts that align with the church’s mission to serve their local community. For example, a church might apply for a grant to expand its food pantry or to create an after-school program for underprivileged children.
Another significant form of government-related financial benefit is the tax-exempt status that churches enjoy. This allows churches to receive money from donations and investments without being taxed on those funds. For example, the Catholic Church earns billions of dollars annually from interest on its investments, and because of its non-profit, non-political status, they are exempt from paying taxes on that income.
This separation of church and state not only ensures that churches remain independent from government influence but also prevents the government from favoring one denomination over another through tax policies.
Churches, like any other organization, can invest in stocks, bonds, and other financial instruments to grow their financial resources. These investments provide churches with an additional income stream that can help fund long-term projects, ministries, and community services.
For instance, can churches invest in stocks and crypto? Yes, they might invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks and bonds, using the returns to support major initiatives like building expansions or ongoing mission work. Larger denominations often have significant investments that generate billions of dollars in interest each year.
These funds help sustain the church’s operations without relying solely on member donations. While the idea of churches investing might surprise some, it’s an important way for them to ensure they have the financial resources needed to serve their communities.
Hosting events like concerts, conferences, and workshops provides churches with a great opportunity to raise additional funds through ticket sales. These events offer valuable content and generate much-needed income for the church.
It is important to note that churches that accept non-charitable payments should make sure that their donation platform is equipped to do so. Subsplash Giving, for example, allows churches to receive both tax-exempt donations along with non-charitable payments.
A popular example of a church event or conference would include hosting an annual leadership summit, inviting well-known speakers and pastors from around the country. By selling tickets to attendees, they can cover the cost of the event and raise extra funds to support church programs, missions, or building projects. Similarly, a concert featuring a popular Christian band can draw large crowds, with proceeds from ticket sales going directly into the church’s outreach initiatives.
Beyond just fundraising, these events also help foster a sense of community and create opportunities for members and non-members alike to engage with the church in a more relaxed setting.
Many churches operate small cafes or restaurants on their premises. This is not only another communal space for church members to gather, but you can also bring in extra funds from the sale of food and drinks.
The sales from these church business items directly support the church’s operations and programs.
Many churches have beautiful sanctuaries, fellowship halls, and meeting rooms that are perfect for serving as various church event spaces from wedding ceremonies to business conferences. These facilities can be ideal church rental spaces for short-term rental income for weddings, events, or community gatherings.
For example, a church might rent its sanctuary for a wedding on Saturday and then offer a church hall rental for a local organization’s annual fundraiser on Sunday afternoon. The church can also serve as a venue for community events, such as small concerts, seminars, or workshops.
Not only does this practice bring in much-needed funds, but it also opens the church’s doors to the broader community.
Some churches have cemeteries or columbariums on their grounds, and selling burial plots can be a significant source of income. Offering burial spaces to members and the broader community allows churches to provide a service that meets both spiritual and practical needs while generating long-term revenue.
This service is not only a way to generate income but also offers church members and their families a meaningful connection to the church, even after they’ve passed. Plus, the availability of burial plots within church grounds creates a sense of continuity and legacy for many congregations.
Buying real estate is a forward-thinking strategy that allows churches to build lasting wealth and create a more stable financial foundation. By acquiring additional land or buildings, religious organizations can create an asset base that supports their financial sustainability and allows them to grow their wealth beyond regular donations.
A church might buy a piece of commercial property to lease out to businesses in a growing area. Over time, the property generates steady rental income while its value appreciates, providing the church with a valuable asset.
Real estate investment can also provide stability during economic downturns, as property values tend to increase over time.
From traditional methods like tithes and offerings to more modern approaches like stocks, cryptocurrency donations, and digital memberships, each of these income streams plays a vital role in helping churches thrive financially.
Sustainable funding is essential for a church’s long-term mission and success. By diversifying their revenue streams, churches can secure the financial stability needed to grow their ministries, expand outreach efforts, and make a lasting impact.
If your church is looking for more ways to shore up its fundraising efforts—whether through capital campaigns, digital donations, or even accepting stocks and cryptocurrency—Subsplash can help. With no setup fees or monthly costs, our platform offers powerful tools to make it easier for churches to tap into higher-value donations. [.blog-contact-cta]Sign up for a free consultation here [.blog-contact-cta]to discover how Subsplash can help your church unlock new, high-impact revenue streams.
