(Yes, Already.)
NOTE: We’ll cover this plus much, much more at our upcoming Intentional Pastor Roundtable.
It might feel early—but it’s not.
Once fall hits, it’s officially year-end giving season. And the churches that plan now are the ones that finish strong later.
There are two key reasons you can’t afford to wait:
- High-capacity givers start planning early. Most high-net-worth individuals begin discussing their charitable strategy with financial advisors before Thanksgiving.
- Preparation beats pressure. A great year-end giving season doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by design.
So, let’s design it.
When “Reminders” Replace Strategy
Most churches think they have a year-end giving plan.
But if your plan is limited to a few stage announcements and a reminder email in late December about the deadline, you don’t have a plan—you have a notification.
Notifications inform.
Plans inspire.
If all you’re doing is reminding people to give by December 31, you’re only reaching those who already planned to.
The rest? You’re leaving generosity untapped and creating unnecessary financial pressure to close the gap.
The real question is:
How much giving are you missing by only making announcements instead of creating engagement?
From Announcements to Conversations
The secret to a thriving year-end giving season isn’t another “end-of-year reminder.”
It’s segmentation—shifting from one-size-fits-all communication to meaningful conversations.
Different people give for different reasons.
How you talk to a first-time attender should sound different than how you talk to a long-time tither.
When you segment your communication, you move from speaking to your church to speaking with your people.
And that shift changes everything.
Segmentation That Sparks Generosity
You can start simple.
Try segmenting your congregation into just a few key groups, such as:
- Parents of preschoolers
- Parents of students
- Empty nesters
- Small-group participants
- Non-group participants
- Volunteers (by ministry area)
- First-time attenders
- First-time or infrequent givers
- Consistent percentage givers
The more specific you are, the more relevant—and resonant—your message becomes.
Example: A Tailored Year-End Message
Here’s what this could look like in practice.
For parents of preschoolers:
“Every Sunday, kids cry at church. Most cry when their parents drop them off—except here. Ours cry when they have to leave! That’s because you’re helping us create environments where kids love to learn about Jesus.
As we plan for 2026, we’re dreaming about new ways to help young families connect. A year-end gift could help us update the playground and expand our preschool space to make room for more little learners.
You can give a one-time year-end gift or set up recurring giving at [website/give]. We also accept non-cash gifts like stock or crypto. Thank you for investing in the next generation!”
For empty nesters:
“You’ve raised kids—and maybe even grandkids—so you know the value of a church that loves families well. Our building is full every week with children learning about God’s love because of the generosity of people like you.
As we prepare for next year, we’re planning to expand our children’s spaces to meet the growing demand. Would you consider a one-time year-end gift to help us make it happen?”
Simple segmentation. Big difference.
That’s how smart churches turn reminders into results—and pressure into participation.
How to Start Planning Now
As you prepare for your year-end giving season, ask a few key questions:
- Which groups in our church would benefit from a personalized message?
- What needs or dreams could we fund that connect emotionally with those groups?
- Which communication channels (email, text, video, stage moments, personal letters) work best for each?
- Who’s already heard from us? Suppress duplicates so people don’t get multiple messages.
Small adjustments. Big impact.
Segmentation isn’t complicated—but it is powerful.
A few intentional conversations can unlock more generosity than a month of general reminders.
Lead with Intention, Not Pressure
Your year-end giving strategy doesn’t have to feel corporate—it just needs to be intentional.
When you lead with clarity and communication, you not only increase giving—you deepen discipleship.
If you’d like help creating a strategy that grows generosity and reduces pressure, the Funding Funnel Course (included in every Church Accelerator Partnership) walks you step-by-step through how to design a year-long generosity plan.
Or, if you’d like more personalized help developing your 2025 generosity strategy, now’s the time to begin a Strategic Leadership Partnership with me.
We’ll build the systems your vision deserves.
Quotes to Share
- “Notifications inform. Plans inspire.”
- “Segmentation turns pressure into participation.”
- “Generosity grows when you lead with clarity and conversation.”
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