I’ve been doing this a long time—and if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s this:
When your people don’t feel connected, they don’t give.
You can plan fundraisers, host events, pass the plate every Sunday… but if your congregation doesn’t feel emotionally connected to what you’re doing, the giving will always feel inconsistent.
And let me tell you—this isn’t just about money. This is about mission.
Our churches are trying to fund food pantries, shelters, after-school programs, scholarships, and outreach work that our communities desperately need. But too often, we’re working with empty hands, not because people don’t care—but because we haven’t made them feel like their giving truly matters.
If you want to learn how to actually fix that, watch the full video here.
Showing up doesn’t mean buying in
I see this all the time. People are in the pews—but their hearts aren’t in the work.
And when their hearts aren’t in it, their giving won’t be either.
Real engagement goes beyond attendance. It’s about connection. Do your members feel like they belong here? Do they feel like their voice matters? That their gifts—financial or otherwise—are making a real difference?
Because when people feel seen, they start showing up in a different way.
People give to what they care about—not just what you care about
This one is big. You’ve got to stop assuming people will give just because it’s “for the church.”
Giving is emotional. Personal.
If Sister Johnson is passionate about feeding families, but all you talk about is building repairs, she’s going to tune out. Not because she doesn’t love the church—but because you haven’t connected the dots between her heart and your ask.
When you start speaking directly to what your people care about, giving goes up. Simple as that.
80% of your giving is coming from 20% of your people—so start there
This isn’t a guess—it’s a pattern I’ve seen in every single church I’ve worked with.
Your most committed supporters are already showing you where their heart is. You just haven’t tapped into it fully yet.
Look at who’s giving regularly, volunteering consistently, showing up even when nothing’s happening. Those are your core supporters—and if you engage them deeply, they’ll help carry the mission forward.
Start building those relationships intentionally. Have real conversations. Ask what inspires them. Ask what keeps them coming back. Then tailor your giving strategy accordingly.
If your only communication is about money, people will stop listening
This is where so many churches miss the mark.
If the only time people hear from leadership is when you need a check, you’re not building community—you’re just collecting transactions. That’s not what your churches are about.
Start reaching out just to say thank you. Celebrate life events. Show appreciation even when there’s no ask attached.
Because when people feel valued, they start giving because they want to—not because they were asked.
People give more when they feel involved
You want deeper giving? Start with deeper inclusion.
Let your key supporters help shape the work. Invite them to join planning teams. Ask them to sponsor or co-lead initiatives. Let them see the impact up close.
Giving increases when people feel like they’re part of the movement—not just funding it from the sidelines.
Stop trying harder. Start doing it differently.
If your fundraising isn’t working, it’s not because you’re not doing enough. It’s because you’re not doing it the right way.
And I’m telling you: When you engage your congregation the right way—when you speak to what they care about, build trust, and include them in the mission—you’ll see giving increase without feeling like you’re begging every week.
This is how we fund our programs. This is how we build power in our communities. This is how we stop scraping by and start pouring back into our people.
Watch the full video to learn how.
And if you’re serious about shifting the way your church gives, don’t miss it.
Let’s get Black churches fully funded—and let’s do it together.