Year-End Giving Communication Strategy
This resource can help you create a plan for your giving communications at year end, especially when you're introducing stock and cryptocurrency giving methods.
When planning your year-end giving communications, we recommend these three moves:
- Educate – Explain what's possible and why it may help donors at tax time.
- Invite – Ask directly, with a clear link, QR code, and deadline.
- Thank – Thank donors personally within 48 hours of their gift.
Our recommended strategy runs over a 10-week period with a firm December 12 deadline for stock gifts.
Who to reach first. Not everyone holds stock or crypto. Start with three groups: long-time givers aged 50+, business owners and professionals, and anyone who has asked about non-cash gifts. Then announce to everyone.
Who carries the message. A pastor, priest, or elder frames it as generosity, not finance. A finance team member or trusted member who has given stock can share how simple it was.
What to say. Lead with impact and ease. Mention possible tax benefits, but always add "consult your tax or financial advisor". Never promise a specific tax outcome.
Note: If you accept stock and cryptocurrency donations, remember that transfers can take several business days to process. It's best practice to set a deadline for those types of gifts.
Recommended Campaign Calendar
Here's a general outline of what we recommend for the 2026 giving year. But, of course, you know your church best, so feel free to make adjustments as needed.
| Dates | Phase | Action | Channels |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 13–31 | Prepare | Set Stock or Crypto as the default; copy the QR code and link; brief staff, finance team, and ushers | Staff meeting, leadership email |
| Nov 1–8 | Announce | "New ways to give" announcement | Service or Mass, email, bulletin, website banner |
| Nov 9–22 | Educate | Explain how it works; share a 2-minute FAQ or testimony | Email, video, small-group leaders, social media |
| Nov 23–Dec 1 | Invite | Gratitude season ask; peak on Giving Tuesday (Dec 1) | Service or Mass, email, text, social |
| Dec 2–12 | Remind | Two reminders: "10 days left" and "last day for stock" | Email, text, bulletin, slides |
| Dec 13–31 | Last call | Card, ACH and crypto still welcome before Dec 31; stock may not arrive in time | Email, Christmas services |
| Jan 1–31 | Thank | Personal thank-you within 48 hours; send statements; share results | Phone call, handwritten note, email, Service or Mass |
Key Tips
The two tips that matter most: say it early and often, and set a stock deadline well before December 31.
- Repeat the message. Plan at least 5 touchpoints across channels. One announcement rarely moves a non-cash gift.
- Set a church deadline. Use December 12 for stock. Brokerage transfers slow down in late December.
- Make the link unavoidable. Put the direct link and QR code on every email, slide, and bulletin.
- Use a dedicated form. An "End-of-Year Giving" form keeps campaign gifts easy to track and lets you set Stock as the default method.
- Talk generosity, not markets. Frame it as giving from what God has entrusted, not as an investment tip.
- Stay out of tax advice. Say gifts "may" offer tax benefits and point people to their advisor.
- Know the fee. Engiven charges the church 4% of each stock and crypto gift. Decide how you'll explain this if asked.
- Brief your team. Staff, ushers, and the finance team should know where the link is and who answers questions.
- Ask one person to go first. A short testimony from someone who gave stock builds trust fast.
- Thank donors quickly and personally. Non-cash gifts are often large. Call or write within 48 hours.
- Watch your batches. Stock and crypto gifts land on the Stock/Crypto tab on the Contributions page. Post them yourself once they show a status of Paid.
Giving Communication Templates
Use these templates to help craft your own communication.
To copy the template wording, click the Copy to Clipboard icon 
at the top right of the template text box. Then, you can paste it into your word processor where you'll draft your message. Make sure you replace anything in [brackets] with your church's information.
Tip: Always proofread your messages before sending or posting!
Announcement email
Subject: A new way to give this Christmas season
Dear [Church] family,
As we enter a season of gratitude, we are excited to share two new ways to support the ministry of [Church]: gifts of stock and cryptocurrency.
If you hold stocks, mutual funds, or crypto that have grown in value, giving them directly may allow you give more than you could with cash. It may also offer tax benefits. Please talk with your tax or financial advisor about your situation.
It is simple. Visit [giving link], choose Stock or Crypto, and follow the steps. Our partner, Engiven, handles the transfer securely and sends the proceeds to our church.
To make sure your stock gift arrives before year-end, please start by December 12.
Thank you for your faithful generosity.
[Pastor/Priest name]Bulletin blurb
New: Give Stock or Crypto. You can now give appreciated stock or cryptocurrency to [Church]. It is secure, simple, and may offer tax benefits (check with your advisor). Scan the QR code or visit [link]. Stock gifts should be started by December 12 to arrive by year end.Service or Mass announcement
(About 30 seconds)
"This year, many of you have asked about other ways to give. You can now give stock or cryptocurrency right from our online giving page. For some, that means giving more than they thought they could. If that's you, scan the code on the screen or visit [link]. And if you're giving stock, please start by December 12 so it arrives in time. Thank you for the way you make ministry possible here."
Social media post
Your generosity fuels everything we do. 🙏 You can now give stock or crypto to [Church] in just a few clicks. Start by Dec 12 for year-end giving. Link in bio.Text message
[Church]: You can now give stock or crypto online! Start by Dec 12 for year-end giving: [link]Reminder email
(Send on December 8)
Subject: 4 days left to give stock this year
A quick reminder: Stock gifts take a few business days to transfer. To count this year, please start yours by Saturday, December 12 at [link]. Cash, card, and bank gifts are welcome through December 31.Thank-you note
Dear [Name],
Thank you for your generous gift of [stock/cryptocurrency] to [Church]. Your gift will [describe specific ministry impact]. We are grateful to partner with you.
Sincerely,
[Pastor/Priest name]Giving Communication FAQs
Provide these answers to your donors in your communications, and make sure staff are aware in case they are asked.
- How do I give stock?
- Choose Stock on our giving form. You'll get an email with transfer instructions to send to your brokerage.
- How do I give crypto?
- Choose Crypto on our giving form. You'll get a unique wallet address to send your gift to.
- Is it secure?
- Yes. Our partner Engiven processes the gift and sends the proceeds to our church.
- Will I get a receipt?
- Yes, from Engiven once your gift is received, and it will appear on your church giving statement.
- Are there tax benefits?
- Possibly. Please talk with your tax or financial advisor.