Study finds many religious donors want to give more than they currently do, suggesting that consistency — not willingness — is often the barrier to greater generosity
INDIANAPOLIS — Most faith-based donors across the United States aspire to give consistently, but many struggle to turn intentions into regular giving habits, according to a new national study.
Produced by Givelify Philanthropic Research & Insights, a research initiative of Givelify, with support from the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, part of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, the 2026 Giving in Faith: Rethinking Generosity through Consistent Giving report examines the behavioral and motivational factors that shape consistent generosity within faith communities.
Building on past findings that nearly all faith-based donors aspire to give consistently one or more times a month, the new report found that only 30% currently do so, even with the availability of automatic recurring giving. At the same time, church leaders tend to view congregational giving patterns more optimistically, estimating that about 53% of congregants give consistently.
Together, these findings highlight a disconnect between giving intentions, perceived giving patterns, and actual giving behavior within faith communities.
This suggests not a lack of generosity, but the reality that even the most deeply held intentions can be difficult to turn into actions that can be sustained over time. For church leaders, this highlights an opportunity to support generosity more intentionally as an ongoing expression of faith and help people translate good intentions into sustained action.
“Generosity is already deeply rooted in faith communities, reflecting the longstanding work of pastors and church leaders who have faithfully cultivated cultures of generosity, service, and spiritual growth within their congregations,” said Wale Mafolasire, founder and CEO of Givelify. “The fact that 95% of faith-based donors aspire to give consistently speaks to that foundation. Building on that reality, this report provides churches with a deeper understanding of what helps consistent generosity take root and endure over time.”
He added, “Small shifts in consistency can create meaningful ripple effects, opening the door for more people to experience the spiritual and personal impact of giving as an ongoing practice and expression of their faith.”
New tools for faith leaders and churches
The 2026 Giving in Faith report introduces three frameworks that church leaders can use to better support generosity in ways that are grounded in the spiritual lives of their congregants, including:
- A new operational definition of consistent giving. The report establishes a shared, measurable definition of consistent giving grounded in actual giving behavior and is designed to support a clearer understanding across churches, donors, and researchers.
- Four donor profiles. The research identifies distinct groups within congregations — from Devoted and Steady Givers to Awakening and Unengaged Givers — each reflecting different motivations, habits, and barriers related to generosity.
- A Consistent Giving Model™. The report introduces a blueprint for understanding the factors that shape consistent generosity and help sustain giving over time.
“What makes this research especially important is that it moves the conversation beyond just where, when, and how people give to also attend to the practices and relationships that help that giving become consistent over time,” said David P. King, Karen Lake Buttrey Director of Lake Institute on Faith & Giving. “The findings provide church leaders with practical insight into the different motivations, relationships, and habits that shape generosity, helping them engage congregants in ways that are more personal, supportive, and responsive to the realities of everyday life.”
Researchers estimate that even modest improvements in consistent giving could amount to $30 billion annually in additional support across U.S. faith communities. For a typical congregation, that could mean approximately $50,000 in additional annual giving. That increased support could help churches that rely on steady generosity strengthen the vital services they already provide every day — including outreach programs, food ministries, counseling services, youth initiatives, and other forms of community care — at a time when many communities need them most.
Looking ahead: trends and statistics shaping generosity in churches
The findings suggest that generosity within faith communities continues to remain strong, with both church leaders and donors expressing optimism about giving and community impact.
- Giving resilience is expected to continue
Most church leaders (82%) expect giving to increase in the year ahead, despite 67% saying they remain concerned about broader economic conditions.
- Financial realities will shape — but not diminish — generosity
While 60% of donors say they want to give more in the year ahead, about half also report that personal finances (51%) or the broader economy (48%) could affect their ability to give. This reinforces a central theme of the report: intention remains high, but for some, consistency is shaped by everyday financial realities.
- Generosity will continue expanding beyond the church
Faith-based donors continue to support not only churches, but also nonprofits, community organizations, and individuals in need. Donors expect to maintain or increase giving to nonprofits (77%), community organizations (67%), and individuals in need (83%) — reflecting a broader, more relational approach to generosity.
“What encourages me most about this report and its findings is that it reflects the lived experiences of congregations that have long served as pillars of their communities. It also elevates the voices of Black churches, which are so often overlooked in national conversations about giving,” said Bishop Walter S. Thomas, Pastor Emeritus of New Psalmist Baptist Church. “Across the country, we continue to see a deep spirit of compassion, service, and community alive and well within congregations. Churches have an opportunity to nurture that spirit in ways that strengthen relationships, inspire hope, and remind people that faith is meant to be lived out in community and care for one another.”
To read the full report, visit givelify.com/givinginfaith.
Methodology
The 2026 Giving in Faith report is based on a nationally representative mixed-methods study conducted in early 2026. The research includes surveys of 894 Christian church leaders and 1,987 Christian faith-based donors across the United States, alongside behavioral analysis of real-world giving data from Givelify’s platform. Additional economic analysis was conducted in collaboration with researchers at Texas A&M University.
Researchers intentionally oversampled predominantly Black churches and Black Christian faith-based donors as part of a separate planned research study. Post-stratification weights were applied to church leader responses to reflect U.S. Christian church demographics by predominant racial composition and geographic region, using benchmarks from Lake Institute of Faith & Giving’s National Study of Congregations’ Economic Practices and the National Congregations Study, respectively.
About the Giving in Faith Report
The Giving in Faith report is Givelify’s flagship research study and one of the most comprehensive examinations of faith-based generosity in the United States. Produced biennially by Givelify Philanthropic Research & Insights with support from the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving, the report combines behavioral data, donor psychology, and national survey research to help faith leaders, researchers, and practitioners better understand generosity trends and opportunities shaping faith-based philanthropy today.
About Givelify Philanthropic Research & Insights
Givelify Philanthropic Research & Insights is a multidisciplinary research and intelligence practice that pioneered The Psychology of Giving™ — the study of the behaviors and motivations that shape why people give — and applies it to advance generosity at scale.
Operating at the intersection of data and purpose, its work is both theory-informed and practice-driven, grounded in the lived experiences of people of faith and the organizations that serve them. Through landmark research such as Giving in Faith, Givelify Philanthropic Research & Insights equips faith organizations, researchers, and the philanthropic community with insights that deepen understanding of generosity and inform mission-driven decisions.
About Givelify
Givelify is the most loved and trusted online and mobile giving platform. Along with its powerful donation management system, it’s the fastest-growing technology for advancing generosity. More than 2 million givers have donated over $7.5 billion to 80,000+ churches, places of worship, and nonprofits to date. Learn more at Givelify.com.
About Lake Institute on Faith & Giving
Lake Institute on Faith & Giving fosters a deeper understanding of the dynamic relationship between faith and giving, through research, education, and public conversation. The institute offers customized programs that translates data and giving trends into practical tools. Lake Institute supports the development of research designed to explore the broad context of religious giving. Through public forums we engage practitioners, scholars, and the community in thoughtful conversation and reflection. Lake Institute is a program of the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. Follow us on Facebook and LinkedIn. Learn more at lakeinstitute.org.
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Contact:
Dione Martin
Givelify
[email protected]
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of RNS or Religion News Foundation.
