Let’s talk about something that’s challenging for a lot of church leaders to admit: You’ve got vision. You’ve got heart. You’ve got Kingdom work happening. But the big givers? They’re writing checks… but not to your church.
And that can be frustrating. Trust us—we’ve seen it up close as we worked with churches wrestling with this exact issue. But here’s the good news: it’s usually a mindset issue, not a money issue.
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again—generosity often gets stuck in the head, not the wallet. One of the biggest obstacles we see in churches is a scarcity mindset—the belief that there’s just not enough to go around. Givers pick up on that fear, often because that fear has led to poor decision-making.
When churches lead from a place of fear, big givers won’t lean in. They want to invest in vision and abundance, not worry and survival.
Try this: Ask your board and staff this question:“What would we do if we truly believed God would provide abundantly?” Let that frame your next planning session.
Don’t Compete with Nonprofits—Partner with Them
We’ve spent years watching churches view nonprofits as rivals for givers’ attention. But in reality, high-capacity givers don’t see those lines. They just want to make a meaningful impact.
The moment churches stop guarding donor lists and start championing external causes that align with their mission, everything changes. Givers take notice.
Try this: Launch a “Ministry Spotlight” during services or your newsletter—highlight a nonprofit your church supports and invite the congregation to give through your church.
High-capacity givers aren’t looking for vague passion statements. They want to know: “What are we trying to do? Why does it matter? How can I help?”
Clarity builds trust. When a church can clearly articulate its calling and financial priorities, it invites real investment.
Try this framework:
Here’s how you can help.
This thought might stretch you. But affirming your community in their giving toward other kingdom organizations won't cause you to lose support–in doing so, you will gain credibility and increase your influence.
Try this: Create a monthly “Partner Giving” feature in your bulletin or email update, showing where your members are giving and serving beyond Sunday.
Generosity is bigger than your budget. It’s about advancing the Kingdom. And high capacity givers are drawn to unity and shared mission.
We’re not talking about just raising funds—we’re talking about raising faith. Collaboration signals Kingdom focus. That’s what generous people want to invest in.
Try this: Host a “Kingdom Partners” breakfast. Invite local nonprofits, key givers, and church leaders to build relationships and shared vision.
We’ve walked with hundreds of churches through generosity transformation, and here’s what we recommend:
When churches stop seeing generosity as transactional and start seeing it as a spiritual practice, the culture changes—and the giving does too.
If you want the full conversation, don’t miss this episode of Next Sunday:
🎧 “Why Your Church Doesn’t Attract Big Givers”
Jim and Frank talk real stories, practical examples, and next steps you can take today.