Small Church Fundraising Ideas That Work (Including Payment Links)
You do not need a gala committee to raise money. Start with one clear purpose, a realistic goal and an easy way for people to give when they are ready.
Keep an always-on giving page easy to find.
Put one link in your bulletin, email footer and website navigation. Explain what general gifts support and leave the page up between campaigns. Members can choose a one-time donation or a recurring gift that fits their budget, without a new appeal every Sunday.
Payhere can put donation options on a branded giving page, so the congregation has one dependable place to return to.
Give mission trips and youth projects their own link.
“Help cover transportation for the youth retreat” is easier to understand than “Support our ministry.” Give each project a purpose, a target and a link you can share with parents, alumni and partner churches. Keep general giving separate so donors know where their gift is going. Then tell them what happened after the trip.
1. Name the need
Tell people what the money will pay for, not just the name of the fund.
2. Share one link
Use the weekly email, group messages and a QR code on the noticeboard.
3. Close the loop
Thank supporters and report what their gifts made possible.
Raise money together without a big upfront budget.
Pick something your volunteers can actually run. A few simple events can work alongside regular giving rather than replacing it.
Host a community meal
Ask volunteers to bring dishes for a soup supper or potluck. Publish a suggested contribution, and offer a donation link for neighbors who cannot attend. No one should have to pay to belong.
Sell tickets with a QR code
Take reservations for a concert or pancake breakfast before Sunday. Put the ticket link in your bulletin and a tested QR code on posters or at the door. Keep another payment option available too.
Collect retreat deposits
Reserve places before committing to transport or food. State the total cost, deposit, balance due date and refund policy. Keep deposits separate from donations and make room for scholarships.
For a short seasonal appeal, choose one need people can picture — school supplies in August or winter coats in November. Set an end date, share progress and report back even if you miss the target.
Set up a Payhere giving page in three steps.
Payhere gives your church a donation checkout to share as a link; you do not need to build a new website. Use a separate payment link for a ticket or deposit so your treasurer can tell payments apart from gifts.
Connect
Create a Payhere account and connect your Stripe account.
Create
Choose a donation or one-time payment, add your church name and a plain-language purpose, then preview the checkout on a phone.
Share
Copy the link into your bulletin, email or website. For print, turn the same URL into a QR code and scan it before posting.
Your church stays at the center of the ask.
Cash and checks still work for many congregations. A giving link adds an option for someone reading the newsletter later or supporting a trip from out of town. You do not need a big fundraising platform just to collect a gift.
Payhere uses your own Stripe account, with a platform fee on paid transactions as well as Stripe processing fees. It is a payment tool, not a replacement for your church’s bookkeeping or donor care. See more about donations and payments for charities.
“Payhere was cost effective, quick to set up, easy to manage and seamless for our donors—absolutely vital in our sector.”
Make it easier to give this Sunday.
A simple giving page can keep supporting your work long after one fundraiser ends. Add more links only when your volunteers can keep them up to date.
Create a giving link →