Study of COVID-19 Impact on U.S. Non-Denominational Church Giving

This research article investigates the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on non-denominational church giving in the United States. The study, prepared for ACS Technologies, analyzes data from 886 churches over a five-year period, focusing on changes in giving patterns and donor behavior. It tests three hypotheses regarding attendance, church size, and digital donation methods. The findings reveal that while total church giving increased nominally, it eroded in real terms due to inflation. The study found no significant drop in collections or differences in giving experience by church size. However, there was a notable increase in digital giving adoption, with a 70% rise in congregants using digital methods. The article highlights the concerning drop in the number of donors and suggests that churches may face long-term sustainability issues if trends do not change. Recommendations for church leaders include personalized outreach to lapsed donors to rebuild relationships and support.