By Easter 2023, 120 churches across the Diocese of Manchester will be able to accept donations via a digital giving device and by online giving.
A total of 120 applications were received during November’s Digital Giving Rollout. Originally the plan was for Archbishops’ Council to provide 50 devices to successful applicants as part of the National Giving Strategy. However, thanks to funding from Manchester Diocesan Board of Finance the remaining 70 applicants will also receive a device. This means all 120 applicants will be supported.
These free digital giving devices have been proven to make it easier for people to give financially when visiting churches and boost the average donation by a factor of three. With cards having overtaken cash as the preferred form of payment in society, we know that having the ability to accept digital donations is going to be key for many churches in the years to come. This support from Archbishop’s Council and the Manchester Diocesan Board of Finance makes obtaining one of these devices accessible for all.
In addition, 82 of the churches who applied will receive support to set up online giving, as they stated in their application form this giving method wasn’t already in place.
Paul Bailey, Diocesan Giving Advisor, said: “Churches across the country received digital donations worth over £4 million in 2021, and this expected to be much higher when the 2022 figures are released. I am delighted to receive this generous investment which will modernise the giving methods at churches across our diverse diocese. It is a big boost to achieving the aims of the diocese’s giving strategy launched in late 2021”.
