Looking for fresh ways to make giving easy in your church? NFC technology makes it possible with just one tap – no cash, no hassle. In this blog, we’ll share 12 creative ideas to help your church embrace quick, contactless generosity.
If your church is seeking new ways to simplify giving, Near Field Communication (NFC) technology just might be the answer. It’s quick, safe, and doesn’t require cash.
With just a tap, your congregation can give right from their card or smartphone.
In this blog, we’ll share 12 creative fundraising ideas using tags, donation kiosks, and tap-to-pay features – all powered by NFC!
The best part? All of these ideas are practical and affordable, whether you’re a small community church or a large congregation.
While cash and offering envelopes are still important for many churchgoers, giving habits are definitely changing. 60% of attendees say they’re willing to give to their church digitally, and NFC technology makes that easy.
From NFC tags to donation kiosks and even tap-to-pay on mobile, NFC opens the door for quick, contactless giving without replacing traditional church fundraising methods.
Bonus resource: Check out our blog on how NFC tags boost church engagement.
Now, let’s look at different ways you can use this technology to raise funds for your church!
NFC tags are small but mighty! They’re reusable, easy to set up, and can be linked to any donation page or campaign.
Here are some ways your church can put them to work:
Imagine this: it’s time for offering, but instead of passing around offertory bags or plates, people simply tap the back of the pew or chair in front of them.
Adding NFC tags to pew backs is discreet, simple, and keeps the service flowing without interruptions. Plus, it’s perfect for anyone who forgot their wallet but has their phone handy.
Donorbox’s TapTag solution is designed exactly for this type of setup. These tags durable, easy to program, and link directly to your donation page or church resources. You can even customize them with your church branding for a polished look.
Top tip: Make sure the tag says something along the lines of “Tap here to give” for a clear and friendly prompt.
Most churches have a bulletin board for announcements – use that space for giving too! For example, if you have a flyer about the youth camp, attach an NFC tag right next to it so people can contribute on the spot.
Coffee and cookies after service? For some, it’s practically a ritual! Stick an NFC tag near the coffee station with wording like, “Enjoy your coffee? Tap to support Sunday refreshments.”
This casual approach encourages multiple small gifts that can go a long way toward raising funds for your church’s day-to-day expenses.
Your welcome desk is often the first stop for visitors, so you should do all you can to make it more than just a handshake. Add an NFC tag that lets newcomers register digitally, access a welcome guide, or sign up for small groups right from their phone.
Include an optional “Give Now” link for those who might want to contribute on their first visit without feeling pushed.
Hosting a concert, charity dinner, or church fair? Add NFC tags to your event posters. That way, people can tap to buy tickets or donate toward event costs in just a few minutes. It’s a simple way to connect interest with action and increase attendance.
Pro tip: If you’re selling tickets, Donorbox Events makes the process even easier. You can create event pages, manage RSVPs and check-ins, and link your NFC tags directly to your ticketing page.
We love how the First Congregational Church of Claremont customized their Donorbox Events page for their annual May Breakfast:
Big projects need a lot of visibility! If you’re fundraising for a new building project or mission trip, create an interesting display with construction renders, photos, and stories. Add multiple tags, each linking to a different aspect of the campaign (e.g., construction, travel, supplies).
This turns giving into an interactive experience, letting members choose exactly what they want to support with a quick tap. It’s arguably more personal and engaging than a single “give” button.
Small groups are a great setting for connecting people with causes they care about. Instead of asking for general tithes outside of service, keep it specific – like raising funds for an outreach event or disaster relief.
Give group leaders an NFC tag linked directly to that campaign so members can give during the meeting if they feel moved.
Holidays tend to bring out the spirit of generosity, and it’s up to your church to make giving as easy as possible during these times. Applying a bit of creativity here will go a long way.
For example, at Christmas, set up a tree with ornaments – some of them can be labeled NFC tags. Each tag could link to a different ministry or outreach program.
It’s interactive and makes giving part of the celebration.
Turn your volunteers into giving ambassadors! Ask them to wear NFC tags so anyone can tap and donate or learn more during events, services, and community gatherings.
It’s personal, different, and a good option for large crowds where kiosks might not be nearby.
Pro tip: Make sure to properly educate your volunteers about the missions or campaigns they’re helping to raise funds for, so they can answer any questions attendees may have.
If you want something more visible and versatile than a tag, consider NFC-powered giving stations. A kiosk creates a central donation point for those who prefer card or digital wallet payments.
Use the Donorbox Live™ Kiosk app to turn your tablet into a powerful giving kiosk – you just need a card reader to get started. Or, you can enable the Tap-to-Pay feature on the app, and use your Android phone to collect donations – no hardware required!
Raise More with Donorbox Live™ Kiosk
Here are a few ways to use kiosks and mobile NFC giving to fundraise for your church:
Place a kiosk in the lobby or near the main doors so people can easily give before or after the service. It’s quick, highly visible, and always accessible. Consider adding a sign nearby explaining the purpose of the kiosk.
If you’re hosting a fundraising event, placing a kiosk at the check-in desk makes it easy for guests to give the moment they arrive.
If the line gets too long, volunteers can use their Android phones with Tap-to-Pay enabled to collect donations on the go.
Parents often want to give toward kids’ or youth programs, especially during events or special Sundays.
Adding a kiosk near the kids’ check-in station makes it easy for them to support these ministries while dropping off their children. This approach creates a direct connection between the donation and the ministry they care about.
NFC technology isn’t just convenient – it makes generosity simple and accessible for everyone. In other words, fundraising for your church just got a whole lot easier.
From NFC tags on pews to donation kiosks in the lobby and tap-to-pay on mobile, the ideas we discussed above will help your church keep up with increasingly cashless giving habits and optimize fundraising in the process.
With Donorbox MinistryMomentum, you’re empowered to accept NFC donations with Donorbox Live™ Kiosk and a suite of fundraising tools, free resources, and innovative integrations.
Explore the rest of our Nonprofit blog to learn even more about church fundraising.
Fern is a journalist-turned-editor with 8 years of writing experience, now using that skill set to help nonprofits share their stories and connect with donors. Along with her editorial work, Fern volunteers with animal welfare organizations and has spent years fostering and rehabilitating rescue parrots.
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Fern Bamber