The way people use money is changing, and churches are not alone in providing ways to give that are accessible, visible, and straightforward.
Find out the various mechanisms recommended for parishes to encourage and enable generous giving from all parts of your church community.
The most effective way to give financially to your church is through regular giving, and the most efficient way to do this is through the Parish Giving Scheme (PGS). The Parish Giving Scheme also makes it easy for people to give online, either directly through the PGS website or via a QR code.
Many people are used to paying using a contactless device, either with a bank card or with their smartphone. Many churches today have a contactless payment device, often at the back of the church, where people can give, quickly and easily, on their way into or out of the building. We recommend having signage close by to explain what the funds go towards.
Almost all contactless devices allow you to set suggested donation levels, and we recommend not setting the lowest amount below £5; the average contactless gift in the diocese as at June 2026 is £9.25. There are several different types of device, including some which work offline for churches without WiFi or a mobile signal, and you will also need either a SumUp or Stripe account in order for funds donated to be paid into your bank account. There is a full list of devices here Contactless card reader and payment device options | Diocese of Hereford and you can also explore what is available through Parish Buying.
There are several different types of device and several providers of the online services that connect the device to the banking system.
We also recommend that you explore what is available through the Parish Buying service:
Another useful tool is the QR code. Added to service sheets, including (with the family’s permission) for weddings and funerals, the QR code enables people to give easily and securely at a time and location that suits them, using a smartphone. You can download a QR code from your Give A Little or Parish Giving Scheme account, and add it to posters with information about your church, its need for financial support, and what difference a gift makes. Your diocesan Giving Adviser can send you pew cards and bookmarks with QR codes, which people can take away in order to make a donation at their convenience, or if there is no mobile signal in your church.
There are several ways to give to your church online – whether as a one-off donation or as a regular gift. Your church's page on A Church Near You and your church’s own website should always include a link to enable people to make a donation online. If you have a contactless device, you can add a link to Give A Little to your church's page on A Church Near You, where you can also paste a link to your unique Parish Giving Scheme page. Find out more about the benefits of the Parish Giving Scheme here: Parish Giving Scheme.
If you are not yet a member of the Parish Giving Scheme or would like an alternative way for people to give online, please register with Parish Buying and follow the step-by-guides to setting up free accounts with Give A Little and with Stripe.
For nearly five hundred years, the Church of England has encouraged its members to keep their wills up-to-date. The Book of Common Prayer reminds people to “settle their estates whilst they are in good health”. Yet research shows that over half the UK adult population have not yet written a will. If you die without a will, the courts decide what will happen to your assets, meaning your family, friends or favourite charity may lose out.
Legacies are a lifeline for our parishes. Church of England parishes receive over 4,000 legacies each year. These gifts help to nurture faithful communities, finance mission and ministry, and maintain and improve beautiful church buildings, making a real difference to the future work of the church.
Gifts in wills are also an important part both of our Christian faith, rooted both in demonstrating after our death what was important to us in life and in giving back to God some of the blessings he has given us. As well as providing for your family, your legacy can help to continue to provide for your church family in a meaningful way.
We encourage you to consider leaving a residual rather than a pecuniary gift, so that the value of your gift remains in line with the value of your estate, and not to restrict your gift to a particular project. The needs of a church change over time, and PCCs will discuss your gift with the executors to ensure that its use reflects what was important to you and meets the PCC’s priorities.
- We have drafted a sample letter from a PCC explaining the value and importance of leaving a legacy to the local church and inviting recipients to consider leaving a legacy: Draft Legacy Letter for How Caple | Hereford Diocese
- A legacy policy allows the PCC to prepare and discuss how they would wish to see a gift used. It can also help to reassure those interested that the PCC has a policy in place. Download a sample PCC legacy policy here: Example Legacy Policy | Church of England.
- Find more information at the Church Legacy website: Church Legacy | The Church of England.
- Explore the range of resources available from Legacy resources for your church | The Church of England and How to Encourage Legacy Giving - Parish Resources.
- Take advantage of the Church of England’s partnership with Free Will to write a will at no cost: Free wills | The Church of England.
- Family and friends often wish to donate a gift to a church in memory of a loved one or friend, perhaps in the form of an item to beautify a church, or for use in worship or church activities. Please use this helpful guide on in memoriam gifts.
- Sharing in the experience of churches which have been transformed by a gift in a will is a great way to promote legacy giving. You can read some amazing stories on the Church Legacy website.
- Request your free PCC Legacy Toolkit from the Church Legacy pages of the Parish Resources website.
- For further information about gifts in wills, contact your diocesan Giving Adviser or call the Church Legacy Information Line on 08445 870875.
Gift Aid and the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme provides parishes with very valuable additional income. It’s very important to make the most of the benefits these schemes offer. Please see the helpful guidance notes below, and contact the Finance Team or your Giving Adviser if you have any further questions or would like any help with submitting a claim for Gift Aid or GASDS.
- Visit our Gift Aid web page to find out more.