One of the things our Capital Campaign consultant strongly encouraged us do to after the pledge period ended in December 2010 was to develop a giving envelope program.  Our consultants have seen stronger participation in campaigns, including better communication overall, when tools like this have been used.   Our own experience has been that recording gifts can be more accurate, even with generic pew envelopes, if they are filled in with choices like those we offer in online giving.

Through one of our software provider’s partner companies we found a good tool for a monthly mailing program.  This differs from envelope programs we’ve used in the past since they are mailed directly to the home and not left in the Narthex for pick-up.   Some advantages include:   

Stewardship Benefits

• Envelopes sent to homes are a gentle and regular encouragement to support the church.
• Many people develop the habit of using envelopes from childhood, and prefer the use of an envelope to drop into the offering plate each week as a sign of worship.
• Similarly, with the checkbox “I gave electronically” on the envelopes people can use the envelope as a part of their worship, even when gifts are given online or even provide an additional gift based on an additional appeal during the service.
• Envelopes are like a “billboard” that reinforces your church stewardship program.
• Because “Specials” are included during the year, members can come prepared to contribute to the appeal.
• “Mail-back” envelopes included in the monthly packet of envelopes encourages giving even when people cannot attend church for some reason.  

Benefits over boxed sets

• Because they are delivered directly to members, there are no longer wasted sitting in the church unused.
• Additional envelopes or communication may be inserted into the mailed packet during the year, yielding support and engagement.
• As people join the church, they can begin receiving envelopes quickly and…
  • This sends an instant message of “welcome” to new people
  • Helps get them engaged into the church quickly
  • The church benefits from new support
• The church has an additional tool with which to keep track of people who move with the mailing list maintenance that comes with the program.  Corrections can be made in our church management software easily. 

Financial Benefits

• Surveys show that mailed envelopes will generate increased contributions of about 18%.
• Because of the regular mailing list cleansing, the church will save money in returned mail from the post office.
• The church is able to include additional communication into the envelope at no additional postage costs.
• In-person, cash, gifts can be recorded more efficiently and accurately since donations include name information on the outside of the envelope.  For example, the office staff doesn’t have to track down which “Smith family” is making a donation from a generic pew envelope.
• Likewise, when “Improvement Fund” or “Growing to Serve” is checked, the gift can be recorded more accurately than when “building fund” is written on the memo line of a check.  Special appeal envelopes also help ensure that donor intent is determined quickly and accurately.

If you would like to update your option for participating in the envelope program, please complete the form found here.

Thank you for your support of Oak Ridge United Methodist Church.  If you have additional questions, please contact the church office.