Author: Daniel Babcock

Faith Direct – the visionary company that is leading the transformation of church giving away from check writing and envelopes – is excited to celebrate ten years of helping churches strengthen their offertories and build renewed support for their ministries.

If you are looking for a great story on an innovative, ambitious company that is having a transformative impact, Faith Direct is an outstanding example.

On February 2 of 2004, Faith Direct processed its first donations from Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Bernardsville, NJ. Ten years later…

• Faith Direct has raised nearly $400 Million in donations for more than 500 churches across the country.
• Faith Direct now serves over 100,000 donors who use eGiving to support their church offertory, second collections and Capital Campaigns.
• In 2013, Faith Direct saw annual eGiving increase by 30% to nearly $120 million.

Faith Direct’s growth reflects the fact that the ability to accept electronic donations – whether through automatic bank debit or credit card – is now a requirement for any church organization’s financial stability.

“As we look towards the next 5 years, we believe that 80% of the $9 Billion in donations the Catholic Church receives each year will have to be processed electronically,” says W. Brian Walsh, company founder and president. “Yet, we estimate that at most, just 10% of all Church donations are managed this way. “

“Now is the time for the Church to phase out the old system of giving, and adapt eGiving just as parishioners are adapting it as their preferred means of giving,” Walsh adds, noting that Faith Direct is empowering parishes and dioceses with a better understanding of this next step in the evolution of offertory, and providing full-service eGiving strategies that go beyond just processing electronic transactions.

Meeting the demand of its clients and users, Faith Direct is the only provider in this space that offers parishes and dioceses a complete communication plan including direct mail, email, online account management, and an iOS app.

This leads Faith Direct parishes to achieve the highest level of eGiving participation among providers of this service. Key to parishioner and parish client retention is Faith Direct’s hands on customer service support, which has consistently received high praise.

“Since we processed our first donations in 2004, we have always believed that customized communication from the parish to the parishioner inviting them to support the Church electronically makes the difference in program success,” Walsh states.

People are responding to Faith Direct’s full-service approach to eGiving. A recent Faith Direct parishioner user survey found that:

• 99.6% of users stated Faith Direct exceeded their expectations
• 80% of users stated they would never go back to using check writing and envelopes.
• 60% of users are over the age of 60 – defying the stereotype that eGiving is preferred only by younger parishioners

“Our core mission has not changed in 10 years,” Walsh adds. “Faith Direct is uniquely positioned to continue our role in helping parishes and Dioceses integrate eGiving as the main platform for donation support.”

For a great story on how a company has transformed Church giving in just ten years – and how our full-service, customer-focused strategies are having a dramatic impact on our success and the growth of parish offertories across the nation – contact Faith Direct President Brian Walsh at (703) 519-5710 or via email here.

CCS and Faith Direct – two pioneering firms with extensive expertise in critical areas of fundraising and philanthropy for the Catholic Church – are pleased to announce a new strategic partnership designed to help Catholic parishes and dioceses inspire increased gifts of treasure among Church families and further help those in need by expanding the missions and ministries of the Catholic Church nationwide.

Since 1947, CCS has been a leader in Catholic philanthropy managing campaigns for parishes, Dioceses and other Church-related organizations, raising billions in donations. Started in 2004, Faith Direct has established the most sought after eGiving program for the Catholic Church, and will surpass $100 million in processed donations in 2012.

“We believe that Faith Direct offers significant value, return on investment and results for the parishes and Dioceses they serve,” says Thomas Kissane, Partner and Managing Director at CSS. “Their approach to their work is extraordinary and we feel confident Faith Direct will provide exceptional eGiving services to our Church clients.”

Brian Walsh, President of Faith Direct, added “I have long admired the faithful tradition in which CCS manages their organization, and the phenomenal work they do for their Church clients. The Faith Direct team is thrilled to collaborate with CCS and work together to deliver even greater results for the Church.”

Faith Direct’s growth reflects the fact that the ability to accept electronic donations – whether through automatic bank debit or credit card – is quickly becoming a requirement for any church organization’s financial stability. Faith Direct is empowering parishes and dioceses with a better understanding of this next step in the evolution of offertory, and providing full-service eGiving strategies that go beyond just processing electronic transactions.

“Faith Direct understands that the skill and experience with which an eGiving program is introduced and administered is frequently the difference between a successful program and one which falls short of its potential,” explains Walsh. “We encourage church-wide participation in our programs though customized direct mail and email communications and exciting innovations like our new iOS App – and in doing so, we help churches grow their offertory while establishing a benchmark for converting check writers to eGivers.”

Today, Faith Direct works in 65 Dioceses supporting offertory, second collections, Appeals and Capital Campaigns. For more information on what makes the Faith Direct program uniquely innovative and effective, visit FaithDirect.net. To arrange an interview with Faith Direct President Brian Walsh, call (703) 519-5710.

CCS, a leading global fundraising consulting and management firm, provides fundraising, development services and strategic consulting to Catholic parishes and dioceses worldwide. Founded in 1947, the firm is wholly owned by its ten partners and retains the largest and most experienced permanent staff in the industry. To learn more, visit www.ccsfundraising.com.