Protestants see greater growth, Catholics report more stability in church giving, surveys find
April 7, 2026
Two new reports are showing that when it comes to giving, Protestants and Catholics may be more alike than one might expect.
The Christian Post reports that the 2026 Annual Church Giving Report and the companion Annual Parish Giving Report from Ministry Brands show Protestants overall appear more likely to report giving growth compared to Catholics, who show higher adoption of recurring giving.
The reports, in partnership with Parable Group, analyzed billions of dollars in digital donations across tens of thousands of churches and parishes, along with survey responses from nearly 1,000 church and parish leaders.
Among the insights into how generosity is evolving amid a surge in online and digital giving, the survey found digital giving continued to lead the way for churches across the U.S. through 2025, with many churches and parishes reporting increases driven by digital methods.
57% of Protestant churches reported an increase in digital giving, accounting for 41% of total donations among churches that offered the service.
Anna Caragio, a technical digital analyst at Parable Group, explained, “While generosity remains a core part of church life, the way people prefer to give is evolving.”
Caragio continued, “Church giving continues to reflect both consistency and change. Digital access, generational preferences and community engagement all play a role, and this year’s data highlights meaningful distinctions between Catholic and Protestant communities, while reinforcing shared opportunities for ministry leaders across denominations.”
In comparing Protestant and Catholic giving patterns, Protestant churches were more likely to report year-over-year increases in giving, with 55% reporting growth in 2025.
Meanwhile, Catholic parishes showed greater overall stability, with 55% reporting that giving either increased or remained the same, which researchers say reflects “a more consistent pattern rather than growth alone.”
According to the Christian Post, the research marked the first time Ministry Brands, a provider of church software and online giving solutions, published separate reports on giving trends across Protestant churches and Catholic parishes.
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