A Serialized Exploration of The State of Generosity

Barna Group has been researching generosity for decades and we felt compelled to revisit and expand upon the topic during this unique season of ministry.

Our aim is to equip pastors, nonprofit leaders, financial advisors and more with fresh insights on generosity and stewardship. In partnership with Gloo and a collective of sponsors, Barna Group is mapping today’s giving landscape and looking to the future of generosity.

Nine reports emerged from this landmark project, which we’re calling The State of Generosity Series.

In The Giving Landscape, you’ll get an updated view of generosity, as well as a peek into the motivations and priorities of givers, especially those in the Church; insight and wisdom that can inform the way you think about, preach about and plan around giving.

In Revisiting The Tithe & Offering, the second volume of our State of Generosity Series, we teamed up with Generis to uncover: an updated overview of the giving habits of Christians; the Church’s current perceptions of the tithe; which donation options congregations offer; opportunities and limitations of modern church giving.

In Why Giving Is Good, the third volume of our State of Generosity Series, we teamed up with Generous Giving to uncover: different ways generous people benefit from their giving; the surprising ripple effect generosity can have on others; reasons why Christians choose to be generous; how data suggests generosity can become a learned skill.

In Meet the Digital Donor, the fourth volume of our State of Generosity Series, we’re sharing: how online options for giving are perceived and utilized; a unique profile of donors who favor digital giving; what is possible and what donors are looking for; how digital giving can be part of your own good work.

In Beyond the Offering Plate, the fifth volume of our State of Generosity Series, we’re sharing: how people view volunteering and other nonmonetary forms of generosity; how these nonmonetary gifts are appreciated in comparison to financial gifts; the perspectives and beliefs that seem to inspire volunteerism; to what extent people are living out these values in daily life.

In The Impact of Women, the sixth volume of our State of Generosity Series, we’re sharing: the numerous ways women give to their churches and communities; how women feel about generosity and their participation in it; fascinating differences in how men and women approach being generous; exciting opportunities to further encourage and support women in giving; what it looks like when women in the Church feel fully able to contribute.

In A New Era of Giving, the seventh volume of our State of Generosity Series, we’re sharing: how young adults think about and approach generosity; why Gen Z and Millennials are becoming known as “optimistic givers”; five unique qualities of the next generation when it comes to giving; how powerful but sometimes inconsistent beliefs are driving young Christians in gifts of money and time.

In The Trust Factor, the eighth volume of our State of Generosity Series, we’re sharing: the confidence donors feel about giving to various types of ministries; what inspires Gen Z’s and Millennials’ sense of compassion; what raises their sense of caution with a giving opportunity; what can be done to fuel trust and engagement for the future of giving, even as cultural and technological shifts reshape the landscape of generosity.

In Investing in the Future, the ninth volume of our State of Generosity Series, we’re sharing a fresh vision for generosity that bridges generational differences. This kind of collaboration isn’t just about maintaining donations; our analysis suggests it can also be key to: producing resilient faith in young people that stands up to the tests of time and the challenges of our age; helping older people deepen their confidence in their ability to make a lasting impact and nurture life-giving relational roots; establishing mentorships that foster empathy in elders and prepare the next generation to step into their vocation and calling; painting a more holistic picture of what it means to be a wise, consistent steward and to make a difference.

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