The Generosity Dashboard | Measuring What Matters Most

May 7th, 2025
by Jim LaDoux

Churches often measure what’s easy: attendance, budgets, or pledges. But numbers alone rarely tell the full story of generosity. A generosity dashboard tracks not just dollars but the health of your church’s giving culture. By monitoring trends, celebrating progress, and setting new goals, churches can stay focused on what matters most — cultivating a community where generosity thrives.

20 Practices to Include on a Generosity Dashboard

Total contributions (weekly, monthly, annually).
Percentage of budget covered by giving.
Average gift per household.
Number of pledging households.
Percentage of households pledging.
New givers this year.
Lapsed givers compared to last year.
Percentage of online givers.
Growth in recurring giving.
Number of givers above a certain threshold (e.g., $3,000 annually).
Percentage of households increasing their pledge.
Stories/testimonies collected this quarter.
Volunteer hours contributed (as a measure of generosity).
Number of thank-you communications sent.
Special gifts to missions or outreach.
Year-over-year giving trends.
Percentage of budget directed outward (missions, outreach).
Major milestone celebrations (e.g., 100 online givers).
Ratio of pledgers to attendees.
Alignment of giving with church vision/strategic goals.

5 Questions for Stewardship Teams

Which dashboard indicators best reflect the generosity culture we want to grow?
How can we share dashboard insights with the congregation in a motivating way?
Who is responsible for maintaining and updating the dashboard?
How do we balance financial numbers with spiritual/relational indicators?
What goals should we set for the next 12 months based on our dashboard trends?

Closing Thought

Dashboards don’t just track data — they tell stories. By monitoring key indicators, churches can celebrate progress, spot opportunities, and inspire members to take part in God’s generous work.

Posted in 8 | Grow Your Giving
Posted in generosity, giving