Question 1

Is ChurchRaise really free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every core feature, including people management, online giving, email and SMS, website builder, forms, reports, and background checks, is completely free. There is no monthly subscription, no per-user fee, and no feature gating. You can use the full platform without entering a credit card.

Question 2

How does ChurchRaise make money if the platform is free?

Accepted Answer

ChurchRaise is supported by optional donor tips and an optional service fee on giving transactions. When a member of your congregation gives online, they can choose to add a small tip to support ChurchRaise, or your church can enable a service fee that is added to the donor's transaction. Either way, your church receives 100% of every gift. There are no platform fees charged to the church.

Question 3

Are there hidden fees on online giving or donations?

Accepted Answer

No. ChurchRaise does not take a percentage of donations. Standard payment processing fees from Stripe apply (these go to Stripe, not ChurchRaise). The platform is funded through optional donor tips or an optional service fee added to the donor's transaction at checkout. Your church never pays a platform fee.

Question 4

What are ministry credits and how do they work?

Accepted Answer

Ministry credits are used for AI-powered features like the 9 specialist assistants, image and video generation, social media graphics, and audio transcription. Every new ChurchRaise account receives 1,000 free credits. Credits are consumed when you use AI features; for example, an AI assistant conversation costs about 1 credit, an AI-generated image costs 75 credits, a still background costs 75 credits, and a motion background costs 150 credits. You can purchase additional credit packs anytime.

Question 5

Do I need a credit card to sign up for ChurchRaise?

Accepted Answer

No. You can create an account and start using every feature without entering any payment information. A credit card is only needed if you choose to purchase additional ministry credits or set up online giving for your congregation.

Question 6

What happens when I run out of ministry credits?

Accepted Answer

All core platform features continue to work without credits. Credits are only consumed by AI features. When your balance reaches zero, you can purchase a credit pack from your account settings. Subscribers on the Plus plan also receive bonus credits each month.

Question 7

Is there a limit on how many contacts or members I can manage?

Accepted Answer

No. There are no limits on the number of contacts, members, groups, or records you can manage in ChurchRaise. The platform is designed to work for churches of every size, from a small congregation of 50 to a multi-campus church of 5,000 or more.

Question 8

Can I switch from another church management platform?

Accepted Answer

Yes. ChurchRaise includes data import tools to help you bring in contacts, giving history, and other records from platforms like Planning Center, Breeze, CCB, and others. Our support team can assist with the migration.

Question 9

Is ChurchRaise suitable for small churches?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. ChurchRaise was built specifically so that churches of every size have access to professional-grade tools. Small churches benefit the most because they get capabilities that previously required expensive software or dedicated staff, all for free.

Question 10

What AI assistants are included?

Accepted Answer

ChurchRaise includes 9 specialist AI assistants: a General Assistant, Comms Team, Giving Specialist, Design Team, Finance Assistant, Outreach Specialist, Worship Assistant, SEO Specialist, and Safety Specialist. All are included free and powered by ministry credits.

Free for every church. Seriously.

The entire platform

How giving works

Donor-powered tips

Service fee option

Ministry Credits

Works with the tools you already use

Frequently asked questions

Built for churches that do more with less