Ultimate Guide to Church Fundraising Calendars (2025 edition)
What if I told you that calendar fundraisers might be your next right thing? As a pastor and someone who grew up in the church, I’ve seen my fair share of charity events — from bake sales and silent auctions to fundraising campaigns. And maybe, like me, you’re feeling ready for something new. Calendar fundraisers can
- Raise funds for your church
- Create community connections
- Advertise your church and its mission for the entire year.
Save Time, Reduce Frustration:
Fundraising with the added boost of high-capacity church accounting software is a heck of a lot easier and simpler. Set aside some time to make sure the tools your team is using are up to the task.
What Is a Fundraising Calendar?
A fundraising calendar is a way to raise money by offering a calendar for purchase. They are often personalized with photos, special events, and Bible verses, making each calendar feel unique and deeply connected to the church family. Maybe you have a specific church need you are saving for, or it’s one of the fundraising events for your church youth group. No matter the reason, calendars are a great fundraising tool.
Calendars are available in both print and digital formats that can include interactive features:
- Reminders about special days or events
- Links to sign-ups
- Daily devotionals
Printed versions can be sold at church events or mailed to supporters, while online versions can be downloaded or viewed through the church’s website or app. Sometimes donors can sponsor a day, week, or month in the calendar, often in honor of a loved one or special occasion, blending personal engagement with charitable giving. Additionally, they can make a great gift or a “thank you” to your church donors.
Could Fundraising Calendars Work for Your Church? Likely, Yes.
Calendars are especially appealing as fundraising strategies for small to mid-sized churches because they are simple to create with little effort up front. Calendars usually hang in prominent places within homes or offices, making it a product that keeps the church visible in the daily life of your church members and supporters all year long.
People already use calendars; they’re a practical and gift-worthy option. They are a great tool to increase the likelihood of your church raising money. Additionally, churches can personalize the content with photos from community events, scripture verses, or encouraging messages, enabling you to promote the church and its mission and values on a broader scale.
Calendar Customization: Add Photos, Themes & Church Events,
Churches can add a variety of personal touches to their fundraising calendars to make them more meaningful and engaging for their congregation.
- Monthly member features and photos: Highlighting volunteers, families, or ministry and outreach teams with a short story or photo fosters a sense of connection and celebrates the life of the church.
- Sunday service schedules and special events: Pre-populate your calendar with special holiday services, or key events such as youth retreats, mission trips, or church anniversaries. It makes the calendar a valuable planning tool and encourages attendance and participation.
- Incorporate your church logo and branding: This not only reinforces the church’s identity but also adds a professional touch that enhances the overall quality and appeal of the calendar.
Must-Haves For an Impactful Fundraising Calendar
Have a cohesive and consistent design to increase sales and the likelihood that your calendar will be displayed after being purchased. Here are some tips to make it really shine:
- Use high-quality images. Avoid blurry or unprofessional-looking images. Check the required image size before ordering to ensure quality once they are printed.
- Stay consistent with colors and fonts. This creates a polished, professional look that reinforces your church’s identity and makes the calendar easy to read and visually appealing.
- Include dates and events your church cares about. This personal touch will set your calendar apart from something they might find at the store. It is practical and personal.
- Proofread before printing. Be like Santa, make your calendar and check it twice. Maybe even have Mrs Claus check it over, just to be sure. There is nothing worse than ordering 500 copies of a calendar only to find a spelling mistake on the cover!
Five Fundraising Calendar Examples
I’ve included some examples below so you can get an idea of what is possible with your calendar creations. Remember to “Employ the KISS principle: Keep It Simple, Stupid! Use Canva calendar templates and design printable PDFs” (Monique Eckes, photographer & calendar designer)
Example: Inspire Members to Stay Connected
Think about the events and people at your church.
- What special memories will bring pleasure to remember?
- What events would highlight the mission and vision of the church?
- How can you inspire your members to stay connected?
Example: Showcase Member Artwork
Calendars don’t need to be only photographs. If you have some creative members in your church, you could sell a calendar that features their artwork. It’s a great way to showcase the talents and uniqueness of your church.
Example: Keep Your Church Branding Front and Center
Incorporate your logo and branding to make it professional and consistent. This will keep your church top of mind wherever it is displayed.
Example: Personalize Dates with Member Profiles
Adding photos to the date boxes adds a nice personal touch. But you can also use it as an opportunity to increase fundraising. Here you could “offer an opportunity for members to pay a small fee and have a little tiny photo on an individual date in the calendar — like a baptism anniversary, etc…” (Monique Eckes, photographer & calendar designer)
Example: Sell Ad Space to Offset Development Cost
Selling ad space is a great way to offset the initial cost of creating the calendar. Depending on how much you sell, you could have covered your printing costs completely. It also creates connections with the community and helps local businesses.
Top Fundraising Calendar Providers for Churches
There are lots of options to wade through when choosing the right calendar provider. I’ve got the shortlist below. Factors to consider include
- Cost for printing
- Customizations (eg. wall calendar vs desk calendar, key dates, fiscal year-end vs December 31st)
- Sell your calendar in-person or online
With all the options for income diversifying, make sure you find a donor management software that can keep up with your needs. Not only will you be selling calendars, but you might want to sell ad space, raise sponsorships, or raffle off specific dates.
| Vendor | Short Description | Best for… |
|---|---|---|
| CalendarCompany.com | User-friendly template with options to include advertising from major donors. | Churches looking for economical bulk pricing and options for ad space. |
| YearBox | Easy online ordering with clear, upfront pricing that includes non-profit discounts. | Churches looking for personalized customer care and online support |
| SchoolMate | Incorporate your custom logo and colours to make your calendar match your church’s personality. | Smaller churches that want to customize with events |
| PrintingCenterUSA.com | High-quality, customizable calendars with sponsor options and fundraising templates. | Pre-designed templates and online ordering options |
| CreatePhotoCalendars.com | A versatile solution with easy design tools, online storefronts, and fully customizable photo calendars—even down to the day boxes. | Highly personalized calendars and able to sell online and in person |
| Printify.com | A print-on-demand option for low-risk, inventory-free nonprofit fundraising with easy design tools and full online store integration. | Churches running a modern fundraiser with low-risk and no upfront costs |
Option 1: CalendarCompany
CalendarCompany.com specializes in supporting charities, churches, and non-profit organizations. They offer user-friendly templates and a wide selection of seasonal designs. Their bulk pricing options also help maximize your fundraising efforts, making it easy and affordable to raise money for your church.
Option 2: Yearbox
Yearbox makes calendar fundraisers easy with convenient online ordering and robust customization tools. They're especially known for their high-quality photo calendar options. With clear, upfront pricing, you’ll know exactly what to expect—making budgeting simple and fundraising more effective.
Option 3: SchoolMate
SchoolMate is a great option for smaller churches that want to include important events. It focuses on wall calendars for schools/sports teams and churches. Here, you can create a calendar that’s both practical and personal for your audience.
Option 4: PrintingCenterUSA
A standout feature is the ability to add local sponsors directly to your calendar, helping you boost revenue. While their prices are on the higher side compared to other options, their quality, customization, and fundraising features make them a strong contender for successful calendar fundraisers.
Option 5: CreatePhotoCalendars
Their platform supports both online and in-person sales through personalized storefronts, and they provide premium features like free proofs and custom edits at no extra cost. You can personalize each page, including adding photos to day boxes.
Option 6: Printify
Printify is a little different from the first five options because it offers a unique print-on-demand model that allows you to sell online without managing inventory. With online store integration and automatic order fulfillment and shipping, Printify is ideal for modern, low-risk fundraising.
How Much Do Fundraising Calendars Cost?
When ordering 100–500 calendars, the average pricing typically ranges from $3 to $8 per calendar, depending on the vendor and options selected. Some vendors have interactive pricing calculators that let you plug in quantity and features for an instant estimate.
Be aware that”
- Costs are affected by several factors, including full-color vs. black-and-white printing, binding type (saddle-stitched is usually cheaper than spiral or wire-o), paper quality, and whether you include custom design elements or sponsor ads.
- Shipping is often additional, and can vary by weight and location.
- Design tools are usually free, but a few companies may charge extra for advanced edits or proofing services—always check the fine print before finalizing your order.
Is Ordering Fundraising Calendars Difficult? No (& Here’s How)
The general process of ordering a fundraising calendar is simple and consistent across most vendors. Once you've decided to move forward, you'll follow a series of straightforward steps that take you from planning to promotion:
- Step 1: Choose a vendor and calendar style – Select a company that offers the design options, sizes, and features that best fit your church’s needs.
- Step 2: Upload photos and enter event dates – Personalize your calendar with church photos, member highlights, Bible verses, and important events.
- Step 3: Review pricing and order quantities – Decide how many calendars to order based on your budget and fundraising goals, and explore bulk discounts.
- Step 4: Submit for proofing and printing – Review a digital proof to ensure accuracy before sending your calendar to print.
- Step 5: Distribute and promote to raise funds – Once printed, sell or distribute the calendars and encourage church members and the community to support your fundraiser.
Calendar Fundraising Tips for Maximum Profit
Maximize your effectiveness and utilize good stewardship practices to make the most of your efforts with these fundraising ideas. A successful church calendar fundraiser starts by announcing the calendar’s availability well in advance during services, in bulletins, and through email updates to build anticipation and awareness.
As with all things church related, donor communication is key. Tell them, and then tell them again, and then tell them again a different way. You won’t reach everyone, but your odds go up each time you do.
Churches also create buzz by sharing sneak peeks or behind-the-scenes looks on social media, giving members a preview of what’s to come. Don’t wait until the end of the year. Encourage early support by offering pre-orders using donation-based pricing, allowing people to give what they can while reserving a calendar.
Setting up a table after Sunday services for easy pickup and sales has also proven successful, especially when volunteers are available to answer questions. Additionally, churches often invite local sponsors or businesses to advertise in the calendar, helping to offset production costs while strengthening community connections.
So… Should Your Church Try a Fundraising Calendar?
A fundraising calendar is a simple, effective church fundraising plan that will strengthen community bonds. With a little planning and creativity, your church can turn meaningful moments into a year-round reminder of your mission—and a valuable source of support. The only thing left to learn is the correct bookkeeping methods to record all the money you will raise with your calendar.
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