Customize Your Giving Statement

Overview

This article explains how to customize Giving Statement Templates in your Church Management System (ChMS). By following these steps, you can adjust text, placeholders, logos, and pledges to create a professional and donor-friendly contribution statement.

Why Customize?

Giving Statements are not just compliance documents. A well-designed statement ensures donors receive accurate tax information while also reflecting your church’s gratitude and professionalism.

Steps to Customize Your Giving Statement

Access Your Giving Statement Template

1. Navigate to the top menu gear icon.
2. Select General Settings → Giving → Giving Letter Template.
3. You’ll see the template body on the left and a list of Placeholders on the right.
4. Modify the default text by copying placeholders from the right menu and pasting them into the template where needed.

Create Additional Giving Statement Templates

1. Above the template body, click “Add a Template.”
2. Give your template an intuitive name.
3. Edit the content as desired.
4. If multiple templates exist, you can set one as the default for all donors.
5. Use the checkbox “Use this template when users download their own statements online” to designate the preferred template for self-service downloads.

Format for Envelope Windows

• To format the member’s address for a #10 window envelope, select the Envelope Window Formatting checkbox.
• When you generate a statement (emailed or printed), the name and address will automatically align for proper placement.

💡 Pro Tip: If your template is formatted for windowed envelopes, create a separate version for emailed or downloaded statements to avoid spacing issues.

Test the Look of Your Giving Statement

1. Search for an individual donor who meets the statement criteria (has contribution data).
2. On their profile, open the Giving tab.
3. Click the ↓ Statement link.
4. Use the default date range (e.g., Last Calendar Year) or select a custom range.
5. Set the Tax Status, then click Next.
6. Choose the desired Giving Template, click Download PDF, and select Confirm.
7. A PDF of your statement will download to your browser’s default location.

Address Statements to Multiple Individuals

To address Giving Statements to the entire household instead of a single member, replace @NAME with @FAMPREFNAMES (or other “Family” placeholders).

Add Your Logo and Address

• Use the @LOGO placeholder to include your logo automatically
  • Recommended logo size: 480px width at 300 dpi (dots per inch)
• Add a carriage return (press the ENTER key), then include your address.

Example:

@LOGO

123 YOUR STREET

TOWN, XX 12345

Add Pledges to Your Statement (optional)

• Include the @PLEDGES placeholder to display donor pledges.

🔎 Note: This placeholder appears partway down the page—it’s easy to miss!

Important Notes

• Changes don't auto-save. Make sure to click SAVE before you leave the page!
• Multiple templates can be created for different delivery methods
• @LOGO and @CHURCHNAME placeholders pull from the Gear Icon > Settings > General Tab
• Verify all placeholders populate correctly before sending
• If you use envelope formatting, test alignment with a sample print

Troubleshooting

Issue: My logo looks blurry

Solution: Confirm your logo image is 300 dpi and no wider than 480px

Issue: Placeholders don’t populate

Solution: Double-check that you’re using the exact placeholder syntax listed in the right-hand menu

FAQs

Q: Can I create more than one template?

A: Yes. Multiple templates can be created and assigned for email, print, or self-service downloads.

Q: Can I use HTML or CSS to update my statement's look?

A: We don't support customizing the look or style of your giving statement with HTML or CSS (e.g., changing the font, adding an image, etc).

Note: While it's possible to add custom HTML or CSS styling tags, we cannot guarantee they will render as expected or consistently on each statement. In other words, custom styling is "swim at your own risk." 

Again, we don't support custom styling, and our Support Team won't be able to help with troubleshooting.

Q: Can I add Check Numbers to Giving Statements?

A: Yes. Use the placeholder @LINESWITHNOTES_TAXDEDUCTIBLE. This placeholder adds the Check Number field. Note: This placeholder also adds the Notes field, where helpful items such as a memo line can be placed (example below).

Updated February 13, 2026 18:05