Overview
This article explains how to customize Giving Statement Templates in People; 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
Access Your Giving Statement Template
- Navigate to the top menu gear icon.
- Select General Settings → Giving → Giving Letter Template.
- You’ll see the template body on the left and a list of Placeholders on the right.
- Modify the default text by copying placeholders from the right menu and pasting them into the template where needed.
Create Additional Giving Statement Templates
- Above the template body, click “Add a Template.”
- Give your template an intuitive name.
- Edit the content as desired.
- If multiple templates exist, you can set one as the default for all donors.
- 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, simply enable the checkbox for Envelope Window Formatting.
- 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
- Search for an individual donor who meets the statement criteria (has contribution data).
- On their profile, open the Giving tab.
- Click the ↓ Statement link.
- Use the default date range (e.g., Last Calendar Year) or select a custom range.
- Set the Tax Status, then click Next.
- Choose the desired Giving Template, click Download PDF, and select Confirm.
- 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 Church’s Address and Logo
-
Example address placeholder:
- @CHURCHNAME <br/> 123 YOUR STREET <br/> TOWN, XX 12345
- @CHURCHNAME <br/> 123 YOUR STREET <br/> TOWN, XX 12345
- @CHURCHNAME pulls the name from General Settings → General
- <br/> inserts a line break
- Recommended logo size: 480px width at 300 dpi
- Use the @LOGO placeholder to include your logo automatically
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!
Save Your Changes
- Click the SAVE button after making any modifications to ensure your template updates are stored.
Customize the Look (Advanced Styling)
Change the Font
- Wrap your template content with a <div> to apply font styling:
<div style="font-family: Georgia, serif;">
[Your entire template content here]
</div>
- ✅ Use only fonts installed on your system or safe web
Add an Image in the Footer
- Upload the image publicly (e.g., your church site or file-sharing tool), then embed it:
<img src="URL" width="200" height="60" />
Bold Text
- Wrap text with:
<strong>Your Bold Text</strong>
Note: This won’t bold placeholder values, only static text.
Adjust Margins
- For windowed envelope positioning or text spacing:
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">@FAMPREFFULLNAMES <br/>@MEMBERADDRESS</p>
<p style="margin-left: 40px ;">@FAMPREFFULLNAMES <br/>@MEMBERADDRESS</p>
- To shift a full section:
<div style="margin-left: 20px;">[Your text here]</div>
Important Notes
- Multiple templates can be created for different delivery methods
- The logo source is tied to your General Settings → General section
- 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: My donor address doesn’t align with the envelope window
Solution: Adjust using this styling:
<p style="margin-left: 40px;">@FAMPREFFULLNAMES <br/>@MEMBERADDRESS</p>
- Issue: Placeholders don’t populate
Solution: Double-check that you’re using the correct placeholder syntax listed in the right-hand menu
FAQs
Q: Why doesn't my logo look clear?
A: Ensure your logo is no larger than 480px wide and saved at 300 dpi.
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 in my Giving Statement Template?
A: Yes! Basic HTML and CSS can enhance your template. Use <div>, <strong>, and <p> tags for styling. Note that our Support team does not assist with custom code.
Q: Can I include an image in my statement footer?
A: Yes. Upload your image to a public URL and use:
<img src="YOURIMAGEURL" width="200" height="60" />
Q: How can I make text bold or adjust margins?
A: Use <strong>Text</strong> to bold text. To reposition content, use:
<div style="margin-left: 20px;">Your text here</div>
Q: What font should I use?
A: Use web-safe fonts installed on your system. Wrap your template content in a <div> with your preferred font styling at the top and bottom.
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