Getting started with Giving just got a whole lot easier. You can now begin your free trial and explore without setting up payment processing first.
Skip payment setup and start exploring Giving in minutes
Previously, setting up a Stripe account was a required step before you could access Giving at all. That process could take upward of 30 minutes and required bank account details and legal organization information, which is a big ask when you're still deciding if Giving is the right fit for your church.
Now, payment configuration is completely optional during onboarding. You can skip it, finish setup in about five minutes, and start exploring Giving right away. When you're ready to accept online donations, you can set up Stripe at any time.
By removing that barrier upfront, your team can get hands-on with Giving sooner — browsing features, setting up funds, and getting a feel for how it fits into your workflow.
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Every feature is still visible, with context on what payments setup unlocks
When you start a new Giving trial, you'll move through a streamlined onboarding flow. If you skip Stripe setup, you'll see helpful context throughout the product showing what becomes available once you’re ready to accept payments — things like online donations, recurring giving forecasts, and payouts.
Nothing changes for churches already using Giving with Stripe configured. This update only affects churches that haven't completed Giving onboarding yet.
Ready to try it out?
If you're new to Planning Center, head over to our website and start your free Giving trial — no payment setup required. If you're already part of our community, visit your subscription settings to get started.
💛 The Giving Team