Find stats on top websites
Industry Landscape
The religious non-profit sector in the US is diverse, experiencing shifts in affiliation, particularly among younger generations. While overall church attendance has seen declines, giving remains relatively stable, and engagement in community service and social justice initiatives is growing. Technology adoption for outreach and administration is increasingly vital, and organizations are focusing on targeted engagement to maintain relevance and membership.
Total Assets Under Management (AUM)
Number of Religious Congregations in United States
~Approximately 380,000
(-0.5% (estimated) CAGR)
- Decline in mainline Protestant and Catholic congregations.
- Growth in non-denominational and some evangelical churches.
- Consolidation and closures impacting the overall number.
Total Addressable Market
120 billion USD
Market Growth Stage
Pace of Market Growth
Emerging Technologies
AI-Powered Discipleship Tools
AI and machine learning can personalize spiritual growth content, recommend relevant resources, and create interactive learning experiences for individual church members.
Virtual Reality (VR) for Missions and Training
VR can simulate mission field experiences for training, facilitate immersive virtual church tours for potential members, and provide engaging theological education.
Blockchain for Transparent Giving
Blockchain technology can enhance transparency and traceability in financial contributions, ensuring donors can track their funds to specific ministry outcomes.
Impactful Policy Frameworks
IRS Tax Reform (Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017)
This federal legislation increased the standard deduction, which reduced the incentive for many Americans to itemize charitable contributions, including donations to religious non-profits.
This policy may indirectly affect the SBTC's Cooperative Program contributions by reducing the tax benefits of charitable giving for individual church members.
Changes to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Guidelines (2020-2021)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government's PPP program offered forgivable loans to non-profits, including religious organizations, to help retain employees, with specific guidelines for eligibility and use.
While a temporary measure, these policies significantly impacted how churches managed their finances and staffing during the pandemic, potentially affecting their capacity to contribute to cooperative programs.
State-level Data Privacy Laws (e.g., Texas Privacy Legislation efforts)
While a comprehensive federal privacy law is absent, states like Texas are increasingly considering or enacting legislation similar to the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), regulating how organizations collect, use, and share personal data.
Future state data privacy laws could necessitate changes in how the SBTC and its affiliated churches handle congregant data, impacting their digital outreach and resource management.
Transform Your Ideas into Action in Minutes with WaxWing
Sign up now and unleash the power of AI for your business growth
