Churchyy, a secure religious donations app, launches a crowdfunding campaign ahead of pitching its concept to Sir Richard Branson at #VOOM2016

A new e-commerce mobile application that allows church congregants to pay their collection digitally is crowdfunding as part of its Virgin Media Business #VOOM2016 candidacy.

According to Churchyy’s founder, Freddie Anderson, religious institutions bear the brunt of an increasingly cash-strapped congregation in a cashless economy.

“We are looking to change the way churches interact with their congregations. From event invitations to prayer requests, and birthday notifications to a secure donation platform, Churchyy can bring religious community-building into the 21st century,” Anderson said.

In addition to collecting to donations, church leaders can use the app to send event invitations and community notices, effectively bringing the congregation together on one digital platform. “Most of the congregation carries the Bible on their mobile phones and tablets—why can’t we have a way to connect to each other as well?” 

In the United States, tithing donations can top $50 billion per year, and collections in cash can be vulnerable targets. One Texas church discovered this first-hand, when $600,000 in cash donations were stolen in a single weekend. As a secure e-commerce app, Churchyy’s pitch also promises transparency and accountability in each transaction. 

#VOOM 2016 is the new and improved version of Virgin Media Pitch to Rich, where start-ups have a chance to pitch their concept directly to Sir Richard Branson. At the time of writing, Churchyy was in the 81st position on #VOOM’s start-up list, and 36th in Crowdfunder.