Best Credit Card for Churches in 2026

Other Options to Consider

‍

Capital One Spark Cash Plus

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "437", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Business Owners", "headerHint": "Powerful Cash Back Rewards Program"} ]]

‍

‍

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

‍

[[ SINGLE_CARD * {"id": "3055", "isExpanded": "false", "bestForCategoryId": "15", "bestForText": "Business Travelers", "headerHint": "Zero Transaction Fees"} ]]

‍

‍

How to Choose a Credit Card for Churches

‍

Choosing a credit card for a church requires a different approach than picking a personal card; it's about finding a financial tool that supports the organization's mission and promotes responsible stewardship.

‍

A primary pitfall is selecting a card based on individual rewards, like airline miles, which may offer little value to the church itself. Additionally, organizations can overlook the impact of annual fees or fail to implement strong spending and reporting policies from the outset. These oversights can lead to wasted funds and complicate financial accountability.

‍

Key Factors

‍

• Relevant Rewards: Opt for simple cash back or statement credits that directly benefit the church’s budget, rather than travel points or other individual-focused perks.
• Fee Structure: A card with no annual fee is ideal to maximize funds for ministry, but also consider foreign transaction fees if your church engages in international activities.
• Expense Management: Seek out cards that offer robust reporting tools to track spending by user and category, which is essential for accountability and simplifying bookkeeping.
• Card Controls: The ability to issue multiple cards to staff with individual, adjustable spending limits is a key feature for managing team expenses responsibly.
• Liability Protection: Ensure the card issuer offers strong protection against fraudulent charges and unauthorized employee use to safeguard the church’s assets.
• Application Process: Be prepared for the unique documentation required for a nonprofit, which may include financial statements, proof of tax-exempt status, and information about the authorized officer.

‍

What to Watch Out For

‍

Beyond avoiding cards with irrelevant travel rewards, churches must be cautious about agreements requiring a personal guarantee from a leader, which can create personal liability. It's also crucial to look past flashy introductory offers to understand the card's true long-term cost, including its standard APR and any hidden fees that could divert funds from your mission.

‍

Decision Flow

‍

Navigating the options can be simplified by starting with your church's primary needs. Use this decision flow to identify which card features should be at the top of your list.

• If your main goal is maximizing every dollar for ministry, then a no-annual-fee card with flat-rate cash back is often the most effective choice. It provides a direct financial return on all spending without the complexity of bonus categories or the cost of an annual fee.
• If you need to equip multiple staff or volunteers with cards, prioritize a business card platform with strong expense management. Look for features like free employee cards, customizable spending limits for each user, and detailed reporting to streamline your bookkeeping and maintain accountability.
• If your church has international missions or makes overseas purchases, a card with no foreign transaction fees is non-negotiable. This single feature can save a significant amount, ensuring more of your funds go toward the mission itself rather than bank fees.
• If a large portion of your budget goes to specific categories like office supplies, fuel, or online software, seek a card that offers bonus rewards in those areas. Aligning your card’s reward structure with your church’s actual spending patterns can significantly increase your cash back.
• If simplicity and straightforward accounting are paramount, opt for a card that offers rewards as an automatic statement credit. This eliminates the need to manage a separate points balance and ensures that financial benefits are applied directly against your expenses each month.

‍

Maximize Your Return with Churches

‍

To get the most out of every dollar you spend at Churches, it's crucial to go beyond simply swiping your card; here are a few strategies to boost your earnings.

• Stack with the Churches loyalty program: Don't forget to scan your Churches loyalty card or enter your member number at checkout to earn store-specific points on top of your credit card rewards.
• Use online shopping portals: Before making a purchase on the Churches website, click through a shopping portal to earn an additional layer of cash back, points, or miles from the portal itself.
• Activate rotating bonus categories: If you have a card with quarterly rotating categories, make sure you've activated the current bonus if it includes the category Churches falls under, such as grocery or department stores.
• Leverage card-linked offers: Check your credit card's mobile app or website for targeted offers that can provide extra statement credits or bonus points for shopping at Churches.
• Redeem points for maximum value: When it's time to use your rewards, transfer them to a high-value travel partner or redeem for cash back instead of lower-value options like merchandise through the card issuer's portal.
• Consider gift card strategies: If Churches sells gift cards for other merchants, you can buy them to effectively earn your card's bonus category rewards on spending at those other stores.

‍

Supercharge your Rewards with Kudos

‍

Kudos is a free app that automatically selects your highest-earning credit card for every purchase, so you stop guessing at checkout. The average user earns up to $750 more per year just by using it. Get started for free.

‍

Other Things to Consider

‍

Beyond comparing rewards and fees, churches should also weigh a few other financial strategies. For instance, if a significant portion of expenses goes to a single retailer like a home improvement or office supply store, a store-specific card might offer more valuable, targeted rewards than a general-purpose one. Regardless of the card chosen, disciplined debt management is paramount; carrying a balance and incurring interest can divert crucial funds from your ministry's mission. Finally, it's essential to integrate card usage with sound cash management and to approach "buy now, pay later" (BNPL) plans with caution, as they can complicate budgeting and potentially lead to overspending if not carefully tracked.

‍

Our Methodology

‍

We evaluate nearly 3,000 credit cards across the U.S. market — far more than the ~150 cards commonly featured on sites that focus only on products tied to affiliate commissions. Our goal is to provide a comprehensive, unbiased view of the credit card landscape so you can make confident, data-driven decisions.

‍

Our editorial team combines deep industry experience with rigorous verification standards. While our experts surface the most relevant recommendations in our guides, you can also explore the full dataset yourself through our card explorer tool, which includes thousands of cards — more than 95% of which do not provide us with commissions.

Frequently Asked Questions

‍

Can a church apply for a business credit card?

‍

Yes, as a nonprofit organization, a church can typically apply for a business credit card. Most card issuers will require the church's Employer Identification Number (EIN) to begin the application process.

‍

What documentation does a church need to apply for a credit card?

‍

Churches generally need to provide their Employer Identification Number (EIN), financial statements, and documents proving their nonprofit status. The application may also require personal information from the individual authorized to open and manage the account.

‍

Who is responsible for the debt on a church credit card?

‍

Liability depends on the card's terms, as some business cards require a personal guarantee from an authorized individual, making them personally responsible for the debt. It is crucial to review the cardholder agreement to understand the liability structure before applying.

‍

‍

‍

‍