Tithes and offerings can also be analyzed geographically breaking dollars given down by zip code.  This technique has proven very useful to churches whose primary mission is outreach to the un-churched and who rely heavily on mass mailings. 

 It has been used effectively in two ways. 

•  First, significant presence of gifts from a certain zip code indicates that the church is ministering effectively to people in that geographic location.  To reach out to more people likely to have an affinity with this church, mailings can be targeted heavily toward this zip code. 

• Conversely, the absence of contributions from certain zip codes can be a way of identifying significant mission opportunities.  The church could target mailings to areas not being reached and conduct community out-reach events in neighborhoods in the targeted zip code

Verne Hargrave is the Church and Ministry partner at PSK LLP and author of the book, Weeds in the Garden.