Five Reasons to Consider Online Giving

Online giving doesn’t work for everyone. You need to give in the way that works for you and is most comfortable. But here are some reasons to consider making the switch:

1. It makes pledged and committed giving easier. By setting up a recurring gift, your offering gets to the church on the date you want it to, whether you’re out of town, home sick, or you forgot your check on the kitchen table.
2. It’s convenient. You don’t have to be sitting in the church pew to give. You can send in your offering anytime, anywhere.
3. It’s green. There is no envelope, checks, stamps, or driving to the bank involved when giving online.
4. It helps the church plan well. The consistency of recurring gifts helps the finance committee and church board plan expenditures better.
5. It’s less work. From the counting, to the recording, to the trips to the bank, traditional offerings create tasks that are not needed for online giving.

Some Common Questions

So you’re considering an online donation, but some questions come to mind. Here are four common questions that people ask:

1. Is online giving safe? Yes, it is very safe. Our online giving provider, Vanco Services is a PCI (Payment Card Industry) Level 1 Compliant Service Provider, which requires adherence to rigorous security standards and comprehensive independent onsite assessments on a regular basis.
2. Are there any fees involved? No…and yes. You will not be charged a fee to donate. But to offer this service, the church is charged 1% of your total donation (plus 45¢ per transaction). If you wish to offset these fees, you may do so at the time of your donation in the indicated field.
3. What do I do during the offering time? It may feel awkward not putting your envelope in the collection plate. That’s a valid point. You may feel like you’re not participating or that you’re not modeling a generous spirit. If that’s the case, cards are available in the pews that say, “I give online”.

How to Give Online

1. Click on the Give Online button on the right.
    
2. Follow the onscreen instructions to create your profile and make your donation.
3. If you prefer to use your phone, go to the App Store, search for and download the Give+ app.