ABC eGiving Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below is a list of FAQs that you may have and our responses to these questions. We are pleased to offer ABC eGiving for our churches and look forward to your comments and feedback as we continually refine this solution. Please email Matthew Brown at matthew.brown@abc-usa.org with any questions.
QUESTIONS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP:
QUESTIONS ABOUT PROCESSING:
QUESTIONS ABOUT COSTS:
MISCELLANEOUS:
QUESTIONS ABOUT STEWARDSHIP:
Q: Some churches question whether they are contributing to their members’ credit card debt by offering this type of solution. Can we decide to accept only ACH (electronic) transactions that withdraw existing funds directly from a member’s account?
A: YES. When a church signs up for the program, they have the option of whether to accept ACH transactions only, or to accept both ACH and credit card donations. We are also concerned with this key issue of debt. Sound stewardship cannot be pursued if one is mired in financial liability to credit card companies. However, since each church knows their congregation and context best, the ultimate decision will be left to each church.
In 2003, electronic payment processing eclipsed check writing for the first time and continues to rise. Electronic payments are becoming a way of life for all of us. Many consumers are paying bills online or have purchased products online and are comfortable with the process. Debit transactions (transactions that are connected directly to the donor’s checking account) now account for 60% of all transactions, and as such, we would advise churches who decide to accept credit card donations to promote the use of debit cards primarily.
Not only will we encourage churches to pursue the ACH method of transaction, we encourage you to educate your members about credit card debt and of sound stewardship practices, and regional Ministers of Mission Support can help with these issues.
Q: There is something powerful about physically placing something in the offering plate during worship. What effect will it have on our understanding of stewardship?
A: When a donation is made through the system, a "card" can be printed that indicates that a gift has been given online. This card can be taken to a worship service and placed in the offering plate as an act of worship. We would encourage this, as the tangible act of giving is certainly a powerful form of worship that can be very meaningful.
We feel that this electronic donation method can actually be very beneficial to healthy stewardship. Assuming that ACH transfer is the method of choice (as opposed to credit cards, which can have serious negative financial ramifications), setting up automatic donations allows a donor to set a tithe or offering as a "first fruits" effort. Instead of paying other bills and spending money on other things before "seeing what's left" to give to God, donors can set up their tithe or donation to be done automatically, with much less temptation to wait until finances are spent on other things. We would strongly encourage education in this area, and to help members understand that this can be an opportunity for good stewardship, and even to allow non-givers (or inconsistent givers) to take some first steps toward becoming good stewards of their finances.
QUESTIONS ABOUT PROCESSING:
Q: Does our church need to have a website to participate in the program?
A: NO. Even churches that do not have existing websites can sign up for the program. An interface page will be created for you, which can then be customized for your particular church.
Q: We have limited technological ability and know-how. Can we still participate?
A: YES. Full technical support will be provided, and the administration pages are very user-friendly, easy-to-use interfaces that make changing/accessing and customizing information very simple. We have made it a top priority to make sure that the use of the program, from initial set up to any necessary "maintenance," is very simple and easy to use. Help will be provided at any/every step of the way for churches who are unsure.
Q: Will this create more work for the church staff, and will it require any special technical knowledge?
A: NO. Donors can set up automatic payments that are made electronically at the frequency that they specify. This would require no additional effort on their part, or on the part of church staff. The church would just receive notification of the gift, but would not have to do any additional processing for these gifts.
Q: Who else from ABC will be able to see information on donors/donations to our church, or other of our church's financial information?
A: NO ONE. We are offering this simply as a service to our churches. Funds will not flow through ABCUSA accounts, nor will anyone from ABC be able to access any church's financial or donor information. The only information that we will track will be statistical information (how many individuals and churches are using the system, etc.), without any specific details, for future marketing purposes. Financial and other program information for your church and any respective donors is 100% secure and confidential. Again, this service is simply being offered as a service to our churches, in response to what many are already asking for.
Q: We are located in a rural area, and many of our members are not online. Would they be able to use this program?
A: YES. If members can get online once, they can set up recurring donations that happen automatically, eliminating the need to go online every week/month/etc. If they choose to set up recurring payments, they would only need to go back online if they wanted to change the details (amount, frequency, date/time, etc) of their donation.
Q: If we choose to keep our "main" account with our current financial institution, will we have to wait for the funds to go to the Credit Union and then into our account?
A: NO. You will need to open an account with CCCU, but you will not necessarily need to set up eGiving with that account. However you set up your account to function, donations will be transferred directly into the proper accounts. All transactions will be processed electronically. After initial set up, no special steps need to be taken by you to "retrieve" your funds to get them to your main account. To see the benefits of banking with CCCU, please click here.
Q: Can a recurring donation be made to different categories on different days?
A: Yes.
You can set up one donation with a unique frequency and set up a different donation for a different frequency. To set up the second donation, re-complete the donation page with different donation information.
Q:
When a recurring donation is set up, how do I make changes or cancel it?
A:
To make a change or cancellation, contact your church/ministry office.
Q:
How far in advance can I view pending donations (only available for recurring donations)?
A:
Up to 30 days.
Q:
What other frequency options are available?
A: Any other frequency. You can use the recurring monthly feature to create your unique donation schedule.
For example:
On the 1 st monthly and on the 15 th monthly = bi-weekly
On the 1 st monthly, 8 th monthly, 15 th monthly, 22 nd monthly, and 29 th monthly = weekly
QUESTIONS ABOUT COSTS:
Q. How are the per-transaction processing fees paid?
A. These minimal costs come directly out of the gift itself. This is standard procedure, however, and most folks who have experience with online transactions are aware that this is the case.
Q: How do the costs compare to other similar services?
A: Several churches that have researched online giving have reported getting costs as high as $800 or more, just for set up. In addition, monthly costs can be astronomical, and there are often high per-transaction charges. We are able to offer this capability to our churches at a significantly reduced cost only because of the partnership between ABCUSA and CCCU.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Q: Our church has unique needs (large attendance, existing donor management software, existing donation program). Can this program be customized to meet our needs?
A: Yes, call us to discuss your specific needs so we can work to accommodate you. Please contact CCCU at 800.347.2228 (x216) to learn more.
Q: Our church is very small, and we don’t know if there is enough interest in the program. Is there any option available to us?
A: We are working hard to come up with a viable solution, and should have more information on this in the near future.
Go back to the e-Giving summary: http://www.abcusamissions.org/egivinghome.html
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Note: Merchant Services are provided by The CASHLINQ Group, a registered ISO\MSP with HSBC Bank USA, National Association, Buffalo, NY and in association with Bank of America, N.A.
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