Online Giving
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ACH Transfer from checking/savings
or Credit/Debit Cards
(a new window will open)
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Automatic Contributions
To set up donations which are automatically transferred from your checking or savings account via ACH debit, go to the Automatic Contributions page
Offering Envelopes (Opt Out)
If you plan on using online giving as your regular method for making contributions, we ask that you opt-out of our personalized offering envelope service. You can do this by going to the Envelope Opt-out page.
Frequently Asked Questions about Online Giving
Why would I want to make online contributions?
Electronic collections by churches have been on the rise since the beginning of this decade, and worshippers have embraced these donation methods as the country has gotten more familiar with paying much, if not all, of their household bills electronically. Security and convenience are the biggest reasons for those making the donation, but for the Church, the regular, automatic collections help to stabilize their cash flow throughout the year. Furthermore, fewer hours are spent each year by volunteers and salaried church staff members who have to open offering envelopes, sort the checks and calculate totals, then make the weekly trips to the bank to make the deposits. top
What are my payment options for an online contribution?
- You can make single contributions anytime, for any amount, using either an ACH debit to your bank account, or you may use a credit or debit card. Simply go to the Make a Contribution page. When you click on the "Donate" button, you will be taken to our secure contribution page located at Smart Payment Solutions in Arlington, VA (on the web). If you have ever made a purchase online, you will be familiar with the way you fill in the payment information.
- You can set up automatic, monthly or bi-monthly ACH withdrawals from either a checking or savings account. We do not encourage automatic donations with credit cards, except under special circumstances. Any automatic withdrawal must be set up by the Church Finance Office, and you can sign-up on the Automatic Contributions page. top
What if I make a mistake, and I need to get a refund or change my contribution amount?
ACH debit transactions are processed each day at 7pm Eastern time, and Credit Card transactions are processed by 8pm Eastern time. Before the processing time, any contribution can be changed or stopped. After a contribution is processed, a refund can be issued, or we can credit a portion back to your bank account or credit card. The Finance Office will handle this for you, so you will need to call during normal business hours. top
What is ACH and can I trust the security?
By providing your bank's ABA routing number and your account number (both found at the bottom of your checks), our merchant services can initiate a bank-to-bank transfer between your account and FBC Springfield's account. ACH transactions are preferred by employers, businesses and governments in the United States, and if you have ever received direct deposit from your employer, set up an automatic withdrawal to pay a loan or bill, or received a refund from the government, then you have participated in an ACH transaction. Convenience, security, extremely low error rate, and personnel cost savings (reducing employee hours worked) are the main reasons why ACH is commonplace in our society. top
Electronic Bill Pay is offered for free by my bank - wouldn't that be better?
Most banks offer this service for free to their customers, and many of us use this to pay all or most of our monthly bills. However, the only thing electronic about Electronic Bill Pay is how you set up the payment parameters (online). What happens is your bank sends a printed check to the merchant or utility according to your payment instructions set up online. Then a salaried employee (or many) must open envelopes, sort the checks, calculate totals, and make the regular trips to the bank to deposit the checks. So the cost to the customer (you) is zero, but there are processing costs involved for the business, or church, that receives these checks. The customer's greatest advantage with electronic bill pay is they have 100% control over the payments that are made. When changes are needed to your recurring ACH transfer, the Finance Office at the church must make this change for you. top
Can I set up my regular tithe to be automatically debited, then make single online contributions at different times of the year?
Absolutely, you can always make single, electronic donations by going to the Make a Contribution page. This will not affect your automatic contributions at all. When making a single contribution you have the option to use either an ACH debit from your bank account, or you can contribute with a credit or debit card. Either way, the Finance Office at the Church does not need to set up anything for you. top
Can I still make special designations to different Church funds or Missions?
You may designate all or a portion of your contribution to be applied to different funds of the Church. If you are making a single contribution, there is an "Additional Information" box where you can state your designation wishes. If this instruction box is blank, then the entire contribution will be applied to the FBC General Fund. If you set up recurring ACH withdrawals from your account, you will state your desired designation when you submit your sign-up form, and you can make changes to your designation instructions at anytime by contacting the Church Finance Office. top
Are my donations still tax-deductible if I do them online?
Your electronic contributions are completely tax-deductible, as long as no goods or services were received as a result of the contribution. You can receive a copy of your tax-deductible contributions by contacting the Church Finance Office. top
Does the Church have to pay extra to process online contributions?
There are merchant services fees which we pay to offer online contributions. These types of fees are industry standard and are paid by any business or government entity which offers credit card and/or ACH payment options. The actual costs are:
- Credit or Debit cards: 2.67% plus 30¢ per transaction, therefore the Church would actually receive $97.03 from a $100 credit card contribution
- ACH electronic debit from a checking or savings account: 35¢ per transaction
Can I stop or make changes to my ACH debit schedule?
You may change or stop your payments or your schedule anytime you wish. You will need to contact the Church Finance Office at least two business days before your next scheduled withdrawal.
Will I still receive offering envelopes?
We are asking that everyone who plans to give their contribution electronically opt-out of our personalized envelope service. To do this you must either contact the Church Office or go to the
Envelope Opt-out page.
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