Questions and Answers about using e-giving for contributions
We What is e-giving? E-giving is short for electronic giving. It is an automatic transfer program which allows you to make contributions without writing checks.
What is the advantage of e-giving? It saves time! It saves work! It simplifies your life! You also help the organization stabilize its budget and save $.
When will my contribution be deducted from my account? Usually within 72 hours for ACH (checking or savings account donations). If you choose to give on a regular monthly basis automatically, you can designate when the donation should be processed.
Can I put amounts in different funds and special offerings, and have them all withdrawn from my account at different frequencies? You can set up to contribute to different funds at different frequencies; HOWEVER, you will have to do each one separately. There is no way possible to split a single transaction into different amounts and frequencies. When you have completed giving to one fund for a certain frequency, simply go back in to complete another. You will receive separate receipts for each.
What do I use when I do my taxes? Will I get a statement of everything I gave online? You will receive a statement from Groveton every three months with all your donation information (online and in person), however, you may print out a statement from the e-giving site for all transactions that were made online through e-giving, using the time period you designate. This can be used for tax purposes.
Can I look up all my donations online, even those that I gave while at church? No. The only transactions you can view online are the ones that were completed online. Please contact our church office for complete donation information.
Can anyone who works at the church see my account number? No. No one at the church has access to your account/credit/debit card numbers. Only a couple employees at the E-giving service have access to this info.
What do I do if I forget my username or password? If you forget your password, click on the “forgot password” link. You can then enter your username, and your password will be emailed to the email address you registered with. If you have forgotten your username, click on the appropriate link. This will bring up an email message that goes straight to your organization. Let them know you have forgotten your username, and give them information with which to identify you with. You will receive an emailed message back with your username, or, a request for more information in order to verify your identity. Please allow 2 business days for username retrieval. You may also email E-Giving at e-giving@envelopeservice.com.
If I do not write checks, how do I keep my checkbook balance straight? You may either make a notation in your check register at the time of the transaction, or you can make the notation at the time that an email is sent to you acknowledging your contribution. If you choose to contribute at regular automatic intervals, you can easily make the notations for the the entire length of time that you are contributing all at once.
What can I use to put into the collection basket when it comes around to me? You may print out your acknowledgement page or the email that you receive when your transaction is processed. You will see that the information is inside an envelope shape, this is to make it easy for you to cut it out and put it in the collection plate.
Without a cancelled check, how can I prove I made my contribution? You have the option of printing or saving either the payment acknowledgement page, or the emailed acknowledgements. In addition, your bank statement shows an itemized list of electronic transfers. Your organization also has proof of your donation. Any of these can prove your contribution.
Is electronic giving risky? Electronic giving is less risky than check contribution. It cannot be lost, stolen or destroyed in the mail. You may choose in your profile to turn off account number save. With this option, you will have to enter your account number each time a transaction is made, but it will never automatically show on the page.
What if I change bank accounts? Update the information at the e-giving site under the section “member profile”. If you have set up recurring transactions and you do not update your account information, you may be deactivated until you update your info. This is to prevent your account from being declined over and over.
How much does electronic giving cost? It costs you nothing and saves you time. The organization pays nominal transaction fees, the lowest available - only fifty cents per transaction.
What if I try it and don’t like it? You can cancel your automatic deductions anytime via the e-giving website.
What if I only want to give on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis? You can choose these frequencies on your own when completing your egiving info on the site. You also have the option to have your automatic deductions run for only a certain period of time.
What if the computer won’t let me make my donation by using my bank account? Go back to the main menu, and choose “View the Authorization Agreement”. Read the agreement and check the box to agree. Once that is done, you will have access to the bank ACH donation area. You may need to log out and log back in for this to take effect.