Automated Donations
FAQ's and Getting Started
How do I get started?
To enroll in Automated Donations, download an enrollment form, complete it, including your offering envelop number and submit it to the church office by mail, in person or by fax (561-881-1613). If you would like to participate through your checking account, attach a voided check. To participate through your savings account, include a savings deposit slip. Don't know your envelop number, no problem, we will look it up.
Why should I sign up for this service?
Faith Lutheran Church offers an automated option of making regular pledges and one-time donations to help you with your busy lives. The Simply Giving Program, endorsed by Thrivent Financial Bank, is a program operated by Vanco Services, LLC. that enables churches and educational institutions to receive payments through Electrontic Funds Transfer (EFT) or by Credit Card. You may already be taking advantage of that convenience and simplicity of using an automated system for other home monthly bills.
When will the payments be made?
Once you are enrolled, offerings will be deducted, weekly or monthly, from the payment option that you designated. Plan on the effective date two weeks from submitting the form to allow for paperwork processing.
General Questions
How are donations received by my organization?
Donations are electronically deposited into Faith's bank account via the Automated Clearing House (ACH) Network— one of the largest payment networks in the world.
Who pays the fees?
Faith Lutheran pays all fees.
How do contributors recognize donations for their own accounting purposes?
Contributors recognize the full amount of their donations. Processing fees are not a donor's concern; they are simply another operating expense for Faith Lutheran Church.
What documentation does a donor receive?
Faith Lutheran Church's name and dollar amount appear on statements from the donor's financial institution.
How does a recurring donation work?
A donor authorizes regularly scheduled donations by a debit or credit card or as a transfer from a checking or savings account. A paper authorization method is used. Donors have the option of changing, cancelling or placing transactions on hold.
How do contributors know when a recurring donation will be made?
Donors specify the date on an authorization form (paper or online) and see the transactions on their bank statements.
How does my church manage its electronic donation information?
Transaction activity can be managed 24/7 from Vanco's secure, online Service Center. Client Services personnel are available during business hours to help you with any questions.
What types of organizations does Vanco work with?
Vanco works with churches and nonprofit organizations of every size.
What security measures does Vanco have in place?
Vanco is a Payment Card Industry (PCI) Level 1 Service Provider. As part of the PCI certification process, Vanco passes rigorous, independent on-site audits on an annual basis and other critical assessments on an ongoing basis. Vanco has taken the extra step of implementing PCI Level 1 security standards across its entire line of payment solutions. Vanco is unaware of any other payment processor that can make this claim.
Direct Debit Questions
How does Direct Debit work?
Direct Debit is simply the secure electronic transfer of an authorized payment from one bank account to another, such as the transfer of funds from the checking account of a donor into the bank account of an organization.
Are there other names for Direct Debit?
Yes. Direct Debit goes by several names and acronyms including Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), Automated Clearing House transaction (ACH), Direct Payment, etc.
How widely used is Direct Debit?
Direct Debit is both the largest and fastest growing form of non-cash payment. 1 A majority of people already make and receive payments by this method. Mortgage payments, car payments and donations are among the most common payments made this way. Payroll and Social Security are among the most common payments received by this method.
Isn't direct debit just for large organizations?
No. In fact, Vanco specializes in providing electronic donation and payment solutions to small organizations. By combining the transaction activity from thousands of organizations of every size, Vanco is able to deliver big benefits to even the smallest organizations.
How do recurring donations work?
Donors authorize regularly scheduled transfers from checking or savings. Donors complete a paper authorization form. Donors have the option of changing, cancelling or placing transactions on hold.
Are there any minimums?
There is no minimum number of transactions and there is no minimum transaction amount.
How quickly are Direct Debit donations processed?
Vanco transfers funds between the donor and the organization on the same day. Donations are never deposited into a Vanco operating account, commingled with Vanco operating funds, held in an interest-bearing account for the benefit of Vanco and never sent by check for the purpose of creating a "float" beneficial to Vanco.