According to the Federal Reserve, only 19% of financial transactions come from cash and checks combined! Do you know the percentage of giving that comes from cash and checks, and what percentage comes from other means? Is the church providing people with the options they typically use in making financial transactions when they give to the church?

Since most people make their financial transactions electronically – paychecks are received through direct deposit, and they make their utility, mortgage and other regular payments online – it’s important that churches provide the necessary online giving options.

Questions to Consider:

1. How much does it cost?

2. Can the online giving tool integrate with our church management software?

3. How much flexibility do you need in creating a variety of giving forms for special occasions?

4. Do you need a robust system that includes a registration portal for retreat or mission trip sign-up and payment?

5. Can donors optionally cover the processing fees?

6. Can donors easily set up automatic recurring giving?

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Steps to Implement Electronic Giving:

1. Leadership makes the decision to accept electronic giving,

2. Consider various implementation options.

3. Work with the financial institution or vendor to develop the systems for receiving funds.

4. Develop internal systems for accurately recording deposits for bookkeeping and recording purposes.

5. Work out any bugs by inviting a few leaders to test the system with actual gifts

6. Provide online giving via the church website

7. Promote the advantages of electronic giving

8. Consider regular reminders in the bulleting and newsletter

9. Incorporate information about electronic giving in welcome information for new attendees.

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Potential Vendors‍

BGAV has partnered with Vanco to help churches set up and maintain easy online giving options that can fully integrate into your church's existing accounting platform. Get started with a free demo from Vanco.

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Other Vendors:

• Planning Center Church Management

• Tithely

• One Church Software

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