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Frequently Asked Questions: Online Giving
What are profiles and why would I want one?
There are two main advantages to online profiles. Your online profile will record all of your online giving to the church and will save your name and address so that you do not need to enter that information each time. When you "Log In" to your profile in the future, you will be presented with a record of your online giving. The online profile will only record your online gifts. Nancy Heathman, Financial Secretary, will have a combined record of your online gifts and any checks or envelopes that you may place in the offering plate.
How do I create a profile?
The easiest way to create a profile is at the conclusion of your first use of the online giving. You will have already entered your email, name, address, etc. and will just need to identify a password for future access to your profile. Be sure to use a secure password and record your password in a safe place.
Are profiles required?
No, but there are a lot of benefits for repeat donors.
Can I specify how my contribution is used?
Yes, there are several options for your giving.
What is "Giving Beyond our Budget"?
These items include denominational wide giving (OGHS, Strengthen the Church, NIN and Christmas Fund), outreach projects supported by our church (Communion, Good Neighbor, Food Shelf) or any thing that you choose to designate.
What is undesignated outreach?
All undesignated cash offering received in the Sunday offering is allocated by the Social Justice and Outreach Team to various local and regional causes. Causes on this list have included: ACCESS, Ames Boys and Girls Club, Ames Ecumenical Housing, Emergency Residence Project, Food at First, Primary Healthcare Center, Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance, Habitat for Humanity, Heartland Senior Services, Mid-Iowa Alliance on Mental Health, Planned Parenthood, Story County Community Housing, Youth and Shelter Services, Bread for the World, Interfaith Power and Light, Pilgrim Heights, and Threshold Learning Center.
Can I set up my annual pledge payments to be paid weekly/monthly?
Yes! In addition to one time gifts, contributions can be setup to start on a certain date and repeat every week or month until you specify that they should change or stop.
When will my online contributions be processed?
You can designate a future date when your gift will be processed. Credit card gifts made before 3:00pm can be processed as early as the same day. Gifts from your checking or saving account that are received before 3:00pm will normally be processed on the next business day. Be sure to include a couple of extra business days if you want a payment to reach the church by a certain date.
Are my online gifts secure?
All your bank or credit card information is only handled by Vanco using the highest industry standards for security. The church does not receive or handle information on your bank or credit card accounts.
What are the costs for online giving?
There is no charge for you to use the online giving. The church pays a monthly fee to Vanco for this service plus $.35 for each electronic funds transfer from your bank account or $.45 for each credit card payment. Credit cards companies charge an additional 2.75% of each transaction to process credit card payments. If you make credit card payments, you will be given an option to add 2.75% to your payment to cover these credit card charges.
There are two main advantages to online profiles. Your online profile will record all of your online giving to the church and will save your name and address so that you do not need to enter that information each time. When you "Log In" to your profile in the future, you will be presented with a record of your online giving. The online profile will only record your online gifts. Nancy Heathman, Financial Secretary, will have a combined record of your online gifts and any checks or envelopes that you may place in the offering plate.
How do I create a profile?
The easiest way to create a profile is at the conclusion of your first use of the online giving. You will have already entered your email, name, address, etc. and will just need to identify a password for future access to your profile. Be sure to use a secure password and record your password in a safe place.
Are profiles required?
No, but there are a lot of benefits for repeat donors.
Can I specify how my contribution is used?
Yes, there are several options for your giving.
- General Contributions/Budget
- Special Funds
- Giving Beyond our Budget
What is "Giving Beyond our Budget"?
These items include denominational wide giving (OGHS, Strengthen the Church, NIN and Christmas Fund), outreach projects supported by our church (Communion, Good Neighbor, Food Shelf) or any thing that you choose to designate.
What is undesignated outreach?
All undesignated cash offering received in the Sunday offering is allocated by the Social Justice and Outreach Team to various local and regional causes. Causes on this list have included: ACCESS, Ames Boys and Girls Club, Ames Ecumenical Housing, Emergency Residence Project, Food at First, Primary Healthcare Center, Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance, Habitat for Humanity, Heartland Senior Services, Mid-Iowa Alliance on Mental Health, Planned Parenthood, Story County Community Housing, Youth and Shelter Services, Bread for the World, Interfaith Power and Light, Pilgrim Heights, and Threshold Learning Center.
Can I set up my annual pledge payments to be paid weekly/monthly?
Yes! In addition to one time gifts, contributions can be setup to start on a certain date and repeat every week or month until you specify that they should change or stop.
When will my online contributions be processed?
You can designate a future date when your gift will be processed. Credit card gifts made before 3:00pm can be processed as early as the same day. Gifts from your checking or saving account that are received before 3:00pm will normally be processed on the next business day. Be sure to include a couple of extra business days if you want a payment to reach the church by a certain date.
Are my online gifts secure?
All your bank or credit card information is only handled by Vanco using the highest industry standards for security. The church does not receive or handle information on your bank or credit card accounts.
What are the costs for online giving?
There is no charge for you to use the online giving. The church pays a monthly fee to Vanco for this service plus $.35 for each electronic funds transfer from your bank account or $.45 for each credit card payment. Credit cards companies charge an additional 2.75% of each transaction to process credit card payments. If you make credit card payments, you will be given an option to add 2.75% to your payment to cover these credit card charges.