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What gives?
Churches are always looking for ways to make giving easier. After all, the easier it is to give, the more likely that people will do it. So it pays for churches to investigate new and different ways for people to give even when they don't have cash or checks. In this issue, we're sharing resources to help you evaluate what might work best in your setting.
Episcopal Church Foundation presents and compares three options that churches commonly use to get started with website giving: PayPal, Network for Good, and JustGive.
Learn about four choices for accepting payments on a mobile device, at your services and other events: LevelUp, Square, PayPal Here, Intuit GoPayment.
This New York Times article talks across faith traditions and includes some information about two additional services commonly used by churches: ParishPay and SecureGive.
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Donations of stocks
Beyond cash, check, and charge, there are a number of other ways that churches can encourage people to give. For example, donations of stock, life insurance policies, and more. Why would people want to give stocks?
It doesn't cost them anything out of pocket, and sometimes there are great tax benefits.
Here are two articles that get into some of the nitty-gritty details:
Donating Securities
An example of how General Theological Seminary helps people understand their giving options.
Giving Securities
A comprehensive guide to many different kinds of securities gifts. It also includes references to the relevant sections of IRS code.
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Reporting requirements
If you're getting into new ways of receiving gifts, reporting can be tricky.
Skim this quartet of articles from Icon System's Church Management Guide on reporting requirements for various kinds of gifts:
Learn the mechanics of making these kinds of gifts, reporting for both donors and recipients, penalties that entities could face, and how to avoid them.
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What's left after you get the goods?
Saying thank you, of course.
Wesley Theological Seminary has recently published two short pieces that can help you think about why thank yous are so important and how you can set up a system ahead of time so that when gifts come in, you have a plan.
Two stories you don't want to emulate, plus some best practices.
Be prompt about saying thanks, be personal when gifts come in, and pay attention to the details.
Remember: People like being thanked, and it doesn't cost a thing.
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