Most electronic giving platforms will charge you a percentage of the donation. Usually it’s around 3% for a credit or debit card donation and 1% for an ACH (bank to bank) donation. I think the fee is probably worth it to make giving easier, but I don’t like my church or ministry paying more than they have to. Planning Center is about the cheapest at 2.15% for a card donation and 30¢ for an ACH donation.
The Math
I always like running the numbers. Here’s some examples to consider:
| SCENARIO | ANNUAL GIVING | CARD FEES | ACH FEES |
| $20/week | $1,040 | $37.96 | $15.60 |
| $500/month | $6,000 | $132.60 | $3.60 |
| $2,000 one time | $2,000 | $43.30 | $0.30 |
If you are giving the church or ministry $500/month using a credit card, you are giving $6,000 in a year, but the ministry receives $5,867.40. If instead you set up your bank account for ACH giving, the church receives $5,996.40. That’s a big difference! Would you want your church to receive 97.8% of your gift or 99.9%?
How to Set Up your Bank Account for Giving
The video below will be a lot more helpful than anything I can write. There is also some instructions in the Useful Links that might help. The key thing is you need to have a Login. Setting up a login allows the option for bank giving.
The second help is that you may have to set up your bank manually by entering the routing number and account number. I show you both ways in the video.
One last comment. I don’t think I made it clear that the code you need when you set up your bank account manually is found on your online banking. If you don’t have online banking, you might be able to call up your bank or wait for your bank statement to come in the mail.
Useful Links
- Planning Center Pricing: https://www.planningcenter.com/pricing
- Guide to setting up Bank Account: https://pcochurchcenter.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/24866902052379-Give-with-a-bank-account
- Upper Midwest GMC Giving Page: https://www.uppermidwestgmc.org/give