Online Giving: Simplifying Generosity for Today’s Church

Online Giving is transforming how churches can grow generosity and simplify giving. Designed with a mobile-first approach, this platform offers over 14 different ways to give, making donations quick and easy for everyone—whether you’re in the church or miles away.

Guest Giving for Convenience

One of the standout features of Online Giving is guest giving. First-time donors don’t need to create an account or log in. Simply entering a phone number or email is enough, and the system will recognize them on future donations. This seamless experience also helps with recurring donations, which are crucial for maintaining consistent giving throughout the year, especially during times when attendance dips.

Electronic Check: Cost-Effective and Easy

Another important feature is the promotion of electronic checks as the primary giving method. Think of it as the digital version of a paper check. It's cost-effective, doesn’t expire like credit cards, and can be used across multiple platforms—whether donating through text, mobile app, or other methods. Encouraging electronic check donations helps churches reduce processing fees, allowing more of each donation to go directly to the mission.

Multiple Ways to Give

With Online Giving, there are numerous ways to contribute. Donors can give through text, a mobile app, kiosks at the church, or even by scanning a QR code. This flexibility is perfect for today’s mobile, on-the-go world, making it easier than ever for people to give no matter where they are.

Security and Ease of Use

Security is key, and Online Giving provides multiple secure options like Touch ID, Face ID, and passwordless logins via text. For even greater convenience, donors can use Apple Pay or Google Pay to complete their donations with just a tap. No need to dig around for credit card numbers.

Churches Benefit from Seamless Integration

For churches, the platform integrates smoothly with popular Church Management Systems (ChMS), ensuring that donations are automatically synced with church records. This automation saves time on administrative tasks, allowing church staff to focus on connecting with the community and advancing the mission.

Video Overview of OnlineGiving.org Giving

Online Giving simplifies the donation process, making it quick and effortless for donors to contribute to their church or cause. Our platform provides a mobile-first design for optimal performance on mobile devices, while also offering user-friendly layouts for tablets and desktops, ensuring accessibility for all ages. With 14+ flexible methods for giving, churches can increase generosity and grow recurring givers, independent of weekly attendance.

Key Takeaways

Guest giving first: Guest giving is recommended as the primary method. OnlineGiving.org?s hybrid system automatically recognizes repeat givers by phone number or email, granting access to saved payment methods without logging in.
Passwordless by default: Donors use their mobile phone number instead of a password to register. Passwords are optional but still supported.
14+ ways to give: The platform supports a wide range of giving methods, including Web, Mobile, Text, Kiosk, Chatbot, Facebook, Embedded, and more.
Frictionless repeat giving: For repeat givers, the system remembers their preferred campus, auto-selects it, and hides the need for address and contact information. Payment methods are saved, so donors never have to enter the same details twice.
ACH as the primary giving method: ACH is the most cost-effective way for donors to give, with no expiration dates. Donors only need to enter their checking account information once, and it?s remembered for future donations via text, mobile app, and other methods. OnlineGiving.org promotes ACH over more expensive payment methods to help churches reduce processing fees.
QR Code and NFC tap-to-give: OnlineGiving.org supports both QR Code giving and NFC tap-to-give for easy, contactless donations. Churches can easily generate QR codes and direct payment links from the control panel.
Variety of login options: Supports Touch ID, Face ID, text message codes, Google, Facebook login, and automatic prompts for repeat users. Returning users who?ve used Touch ID or Face ID are automatically prompted for fast access.
Mobile-first design: Optimized for mobile users but equally functional on desktop and tablet layouts.
Apple Pay and Google Pay integration: Donors can complete donations with Apple Pay and Google Pay for fast, secure, and convenient payments.
Constant improvements: The platform is continually evolving to add new features and improve security for donors and administrators.

Overview of Online Giving
14+ Ways to Give
Key Features
Administrative Features
ChMS Integrations
Premium Features
Dedicated Customer Support
Donor Guide Sections
FAQ
Merchant Processing Tips

Overview of Online Giving

OnlineGiving.org simplifies the donation process, providing various tools and integrations to ensure giving is fast and secure. With features like guest giving, recurring donations, and advanced login options, it makes donating easier for both first-time and repeat donors.

14+ Ways to Give

OnlineGiving.org offers 14+ different methods for making donations, designed to simplify giving on any device:

Web-based giving
Mobile app giving
Text message giving
Kiosk giving
Chatbot giving
Facebook Messenger giving
Embedded giving on your website
Express donations (similar to PayPal)
Guest giving
Google, Facebook, and ChMS login-based giving
ACH (Electronic Check) donations
Cryptocurrency donations (Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, etc.)
Paper check donations
Custom giving pages
QR Code Giving: Easily scan a QR code to give from printed materials, screens, or other media.
NFC Tap-to-Give: Donors tap their device on an NFC point to instantly give. NFC is ideal for in-person events, offering a quick and secure way to contribute.

Key Features

1. Advanced ChMS Integration

Seamlessly integrates with leading Church Management Systems (ChMS), ensuring smooth data synchronization for donations and recurring gifts.

2. Auto Recurring Giving

Donors can easily set up recurring gifts, helping churches maintain consistent giving, even during low-attendance months.

3. Cover the Fees

Donors can opt to cover processing fees for both one-time and recurring donations, allowing churches to maximize donations.

4. Custom Giving Pages

Create dedicated pages for specific causes, events, or funds, allowing for tailored donation campaigns.

5. Instant Giving

Returning donors can complete donations in under 3 seconds using saved payment methods.

6. Mobile Responsiveness

Designed to provide a seamless experience on mobile devices, reflecting your church?s branding.

7. Text Message Giving

Donors can quickly and easily give via text, with no registration required.

8. Apple Pay and Google Pay Support

Donors can give securely through Apple Pay or Google Pay using their stored payment methods. These options ensure fast and frictionless donations, with donors only needing to authenticate via their phone?s Face ID, Touch ID, or PIN. Apple Pay and Google Pay integrate directly into the OnlineGiving.org platform, providing a one-tap solution that bypasses the need to manually enter card details.

9. ACH Payment Method Promotion

ACH (electronic checks) is the most cost-effective giving method for churches. ACH payment methods are remembered, and once a donor enters their checking account information, it can be used across all platforms, including text and mobile giving. Unlike other payment methods, ACH never expires, ensuring long-term recurring donations without the need for re-entry. OnlineGiving.org actively promotes ACH over more expensive payment methods like credit cards to help reduce processing costs for churches.

10. QR Code and NFC Tap-to-Give

OnlineGiving.org supports QR Code giving and NFC tap-to-give as easy, contactless donation options. Church admins can quickly generate QR codes and direct payment links from the control panel. QR codes are excellent for use in digital and print media, while NFC is ideal for in-person events where donors can tap their device for instant giving.

11. Church App Giving

OnlineGiving.org integrates with custom church apps, allowing donors to give through your app, with ChMS integration for event management and more.

12. Swiped Kiosk Giving

Donors can give through kiosks on-site, with no additional fees for processing.

13. Facebook Messenger Giving

Convenient, easy-to-use giving directly through Facebook Messenger.

14. Custom Form Fundraising

Build custom forms for fundraising with various input types, such as checkboxes and multiple-choice options.

15. Website Giving Assistant

A virtual assistant helps guide users through the donation process on your website.

16. Express Donations

Similar to PayPal, donors complete transactions and are redirected to your church?s landing page.

17. Embedded Giving

Fully integrate the giving experience into your website with single sign-on via ChMS.

Administrative Features

1. Insightful Dashboard

Access detailed metrics and visual data to track church giving trends and patterns.

2. Gift Reporting

Generate transaction reports for donations and payments, providing comprehensive oversight.

3. Virtual Terminal

Admins can process donations directly through a secure terminal, ideal for phone or in-person transactions.

4. Manage Recurring Gifts

View and modify recurring donations with user-friendly tools.

5. Donor Reporting

Access and update donor profiles, including gift history, all within the system.

ChMS Integrations

OnlineGiving.org offers seamless integration with top Church Management Systems, including:

Ministry Platform
Rock RMS
Fellowship One
TouchPoint
Church Community Builder
Planning Center
One Church Software
Breeze ChMS
DPCS Incorporated
Aplos ChMS
Salesforce
QuickBooks
Shippo
TaxJar
StudioC
IconSystems

These integrations allow for real-time donor matching, automatic gift recording, and seamless authentication.

Premium Features

1. Accept Cards & E-Checks

Flexibility to accept various payment methods, including credit cards, ACH, and more.

2. Cryptocurrency Donations

Accept cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin, Litecoin, and Dogecoin, with automatic conversion to USD.

3. Touch ID & Face ID Authentication

Fast and secure login methods for repeat donors.

4. Advanced Security

Passwordless SMS login and secure vaulting of payment methods for one-click repeat donations.

5. Auto Recurring Gift Setup

Flexible setup options for encouraging recurring donations.

Dedicated Customer Support

1. Product Training

Live video training for platform users ensures churches can get the most from OnlineGiving.org.

2. Technical Support

Available throughout the week, including Sundays, for emergency issues.

3. Continual Upgrades

Regular updates and new features are rolled out to enhance the platform.

Donor Guide Sections

To log in or register with your Google account, follow these steps:

Go to the Online Giving login page.
Click the Google button.
Sign in to your Google account if prompted.
Google will provide your name and email to the system, automatically creating or logging you into your account.
You will now have access to make a donation.

To log in or register with your Facebook account:

Visit the Online Giving login page.
Click the Facebook button.
Enter your Facebook login details if prompted.
Facebook will share your basic information (name and email), and the system will automatically create or log you into your account.
You are ready to make a donation.

How to Register with Mobile Phone

When registering, donors are prompted to use their mobile phone number instead of a password. Here?s how:

On the registration page, click Sign Up.
Enter your first name, last name, and mobile phone number.
A verification code will be sent to your phone. Enter the code in the provided field.
Your account is now created, and you can log in using future text message codes.
If preferred, donors can still choose to set up a password after registering with their phone number.

For donors who wish to log in using their email and password:

Go to the Give section of the website.
Enter your email address in the Email field.
Enter your password in the Password field.
Click Log In to access your account and proceed with your donation.

For a faster and more secure login process, you can use Touch ID or Face ID on devices that support biometric authentication. Here's how:

On a compatible device, go to the Online Giving app or website.
Select the Touch ID or Face ID option on the login page.
Use your fingerprint or face recognition to authenticate and log in.
You are now logged in and ready to give.

Note: If you?ve previously used Touch ID or Face ID, OnlineGiving.org will automatically prompt you to use these methods when returning, allowing for instant access to your saved information.

How to Reset Password (Forgot Password)

If you?ve forgotten your password, you can reset it using your email or mobile phone:

On the sign-in page, click Forgot your password.
Enter your email address or mobile phone number.
Follow the instructions sent to your email or phone to reset your password.
Once reset, you can log in with the new password.

How to Make a Donation

Guest giving is the recommended option for making donations as it provides a hybrid experience, automatically recognizing repeat givers without requiring them to log in. Here?s how to make a donation:

For First-Time or Guest Givers:

Go to the donation page.
Enter the gift amount.
Select the fund to which you want to donate.
Enter your payment information (card or bank details).
Provide your contact information.
Click Make Donation to complete the process.

For Returning Donors (Logged In or Recognized by Guest Giving):

If you're recognized by the guest system or logged in, your saved payment and contact information will automatically appear.
Enter the gift amount.
Select the fund.
Simply click Make Donation without re-entering payment details.

How to Make a Future Scheduled Donation

Setting up a future scheduled donation works similarly to bill pay at your bank:

Log in or use the guest option.
Enter the gift amount.
Click the Payment Date drop-down above the Make Donation button.
Select your desired future date from the calendar picker.
Click Make Donation to finalize the scheduled donation.

How to Make a Recurring Donation

Recurring giving can be vital for the continued support of your church. To set up a recurring donation:

Log in to your account or use the guest option.
Enter the gift amount.
Click the Give Recurring button under the gift amount field.
Select the frequency (e.g., weekly, monthly).
Click Make Donation to complete the setup.

FAQ

1. What are the different ways to give with OnlineGiving.org?

OnlineGiving.org offers 14+ methods, including:

Web-based giving
Mobile app giving
Text message giving
Kiosk giving
Chatbot giving
Facebook Messenger giving
Embedded giving
Express donations
Guest giving
Google, Facebook, and ChMS login-based giving
ACH (electronic checks)
Cryptocurrency donations (Bitcoin, Litecoin, Dogecoin, etc.)
Paper check donations
Custom giving pages
QR Code giving and NFC tap-to-give for contactless giving

2. Does OnlineGiving.org support recurring giving?

Yes, OnlineGiving.org enables donors to set up auto-recurring and future scheduled gifts with flexible options. Donors can also convert one-time donations into recurring gifts with a single click. The system also remembers donors? preferred campus, payment methods, and contact information for a frictionless experience.

3. What Church Management Systems (ChMS) does OnlineGiving.org integrate with?

OnlineGiving.org integrates with several leading ChMS platforms, including:

Ministry Platform
Rock RMS
Fellowship One
TouchPoint
Church Community Builder
Planning Center
One Church Software
Breeze ChMS
DPCS Incorporated
Aplos ChMS
Salesforce
QuickBooks
Shippo
TaxJar
StudioC
IconSystems

These integrations allow automatic real-time donor matching, gift recording, and seamless authentication.

4. How can donors give using text messages?

To give using text messages:

A donor sends a keyword and the donation amount to a designated number (e.g., "Give 100").
If it's the first time, the system will ask for payment details, which will be securely saved for future use.
For returning donors, the system will remember their payment information and complete the transaction instantly.

Donors can also set up recurring giving via text, without needing to log in.

5. How does OnlineGiving.org facilitate mobile app giving?

OnlineGiving.org provides a custom mobile app with deep ChMS integration, enabling donors to give within seconds. The app allows users to manage donations, events, groups, and activities at their church. Donors can also use features like Touch ID, Face ID, or text message login codes for secure, frictionless login.

6. What custom giving pages and fundraising options are available?

Churches can create custom giving pages for specific causes, such as mission trips or special events. These pages can include:

Custom videos or messages
Payment method options (ACH for cost-saving)
Social media and email sharing options

Additionally, OnlineGiving.org provides a custom form builder that allows churches to create custom fundraising forms with options like checkboxes, multiple-choice questions, and more.

7. What are the security features for online giving?

OnlineGiving.org uses cutting-edge bank-level security that far exceeds standard SSL/TLS. While we cannot publicly disclose all security measures, here?s a breakdown:

SSL/TLS Encryption for all transactions to protect sensitive data during transmission.
Double encryption and multiple security layers for sensitive information.
Continuous monitoring of inbound connections, geographic locations, browser activities, and automated bot detection.
Fraud detection and donor velocity controls to block suspicious behavior before it can affect the platform.
Tokenization of all payment methods, including scanned checks. No sensitive payment information is ever stored in our backend. Instead, all sensitive data is vaulted securely through an upstream gateway.

8. Can donors cover processing fees?

Yes, OnlineGiving.org allows donors to cover processing fees for both one-time and recurring gifts. This helps churches reduce overall processing costs while maximizing the impact of donations.

9. What administrative tools are available to churches?

OnlineGiving.org provides comprehensive administrative tools, including:

Virtual terminal for processing donations directly (e.g., from envelopes or phone transactions)
Gift and donor reporting for easy access to transaction histories
Recurring gift management to modify recurring donations
Insightful dashboards that display giving trends in graphical formats
Customizable email templates for donation receipts and notifications

10. How can OnlineGiving.org help with e-commerce for churches?

Churches can use OnlineGiving.org to set up an e-commerce store for selling items such as books, coffee, or merchandise. Integrated shipping, inventory management, and sales tax calculation features are included.

Merchant Processing Tips

1. How does OnlineGiving.org help reduce processing fees?

OnlineGiving.org promotes the use of ACH (electronic checks) over more costly credit card payments. ACH is the most cost-effective method for giving, and donors only need to enter their checking account details once for future transactions. Donors can also opt to cover processing fees, reducing the overall costs for the church.

2. What features simplify the payment and reconciliation process?

ChMS integration ensures that donations are automatically matched with donor profiles and recorded in real-time, reducing administrative workload.
The virtual terminal allows church administrators to process payments directly from envelopes or over the phone.

3. What advantages are there to accepting cryptocurrency donations?

OnlineGiving.org supports the automatic liquidation of cryptocurrency into USD, allowing churches to benefit from crypto donations without the complexities of managing digital assets. All cryptocurrency donations are fully integrated into the ChMS for easy tracking.

Support & Resources

Stewardship

Getting Started

Control Panel User Guide

Donor User Guide

ChMS User Guide

Text Marketing User Guide

Payments User Guide

Developer Center

Resources

Donation User Guide ChatGPT Chat with GPT