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What is Automated Giving?
A paperless, electronic transaction that goes through the Automated Clearing House (ACH) and transfers money from one bank to another.
What is an Automated Giver?
A parishioner, who through prayer and reflection, chooses an automated way to exercise good financial stewardship by having his/her regular weekly offering electronically delivered to the parish.
Why Automated Giving?
One of the principles of good financial stewardship involves planning the gifts that are to be shared. Automated Giving gives our parishioners a way to enact their financial stewardship plan each year.
Benefits:
- For those who embrace stewardship as a way of life, Automated Giving for the Sunday collections provide an opportunity to keep the Church a priority when it comes to sharing financial gifts (i.e. the Offertory).
- The more people that use Automated Giving, the more reliable a parish's revenue stream will be from the weekly Offertory.
- Automated Giving is significantly more secure than cash gifts.
- As more parishioners opt for Automated Giving, data entry by parishes for the regular collections will be less time consuming and the cost for envelope mailings will decrease.
- Not everyone attends Mass each week (for a variety of reasons), so Automated Giving ensures that the parish regularly receives the intended gift as planned by the parishioner.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is automated giving?
Automated giving is an electronic funds transfer program that allows you to make contributions to St. Joseph Parish without writing checks.
What is the advantage of automated giving?
Automated giving will allow you to prioritize your giving within your budget. It will save you time, there is no need to search for your envelopes or your checkbook. You also help the Parish stabilize its budget.
Will I still receive my collection/sacrificial giving envelopes?
You will no longer receive the weekly collection envelopes. However, the monthly and special charitable contribution envelopes will continue to be sent to you every few months.
How is my automated giving deducted from my account?
Once you authorize the transfer, your specified contribution is electronically transferred directly from your checking or savings account to the Parish’s account.
When will my contribution be deducted from my account?
On the date that you select (weekly on Mondays; semi-monthly on the first and the fifteenth; or monthly on the first or the fifteenth). You never have to worry about forgetting to bring your envelope to Mass.
If I do not write checks, how do I keep my checkbook balance straight?
Since your contribution is made at a preestablished time, you simply record it in your check register on the appropriate date.
Without a canceled check, how can I prove I made my contribution?
St. Joseph Church will include your automated gifts on your annual contribution statement and your bank statement will also give you an itemized list of electronic transfers.
Is automated (electronic) giving risky?
Electronic giving is less risky than check contribution. It cannot be lost, stolen, or destroyed. It has an extremely high rate of accuracy.
What if I change bank accounts?
Notify us at the Parish Center and we will give you a new authorization form to complete.
How much does automated giving cost?
It cost you nothing and it saves you time.
What if I try automated giving and don’t like it?
You can cancel your authorization by notifying us at any time. To cancel, simply fill out a second “Automated Withdrawal” form and check the “Discontinue Automated Withdrawal of Funds” box.
How do I sign up for automated giving?
Complete and sign the authorization form and return it to the Parish Center along with a voided check or savings account number and bank routing number. The form can be mailed or brought to the Parish Center or dropped into the offertory basket.