Most likely, your church database provider (or ChMS; Church Management Software) includes an integrated donation/payment module. In fact, most ChMS software is built specifically around payments and donations. That's where they make their money! It's not just your monthly software subscription!

So, start with your database solution if you have one. It'll integrate with your check processing and other administrative functions your administrator/treasurer is already doing. Otherwise, by adding a separate online donation piece, you are adding a big administrative task to someone else's plate.

If you do not have a database, but are looking to add donations and online payment functionality to your website, there are some easy solutions:

• GivePlus by Vanco: $10 monthly fee, 2.75% + $.45 per transaction. ACH 1.00% + $.45 per transaction. Text to give is additional $5 per month.

• EasyTithe.com: 1.99% (tiered) plus $.39 per transaction. ACH is .75% + $.39 per transaction. EasyTithe offers events registration and custom storefront pages. Text to give is an additional $15 per month.

• Paperless Transaction Corporation: $500 Setup (one time), $75 Monthly Fee, Credit Cards .75%*, ACH .75% & $.35 per transaction. Great tools offered that include custom event-themed pages, all payment types are accepted, tickets and sponsorships are supported, digital checkout with scannable bar coding or ticketing, and more.

• Pushpay: Minimum monthly fee of $199. Pricing is not available publicly without giving your contact information.

• SecureGive: Church-specific software provider. Starting at $99/month for online/mobile giving. Add-ons exist for additional costs such as events, pledges, and campaigns. 1.75% + $.30 Debit; 2.5% + $.30 Credit; $1.25 ACH.

• Tithe.ly: No setup cost. 2.9% + .30 per transaction. ACH is 1% + $.30. AMEX 3.5% + $.30. Simple interface. Simple online giving. Some integration with ChMS like Breeze, Elvanto, and CCB. Text to give is an additional $19 per month.

• FaithStreet: Pricing is not available publicly without giving your contact information. Manages both recurring and one-time donations. FaithStreet provides givers the option to pay the transaction fee, so the church gets the full donation amount.

This information changes all the time as providers develop new tools and pricing becomes more competitive. Had great experience with one of them? Bad experience? Help develop these resources by emailing Mike@EpiscopalColorado.org with your feedback or submit a resource below.