GIVE ONLINE FAQ
Q: What is online giving?
A: Online giving is the ability to give a donation or schedule a series of donations using your bank account or debit card.
Q: Is online giving safe? Is your site secure?
A: Yes! The security of your personal information and data is incredibly important to Pushpay, the giving platform Westwood has chosen. Your payment method details are tokenized and stored on industrial grade servers where the info is encrypted. The security setup we have used is the same as many banks and is Level 1 PCI DSS compliant. For this reason, Pushpay is considered significantly more secure than many current offerings.
According to PushPay, "Our primary concern is ensuring all data is kept safe and our systems remain robust, reliable, and usable. Proactive security requires continuous awareness and improvement. Regular reviews, penetration tests and working with world class security professionals helps Pushpay® to proactively identify and respond to risk. We have a security culture of continuous learning and improvement that aims to adapt to a changing online world." View the Pushpay Security Overview for more details.
Q: Does it matter which Internet browser I use?
A: No. Any browser will work.
Q: What are the different ways I can give using PushPay?
A: There is lots of flexibility using PushPay:
- You can give using your computer, tablet or phone.
- You can give on the web site, the mobile web site, or the Pushpay app.
- You can give from your bank account via ACH bank draft from your bank or credit union or MasterCard or Visa debit card.
- You can make a one-time gift or set up a recurring gift.
Q: Is there any charge to me from my bank to give online?
A: No. Electronic funds transfers carry no bank fees and this service is free to the contributor.
Q: Can I use an electronic check or give through my bank account?
A: Yes! In fact it's the best way to give so Westwood can avoid paying a 2-3% transaction fee that we are charged by the Merchant Processing Service for use of debit/credit cards. Simply choose the “Give from a bank account” option when selecting your payment method. You can give using a checking or savings account.
Q: Should I pay with a debit card or bank account?
A: You are free to choose whichever method you like. However, if possible, we prefer that you give directly from your bank account instead of a debit card. This reduces processing fees we are charged for debit cards so that more resources can go toward other ministry needs. If you choose to cover processing costs, you will still receive contribution credit for that extra amount. To give from your bank account, all you need is your bank account number and routing number which can be found on one of your checks.
Q: Why can't I give by credit card?
A: While credit cards are a very popular way of spending today, we do not want to potentially put someone in the place of going in debt and paying credit interest on their charitable contribution gifts given to the church.
Q: When would this automatic contribution be taken from my account?
A: On the online secure giving page, you will be asked to specify a payment method, start date, frequency (ex: every week, every 2 weeks, every month or 1st & 15th monthly). Contributions will be taken from your specified bank account within 48 business hours of the date you requested. When the date you have selected falls on a weekend or holiday, the transaction will occur on the next business day.
Q: Can I test this by giving one time?
A: Yes. You may test online giving by selecting "Give one time" after you have selected the fund and amount on the Westwood Baptist Page.
Q: Will I receive a record of my donations for accounting and tax purposes?
A: Yes, you will receive an emailed acknowledgment of your gift. Donations are also listed in detail on your bank statements. With your online giving account you created with Pushpay, you will be able to view your giving history online and Westwood Baptist Church will continue to provide you with quarterly personal giving statement for your tax records.
Q: How will I know that I set up my gift correctly?
A: Immediately after submitting your contribution, you will receive an e-mail verifying your contribution.
Q: Can I designate my online gift to a particular ministry or fund?
A: Yes, but only to the funds listed page are available for online payments, for example, Tithes & Offering, Debt Reduction, Missions, Benevolence and special seasonal offerings like Lottie Moon Christmas Offering and Annie Armstrong Easter Offering.
Q: Can I make mission trip payments online?
A: No, not at the time. We hope to possibly have this option set up in the future. We canl only take cash or check payment for mission trips at this time. Please send your check or cash payment to our PO Box (PO Box 630, Alabaster, AL, 35007 Attn: Mission Department). Please include a sticky note or letter with the name of the person the payment is for and which trip.
Q: If I don't write checks, how do I keep my checkbook balance straight?
A: Your contribution is made on a pre-established day that you selected, so you can deduct it from your check record then. You will also receive a general Email confirmation thanking you for giving to Westwood Baptist Church for your contribution.
Q: What if I change banks or accounts or want to change the amount of my contribution or need to cancel or temporarily place my donation on hold?
A: You can do this at any time. You can log in to your account and make any updates, adjustments or changes as necessary.
Q: What if I need to cancel a ACH/Bank Draft that has already been schedule?
A: ACH/Bank Draft Refunds: Unlike credit/debit transactions, ACH/Bank draft transactions are unable to be refunded through Pushpay. However, within specific time frames set by the merchant processor, the Pushpay support team may be able to cancel an ACH payment for you.
The time frames to cancel an ACH transaction can be found below:
- If a transaction is submitted from:
5PM MST (prior day) - 12PM MST (current day), you have until 12PM MST (current day) to cancel. - If a transaction is submitted from:
12PM MST (current day) - 5PM MST (current day), you have until 5PM MST (current day) to cancel. - If a transaction is submitted after:
5PM MST (Friday), we have until 12PM MST (the following Monday) to cancel.
MST is 1 hour behind CST --example 12PM MST is 1PM CST.
Contact Pushpay at [email protected] to inquire about canceling an ACH transaction that falls into one of the above time frames that has not been submitted for batch processing.
Q: How do I participate in the weekly offering if my contribution is automatically deducted from my bank account?
A: You can still display a symbolic act of giving. If you wish, you can write "I'm giving online" on the giving envelope and place it in the offering basket, but it is not necessary.
Q: Are gifts to Westwood deductible for tax purposes?
A: Yes, Westwood is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, so your contributions to Westwood are therefore tax deductible and applied in accordance with IRS regulations. Please see IRS publication 526 for further information. Each year, by the end of January, we provide donors with a record of their donations for the year as a receipt for tax purposes.
Q: Will I still receive regular contribution statements from the church?
A: Yes. The church will continue to send contribution statements to your address on file for tax purposes. Your statements will include donations made via Pushpay as well as donations made by other means (e.g. personal check).
Q: Who do I talk to if I have more questions?
A: For more information, contact Tanya Blake or call 205.664.0122.