There are several options for parishes to consider around offertory. Today, parishioners give in several ways: In-pew, Mailing of checks, Credit Card/Debit Cards, Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), Online Giving, IRA, Stock and other ways.

In the short-term the Catholic Foundation would recommend parishes consider a two-fold approach of establishing an online giving presence and a communication plan to encourage families to support their parish offertory.  The offertory communication plan will be coming forward soon. Below are several options for parishes that do not have online giving.  

Online Giving Solutions

  1. Stripe - https://stripe.com/  

Stripe is an online giving processer of credit card payments for non-profits and for-profits.  There fees are 2.9% and $.30 per transaction.  They do have the ability to integrate with Gabriel Software.  IT has placed instructions for setting up Stripe within Gabriel on this support site.  This solution is only able to process credit card or debit card giving. Stripe can be up and running in a day or two.


2. Vanco Services - https://www.vancopayments.com/egiving 
Vanco Services provides online payment solutions for thousands of businesses. Vanco is used by more than 20,000 Churches. Vanco would require a separate contract with them to begin services. They do have the ability to integrate with Gabriel Software. For churches with less than $20,000 in donations per month there would a monthly fee of $10 and credit card rate would 2.75% +$.45/transaction and for ACH processing it costs 1% + $.45/transaction. Vanco Services can be up and running in 5-10 days.


3. GiveCentral - https://www.givecentral.org/
GiveCentral is a multi-platform online donation tool that helps small to mid-size nonprofits. They provide many different online services from online giving to email marketing. They also are able to provide tools to transition families to online giving. GiveCentral is working on an API with Gabriel Software. GiveCentral works with many parishes across the United States. They would have a separate contract. It would be $75 as a one-time setup fee, $33 a month for services and a credit card fee. GiveCentral can be up and running in 5-10 days.

4.
WeShare (LPI) - https://www.4lpi.com/solutions/church-online-giving/

Parishes will have to contract with most of these services.  

The Catholic Foundation is also working on a Universal Online Giving Page for all parishes.  This solution would be an opportunity for a family to give to any parish in the Diocese.  This option is being used in ChicagoSan Antonio and Milwaukee, Lacrosse and Madison are working toward this solution.  A key benefit is a common page to be promoted for streaming services of Masses and other faith discussions.  We anticipate this solution to be in place by Friday. 

For more information contact Josh Diedrich (email:jdiedrich@gbdioc.orgor Roy Verstegen (Email:rverstegen@gbdioc.org) from IT can provide support to parishes that have questions.