About Donating Online
To donate online now, click here.
Frequently Asked Questions about Donating Online
Q: What kind of Donations can I do using the Saint Mark’s website?
You can make monetary donations using our online donation page or you can send a check to the church using the address provided.
Q: Who is Vanco and why did Saint Mark’s choose to work with them?
The Stewardship Office contacted different churches around the area and across the country to find out which providers other churches were using. After talking with several providers, Saint Mark’s eventually selected Vanco. The Diocese of Olympia also uses Vanco.
Vanco Services, LLC is a PCI (Payment Card Industry) Level 1 Compliant Service Provider specializing in electronic payment solutions. More than 8,500 religious and nonprofit organizations nationwide currently rely on Vanco to deliver convenient electronic giving options for their donors. Vanco has more than 18 years of experience in Automated Clearing House (ACH) processing, cash management and risk management.
Q: What about my Privacy and Security?
Saint Mark’s is committed to treating all personal information you provide us in confidence. You can read about Vanco’s Privacy and Security policy online.
Q: How does online donation work?
You decide how much to donate and you decide when it is withdrawn from your account. As you go through the online donation process, you will be directed through a few short and simple steps. Secure web forms are used to collect your personal information and donation designations. At the end of the process, you will be given an opportunity to review your entries before you make them final. At any point in the process, you are given an opportunity to cancel the transaction.
Q: What are the benefits of donating online?
The online donation process will benefit both you as the giver and Saint Mark’s as the receiver. You benefit from the ability to donate once or make multiple donation schedules that fit your lifestyle. Online donation is fast, convenient and consistent. When you are out of town or unable to attend a service, you won't have to worry about the commitments you've made. In addition, Saint Mark’s will benefit from the decreased time and cost required to process these donation as compared to donations by paper checks or cash.
Q: Can I give directly to a specific ministry?
All online donations go into the church’s annual operating fund; however, you are welcome to contact us if you are interested in giving to a specific ministry. You can find more information about giving to a specific ministry here.
Q: How can funds be withdrawn directly from my account?
No one can deduct money from your account or charge your credit / debit card unless you specifically authorize it.
Q: Are electronic donations risky?
No. An electronic donation is safer than writing a check. It can't be lost, stolen or destroyed in the mail. All credit / debit and Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) transactions are governed by strict national rules and guidelines between the banks and the services such as Vanco who orchestrate the transaction between you and the church’s bank account.
Q: When is my donation withdrawn from my account?
You have two options for making online donations on Saint Mark’s website. You can choose a one-time donation, or a same amount donation to be made monthly for a period of months that you choose.
Q: How can I keep a record of the amount I have contributed?
The bank that issued your Visa / Master Card credit/debit card, Discover or American Express, will include in their monthly statement a list of single or automatic monthly donations debited from your account. All church member online donation transactions will appear on your year-end giving statement, along with any other contributions you have made by paper check or cash.
Q: What if I change bank accounts or the credit / debit card I use for my donation?
The credit / debit card, or Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) account that you use for online donation transactions can be changed at any time by contacting the Stewardship Office at giving@saintmarks.org or (206) 323-0300 x214.
Q: How do I participate in the weekly offering if my contribution is automatically deducted?
If you wish, you can write “Donation Made Online” on the envelope and place it in the offering plate, but it is not necessary since the Stewardship office is provided with a statement on-demand showing all online donations, what the donation is designated for and the name of the person(s) making the donation.
Q: How do I cancel a weekly or monthly donation?
Your weekly or monthly donation (subscription) will automatically renew at the dollar amount for the period you initially established but you can cancel any time by contacting the Stewardship Office at giving@saintmarks.org or (206) 323-0300 x214.
Q: Who can I talk to if I have more questions?
Please contact our stewardship associate at giving@saintmarks.org or (206) 323-0300 x214.