Giving FAQ

Giving FAQ

Giving FAQ

Is online giving secure?

Yes, absolutely! All sensitive financial information is stored with bank-level security. Our online giving service provider complies with the Payment Card Industry (PCI) Data Security Standards (DSS) as a Level 1 Service Provider to ensure that the entire giving process is safe and secure. All transmissions to our banking partner are via an encrypted HTTPS connection. Renaissance Church does not store credit card information.

Will 100% of my online giving go to Mill Plain UMC?

Mill Plain UMC pays processing fees for each transaction. You will have the option to cover the cost of fees when setting up your online gift.

  • ACH (bank transfer): $0.25 per transfer. *Preferred Method
  • Credit & debit cards: 2.15% + $0.30 per transaction.
How do I set up bill-pay?

You can use your bank’s bill-pay service to give from your checking or savings account. Go to your bank’s website, follow the instructions to set up Mill Plain UMC as a payee, and schedule a one-time or recurring gift. Your gift will be received by Mill Plain UMC as a mailed check.

Please use the following mailing address for bank bill-pay gifts:
Mill Plain UMC
15804 SE Mill Plain Boulevard
Vancouver, WA 98684

How do I give cash or a check in-person at Mill Plain UMC?

Check or cash donations can be dropped off at the church office located at:

Mill Plain UMC
15804 SE Mill Plain Boulevard
Vancouver, WA 98684

How do I designate my giving to a specific project?

Any gift received will default to the General Fund unless there is a designation to a specific fund. For online giving, you may select the fund designation from the drop down menu.  All checks must include the fund designation in the memo/subject line.

Can I give via my smartphone?

Yes! There are several ways to give via your smartphone.

  • Online in any web browser
  • Text an amount to 84321 to use text-to-give
  • Download the Church Center App (iPhone or Android) and search for Mill Plain UMC
How will my phone number be used if I choose to give via text message?

Your phone number will not be sold, traded, or given out to third parties. You will only be texted to confirm your giving and receive responses to other giving requests you make.

How can I change my recurring gift?

If you setup a recurring gift through the Mill Plain UMC Church Center app, you can edit the frequencythen you will need to:

  • first, login to your Church Center account. It is very secure with two-factor authentication.
  • second, go to your giving profile page here
  • third, scroll down until you see the Recurring Donations section of the page.
    • to edit the frequency and timing of the recurring donation, click the pencil icon to edit
    • to edit the amount, the system requires that you setup a new recurring donation. Once you setup your new recurring donation amount (with frequency and timing), don’t forget to cancel your old recurring donation – unless you want to be uber generous. God loves a cheerful giver!

If you setup your recurring gift through your Bank’s bill pay system, you will need to contact your bank and follow their steps to make changes.

For assistance, please contact us at info@millplainumc.org or (360) 892-2421 and we can help you.

What if I accidentally text the wrong giving amount?

When you make a gift, you will receive a text confirmation that re-states the amount given. If you made a mistake, please follow these steps to correct the giving amount.

  • If you gave using an ACH Bank transfer, simply text the word MISTAKE within 2 hours and the bank transfer gift will be cancelled. Then, text the corrected amount for the new, updated gift.
  • If you gave using a debit or credit card, simply text the word REFUND within 2 hours for the card transaction to be refunded.
How do I view my giving history or download a giving statement? Will I receive an annual summary for tax purposes?

To view your giving history and to download the most recent giving statement:

  • first, login to your Church Center account. It is very secure with two-factor authentication.
  • second, go to your giving profile page here
  • third, scroll down until you see the Donation History section of the page to view your giving transactions. To download your giving statement, scroll down to Statements and click the downward arrow to download a PDF giving statement.

We’ll mail you an annual giving statement for your tax records at the end of January. If you have a question about a particular donation, please feel free to contact us at info@millplainumc.org or (360) 892-2421.

How do I change the phone number associated with my giving account

Login to your account on Church Center and go to your Profile section and edit the mobile number associated with your account.

Whom do I contact with other questions about giving to Mill Plain UMC?

Please contact our office at info@millplainumc.org or (360) 892-2421.

Are there other ways I can financially support Mill Plain UMC?

Yes! There are numerous ways to financially support Mill Plain UMC.

  • ESTATE PLANNING
    • Our Trustees and Finance Committee are specially versed and experienced in estate planning and posthumous charitable giving. If you feel this is the right fit for your family, please contact our office at info@millplainumc.org or (360) 892-2421 to be connected with someone that can help you.
  • STOCK TRANSFER
    • Stock transferred in-kind to a qualified tax-exempt organization (we’re one of those) creates a tax advantage for the givers, allowing them to bypass capital gains tax. please contact our office at info@millplainumc.org or (360) 892-2421 to be connected with someone that can help provide you information on the stock transfer process.
  • UMCOR Disaster Relief
    • Throughout the year, you can contribute to the disaster relief in the U.S., Taiwan, Turkey, Central America, South America and elsewhere through UMCOR, United Methodist Committee on Relief. During the year, emergency requests are made to meet the needs of unexpected or emergency situations. There are several ways to contribute to disaster relief through UMCOR. 100% of all donations go toward helping people affected by tragedies.