Below you’ll find FAQs relating to eGiving in general and the Tithe.ly app in particular. If you don’t find your question listed here - or have other concerns - please contact the Church Office at 401-331-1960 or info@centralchurch.us.

What forms of payment are accepted? Is one better than another?

You can make electronic gifts using any major credit card (American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa) or through a debit to your bank account (ACH), which requires your account number and bank routing number. Due to the lower cost, bank account debits are preferable.  Credit cards charge higher fees for each transaction.

What does “cover card processing fees” mean?

Central pays a fee for each electronic transaction.  Direct bank withdrawals charge 1 percent.  Credit/debit cards charge either 2.9 percent or $0.30 each. (American Express has the highest fee.)  When you choose “cover card processing fees,” this fee will be added to your gift.  For example, with a donation of $100, your credit card will be charged $103.20, and the church will receive $100. If you do not select this option, your credit card will be charged $100, and Central will receive $96.80.

How do I set up recurring payments?

Enter the amount you wish to give regularly, and select the “recurring payment” option. You can then choose how often you wish to make your donation (weekly,  bi-monthly, or monthly), as well as the day of the week the transaction should be processed.

What if I pledge the wrong amount or need a refund?

Refunds can be granted within seven days of your transaction, so make this request promptly.  Contact church administrator Jennifer Fallon at jennifer@centralchurch.us.

Is eGiving appropriate for large donations?

While Central welcomes all gifts, we ask that you make large donations via traditional paper checks or online banking.  These methods avoid large fees, maximizing your donation. If you have questions, contact the Church Office or senior minister Patrick Faulhaber.

Why do you request my address and phone number when I make electronic donations?

Central’s system for documenting donations is not integrated with electronic systems. We need this information to ensure we correctly match you to your gifts.

Are my gifts and personal information confidential?

Absolutely.  Whether your donation is made electronically or by traditional methods, Central holds all information in the strictest confidence.  Plus our mobile app, Tithe.ly, has a stringent privacy policy for the personal and financial information it processes:  https://get.tithe.ly/privacy-policy.

Will my information be used for other purposes?

Never.  Not by Central or Tithe.ly, whose policy clearly states that information will not be used for any reason other than “for the fulfillment of those purposes for which it was collected or as required by law.”

Are electronic donations tax deductible?

Yes! The full amount of your donation - including any fees, if you elect to cover transaction costs - is tax deductible under the same guidelines as any donation made to Central. We will send you a letter of exemption for every gift we receive. 

If I give electronically, what can I put in the collection plate on Sunday?

Central will provide “giving slips” - noting that you have made your weekly donation - to place in the collection plate during the offering. Contact the Church Office.

What is Tithe.ly?                                       

Tithe.ly is the service Central has chosen to process our electronic payments. This giving system was created specifically to meet churches’ needs and functions much as PayPal does.

If I use online banking to automatically send my pledge to Central, should I change to Tithe.ly?

No! If you have already set up regular giving through your online banking service, we ask you not to change. Central pays a nominal expense for donations made via Tithe.ly. Your online banking payments are free of charge.

Why did Central choose Tithe.ly?

After researching many companies that provide payment services, Central selected Tithe.ly based on costs, functionality, features, references, ease of use, and other factors.

There are two Tithe.ly mobile apps available for download.  Which one should I use?

Use the one with the green icon called “Tithe.ly” - not “Tithe.ly Churches.”

Will I get a receipt?

Yes. The Tithe.ly system automatically emails you a receipt for each donation.

Can I view a history of my giving?

Yes. You can review your giving history from the mobile app. However, this will  include only gifts made through Tithe.ly and not donations made via other methods.

How do I ensure that my donation will go to a specific fund or purpose?

Use the drop-down selector to see the available options and specify how Central should use your gift. You can also write in the “notes” area, much as you would use the memo line on a paper check.

How do I change or stop the amount of my reoccurring gift?

For instructions to change or stop recurring payments, go to http://help.tithe.ly/giving-platform/donors/editing-and-deleting-a-recurring-gift

How do I change/update my profile or method of payment?

You can change payment information via the Tithe.ly app or your computer.  Log onto your account and click on “Payment Methods” in the menu bar. Then you can delete your old payment method and add the new one.

Is my bank account and credit/debit card information secure?

Yes. Tithe.ly’s banking partner encrypts and stores all financial information by PCI DSS Level 1 compliance.  This is the most stringent standard in the electronic payment processing industry - audited by an independent third party - for protecting the security of credit card and cardholder data. Central cannot access any of this information.

What if I lose my phone, can someone access my account?

No. Transactions can only be made with your secret passcode - even if you are already logged into Tithe.ly.  This extra layer of security ensures no one can access your account for malicious reasons.

Can I make my donation via the mobile app during Sunday Worship? 

We ask that you make your donations prior to the beginning of services, so other congregants will not be disturbed during Worship.