Online Giving Tutorial

This tutorial is for Western Hills online giving system. If you have any further questions, do not hesitate to either email or call (785.478.3083) the office.

Step 1: Create a login.

Go to our GIVE ONLINE page and click on the “Give Online” icon. Or you can just use the one here on the left. You’ll get to a page that looks like the screenshot below.

This page is located on the ACS Secure Servers. They are used by thousands of churches worldwide with their online giving. So your information will be safe with them and they will never use your information for solicitation purposes.

You’ll want to click on the “Need a login? Click Here” button on the bottom of the screen. Please note: after you create your login, you will have to verify your email address. So be sure to have access to your email account before you begin this process.

This is the screen to put in all your contact information. It will never be used for solicitation purposes.

After this, there will more than likely be an email that pops up in your email account asking you to confirm that you are indeed signing up for ACS online giving. Leave this page open and go click on the link provided in this email to confirm your login and password settings. You may have to relogin after this for security reasons.

Step 2: The Home Screen

This is a screen shot of the ‘home’ screen of online giving. You can see that in the future, you will be able to get life group info here or sign up for a retreat or trip and pay for that trip all right here at the home screen. You can also manage your giving, schedule regular giving, and get your tax-deductible receipt all from this screen.

For now, let’s click on the “Give Now” button.

You can now see the 4-step process of giving online – Gift, Funds, Payment Methods, Review & Process. We will click through each section so you can see it but it’s pretty self explanatory from here on out. Decide whether this is a one time gift or a recurring gift. You can pick how often, how much, and what date to give the money on.

When you are finished, click on Continue.

You can direct your gift to one of these three areas:

General Budget: This is where we encourage most gifts to be directed. This is the fund that pays the bills, salaries, runs our ministries. 95% of all of our expenses are paid out of this fund. Plus – 13% of every dollar given to this fund goes to Missions. So when you give to the General Budget, you also are giving to Missions.

Missions: If you want to help fund a particular mission trip that we are leading (Brazil, for example) this is where you would direct the money. We support local, national, and international missionaries through this fund. Our partnership with the SBC, Cooperative Program, and IMB is also funded through this fund.

Building Fund: This is money that will be used for any expansion or major renovations to our property and building.

You’ll notice for our example, I’ve given $500.00 to Missions. The Optional Description box can be used for reminders as to what exactly this is to be used for. I’m going to put “Brazil – Amy English” in the blank. Hit Continue when finished.

Step 3: Select Payment Method
On payment method, you can choose Visa, Mastercard, Discover or electronic check. You will NOT be immediately charged at this stage. This information will be saved to your account on ACS servers – much like an iTunes or Amazon.com account.

Our answer to the question – Why do you allow people to use credit cards to give?

Step 4: Review and Process
On the next screen you will be able to review and edit your gift. Hitting Continue on this screen actually sends the money. A receipt will be added to your profile and be available for download as well.

It is always a good practice to log out of websites in which your personal and financial information are located. However, as an added security measure, ACS has an auto log-out after 15 minutes of inactivity.

If you run into any problems, ACS offers there own help – access it by clicking the help link in the upper right hand corner of the site. We are also available to help either via email or phone at 785.478.3083, Monday thru Thursday, 9am to 5pm CST.