Finance Corner

REGULAR GIVING OPTIONS

Grace welcomes donations that support our ministries in any form. However, to reduce paperwork, check writing, and administrative costs, and to provide a more consistent income for our ministries, we encourage electronic giving. Below is a list of available options.

DIRECT FUND TRANSFERS

The easiest, lowest cost, and most efficient electronic giving option is a direct fund transfer through Vanco’s Simply Giving program. Recurring gifts can be made directly from your checking or savings account at a frequency you determine. Fees are only about 30 cents per donation. Just click on the button above to set up your personal, secure account. You can adjust your donation at any time or make additional special donations, while maintaining a personal electronic record of your gifts. All gifts through Simply Giving can be electronically downloaded directly into Grace’s accounting software, saving local administrative costs.

CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS

Vanco’s Simply Giving program also offers the option of charging your donation directly to the personal credit or debit card of your choice. If you use this option, we ask you to consider checking the box that adds 3.0% to your donation to defray the cost of the card processing fees. Just click on the DONATE button above to use this option.

ON-LINE BILL PAY

Your local bank probably offers electronic bill paying with low, or sometimes, no fees. Go to your bank’s website to learn how to set up recurring or one time donations. The electronic donations will be sent to the church, usually as a check from the bank.

OFFERING ENVELOPES

Offering envelopes are provided to all members, usually at the beginning of each calendar year. Envelopes are labeled by envelope number, ensuring that your offerings are confidential and secure. If you elect to use one of the electronic options described above, we encourage you to write “We Give Electronically” on your envelope and drop it in the offering plate.

Giving electronically is good personal Stewardship. You save checks and the church reduces administrative costs. It helps make you more consistent in your giving, allowing you to keep up with your pledge commitment. It’s even environmentally better with less paper waste. Please consider making your regular giving using one of the electronic options above.

Additional Giving Options

STOCKS, BONDS & SECURITIES – GREAT ALTERNATIVES

Non cash donations to the church, such as gifts of stock and bonds, are attractive alternatives for many people. Giving a gift of publicly traded stock may, in some circumstances, provide greater tax benefits than giving cash. Contact the church office for information on how to make this transfer.

ESTATE PLANNING - REMEMBER GRACE

Leaving a portion of your estate or life insurance as a direct gift to Grace is a meaningful way of continuing to support Grace’s missions even after you’ve joined the Church Triumphant. Please consider including Grace Lutheran in your estate planning.

ENDOWMENTS - THINK FOREVER

The Mission Endowment Fund allows the church to enhance the mission, outreach, and ministry of Grace Lutheran. By using only a portion of the annual earnings of the Endowment Fund, the Fund continues to grow and provide a permanent source of income to support a variety of special ministry opportunities. We encourage all members to consider this alternative in their estate planning.

If you have questions or would like further information about

any of these options, please contact the church office.

GRACE LUTHERAN CHURCH AND SCHOOL

Changing the World with Christ’s Love

13123 Highway 105 West | Conroe, Texas 77304 | 936.588.1944| 936.588.0388 fax www.graceconroe.org