Contactless giving JULIE JONES PARISH GIVING SCHEME ADVISER, DIOCESE OF OXFORD

Contactless
giving
JULIE JONES
PARISH GIVING SCHEME ADVISER,
DIOCESE OF OXFORD

“Contactless is all around us, why not in our
              churches! It’s a great way for parishes to give
Contactless   people another option when donating and help
              ease administrative burdens.”
     giving
              Jess Dace, Deputy Finance Director, Diocese of Lichfield

What is a card reader
A contactless card reader is a small terminal that
enables donations to be made to your church via
contactless debit or credit card, or by using your
smartphone or watch, up to a value of £30.

Why do we need one
In mid-2017, we in the UK passed the point where
more transactions were paid for by card than with
cash.
Having a card reader in your church means that
people who don’t carry cash can give in a way that
suits them.

When would we use it
• Collections at special services
• Baptisms, weddings, funerals
• Other church activities, such as summer
  fetes or concerts
• Fundraising for Christian Aid week

What are the options
   Attended units

   • Pair with tablet or
     smartphone
   • Require permanent
     connectivity

What are the options

   Unattended units

   • Standalone device
   • Can store transactions
     offline

The
contactless
offering plate

“We trialled the GBx Mini card reader during
              August 2019. The feedback from congregation
              members was that it was quick and easy to use.
Testimonial   We recommend the use of card readers to other
              churches.”

              Steve Bridge, Holy Trinity, Theale

GWD Donation Stations

  Slim          Mini    Maxi

How much do they cost
The C of E’s Parish Buying service has negotiated
discounted rates with several different suppliers.
Prices range from £19 ex VAT for simple card
readers to > £1,000 for larger, more advanced
devices.
Commission and support fees – payable either
monthly or on a per transaction basis.

Where can we get one
                          Parish Buying is a buying service set up by the
                          Church, for the Church.
                          Their contracts and discounts are available to all
                          parishes, cathedrals and dioceses in the Church of
                          England and the Church in Wales.
www.parishbuying.org.uk

Nationally
Over 1,600* churches and cathedrals are already
using card readers purchased through Parish Buying
– a 240% increase since November 2018.
National Giving Strategy aims to have card readers
available in 50% of churches within the next 5 years.

*Source: Parish Buying newsletter December 2019

Oxford diocese
• May 2019
   Contactless offering plate
• Summer 2019
   GBx Core trial in 10 churches
• Nov 2019
   VISA / SumUp trial in 14 churches

To date, over 120 churches have signed up for
(or expressed an interest in) contactless giving

Top tips

• Make it visible
• Communicate about it
• Adapt quickly

Mobile phone giving
• Replaces giving by text
• Based on QR code technology (requires
  connectivity)
• No purchase or set up costs
• Can be printed onto notice sheets, posters or
  orders of service

FAQs

How do we know what’s been donated

Can we claim Gift Aid
Contactless donations up to £30 can be claimed
under the Gift Aid small donations scheme (GASDS)
allowance of up to £8,000 per year.

For payments authorised by chip & PIN, donors will
need to complete a Gift Aid declaration.

Do I need a PCC resolution
Opening an account with a Card Payment
Services Provider is similar to opening a bank
account.

The decision should be authorised by the PCC,
and evidenced by a resolution in the minutes.

Questions

For more information, go to www.parishbuying.org.uk

      Or contact Julie Jones at Church House Oxford, 01865 208288
                     Julie.jones@oxford.anglican.org

REGISTERED OFFICE:
OXFORD DIOCESAN BOARD OF FINANCE, CHURCH HOUSE
OXFORD, LANGFORD LOCKS, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD, OX5 1GF
01865 208200 | OXFORD.ANGLICAN.ORG |@ OXFORDDIOCESE