As United Methodists, we believe that giving is an act of thanksgiving and worship, an active expression of our faith.
Giving willingly, generously and cheerfully requires dedication, forethought and sacrifice. Through regular, planned giving of tithes and offerings, we show ourselves to be faithful in the stewardship of all that God has provided for us.
After making a selection below, you may choose "Sign In" or scroll down to "Give as Guest."
Helpful Hints for Online Giving
The Give Now link next to Online Giving above allows users to:
♦ make a one-time contribution toward your operating budget pledge,
♦ make a capital gift,
♦ make any other gift (include explanation of "other" gift in space provided), or
♦ set up recurring payments.
Making a pledge online does not generate online/electronic giving.
If you have made payments or registered for events as Guest, you will not be able to view your account online until you create a login with your email address and a password of your choosing.
Your Account
Log in to see your payment history or make changes to recurring online giving.
You will need to log in with the email address and password you created to make online payments and register for events. This password is not the last four digits of your phone number, which is used only to view your financial statement in an email from Dianne Weideman. Church staff members do not have access to your password, but there is a link "Recover if here" to have it sent to the email address on record.
Once you have logged in,you will be at My Profile. From there, options include My Events, My Payments and My Settings.
Updating your credit card information in My Settings does not update it for recurring online giving. This must be done from My Payments.
Benefits of Giving Online
♦ Prioritize giving in your budget by setting up a recurring financial contribution.
♦ Enjoy the convenience of making quick, easy, one-time special donations.
♦ Ensure consistency for the church by providing a reliable source of income.
♦ Appreciate the security of transactions that cannot be lost or stolen, are password protected and 128-bit SSL-encrypted.
Giving in Memory or Honor
Donations are a special way to celebrate a life, birthday, anniversary, special occasion or to just say thanks, and they serve as genuine testimonies to others!
Select the Give Online tab then pick Memorial/Honorarium.
Designations
Memorials will automatically support the specific ministry the family has designated. Honorariums may be donated to the ministry area of your choice as indicated on the donation form. Gifts without a specific designation will go toward the FUMCR General Operating Budget to support all ministries of the Church.
Acknowledgements
A note will be sent to the person you have honored or to the family of the deceased notifying them of the gift. This note will not give amounts of gifts, but will let them know a gift has been made in their honor/memory. In addition, gifts from church members will be listed in the First Connections magazine. Due to editing and printing deadlines, your gift may not be included in the next published magazine, but will be in the following one.
Other ways to make your gift
If you prefer to write a check, please make it payable to FUMCR and mail it to:
First United Methodist Church Richardson
Attn: Business Office
P.O. Box 830877
Richardson, TX 75083-0877
Please include a note with your check letting us know:
1. Who the gift is in memory/honor of
2. Who the gift is from (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, The Smith Family, etc.)
3. If you would like to designate your gift to a specific ministry (Building Fund, Children's Ministry, etc.).
Donations of Stock or Other Appreciated Property
Donations to FUMCR do not always have to be in cash. If you want to make a charitable gift before the end of the year, consider appreciated property. Whether you donate stock, mutual funds, coins, or real estate, you may qualify for a tax break while the Church enjoys the benefit of the full value of your donation.
As an example, assume you hold shares of stock that you purchased for $2,000 five years ago that is now worth $10,000. If you donate the securities instead of selling them, you get a deduction for the stock's current market value, plus you avoid paying the 20 percent long-term capital gains tax on the $8,000 your investment has earned. And the Church receives the full $10,000 value of your donation.
Here's an added advantage to donating stock or mutual fund shares. If your portfolio incurred losses, you would typically write them off against your gains, minimizing your capital gains tax. But, if you give away your gains, you can still use your losses to reduce your regular income. For most people, this produces a greater benefit since income tax rates are higher than the capital gains tax rate.
If you are interested in donating appreciated assets, we strongly encourage you to consult your tax accountant to make sure you qualify for the tax savings and ensure this gift option is best for you. There are conditions and limitations on donations of appreciated property, such as you must have held the investments for more than one year and your charitable deduction is limited to a percentage of your adjusted gross income. Your tax accountant will be better informed on your personal financial situation and the current tax laws in effect.
The safest and most efficient way to donate securities is via electronic transfer. Your broker will be used to this type of transaction and will need the Church's brokerage information as listed in Stock Donation Instructions.
If you have any questions on donating appreciated property, please contact Dianne Weideman, Director of Finance, by or phone, 972.996.0106.
