Electronic Funds Transfer in Faith-Based Organizations

Abstract With the low costs associated with electronic funds transfer (EFT), many nonprofit organizations such as churches would benefit from its implementation. The electronic collection plate is beginning to establish itself inside churches nationwide. This movement is solving the problem of church members rushing out the door and arriving at church only to remember they have forgotten their checkbook—and if they do not have enough cash on hand with them this time, they simply say they will remember to bring more the following Sunday. The proper strategic use of e-tithing by management should provide tools to help in solving the hasty check-writing that takes place during church services or hasty pre-sermon visits to the ATM. With e-tithing and EFT successfully sending a digitally signed payment through an electronic funds transfer network, parishioners may never have to worry about remembering their checkbook again.