Share God’s love by giving a thoughtful
and personal gift.
Help those in need by NOT giving more stuff!
Give the gift of mission and ministry!
Honor your recipients with a gift that supports one of 12
local and global ministries of Covenant Presbyterian Church
Simple, convenient, and safe.
Frequently Asked Questions: Q: Is this giving program available only to church members?
A: No. Anyone can give. You can hint to receive this gift,
too!
Q: What gift occasions can this program be used for?
A: The pilot program was for Christmas presents. This is now
expanded to support birthdays, Mother’s Day, Father’s
Day, Easter, memorials, weddings, and simple thank you gifts.
Customized cards are available for all these purposes. The web
site is also available to support gift registries. Contact changethepresent@covenant.org
for more information.
Q: What happens to the money that I give?
A: Covenant mission committee will receive all funds, less
a small transaction fee (equivalent to the credit card fees charged
by our bank), for distribution to the ministries you select. Our
partner in providing this service receives the proceed from the
purchase of the greeting card.
Q: Is this gift tax deductible?
A: The gift amount qualifies; the purchase of the card does
not. A receipt for use in tax filing and acknowledgement of the
gift will be delivered to you by email.
Q: It this gift program difficult to do?
A: No. It is simple. You will be asked to register, select
and pay for your gift, and design your card.
Q: Can I pay for my gifts by check or cash?
A: No. At this time, this system is only available by credit
or debit card. You may make cash or check donations through the
church office, of course, at any time.
Q: Can I give a gift less than the amount shown?
A: No. At this time, this system is only able to process the
amounts shown. To make a specific ministry donation through Covenant
for a different amount, please visit the church office.
Q: Can I give a gift more than the amount shown?
A: Yes. You simply need to give multiple gifts so that they
total the amount you desire. You need only order one card for
the recipient, of course.
Q: Once I purchase the gift for a friend or family, how are
they notified?
A: If you provide a US address, a gift card can be sent to
them. You can also choose to receive the card and you can deliver
it. Email notification is also available when purchasing a printed
card.
Q: Who is the card sent to?
A: You can send the card directly to your recipient or to
yourself for hand delivery.
Q: What is the card like?
A: The cards are printed professionally in color and are fully
customized to your order. They feature a custom design that you
select on the outside, a custom message, and a photo depicting
the ministry along with a brief description of the gift on the
inside. There is also a web link to find more details about the
ministry.
Q: Do I have to buy a card through this program?
A: No. Purchase of the card is completely optional. You are
free to make your own and may use the material on the web to help
explain your gift to your recipient.
Q: How long does it take?
A: The financial transaction happens within 24 hours. Cards
are printed weekly and mailed by first class postage.
Q: Is it safe?
A: The web system uses top of the line security. Your credit
card number is encrypted and travels the data networks the same
way it does if you called the number of your favorite catalog.
Q: What about my privacy and that of my recipients?
A: Your recipients’ names or contact information are
not divulged to anyone. Your name is provided to Covenant unless
you elect to keep your donation private.
Q: How were the ministries selected?
A: The mission committee is fully committed to all our ministries,
but twelve ministries were selected by the committee after careful
review to be a representative of how Covenant members are sharing
the love of Christ in Austin and around the world.
Q: Was the Christmas pilot a success? A: Yes. In the short pilot, 100 gifts were given and 100
messages of hope and love were received. Gifts were purchased
both by members and non-members. Gift were given both to members
and non-members. Almost $5,000 was raised. Session approved this
to service to be available year round.
Q: How was the money used from the Christmas pilot program? A: The funds were distributed at the March meeting of the
mission committee. In most cases the funds are being sent as a
direct contribution to the ministry for the cited purposes . In
some cases, the funds are being used to support the Covenant activity
described in the gift description. In all cases, the funds are
being used for the specified purposes.
