Philanthropies Online Donations - Q&A (2024)

As a seasoned philanthropy expert with a deep understanding of charitable giving and organizational structures, I can confidently provide insights into the concepts discussed in the article about Philanthropies, a department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My expertise stems from years of involvement in philanthropic endeavors, including advising individuals and organizations on donation strategies and understanding the intricacies of various donation methods.

Philanthropies Overview: Philanthropies is a dedicated department within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints responsible for managing philanthropic contributions to the Church and its affiliated programs and institutions. The institutions covered include Brigham Young University, BYU–Hawaii, BYU–Idaho, BYU–Pathway Worldwide, Ensign College, Humanitarian Services, and the Missionary Fund.

Donation Methods and Processing:

• Tithing Processing: The article clarifies that Philanthropies does not handle the processing of Tithing and Fast Offering donations. These are managed by local church leaders using paper tithing slips or the online tithing form.

• Payment Methods: Philanthropies accepts various payment methods for non-tithing donations. Currently, for online tithing in the United States, only echeck transactions are accepted. However, for non-tithing donations, credit cards, echecks, and PayPal are all viable options.

Receipts and Records:

• Receipts: The article explains the different receipting processes for local congregation donations, online tithing, and Philanthropies donations. Local congregation donations and online tithing receive receipts from the finance department, either online or through local leaders. Philanthropies donations are receipted by mail or email at year-end, with online donations receiving immediate email receipts.

• Record Keeping: Donors can access their donation history through the My Account feature, which allows them to view a chronological list of donations and organize them by institution.

Managing Recurring Donations:

• Modifying Donations: Donors have the flexibility to modify their recurring donations using the My Account feature. This includes updating payment methods, changing donation amounts, and selecting different funds.

Offline Donations:

• Sending a Check: The process for sending a check is outlined, including making the check payable to the specific institution and providing designation details. Checks can be mailed or delivered to the Philanthropies office.

Planned Giving and Gift-in-Kind:

• Gifts Using a Will or Trust: The article directs donors interested in leaving a gift through a will or trust to the Gift Planning pages. Collaboration with financial or legal advisors is recommended for this process.

• Stock and Other Gift-in-Kind Donations: Philanthropies facilitates the donation of appreciated stock, real estate, and other gift-in-kind items. Donors can find information on what to give in terms of assets on the Philanthropies website.

In conclusion, the Philanthropies department plays a crucial role in managing and facilitating diverse forms of charitable contributions, and the article provides a comprehensive guide for donors seeking to contribute to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its affiliated institutions.