There are several methods you can use to make donations to OCC that may be more convenient for you than traditional cash and checks. All of these methods help OCC minimize handling costs and better plan for the future. Please see our special notes about privacy and online security later in this section.

Automatic debit payments are a cost-effective and convenient way to make recurring payments. You may already use them for insurance premiums, utility payments, school tuition or other recurring payments. You may receive your salary or other income by the same means. If you have a bank account in the United States, you can authorize OCC to deduct a set amount at specific dates (monthly, weekly, 1st and 15th, etc.). Of course you can stop or change the automatic debit at any point if you wish. Many people find that automatic debits help them meet their commitments and manage their resources more effectively. Often your bank statement will show more information on these payments than it would about a check. And it is very helpful to OCC to receive monies this way with the resulting time saving and record-keeping convenience. If you want to use this method for offerings, your bank will require a written authorization. Please click here for the necessary form and return to the OCC Finance office, or call the OCC Finance office at 425-895-2413. Or you can email the Finance office at finance@occ.org.

Credit cards make it easy to tithe or provide other offerings while you’re away. Or you may prefer them because they offer an itemized statement for your records. Whatever the reason, you can use VISA and MasterCard credit cards to make an offering online or even over the phone (425-895-2413). Please note that credit cards, like other useful things in life, can be misused and bring grief and heartache instead of the intended benefits. Unless you pay your credit card balance in full each month, it may not be an appropriate vehicle for donations. If you find it difficult to manage your credit card debt, please consider the excellent financial counseling services available to OCC members at the OCC Foundation. In addition to credit cards, we can also accept VISA and MasterCard debit cards* for online tithes and offerings. To make an online donation with a card, click here.

Online banking (or “home banking”) is offered by many banks and can be one of the most convenient methods of managing your household finances. With online banking you can send tithes and offerings directly from your bank account to OCC’s with tremendous savings in time and effort by everyone. Many people like to use home banking services because of reports the bank offers or because they can download their banking data directly to programs such as Quicken or Money or other tools for managing their finances. If this approach fits your needs, you will need to sign up with your bank’s home banking service and then establish OCC as a “payee”. Please call 425-895-2413 or e-mail OCC’s Finance office finance@occ.org to receive the necessary information to use as you go through the “payee” establishment process.

Special notes on privacy/security: Online credit/debit card payments are sometimes a concern due to security and privacy issues. OCC uses a highly experienced vendor to process such payments. The process uses security certificates provided by Verisign Inc. Verisign has assured OCC that the strictest privacy protections will be applied to these transactions and your name and other data will not be shared with anyone but authorized OCC staff. You will not be on the Verisign’s site until you click on the “checkout” link. You should read Verisigns’s privacy and security statement for details.

Additionally, VISA and MasterCard provide certain consumer protection against online fraud; see their statements for details. Finally, the issuer of your credit/debit card may offer additional protection; please check with the customer service department at the issuer (the phone number is probably on the back of your credit/debit card).

*OCC cannot accept payments from debit cards that require a Personal Identification Number (PIN) for purchases due to the additional security requirements involved.