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This guide shows you how to integrate ACH to collect online giving via this method.
To enable ACH payments, you must be based in the United States and own a Stripe account. |
Enable ACH
There are only three steps to follow to enable ACH:
Enable ACH in your Stripe account first.
Enable ACH in ChMettings under Contributions > Online Giving > Giving Settings > Payment Methods.
Configure whether you want to ask contributors to cover your ACH transaction fees. You can add a percentage that is less or equal to the transaction fee.
Fees
Stripe ACH payments cost 0.80%, capped at $5, with no monthly or verification fees. So, a $100 payment incurs a $0.80 fee; any payments above $625 cost $5.
Read more on the Stripe Blog.
ACH Verification for Contributors
Contributors can instantly verify their bank details when choosing to contribute via ACH. However, in some cases, they might want to manually verify their bank accounts using micro-deposits. They can choose how to verify their transaction while configuring it. Verification data is exchanged between the ChMeetings API and Stripe. Payment security is ensured by Stripe as well.
Below are details about each verification scenario: instant and manual:
Instant Verification
Instant verification allows contributors to complete their transactions within the session they have submitted their details. Contributors can log into their online banking accounts to verify the ACH transaction. The donation will only be charged after verification; no further steps are required. If the transaction is recurring, the contributor’s bank account will be debited according to their chosen frequency. The verification process occurs between Stripe and the contributor’s bank.
Instant verification is enabled by default and is the simplest process for your members to contribute online via ACH. However, anyone can verify manually if they choose to do so.
Manual Verification
If choosing manual verification, contributors must manually enter their bank account details and wait for their bank to verify the transaction. This is a required security measure to ensure that the account owner is initiating the donation. This process incurs two deposit transactions that will be performed and then canceled, amounting to a maximum of $1.
To verify their ACH transaction, contributors must perform the following:
Fill out their details on your ChMeetings giving link and check their email. An automatic message will inform them that they must verify their bank account.
Check the bank account within one or two days of receiving the email. Contributors should find two small deposits totaling less than $1. They must take note of the two deposit amounts and keep in mind that their account balance will increase by the total deposited amount.
The email guides contributors to your ChMeetings giving page to enter the two deposited amounts once completed. When these are validated, their account will be verified and ready to finalize the transaction.
Stripe will cancel the two small deposits a few days later. This means the contributors’ bank account balance will decrease by the initial deposit amount.
Member Access to ACH Information
If you have enabled the Member Portal in ChMeetings, ACH details can be verified from within the members’ account under Settings > Payment Methods.
In addition, members receive a confirmation email when their payment is submitted, as well as when it clears (which can take 3-4 days).
Learn More
See the Stripe ACH Guide and the Stripe Guide on Accepting ACH Direct Debit Payments to learn more about setting up and working with ACH using Stripe.