Giving

There are several ways to give at Bethel Lutheran Church!

There is the tried and true "Sunday morning offering" where you can give either cash or checks.

What if that does not work for you or you are not able to come to Bethel on a regular basis?

We have other options for your convenience: smartphone giving, automated giving and we accept stock donations and qualified charitable distributions (QCD).

Faith Promise

No matter how you give, you can help our budget planning by making a Faith Promise each year. We send out Faith Promise cards during our spring stewardship drive and you can securely communicate your promise with our online form:

Faith Promise form.

Capital Campaign Commitment

Bethel’s Capital Campaign, “Come See Go Be” runs from summer 2022 to summer 2025. Purchasing a parsonage and upgrading Torvend Hall are the main focus. Read more in this FAQ. You can securely communicate your commitment with our online form:

Capital Campaign Commitment form.

Smartphone Giving

Through Pushpay you can give anytime and anywhere through your smartphone (Android or iPhone). You can use Pushpay from your seat at church or your folding chair on the beach! PushPay accepts all major credit cards, ATM debit cards and ACH withdrawals from your checking or savings account. It takes less than a minute to set up and about 10 seconds to give after that. To begin, click this link to text bethelcup to (833)279-8521 or download the app from either Google Play or the Apple App Store. You can also click the button below to begin. Pushpay uses a PCI Level 1 Compliant Service Provider for privacy and security.

Pushpay Giving
Pushpay

Automated Giving

Through Vanco we offer automated giving. If you want to set up your giving to be withdrawn on a schedule then Vanco is for you! Vanco is easy to set up and you can make one-time gifts as well. Vanco accepts major credit cards and ACH withdrawals from your checking or savings account. Vanco uses a PCI Level 1 Compliant Service Provider for privacy and security.

Vanco Giving
Vanco

As a way to help with the cost of processing fees, prayerfully consider adding an additional 3% to your donation with either Vanco or PushPay.

Stock Donations

When you donate publicly traded stock that has appreciated in value, you can enjoy two tax benefits:

  1. If you itemize deductions, you can claim a charitable deduction equal to the stock’s fair market value, and
  2. For stock held for more than one year, you avoid paying capital gains tax that you would have to pay if you sold the stock instead of donating it.

Stock donations are also one of the most cost effective methods to support Bethel ministries. Wells Fargo (our broker) does not charge a brokerage fee to sell the stock so the entire market value of the stock goes to Bethel.

Contact us to donate stock.

Qualified Charitable Distributions

If you are taking Required Minimum Distributions (RMD) from an IRA, consider making a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) to Bethel. A QCD has tax benefits when the contribution is from your IRA. The QCD is considered part of your RMD calculation and your taxable income is lowered by the QCD amount. Note: the IRS also requires RMD from a 401k, but the QCD is only allowed from an IRA. Please consult your financial or tax advisor for more information on how this can work with your retirement funds.

Bethel Lutheran Church of Cupertino, California is a tax-exempt organization, EIN 94-1528841.
Thank you for your generosity.

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7