Image Description: The stamp for the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes. The bottom of the stamp is a orange-yellow shield with a dark blue outline that reads "Estd. 2024" in highly stylized type with two Episcopal-style crosses. On the top of the shield, like it's sailing on it, is the two-sailed ship from the diocesan seal, along with the three stars in the sky. the largest of which represents our new diocese while the two smaller stars represent our two legacy dioceses.
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Image Description: The wordmark for our diocese that reads, "EPISCOPAL DIOCESE OF THE GREAT LAKES." The first four words are in all caps in a simple-yet-wide sans serif font. "Great Lakes" is also in all-caps, but in a highly stylized font that is reminiscent of vintage sign art. The G, L and S all have added flourishes that look like waves. This is the horizontal orientation of the wordmark and it is shown in the warm gray (off-white) brand color.

Strengthen Your Ministry. Simplify Giving.

What is the Giving Is Easy pilot program?

This pilot program helps basic needs ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of the Great Lakes to receive financial gifts online. Basic needs include food, shelter, clothing, baby/child care, and health care support. 

The purpose is to make online giving easy so that local community members may grow their support for their neighbors through your church’s ministry, strengthening their local safety net.

Upon enrollment, the diocesan office generates an online giving link for your ministry. You share this link in your community (more on that below). Then, at the end of each month, the diocesan office sends your ministry the funds donated (minus credit card processing fees charged by GivingTools, our vendor) and a report of online donors.

 

Who can participate?

Basic needs ministries managed by the diocese and its member churches, whose operations are covered by the Episcopal Church’s group tax ID, are eligible to participate. The Giving is Easy program will send funds directly to the congregation of the diocese; the basic needs ministry must be affiliated with an Episcopal Church.

Ministries who do not have a way to receive funds online are strongly encouraged to enroll.

 

How does the pilot phase work?

The program is in a pilot period through January 30, 2026. During this pilot period, diocesan staff members will work closely with participating ministries to launch the program in your context and identify any issues that arise.

At the close of the pilot period the program will be evaluated by participants and staff to consider continuing and/or changing any elements of the pilot program.

 

How can my basic needs ministry enroll?

You can enroll using the form below or at this link. 

Please note that to enroll, you must attest that you are authorized to seek donations on behalf of your ministry and that the ministry has been authorized by an entity of the Episcopal Church. 

 

What should we do if we have questions about how to fill out the enrollment form?

Contact our Director of Mission and Community Engagement, the Rev. Canon Nurya Love Parish via our contact form or by calling 616-319-2006.

 

What does the diocese do to activate us after enrollment, and how do we know it’s done?

Once you’ve submitted your enrollment form, our staff will review it. If there are any questions or concerns, either Sara Philo or Nurya Love Parish will reach out to you for clarification. Once all questions are resolved, Rachel Rose will build your giving form within two business days and send the link, QR code, and instructions to the contact(s) identified on the form. Your form will be ready to use as soon as you receive the information from Rachel. 

 

What is the best way to share and use our online giving option?

In the email Rachel will send with your giving form link and QR code, she’ll also share some promising practices for launching online giving campaigns and incorporating online giving into your regular parish/ministry communications. Rachel is also available to meet via Zoom to help you develop communication materials to help with online giving. 

 

Does this cost our ministry anything?

The diocese does not charge any fee to your ministry for participating in Giving is Easy.

Credit card processing fees are retained by GivingTools (our online donation processor) if not covered by the donor. You receive the net of their gift. Donors will see this information when they choose to give, and may choose to cover these processing fees.