Getting Started
You can participate by setting up an online account, by calling the Port Ministries office or by completing paper application and dropping it by the Port Ministries office.
Account Setup by Phone
Call 1-773-778-5355 to contact a Port Ministries staff member on e-giving. They will take your contact information, pledge information and the details on your payment option (ACH, Credit Card or Debit Card). To update your giving options, either contact the Port to manage your account or ask to have a username and password established so that you can manage the account directly.
Account Setup by Web
Click on the button "Create Account"
You will be forwarded to the Account Application page where you will provide your name and contact information along with certain personal identifiers to enable ID verification in the future.
After your data is entered, the system will notify you of any data entry errors that occurred during the application process.
Upon completing an error free application, your account will be accessible through your personalized USERNAME and PASSWORD.
All your information is obfuscated and/or encrypted and then stored in a secure, private central database.
The only data exchange in which Port Ministries will participate is those instances required by law for such purposes as combating consumer fraud, ID theft and money laundering. Your information will not be made available to marketing groups of any kind.
Selecting a Payment Option
Port Ministries allows you the option of using your checking account (via ACH), credit card or debit card to make a donation.
For your convenience the system can store the information on any of your available funding sources. If you prefer to re-enter the information each time, simply delete the funding source from your user profile.
Although Credit Cards and Debit Cards are very convenient, ACH is the least inexpensive method of funding. Card fees can be as much as 3% of dollars donated along with a fixed $0.20 per transaction.
The advantage to choosing EFT/ACH is that once a signed authorization is on file, you can pre-set any funding amount over any interval directly from your checking, savings or money market account. No waiting, the funds will be transferred on the date requested. Members should be aware that Money Market and savings accounts are limited as to the number of EFT transfers that can be made each month.
About Your Account
Your e-giving account is the first step in an active interactive relationship with Port Ministries. Initially, it provides you powerful tools to manage your giving programs. In time, Port Ministries may offer newsletters, volunteer access and more.
Account Management Tools
You have the option to select any account history you wish to view, the range of activity by date and the type of activity you wish to view.
The User Profile provides you with the ability to update your common personal data online.
Any PASSWORD changes are handled separately and require additional authentication.
Any additions and/or deletions of funding sources are also handled separately.
The Interaction History is a service feature that provides a complete accounting of your system activity including interaction with our Customer Service group.
The Activity Log is a unique feature that records your actions/activity each time you login.
The Activity Log also would include password changes, PIN changes, password reset by Port personnel pursuant to an authenticated request, user profile changes, disbursements and general service queries.
What is E-giving?
E-Giving is the first step in a truly interactive relationship between Port Ministries. E-giving is managed by Port Ministries and supported by trained Port staff.. Although the system is designed to be self-directed, it is good to know that there are qualified people who have the knowledge and ability to respond to your concerns.
E-Giving exists under an established set of mandatory guidelines for Accountholders. These guidelines are designed to protect each individual Member and preserve the stability of E-Giving. As E-Giving matures, the conditions of these guidelines will adapt to any legislative or regulatory pronouncements.
The E-Giving security framework exists at application (software), component (hardware) and operational levels of the system. Each individual who elects to complete a USER PROFILE (required for credit/debit card funding) will go through a screening process. This process is integrated with leading authentication and personal ID verification systems, as well as fraud, ID theft and money laundering data bases.
Once a person fully completes a USER PROFILE (optional), no other account can be created for that individual.
What are the Benefits to being a Member?
Convenience: Once your account is established, you can manage your giving programs at any time, quickly, remotely and at any hour of the day or night.
Account Management Tools: Port Ministries provides Members with account histories, session histories, customer service interaction histories, multiple funding options and the ability to update profile and other related data through a secure, personalized account.
Responding to your needs: Port Ministries stores all activity in a central database. No matter what happens, or when it happens, the Operational Support Team can access the information, organize the information and respond expeditiously. Port Ministries' Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system is designed specifically to address any question in a rapid and efficient manner.
Safeguarding personal information: Your personal information stays within Port Ministries. There is no need to provide credit card, banking or other sensitive information to merchants.
What about Security?
Application Level: Application level security is provided by a UI login function and a validation component, which sets access for the session. All session activity is then validated against this session information. Other application level security includes:
Never exposing an accounts number or internal primary id on the screen or as a hidden field.
Qualifying all access to the database with the internal ID of the session login.
Login lockout after three invalid attempts.
Username is a surrogate id for associating login to customer data.
All character input is screened to help eliminate cross-site scripting issues.
Component Level: The data center architecture consists of secure firewalls, encryption and intrusion detection. The system is continually tested internally and externally to further safeguard Member information and assets.
Operational Level: Operational protocol is a critical part of protecting Member assets and include such basic functions as:
Encryption and/or masking of sensitive personal data.
Real-time monitoring and reporting mechanism as to the activities of Members accessing the system.
Real-time monitoring and reporting mechanism as to the activities of Port Ministries personnel accessing the system.
Systemic alert mechanisms.
What is the best way to fund my account?
The processing costs associated with each donation vary and are borne by Port Ministries as a net reduction in funds collected. Credit Card Companies and merchant banks are normally a fixed bee of $0.10 to $0.25 per transaction plus 2.00% to 3.50% of dollars donated.
Electronic Check or ACH is a lower cost solution with a fixed fee equal to or less than a cost of a postage stamp. ACH activity is a pre-authorized charge to a bank account of your choosing. To initiate an ACH you need your account number and bank ABA number which can be obtained from the bottom of a valid check for this account.
What are the costs associated with a Member Account?
There are no costs to you except those resulting from NSF charges by a bank on a transfer you authorize.
What if I forget my password?
If you forget your password, you must contact customer services at 773-778-5955, immediately. A Port Ministries representative will take you through a standard authentication process and perhaps some minor queries regarding your most recent account activity. Once you have successfully completed the authentication process, the agent will reset the password to a temporary code determined by Port Ministries.
You will then be directed to access your account using this new password. Upon accessing your account Port Ministries will immediately ask you to select a new PASSWORD that only you would know. Port Ministries strongly encourages the use of a unique PASSWORD that includes at least one numeric digit and one capital letter.
Please note that the password-reset request will be recorded in your account Activity Log, which you can view from your Member Account. Reviewing your account Activity Log is a valuable security tool that Port Ministries strongly encourages you to use.
After three failed attempts at accessing your account, Port Ministries will automatically disable your account log in mechanism and direct you to contact Customer Service.