Add Giving Transactions in Breeze can efficiently record contributions through multiple avenues. First, they can add transactions by name. Alternatively, contributions can be added by envelope number. Another method is to add transactions by using a check scanner. For anonymous contributions, users ensure the dropdown is set to "Person" and check the "Anonymous" box before entering contribution details.
Users with permission to Add Giving Transaction can do just that, add Giving Transactions into Breeze. This can be done by using the donor's name and envelope number or scanning the check.
By Name
- Navigate to Giving.
- Type and select the person who gave the contribution.1
- Type in the amount given.2
- Click "Add Giving Transaction."
2 If you would like to set more details, such as specifying a different date, fund, or payment method, click "Add Details".
By Envelope Number
- Navigate to Giving.
- Next to the "Person" label, click the down arrow and select "Envelope Number" from the dropdown.1
- Type in the envelope number.2
- Type in the amount given.3
- Click "Add Giving Transaction."
2 If the number does not match any existing envelope numbers, you'll be prompted to match the number with a person in your database. If you would like to set up envelope associations ahead of time, see Envelopes.
3 If you would like to set more details, such as specifying a different date, fund, or payment method, click "Add Details."
Note: If the person is not in the system yet, as you type in their name, you can choose to "Add Person" and fill out the information for their profile. Then, you can add the amount given and all information after filling out their profile information.
You can also hover over the image to get mailing address.
By Check Scanner
While entering giving transactions by scanning a check does not take a physical image of the check, it automatically associates the gift with the correct profile in your system, which can speed up the process of entering giving transactions. To add contributions via check scanner:
- Navigate to Giving.
- Next to the "Person" label, click the down arrow and select "Check Scanner" from the dropdown.1
- Scan the check using your check scanner.2
- If this is the first time a gift has been given from the scanned check's account, the user will be prompted to supply the donor's name. If the donor has previously given through that account, their name will be automatically populated by scanning the check.
- Type in the amount given.3
- Click "Add Giving Transaction."
2 Breeze supports the Mini MICR, 3-Track MSR, MICRSafe USB Keyboard Wedge (22551002). The check scanner, when hooked up, simply outputs the MICR number (numbers on the bottom of the check) into the field within Breeze. Breeze then automatically interprets the output as needed. If you want to test the scanner's functionality before having a scanner, paste the following line into the "Awaiting Scan..." field and click enter: "T100000123T12345678-1234U". This uses a fake account number to replicate what the check scanner would do. When using the recommended check scanner, no additional software is needed. Simply plug in the device, and it should work.
While alternate scanner models aren't officially supported, one church using Breeze put together this document explaining how they used an alternate MagTek scanner successfully with Breeze (if you're using the model number above, you do not need to reference this document). Note that troubleshooting this alternative method is outside the scope of what our support team can assist with.
3 If you would like to set more details, such as specifying a different date, fund, or payment method, click "Add Details."
How to Scan Check Images (workaround)
Breeze Check Scanning doesn't natively support check image scanning. A few of our churches have developed some creative workarounds, such as storing scanned check images in a secure local or cloud-based storage folder that matches the Breeze batch for reference.
Some third-party scanners provide local (on your computer) check image scanning, which also pulls data off a check into a CSV file. This could then be imported via Breeze's Import Giving tool to import the giving each week manually. This solution may require manipulation/formatting of the data to import properly into Breeze. Check images in this solution would remain on your local computer and not import into Breeze.
Adding Giving Transaction Details
If you want to record details such as specifying a different date for when the gift was given, the fund to the giving transaction was contributed to, or the payment details, simply click "Add Details" under Total Amount. Please note that when you use the "Add Giving Transaction," you are simply recording a giving record. If you select a method of Credit or ACH, this will not process the payment. It is simply recording the payment that was processed outside of Breeze. If you want to process an ACH gift or Credit/Debit Card gift using Breeze, you will want to use the Giving Page.
Adding Anonymous Giving
To enter anonymous giving (loose plate donations):
- Navigate to Giving.
- Ensure the dropdown is set to "Person" rather than Envelope Number or Check Scanner.
- Select the "Anonymous" checkbox to the right of the text field.
- Enter the rest of the contribution details and click "Add Giving Transaction."
The following Breeze University video walks through adding giving transactions.
For access to more Breeze instructional videos, please visit our University page at www.breezechms.com/university.