On the topic of recurring donations.

Setting up a recurring donation from your bank account via a direct debit, called "ACH", is one of the most cost-effective ways to support us over time. Renaissance saves about 85% on fees when using a direct bank account transfer instead of a credit card.

Here are some real-life examples from September 2021.

Donation amount	Online card platform fee		ACH fee
$100	$6.20	🧐	80¢	😎
$250	$15.05	🤨	$2	😎
$500	$29.80	🤬	$4	😎

If we improve our card processing as much as possible, we can cut the card fees to about 2.7% on average. If we do the same with our ACH processing, the bank fees can be as low as 10¢ per transfer. Yes gurl.

Step 1: Save your bank account details

We'll need your basic account information like name, routing number, and account number. This information is encrypted when sent over the internet, and then saved securely.

(We take this quite seriously, but it's reassuring to know that unlike credit card numbers, your bank account info isn't some secret password to charge your account. All bank routing numbers are publicly listed, and bank account numbers often just count up by "1" for each new account. They print both on the bottom of your checks!)

Save a new bank account

Name

For our donor records.

First Name

Last Name

Email

We'll send receipts here.

Address

The one associated with this bank account. It'll be printed on your donation receipts.

Address 1

Address 2

City

State/Province

Zip/Postal Code

Country

Phone

Just the best number to reach you if there's a problem.

(###)

###

####

Bank account holder type

Bank account holder name

Exactly as it appears on your account.

Bank ROUTING number

This is 9 digits. If your account has an ACH- or electronic-specific routing number (sometimes printed in small type somewhere on your checks as "ACH R/T"), use that for faster verification.

Bank ACCOUNT number

Confirm Bank ACCOUNT number

Just to make sure. Thank you.

ACH authorization to verify bank account

I authorize Renaissance to electronically verify my bank account by sending me two small transfers of different amounts. I'll tell Renaissance the two amounts. Finally, the sum of those amounts will be debited back out, and we'll be all square.

Step 2: Verify your bank account

After a couple days, our friends at Stripe will make two small deposits to your bank account, each for less than a dollar. We'll send you an email asking for the amounts of these deposits to confirm that you typed in your bank account info correctly and that it's your account.

*When you check your bank account, it’ll look like this. The two numbers we needed from Ernestine here are repeated in the description and the amount: 7 and 24. Yours will be different.*

Step 3: Approve your recurring donation

Once your bank account is verified, we'll reach out to confirm your desired schedule and amounts, and you'll give us the final go-ahead.

That’s it!

You'll get a confirmation receipt for each debit. And our sincere gratitude re: those fees above.

For information about donating by other means, and to read about tax-deductibility of donations now that we’re a full 501(c)(3) public charity, please see our regular Donate page and our About Us page.

In closing, good night, and

Renaissance Theatre Company, Inc. is a Florida not-for-profit corporation regulated by the Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services pursuant to the Florida Solicitation of Contributions Act. Our Registration Number is CH66046. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE (800-435-7352) WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE.