ELCA and Vanco ACS Technologies Expand Partnership

CHICAGO — The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) and ACS Technologies (ACST), powered by Vanco, announce the expansion of their strategic relationship to provide congregations with an integrated ministry platform that combines church management and digital giving into one connected experience.

In 2019, the ELCA signed a preferred vendor agreement with Vanco, an eGiving software developer and payment processor. At that time, Vanco had been working with ELCA congregations for 20 years. This expanded relationship brings together Realm® church management and Vanco Giving to help ELCA congregations simplify ministry, strengthen stewardship and deepen engagement.

Through the enhanced platform, ELCA congregations can manage contributions, communications, events, member engagement, volunteer coordination and church administration through one connected platform, helping to reduce administrative complexity and create better experiences for members and staff.

“Churches shouldn’t have to choose between powerful technology and simplicity,” said Jenny Lutter, director of strategic partnerships, ACS Technologies. “Together, Realm and Vanco Giving provide ELCA congregations with a connected ministry platform that helps reduce administrative burden, strengthen stewardship and equip church leaders to focus more fully on their mission.”

For decades, both ACS Technologies and Vanco have served churches through technology built specifically for ministry. Following Vanco’s acquisition of ACST, the organizations are expanding that commitment by delivering a more unified experience that supports every aspect of church operations and generosity.

“ELCA Information Technology continually seeks to provide enhanced platforms to help our congregations manage administrative and financial information more efficiently,” said Jonathan Beyer, ELCA executive for IT and Digital Solutions. “This expanded relationship provides our congregations with trusted technology designed to simplify ministry, increase giving and support the important work happening in churches every day.”

Through the partnership, ELCA congregations will have access to:

• A modern, cloud-based church management platform through Realm
• Integrated digital giving powered by Vanco
• Connected member records and contribution history
• Simplified financial administration and reporting
• Secure online, mobile and recurring giving
• Dedicated implementation, training and customer support from organizations with decades of experience serving churches

As part of the expanded partnership, ELCA congregations will have access to exclusive pricing and implementation packages that make it easier to adopt a fully connected ministry platform while preserving existing giving relationships and minimizing disruption for staff and members.

The announcement reflects ACST’s broader vision of helping churches replace disconnected systems with an integrated ecosystem that supports ministry growth, financial stewardship and deeper congregational engagement.

To learn more about ACS Technologies, visit acstechnologies.com.

To learn about the preferred partnership with ELCA, visit ELCA Preferred Vendor | Vanco.

Vanco will host an informational webinar on Tuesday, October 27 at 12:00pm CT. More information can be found on elca.org/events.

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About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.6 million members in 8,200 communities worshiping in 41 languages across the 50 states and in the Caribbean. Known as the church of “God’s work. Our hands.,” the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA’s roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.

For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org

About ACS Technologies
ACS Technologies, powered by Vanco, equips churches, schools, dioceses, denominational offices and other faith-based organizations with software and services that strengthen ministry. Its solutions include church management, accounting, giving, communications, engagement and financial technologies used by over 45,000 faith organizations across North America.