Make Your Donation to MBT

THANK YOU for making a donation to Midwest Buddhist Temple. MBT is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization and upon donation you will receive an acknowledgement via email or the address you provide.

This page is setup to help you make your donation to any of MBT’s donation categories​​ including the annual Membership Pledge – read on for instructions. If you need a little more information before donating, jump to our FAQ section or read our Guide to Financial Giving page for more detail.

TO DONATE ONLINE

MBT can receive donations electronically through the Zelle® payment system or by credit-card via PayPal®.

via your bank with Zelle®

use MBT’s donation email address:

giving@mbtchicago.org

  • If you are not experienced with Zelle check with your bank for their procedures
  • You can setup a recurring payment*
  • Enter the donation category (e.g. Pledge, Memorial, etc) in the memo field of your donation

with a Credit Card via PayPal®

Click the yellow button to start your PayPal donation:

  • PayPal will have you select the purpose of your donation (e.g. Pledge, Memorial, etc.)
  • You can setup a recurring payment*
  • PayPal deducts 3% of the donation amount as a processing fee

*Recurring Payments are options offered by Zelle and PayPal to submit smaller, monthly payments that add up to your total Pledge or donation over time. Check with your bank/Zelle or PayPal for their recurring payment options. Please note: if you set up a recurring payment you are responsible for managing (changing or stopping) the recurring payment process.

TO DONATE BY CHECK

If you prefer to donate by check please make it payable to Midwest Buddhist Temple and mail to:

Midwest Buddhist Temple
435 W. Menomonee St.
Chicago, IL 60614

On the memo line of your check please let us know the purpose of your donation (e.g. Annual Membership Pledge, Memorial, etc.) Also, remember to provide your contact information so we can send you a letter acknowledging your kind gift.

SPECIAL DONATION METHODS

Some donors have found it beneficial to give stock or make contributions directly from their retirement savings accounts that are subject to Required Minimum Distributions (RMD). Midwest Buddhist Temple can receive these types donations. Learn more in our Guide to Financial Giving or contact us (312 943 7801 or office@mbtchicago.org).

Frequently Asked Questions for Donations

Your financial support is so important and your selfless giving is greatly appreciated. A few frequently asked questions about donations:

  • What is the Pledge and other areas of donations for MBT? PLEDGE is our annual campaign to raise funds to meet MBT’s operating costs. You can read more about the Pledge and all donation areas by viewing our Guide to Financial Giving page.
  • What is the list of general donation categories:
    • Annual Pledge for Membership
    • Memorial (remember to provide the name of your loved one)
    • Buddhist Holiday (remember to tell us which holiday)
    • Dharma School (for educational programs)
    • Bulletin (supporting the monthly newsletter)
    • The Kono Fund (for Buddhist ministerial education)
    • MBT Legacy Garden (maintenance)
    • Niji Dharma
    • Ginza Holiday
  • Can I submit my donation, including Pledge, online? Yes, see the instructions above.
  • Which online service should I use Zelle or PayPal? The choice is up to the donor.
    • Zelle is a funds transfer network that is supported by many banks. Since it is a bank-to-bank transfer it is secure and does not incur any fees. With Zelle you will make your donation through your online bank account. Each bank may have slightly different procedures for Zelle, we suggest you check with your bank. As with any online service, the donor needs to make sure their payment is properly directed. For donations to MBT make sure you are using our email: giving@mbtchicago.org.
    • PayPal is more widely available than Zelle. PayPal is based on credit-card processing and will deduct about 3% of the amount donated for processing fees. PayPal gives the donor the option to increase their donation to cover the fees.
  • Can I split up my donation in to several smaller amounts? Yes you can choose to submit smaller payments over a period of time or use the automated “recurring payment” functionality of PayPal® or Zelle®. Note: If you set up a “recurring payment” you are responsible for managing (changing or stopping) the recurring payment process.
  • Is Midwest Buddhist Temple a non-profit? Yes, Midwest Buddhist Temple is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
  • Will I get a receipt for my donation? Yes, donations will receive an acknowledgement note at the email or mailing address you provide.

If you have any other questions about donating to our temple, you can email us at office@mbtchicago.org or call 312.943.7801. We thank you for your generosity.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR GENEROSITY