Funds

Use funds to define how gifts are used and ensure they align with donor intent. A clear fund structure helps you allocate revenue correctly, report on impact, and maintain transparency with donors and stakeholders.

Funds answer a critical question: What is this gift used for?

For example, a New Building Campaign may include separate funds for design, construction, and landscaping. When a donor directs a gift to more than one fund, the gift is split so each portion supports a specific purpose.

Fund Structure And Purpose

Define each fund to reflect a clear purpose and use.

  • Assign a unique ID to organize and identify the fund

  • Provide a clear description that reflects how gifts are used

  • Set start and end dates to control availability

  • Group funds using categories and types

Categories group similar funds, such as annual funds. Types define purpose, such as scholarship or general support.

Fund Goals And Impact

Set a goal for each fund to measure fundraising success and evaluate results.

  • Define a goal amount to guide fundraising efforts

  • Monitor progress under Goals in Work Center

  • Review how gifts support the fund’s purpose

Clear goals help you measure effectiveness and adjust strategy.

Fund Restrictions

Use restrictions to ensure gifts are used as intended.

  • Select Fund is restricted to limit how funds are used

  • Apply restrictions to align with donor expectations

Restricted funds support accountability and build donor trust.

Funds for Gifts

Review funds on a gift to understand donor intent and allocation.

  • Open a gift record to view associated funds under Fundraising details

  • Review split amounts when a gift applies to multiple funds

  • Update fund allocation when needed

This visibility helps ensure accurate reporting and proper use of gifts.

Funds for Opportunities

Use default funds on opportunities to align fundraising efforts with expected outcomes and define how resulting gifts are used.

With Prospect Research Management, opportunities help cultivate relationships and major gifts in support of specific initiatives. Assign a default fund to ensure gifts from an opportunity are applied consistently.

  • Assign a default fund when you create an opportunity to define how gifts are used

  • Review the selected fund under Details on the opportunity record to confirm expected allocation

  • Update the default fund as fundraising strategy changes

This approach helps you determine the intended use of gifts generated through an opportunity and maintain alignment with fundraising goals.

Tip: Don’t see this option? Contact your system admin for rights to make this type of change.

Work With Funds

To define and manage how gifts are allocated, complete these tasks: