Understanding Net Assets in Nonprofits
Understanding Net Assets in Nonprofits
Definition of Contributions
Value of Contributions
Non-cash Contributions
Contributions Versus Agency Transactions
Contributions Versus Exchange Transactions
Sequence of Using Resources
Revenue and Expense Versus Net Gains and Losses
Peripheral or Incidental Transactions
Special Events
Guidance on Contributions
What is a Contribution?
Conditions Versus Restrictions
Contributed Services
Contributions Versus Agency Transactions
Sequence of Recording Restricted Revenues
Value of Contributions
Contributions Versus Exchange Transactions
Endowment Contributions
Revenue and Expense Versus Net Gains and Losses
Definition
Basic Accounting Rule
Expanded Fund Accounting
Control of Assets
Assets and Liabilities
Present Value Discount Rate
Calculation of Present Value
Contribution Revenue
Conditional Agreements
Beneficiaries O ther Than Trustee
Nature of Net Assets - International GAAP offers significant flexibility in the presentation of financial
activity, as long as the activity is presented in ways that are meaningful to the users of the financial statements. Notfor-profit organiz ations use different terminology than for-profit businesses to identify the amount that remains after
subtracting total liabilities from total assets. The concept of stewardship in not-for-profit organiz ations assumes that
this remainder does not belong to owners in the same way as equity in a business. Instead, it represents resources
held for the performance of a mission. Many not-for-profit organiz ations separate their various assets and liabilities
into distinct segments or funds. The remainder or fund balance of a segment will be significant to a particular
purpose, but may serve a narrower purpose than that of the organiz ation as a whole. To highlight the nature of the
remainder as the result of assets minus liabilities, and to apply it whether the reporting entity uses fund accounting or
not, this Manual refers to the accounts that represent this remainder as net assets.
1501.02
Com ponents of Net Assets - Every entity will have an unrestricted unallocated component of net
assets, which represents the amount that is available for management to use at its discretion to carry out the entitys
programs and services. (As discussed in Chapter 17, conferences separate unallocated net assets further, into tithe
and non-tithe funds.) Most entities will also have additional components of net assets to represent resources that have
been either restricted by donor instructions or designated by the governing committee for specific programs or
purposes. Management should have a clear understanding about which of these functions, by their nature and
purpose, can accept restricted gifts from donors or transfers from unallocated tithe or non-tithe funds. All entities that
have plant assets will also have at least one component of net assets related to those resources.
As discussed in Sections 702.02 and 702.05, the balances in each of the organiz ations various net asset
components should be reported in appropriate places in the financial statements. These concepts are illustrated in
Appendices 17A.01, 17A.03, and 17A.05 Note 18.
1501.03
Plant-related Net Assets - The net depreciated value of land, buildings, and equipment minus any
related debt will be represented by a net asset account known as Net Invested in Plant. This will be required whether
the organiz ation uses fund accounting or not. In addition, any unspent balance of depreciation funding and acquisition
funding from transfers of operating resources should be recorded in one or more allocated functions within a group
classified as Unexpended Plant net assets. Any unspent balance of resources from restricted donations for the
purchase or replacement of specified or general plant assets should be recorded in separate allocated functions apart
from unspent portions of cash transferred from operating funds.
Section 1502 - Allocated Net Assets
1502.01
Definition of Allocated F unctions - Previous sections indicated that restricted funds are those
bearing a restriction imposed by a donor. It is not possible for the administration or the governing committee to place
a restriction on resources, but the committee can allocate certain portions of unrestricted funds to be used for
specific purposes. It is important to keep in mind that such actions simply allocate or separate a portion of the
unrestricted net assets for the specified function. Since the governing committee can designate an intended use of
unrestricted funds, it also has the authority to remove such designation whenever it wishes to do so.
1502.02
H ow M uch Can Be Allocated - The amount of unallocated resources that can be allocated should
be carefully considered. GCWP T 15 05 allows excess working capital to be set aside for specific purposes. Also,
GCWP T 25 25 requires use of an allocated function for currency exchange fluctuations. The governing committee
has a responsibility to set aside amounts to meet the organiz ations goals for specific programs and services, but
management also needs the flexibility of having some amount of unallocated resources to use at its discretion.
As a general rule, resources should be allocated for programs or services that meet the following criteria: they
should be attainable and related to the entitys mission, they should be of a long-term nature, and they should result
in relatively significant expenditures. It is not the intent of this process to allocate funds for little reason other than to
remove them from the unallocated classification.
1502.03
Recovery of Excess Allocations - Entries to increase or decrease the net assets of various functions
by transfers are made at least at the close of each year to reflect allocations made by the governing committee. It is
important to remember that transfers from unallocated functions to allocated functions can not exceed the unallocated
amounts that are available. In other words, it is not appropriate to conclude a fiscal year with a negative balance in
unallocated tithe or non-tithe, but with a positive balance in unrestricted allocated functions.
If the financial activity for the year results in a negative balance in the unallocated function, but positive balances
in unrestricted allocated functions, transfers should be made from one or more allocated functions in amounts at least
sufficient to eliminate the deficit in the unallocated function. Similarly, if an allocated function ends the year with a
negative balance, but there is no unallocated balance available to cover the deficit, such funding, if desired, can come
only from some other allocated function.
1502.04
Allocated W ork ing Capital F unction - O rganiz ations may choose to allocate a portion of unrestricted
net assets to a working capital function. The goal would be for this allocated function to be equal to the minimum
amount of working capital recommended by GCWP T 15 05 or a corresponding division working policy. Allocating
resources in this manner indicates to the governing committee that this amount is needed to maintain recommended
working capital and should not be committed to any other use. During the budgeting process, this allocated function
would help identify any need for additional working capital.
1502.05
Appropriations for Allocated Purposes - There are a few programs, such as Global Mission and
Thirteenth Sabbath Special Projects, that involve a flow of resources from congregations to the General Conference
and then back from the General Conference to other denominational entities for use in designated projects. Which
entity (division or union) should record these resources as net assets, rather than as agency funds flowing to or from
other entities? At least for Global Mission and Thirteenth Sabbath, the General Conference retains a degree of control,
through the Divisions, over the portions of its resources that are used for these programs. It is understood that the
Divisions also typically make appropriations from resources at their discretion for the same projects. Because the
General Conference has asked the Divisions to monitor and maintain accountability for Global Mission and Thirteenth
Sabbath resources appropriated from the General Conference, these resources should be recorded as restricted
revenue, and allocated net assets, by the Divisions. Any similar appropriations made from discretionary resources
by the Divisions should be recorded as restricted revenue, and allocated net assets, by either the union or local
conference or mission, depending on which level of organiz ation the Division authoriz es to monitor and maintain
accountability for those programs.
Section 1503 - Guidance on Contributions and Other Revenue
1503.01
Definition of Contributions - International GAAP does not have specific standards or definitions
about charitable contributions. However, the concept is fairly universal, so this Manual uses the following definition.
A contribution is an unconditional and irrevocable transfer of cash or other assets in a voluntary nonreciprocal transfer
from a person or entity to a charitable, religious, or educational organiz ation.
1503.02
V alue of Contributions - International GAAP does not have specific standards about how and when
to recogniz e revenue from charitable contributions. However, it does require that non-cash assets be recorded at their
fair value when acquired. It would be consistent, then, to record all contributions at their fair value (debit an asset and
credit a revenue account). If the contribution consists of cash, fair value is its face value. If the contribution consists
of marketable securities or some other asset that is traded on an open exchange, the published values from that open
exchange should be consulted to determine fair value.
1503.03
Non-cash Contributions - In some parts of the world, the economic or cultural structure makes it
difficult for some individuals to convert their own assets into cash. When these individuals choose to give contributions
to their church, they give from what they have, whether that may be livestock, farm produce, or some other commodity.
Assuming that the organiz ation intends to sell the commodities, and use the cash proceeds for its programs and
services, International GAAP requires the following procedures.
Non-cash assets received in such transactions are to be recorded at their estimated fair value minus the estimated
costs to take possession, store, and sell the commodities. Unless such commodities are sold immediately, the
estimated net realiz able value of the assets is to be recorded as deferred or unearned revenue until the
commodities are sold. (The organiz ation is not likely to realiz e any economic benefit and can not be sure of the
ultimate value until the items are sold. At the same time, however, it places a value for the items in the accounting
records to ensure accountability for them.) The organiz ation should accumulate any storage, maintenance, and selling
costs in prepaid expense accounts until the commodities are sold. At the time of sale, the proceeds and an
appropriate portion of the prepaid expenses are to be netted together, and the net realiz ed amount is to be recorded
as contribution revenue.
The donor may have specified that the proceeds of the contribution were to be used for tithe or offerings that the
recipient would be obligated to send on to higher denominational entities. Because the recipient organiz ation does
not recogniz e income until the commodities are sold, it also would not record any liability to the higher denominational
entities until the commodities are sold. Until sold, the items would not appear in any reports to higher entities, except
in their character as assets held for sale and deferred revenue.
The following sample entries illustrate the accounting for such non-cash contributions.
Debit: Commodities Held For Sale
1,500
Credit: Unearned Income
1,500
To record commodities received as a contribution, to be sold.
Debit: Prepaid Expense to Hold Commodities
450
Credit: Cash in Bank
450
To record expenses of storage and maintenance of commodities held for sale.
Debit: Cash in Bank
2,000
Credit: Prepaid Expense to Hold Commodities
450
Credit: Contribution Revenue - Tithe
1,000
Credit: Contribution Revenue - Local Project
550
Debit: Tithe Percentages (contra-income account)
120
Credit: Tithe Percentages Payable to Division
120
Debit: Unearned Income
1,500
Credit: Commodities Held For Sale
1,500
To record contribution resulting from sale of donated commodities.
1503.04
entity with instructions to pass the money on to some other charity, or to use it in some other manner, as directed by
the individual at a later date. As long as the charity holding the money has little or no discretion in how to use the
money, and the provider has the right to ask for return of the money, it can not be recorded as a contribution. It must
be recorded as an agency liability. (See Appendix 15D.03.)
1503.05
(3) If the donor receives something of value, but it is not in exchange for the assets transferred, the transaction
is a contribution. For example, some charities send bookmarks or pre-printed address labels with their
solicitation mailings. The potential donors can keep these items whether they make contributions or not. Any
donations received are contributions, and the cost of token gifts mailed out is fund-raising expense.
(4) If donors receive something of nominal value in exchange for their gifts, the transaction is still a contribution.
For example, organiz ations frequently give hats or shirts imprinted with their logo to donors who give more
than a certain amount. Generally, if the fair value of the thank-you object is less than about 2% of the
donation, the transaction is a contribution. The full amount received would be a contribution, and the cost of
the thank-you items would be fund-raising expense.
(5) If the resource provider receives something of more than token value, the value given must be compared to
the value received. If the relative values are approximately equal, it is a normal business transaction, with no
contribution. In contrast, there is a contribution element if the resource provider gives something to the
organiz ation and receives something of substantially lower value in return.
For example, a person may sell a building to a charity for much less than market value. The transaction is
part exchange and part contribution. The organiz ation would record a property asset at full market value, a
credit to cash for the price paid, and contribution revenue for the difference. (If fund accounting is used; in
the unexpended plant fund, debit assets purchased and credit cash; in the net invested in plant fund, debit
the asset at market value, credit assets acquired for the cash portion, and credit contribution revenue for the
difference.)
1503.06
Seq uence of Using Resources - The basic concept in using or spending contributions for any
particular purpose is as follows. Any donor-restricted funds available for that purpose are used first. Any committeedesignated funds available for that purpose are used next. Unrestricted unallocated resources are used last.
1503.07
Revenue and Expense V ersus Net Gains and L osses - Most of an organiz ation's activity will be
occasionally enter into unusual transactions that have elements of both revenue and expense. Can these events be
recorded at their net effect, or must the revenue and expense elements be recorded separately? Under certain
conditions, discussed below, revenue and expense may be reported at a net amount.
1503.08
Peripheral or Incidental T ransactions - Activity that results from peripheral or incidental transactions
or from events beyond the control of the organiz ation may be reported at their net effect on the financial statements.
Examples include occasional sale of buildings or equipment, gains or losses from settlement of lawsuits, gain or loss
after insurance for damage from casualties, and changes in market value of investments. Net gains or losses are
reported as increases or decreases to unallocated net assets unless they represent assets that were donor-restricted
for specific use. In that case, the net gain or loss would be recorded in the applicable allocated function.
1503.09
Special Events - Events such as banquets and telephone fund-raising need to be analyz ed to
determine if they are peripheral or incidental, or if they are a major and ongoing activity. A once-a-year telethon,
although infrequent, may still be major and ongoing if it typically raises a significant portion of the organiz ation's annual
budget. In contrast, a food fair held three or four times a year may still be incidental if it typically draws a small
participation or insignificant amounts of donations.
If the event is a peripheral or incidental activity, the organiz ation has a choice of reporting either (a) the net gain
or loss or (b) the gross receipts and total costs. If the event is a major and ongoing activity, the organiz ation should
report the gross amounts of revenue and expense, but has two alternative methods of presentation. O ne alternative
is to report line items for revenue and expense, with possibly a subtotal for net support provided by the event. The
other alternative is to consider the event as part exchange (fair value the participants received) and part contribution
(excess of payments received over fair value given), and report the two parts separately. The following illustrates
these two alternatives:
Alumni Golf Tournament
Green Fees Collected
Golf Course Use Fee
Net Tournament Revenue
Contributions Received
Alternative # 1
$ 1,200
(500)
700
Alternative # 2
$ 600
(500)
100
600
would typically need to be purchased if not provided by donation. Services requiring specializ ed skills are
provided by accountants, architects, carpenters, doctors, electricians, lawyers, nurses, plumbers, teachers,
and other professionals and craftsmen. Contributed services and promises to give services that do not meet
the above criteria shall not be recogniz ed.
15B.05 Contributions V ersus Agency T ransactions
FAS 116.52 - A transfer of assets also may appear to be a contribution when a donor uses an intermediary
organiz ation as its agent or trustee to transfer assets to a third-party donee, particularly if the agent indirectly
achieves its mission by disbursing the assets. Although the transaction between the donor and the donee may
be a contribution, the transfer of assets from the donor is not a contribution received by the agent, and the
transfer of assets to the donee is not a contribution made by the agent.
FAS 116.53 - The recipient of assets who is an agent or trustee has little or no discretion in determining how
the assets transferred will be used. For example, if a recipient receives cash that it must disburse to any who
meet guidelines specified by a resource provider or return the cash, those receipts may be deposits held by
the recipient as an agent rather than contributions received as a donee. Similarly, if a recipient receives cash
that it must disburse to individuals identified by the resource provider or return the cash, neither the receipt
nor the disbursement is a contribution for the agent, trustee, or intermediary.
FAS 116.54 - In contrast, if the resource provider allows the recipient to establish, define, and carry out the
programs that disburse the cash, products, or services to the recipient's beneficiaries, the recipient generally
is involved in receiving and making contributions.
15B.06 Seq uence of Recording Restricted Revenue - All restricted revenue is to be recorded in temporarily
or permanently restricted revenue accounts associated with particular functions as it is received during the year. At
the end of each month and the year, amounts equal to what has been spent for each temporarily restricted function
will be reclassified or transferred to the unrestricted net assets section. This reclassification is identified on the
statement of changes in net assets as Amounts Released from Restrictions. This line item will appear as an
increase in the statement of changes in unrestricted net assets and as a decrease in the statement of changes in
temporarily restricted net assets.
(See Sections 1802.04, 1803.02, and 1803.03 for distinct principles for
organiz ations, such as those in Canada, that must record unspent restricted resources as deferred income.)
Restricted revenue transactions are illustrated in the sample financial statements in the Appendices for each type of
organiz ation.
15B.07 V alue of Contributions - All contributions should be recorded at their fair market values. This is easy
to accomplish for cash or cash equivalents, but takes more effort for non-cash contributions. Each organiz ation should
have a policy in place to determine when independent appraisals of value will be obtained for contributions of more
than a specified value. In the USA, treasurers should also be aware there are specific IRS reporting requirements
(Form 8283) for non-cash contributions over $ 500 and those over $ 5,000.
15B.08 Contributions V ersus Exchange T ransactions - If a donor receives something from the organiz ation,
the transaction must be analyz ed to determine if any part of it is an exchange rather than a contribution. Following
are some examples gleaned from professional literature.
(1) If the resource provider receives nothing of value, the transaction is a contribution.
(2) If value is received by the donor indirectly or incidentally, such as reduced crime from a drug-awareness
campaign, the transaction is a contribution.
(3) If the donor receives something of value, but it is not in exchange for the assets transferred, the transaction
is a contribution. For example, some charities send bookmarks or pre-printed address labels with their
solicitation mailings. The potential donors can keep these items whether they make contributions or not. Any
donations received are contributions, and the cost of token gifts mailed out is fund-raising expense.
(4) If donors receive something of nominal value in appreciation for their gifts, the transaction is still a contribution.
For example, organiz ations frequently give hats or shirts imprinted with their logo to donors who give more
than a certain amount. Following IRS guidelines, if the fair value of the thank-you object is less than the
smaller of either $ 50 or 2% of the donation, it is a contribution. In that case, the total received would be a
contribution, and the cost of thank-you items would be fund-raising expense.
(5) If the resource provider receives something of more than token value, the value given must be compared to
the value received. If the relative values are commensurate, it is a normal business transaction, with no
contribution. In contrast, there is a contribution element if the resource provider gives something to the
organiz ation and receives something in return of substantially lower value.
For example, a person may sell a building to a charity for much less than market value. The transaction
is part exchange and part contribution. The organiz ation would record a property asset at full market
value, a credit to cash for the price paid, and contribution revenue for the difference. (If fund accounting
is used; in the unexpended plant fund, debit assets purchased and credit cash; in the net invested in plant
fund, debit the asset at market value, credit assets acquired for the cash portion, and credit contribution
revenue for the difference.)
As another example, a donor may give property to the organiz ation but reserve the right to live in it for the
remainder of his/her life. The organiz ation would record an asset at full market value, with a credit for the
same amount as temporarily restricted contribution revenue.
15B.09 Endow m ent Contributions - By their nature, endowment donations can be either perpetual or for a
specified term. If the endowment instrument specifies permanent existence, it would be recorded as an increase in
permanently restricted net assets. If the endowment instrument specifies a term to its existence, it would be recorded
as an increase in temporarily restricted net assets. At the end of its term, it would then be transferred as assets
released from restriction, and moved to unrestricted net assets.
In addition, endowments can specify that revenue earned on the principal is to be either restricted or unrestricted.
Any investment earnings that are restricted for use would be recorded as restricted support, and would be reclassified
as assets released from restriction only as they are used for the specified purposes. Any unrestricted investment
earnings would be recorded in an unrestricted investment revenue account.
15B.10 Revenue and Expense V ersus Net Gains and L osses - Most of an organiz ation's activity will be normal
revenue or expense related to its tax-exempt purpose. Many organiz ations, however, will have occasional unusual
transactions that have elements of both revenue and expense. Can these events be recorded at their net effect on
the organiz ation, or do their revenue and expense elements need to be recorded separately? Under certain conditions,
as discussed in Sections 1503.08 and 1503.09, revenue and expense may be reported at a net amount.
A donor transfers specified assets to a not-for-profit organiz ation, or third party which acts as trustee.
The trustee invests the assets and manages them in accordance with the agreement.
The agreement may be revocable by the donor, or it may be irrevocable.
The trustee may or may not be a beneficiary, but is not the sole beneficiary.
The agreement is for a time period that is either a specified number of years, or until the demise of a specified
individual.
During the term of the agreement, distributions of income (and principal, if allowed) are made to the income
beneficiaries designated by the agreement.
At the end of the agreements term, the remaining assets are distributed to the stated remainder beneficiaries
according to the agreement.
The charitable gift portion may consist of either: the income earned on the transferred assets (defined as a
charitable lead interest), or the remaining assets (defined as a charitable remainder interest).
15C.02 Basic Accounting Rule - Under FAS 117, with its focus on the organiz ation as a whole, the organiz ation
should include in its financial statements the assets, liabilities, and net assets of all funds under its control and should
recogniz e contribution revenue for all unconditional interests it has in irrevocable agreements. Therefore, the basic
accounting rule for split-interest agreements is that the trustee of a split-interest agreement should record the assets
and liabilities under their control, and the unconditional beneficiary of a split-interest agreement should recogniz e any
contribution revenue associated with that agreement in their general-use financial statements. This basic rule is to
be used regardless of the extent to which fund accounting is used.
15C.03 Expanded F und Accounting - Appendix 17D illustrates an expanded fund accounting presentation for
organiz ations that administer a large number of split-interest agreements. It reflects the following principles:
Deferred gifts are recorded uniformly regardless of the extent to which fund accounting is used.
All releases of temporarily restricted net assets are reported in the O perating Fund.
Split-interest agreements that have not yet matured are held in an Annuity and/or Trust Accounting Fund.
When agreements mature, their resources are moved to the O perating Fund.
Deferred gifts that are unrestricted or were only time restricted, regardless of who the trustee is, should be
reported as unrestricted operating revenue, in the Fund in which the underlying assets were held or received. The
governing committee can transfer the portion of those resources that are in the O ther Funds to the O perating Fund
at any time thereafter.
Deferred gifts for which the reporting entity is not the trustee and which are purpose restricted should be reported
as temporarily restricted revenue in the O perating Fund or as permanently restricted revenue in the Endowment
Fund, following donor instructions.
Deferred gifts for which the reporting entity is the trustee, which are purpose restricted, and which are held in an
annuity or trust accounting fund should be reported as revenue (gift portion) in the Fund in which they are held
when they are established. When they mature, they should be reported as transfers of temporarily restricted net
assets from that Fund to the O perating Fund. Then, in the reporting period when the purpose restrictions are met,
the amount used should be reported as released from restrictions, like all other temporarily restricted net assets
in the O perating Fund.
15C.04 Control of Assets - If the trustee does not have control of the irrevocable or revocable trust assets, the
trustee is not required to include any related asset or related liability in its financial statements. Most of the revocable
trusts for which denominational organiz ations are trustee specify that the trustor retains the right to control the
investment of the trusts assets.
15C.05 Assets and L iabilities - Assets received under split-interest agreements should be recorded by the
trustee at their fair value as of the date the gift is received. If the gift is a remainder interest, a liability should be
recorded for the net present value of the future payments due to the income beneficiaries under the agreement. The
value of the remainder interest is obtained by subtracting the present value of future payments to the income
beneficiary from the fair value of the assets. A liability should also be recorded for any amounts that will be paid to
remainder beneficiaries other than the trustee. A contribution should be recorded for the value of the assets received,
less the value of the related liabilities. If the gift is a lead interest, the net present value of the future income payments
to the charitable trustee should be recorded as a contribution. Then the liabilities to other income beneficiaries and
remainder beneficiaries should be recorded as the difference between the total assets and the contribution amount.
15C.06 Present V alue Discount Rate - When a trustee calculates the present value of the payments to the
beneficiaries, it should use a risk-free discount rate that is appropriate for the expected term of the agreement. At
the end of each year, the present value should be recalculated based on any changes in the expected future payments
to beneficiaries, which change according to life expectancies and other actuarial assumptions. Note, however, that
although the life expectancies and actuarial assumptions may change, the discount rate used for each agreement
should not be changed from the rate established when the agreement was first recorded.
15C.07 Calculation of Present V alue - The present value of a specific future dollar amount is equal to the
amount of funds that would have to be invested presently, at a stated rate, to yield that dollar amount at a particular
date in the future. Although, the easiest way to calculate present value is to use software designed for that purpose,
the formula to calculate it is as follows: PV = FV /( 1+ r ) n.
PV is the present value.
FV is the future value.
r is the discount (interest) rate per period.
n is the number of periods.
15C.08 Contribution Revenue - The trustee should record contribution revenue for the difference between the
fair value of the assets received and the total of all liabilities related to the agreement. This contribution should be
classified as temporarily restricted revenue, unless the donor has permanently restricted the purpose for which it can
be used (such as an endowment), or unless the donor has given the trustee the immediate right to use the assets
without restrictions (such as a charitable gift annuity). If the purpose for which the gift can be used is unrestricted, it
is recorded as restricted revenue if the organiz ation is not free to use the resources until some future event specified
by the donor.
15C.09 Conditional Agreem ents - For revocable and irrevocable agreements that are conditional (see Section
15B.03), no amount is to be recogniz ed as revenue initially. An amount equal to the total assets of the agreement
should be recorded as a liability, in the form of a refundable advance. O nly when the condition has been substantially
met should the relevant amount be recorded as revenue.
15C.10 Beneficiaries Other T han T rustee - A charitable beneficiary that is not the trustee of an irrevocable
agreement should record in its general-use financial statements an account receivable asset and a temporarily
restricted contribution for its beneficial interest in the agreement. The transaction should be valued and recorded at
the date when the organiz ation is notified by the trustee that the agreement names the organiz ation as a beneficiary.
It should be considered a fiduciary responsibility of the trustee to notify the respective charitable beneficiaries when
split-interest agreements are established.
this form, but any entity that uses it should have their own legal counsel review it. The final document should contain
whatever terms the donor and the charity agree to.
Losses on sales of investments, and losses in value of investments, are to be accounted for as follows
(select one):
[ ] Reduce the amount of earnings and gains otherwise available for distribution
[ ] Reduce the amount held in principal
If the original purpose is no longer appropriate for some reason beyond the control of the institution, the
earnings may be used for the following purpose:
Title
Date
The purpose and terms of this endowment agreement are acceptable to the donor(s):
Signature
Date
Signature
Date
No
No
Yes
Did the resource provider transfer the
assets unconditionally?
Yes
Does the organization have discretion
to use the assets received for any
purpose it wants to?
No
Yes
Did the entity give the resource
provider anything of value in return?
No
This is a contribution.
Yes
Did the organization give the resource
provider something of more than
nominal value?
No
Yes
Did the entity give the resource
provider something of at least equal
value to the assets received?
No
Yes
This is not a contribution. It is an
exchange transaction.
Assumptions: The transaction is not a tax incentive, tax exemption, or tax abatement.
The resource provider is not acting as an owner of the recipient organization.
No
No
No
Yes
Does the transfer increase the
organization's net assets?
Yes
Is the transfer of assets voluntary and
non-reciprocal?
Yes
Yes
No
No
Yes
C an the restriction ever be removed
by the passage of time or by actions of
the organization?
No
Yes
R ecognize the transfer of assets as an
increase in temporarily restricted net
assets in the current period.
Assumptions: This is a transfer of assets from an entity acting other than as an owner. The entity
reports contributions whose restrictions are met in the same period as temporarily restricted
revenues, and then as reclassifications to the changes in unrestricted net assets.
No
Yes
Yes
No
U nsure
No
Yes
Assume the communication is a
promise to give.
Yes
Does the communication indicate the
promise is unconditional?
U nsure
Yes
No
Yes
R ecord the promise as either
unrestricted, temporarily restricted, or
permanently restricted revenue, using
the classification flowchart found at
Appendix 1 5 E .0 2 .
No
Yes
No
Does the service provided require
specialized sk ills?
No
Yes
No
Yes
W ould the organization obtain and pay
for this service if it were not provided
by the donor?
Yes
R ecord revenue at the fair value of the
services received. R ecord expense
for the same amount in a
corresponding function.
No