Multiple Funds in a Single Check/Contribution

[PhilParker]

With over 500 contribution topics on this board, this may already have been answered. But I was unable to find it with a search.

Though most single contributions at our church are for one contribution fund, it is not uncommon for a person to desire several designations for their offering. For example, they may give $300 in a single check or cash. On their envelope, they then designate this as $200 for Tithes and Offerings, and $100 for Missions. As a new PC+ user, I cannot find a way to accomplish this with a single contribution. If it is possible, how is it accomplished? If it is not possible, what is the work-around?

[tborgal]

It is very possible and it is not difficult. When you enter the contribution, after selecting the contributor, enter the first contribution fund and the amount of the contribution for that fund and save the entry. Leaving the selected contributor alone tab down to the Contribution Fund entry box and enter the next fund number and then the amount of that contribution. You will notice that the amount and fund number will be added in the box at the right of the entry window and the total contribution for current contributor will be displayed at the bottom of the window. If you are entering check numbers and the contributor uses more than one check for the contribution you can change the check number as well.
What I do is use the enter key on the numeric keypad. This effectively tabs through the entry screen and saves the entry when the save button is highlighted and returns you to the envelope number window. Again by using the enter key you will tab to the next available entry window so you can easily continue entering the contribution.

[PhilParker]

Thank you. Just a different approach to handling designations than in other programs I have used.

[NeilZ]

Thank you. Just a different approach to handling designations than in other programs I have used.

Much easier I would think.

[PhilParker]

Actually, I prefer the approach I normally see. After entering the name, date, check number (or cash), and total amount, there is usually a grid below them where you can enter what PC+ calls the fund number. After that is a dollar amount equal to the total contribution amount you entered above. If there is only the one designation, you just accept it and save the contribution. But if there are multiple designations, you enter the amount for the first fund on that line. Since the amount you enter for that fund is less than the total amount of the contribution, the program then offers you the difference between them on the second line. You enter the next fund number, and if that's all there is, you accept this pre-calculated amount. If not, you continue entering amounts and funds until all are entered. But what's nice is that you see all aspects of the contribution on one screen, while you enter it.

[NeilZ]

Actually, I prefer the approach I normally see. After entering the name, date, check number (or cash), and total amount, there is usually a grid below them where you can enter what PC+ calls the fund number. After that is a dollar amount equal to the total contribution amount you entered above. If there is only the one designation, you just accept it and save the contribution. But if there are multiple designations, you enter the amount for the first fund on that line. Since the amount you enter for that fund is less than the total amount of the contribution, the program then offers you the difference between them on the second line. You enter the next fund number, and if that's all there is, you accept this pre-calculated amount. If not, you continue entering amounts and funds until all are entered. But what's nice is that you see all aspects of the contribution on one screen, while you enter it.

This type of entry can be done using the Check Reader entry screen. If you're not using a check reader, you can check the Manual box to enter this by hand.

entrycheck.jpg

What the normal Contributions Entry screen allows you to do is just hit the Enter key to move through the entry boxes to enter data. What we do is have two people do the entry, one to do the actual data entry, and one to read the data from the envelope and/or check.

The Contributions Entry screen also gives you 'all aspects' of the contribution, while you enter:

entry.jpg

[PhilParker]

Ah! That's what I'm looking for. Thank you. This seems much more intuitive to me.