Contribution timing

[dpetherbridge]

We occassionally have members give their pledge early (or late). For example they pledge $1000 for 2012, but give the check before 2011 ends. As I understand it, we need to recognize the contribution in 2011 (regardless of when we deposit the money). So if we enter the contribution say on 12/29/2011 their 2012 statement will show they still have $1000 outstanding, correct? Their 2011 statement will reflect the $1000. Is there a way to show they have met their 2012 pledge even though it was given early?

[NeilZ]

We occassionally have members give their pledge early (or late). For example they pledge $1000 for 2012, but give the check before 2011 ends. As I understand it, we need to recognize the contribution in 2011 (regardless of when we deposit the money). So if we enter the contribution say on 12/29/2011 their 2012 statement will show they still have $1000 outstanding, correct? Their 2011 statement will reflect the $1000. Is there a way to show they have met their 2012 pledge even though it was given early?

This thread should assist you:

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=7137

[dpetherbridge]

Thanks Neil. I'm still not sure which transactions you suggest. You stated:

"If you have the pledges entered into the system, and the person who drops the contribution has notified the church (either on the check, or contribution envelope) that they want it associated with next year's pledge, you can then look up the 2012 pledge on the Contributions Entry form (using the Pledge lookup function) and select it for association with the contribution.

The system will show that the pledge has been fulfilled for 2012, but the end of year statement in 2011 will show the check."

The part I don't fully understand is the Contributions entry form you refer to and corresponding Pledge lookup function. I don't think you mean Maintain Contributions. I'm confused...

[NeilZ]

Thanks Neil. I'm still not sure which transactions you suggest.

The part I don't fully understand is the Contributions entry form you refer to and corresponding Pledge lookup function. I don't think you mean Maintain Contributions. I'm confused...

I'm assuming you're using version 10 or higher. I forget if v9 has this capability.
I also assume that you use the standard Contributions Entry screen.

On the Contributions Entry screen ... you have a place where you can View Pledges, it looks like a magnifying glass. If you click on that, you'll get a list of all the pledges that envelope has. You can click on one of those pledges, and the amount given will be listed against the pledge.

So if envelope #86 gives $200 on Dec 24th, and wants it to go against their 2013 pledge, you would enter the data on the Contributions Entry screen, click on the View Pledges button, select their 2013 pledge, then click OK and the pledge will reflect that $200 was given, but the statement will show that the money was given in 2012.

So if the pledge for 2013 was $200, that pledge would then show as fulfilled.

Hope this helps.

[dpetherbridge]

Super, thanks Neil!