Promises to Give, also known as Pledges, are a common source of funding for nonprofit organizations. A Promise to Give is a commitment made by a donor to give a certain amount of money to a nonprofit organization at a future date, usually within a set time frame.
In nonprofit accounting, Promises to Give are recorded as a liability on the Statement of Financial Position until the donor fulfills their commitment. Once the promise is fulfilled, it is recorded as revenue on the Statement of Activity.
There are two types of Promises to Give: unconditional and conditional. Unconditional Promises to Give are not contingent upon anything, and are recorded as revenue immediately upon receipt of the promise. Conditional Promises to Give are contingent upon certain conditions being met, such as the completion of a specific project or the achievement of a certain milestone. These promises are not recorded as revenue until the conditions are met.
Promises to Give can be structured in different ways, such as a one-time gift or a multi-year pledge. In the case of a multi-year pledge, the donor typically sets up a payment schedule to fulfill the commitment over a set period of time.
It is important for nonprofits to track and manage Promises to Give carefully, as they can have a significant impact on the organization’s financial statements. Nonprofits should have clear policies and procedures in place for recording, tracking, and collecting Pledges, as well as for following up with donors who have made commitments.
Overall, Promises to Give are an important source of funding for nonprofits and are critical to achieving their mission and goals. By properly accounting for and managing Pledges, nonprofits can ensure that they are able to fulfill their commitments and continue to make a positive impact in their communities.