Learn · Chapter 3
Set up designations, campaigns and appeals so every gift can be attributed at entry.
Three record types decide what you can say about a gift afterwards. They are easy to confuse, so it is worth being precise:
| The question it answers | Example | How long it lasts | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Campaign | What drive is this part of? | 2026 Annual Fund | Start, end and a goal |
| Appeal | What asked for this gift? | Spring mailer; gala invitation | Usually one push |
| Designation | Where does the money go? | Scholarship Fund | Ongoing |
One gift can carry all three. Many appeals roll up into one campaign. A designation outlives both: funds carry on year to year.
Create these before you record gifts. A gift entered without them cannot be cleanly re-attributed later.