Donor Dollars not previously integrated with implementation of RE, but in our "paper files" from years ago

At my org, we'd add everything for them, including gifts. Why would doing that wreak havoc for your Finance team? Of course you'd be back dating them to what the actual gift date is. You could, for instance, mark them as “Do Not Post” if your RE is integrated with you Finance software.

I wholeheartedly agree with Rachel and Heather that the gift data should be added. There are was to handle the gift portion that shouldn't cause problems with your finance team. If you don't add the gift detail, what would you gain from having them in the system? Maybe we need more information to understand that, but I would lean heavily toward adding the gifts.

Karen

No question that these gifts should be added to your current database. As long as the dates reflect the historical record, your finance team will be none the wiser.

• Be as accurate as possible. Use the correct dates for the gift date, receipt date, etc. Use the actual gift type (Cash, Stock/Property, etc.)
• I suggest that you add a gift note that explains these were found in paper files. For historical purposes only.
• Use Do Not Post as the GL Post Status (even if you're not integrated)

This is such a problem at my current organization--which has been fundraising for over 100 years and for whatever reason when they converted to RE back in 2001 decided not to enter gifts prior to 1986-- that I created a gift code of ‘Historical’

Generally gift subtype should be used when it will impact the ledger in some way, such as fees, or other variances in accounting. This is why I use Gift code instead of gift subtype.