Does anyone use ALL of the fields on the general tab of proposal?  I am trying to figure out what to use them for.  Specifically, I'm not sure how to use instrument and type of gift.  Any suggestions?

I think we use all of the fields.

Instrument = how will the ask be made (major gift sol, grant application or event sponsorship packet)

Type of gift = new, renewal, lapsed reacquisition, or competitive renewal

Rating = probability rating (how likely will we get the gift) A. 100%, B 75%, C. 50%, D. 25%

Here's another perspective:

When we use Proposals in conjunction with Major Gifts officers presenting individualized ask proposals to major donors, we use Instrument.  We have it defined as different type of Planned Gift Instruments,  i.e., Charitable Trust Annuity, Lead Trust, Life Estate, Insurance policy, Bequest, etc.

Type of gift, we've used to denote how the donor is funding it: as cash, stock, real estate, other property, multi-year pledge - - and then link it to the gift(s) that correspond to the proposal. 

 Typically, we do not fill in these fields until the donor has accepted the proposal and has provided details to the Major Gift officer of how they will fund their gift.  For proposals to foundations, the Instrument field would not apply.