We are about to issue a receipt for a Charitable Remainder Trust. The receipt amount will be today's value of the future gift, which we will receive at the death of the donor. Has anyone in Canada or U.S. had experience with this? How do we account for it in Raiser's Edge? On our financial statements? Thanks.

We ordinarily use our financial institutions to calculate the actual amount of the gift, which we send to the donor, along with our acknowledgement letter. As for recording the gift, it will depend on several factors: are you an irrevocable beneficiary or can the donor change their minds? Are you the trustee for the CRT or is another organization/institution acting on the behalf of the donor and you? The AICPA spells out how to address specific situations with deferred gifts (split-interest gifts) in its Audit and Accounting Guide for Not-for-Profit Organizations. I can send you the specific pages related to this issue if you send me your mailing address/fax number. You can reach me directly at [Email Removed]. Michael Bankert VP, Finance & Administration California State Parks Foundation