Q: Do I need to load all my data during the initial implementation data load?
A: No. At a minimum, all noted required fields must be loaded to create your database, although it is recommended that all existing fund information is included in the initial load. If it is found that additional fields need to be populated during your implementation phase, clients have the ability to load additional data by using either the Data Load Template and/or Manager Data Load Template (for clients who subscribe to the Investment Portfolio Module) at any time. Note that if you need to make additions and/or changes to your data after your initial file is loaded, please make sure to request the most recent uploaded version of your Data Load Template from Fundriver, rather than downloading a new template. After the implementation phase, if data needs to be added, it can be done by manually adding to each fund, or using the Bulk Import function.
Q: Should my corpus/historical gift and gains/income be set up as two separate funds in Balance (permanent and temporarily restricted)?
A: In Balance, they need to be set up as a single fund (one row/GLID on the Data Load Template), even if this is how your funds are set up in your general ledger. To set them up properly, provide the historical gift and total market value in the appropriate columns on your Data Load Template, and then give us the corpus/historical gift restriction in the Net Asset Classification column. Balance will automatically break out permanently restricted, temporality restricted and unrestricted funds on all reporting, based on current historical gift and market value figures. Read more on these restrictions and available classification types here.
Q: What should I put in columns for Distribution Account information on the Funds tab?
A: The distribution columns all relate to spending revenue data and account information, typically used for pulling into an export file (vs. report) for clients to book spending distributions within their Financial System. (Columns D through H on the "old" Data Load Template and Columns Y-AF on "new" Data Load Template)
Q: For the funds that have a spending exception (unique split of money allowed to be spent), what do I put in the columns for Distribution Account information on the Funds tab?
A: Leave these blank. This information should be entered on the Distribution Rules tab (new Data Load Template) or the Spending Exceptions tab (old Data Load Template). Whatever is entered into the Distribution Rules/Spending Exception tab will overwrite whatever is entered in the Distribution Account columns/fields.
Q: What do I put in the Spending Rule column for those funds that have spending exceptions (unique split of money allowed to be spent)?
A: The same "standard" spending rule that you have for all of your other funds in this column. The spending rule tells the system what to calculate for the amount available to spend, while the Distribution Rule/Spending Exception tells the system what to do with that amount available to spend. For example: Endowment B0500 - The Spending Rule calculates the standard spend of $27,000 for the year. Then the Distribution Rule/Spending Exception takes that $27,000 and splits it out: 10% is reinvested back into the principal of the endowment ($2,700) and 90% is distributed ($24,300).