Purpose

This process establishes a consistent, transparent, and equitable framework for allocating donations received without a specified project designation. It ensures that allocation decisions are made in alignment with organizational priorities, financial stewardship responsibilities, and principles of equity and accountability.

Scope

This policy applies to all donations received through the Shared Platform where donor intent, project designation, or both cannot be reasonably determined at the time of receipt.

Step 1: Preliminary Determinations

Prior to applying the allocation criteria, the following considerations must be reviewed:

1. Alignment with Known Funder Priorities
   Where the donor is demonstrably aligned with a specific priority area or type of work, allocation may reflect this alignment.
2. Established Giving History
   Where a donor has a consistent history of supporting a particular project or category of work, this history may reasonably inform allocation decisions.
3. Unrestricted Revenue
   Where funds are confirmed to be unrestricted and no reasonable inference of donor intent can be made, allocation to an unrestricted Shared Platform fund (e.g., operations or enhanced project support) may be considered.
4. Projects No Longer Hosted on the Platform
   Where funds appear intended for a project no longer hosted on the Shared Platform, donor guidance must be sought where feasible. In the absence of guidance, the matter must be escalated for leadership review.
5. Partial Allocation
   Where appropriate and operationally feasible, funds may be allocated across multiple projects.

If one or more of the above considerations clearly determine allocation, the rationale must be documented, and no further criteria need be applied.

If no preliminary determination is sufficient, the criteria outlined in Step 2 shall guide allocation.

Step 2: Allocation Criteria

Allocation decisions shall be informed by a balanced assessment of the following criteria:

1. Financial Position

• The project’s current financial health, including budget status and funding gaps.
• The potential impact of financial constraints on sustainability and program delivery.

2. Structural Funding Limitations

• Restrictions affecting funding access (e.g., one application per charitable number, Canada Summer Jobs, Ontario Trillium Foundation limitations).
• Whether allocation may mitigate structural disadvantages.

3. Strategic Alignment

• Alignment with organizational priority areas.
• Contribution to Shared Platform strategic objectives.

4. Access to Alternative Funding

• Availability and diversity of other funding sources.
• Risk associated with funding concentration.
• Potential for the allocation to leverage future funding opportunities.

5. Equity and Community Impact

• Representation within project leadership.
• The extent to which the project equitably serves marginalized or underserved communities.

6. Funder Relationship Considerations

• Potential to strengthen or strategically develop funder relationships.

7. Project Health and Compliance

• Confirmation that the project is in operational good standing on the Shared Platform.

Step 3: Documentation and Approval

All allocation decisions must:

• Include written documentation outlining:
  • Projects considered
  • Criteria applied
  • Rationale for final determination
• Follow approval thresholds
• Be recorded on Salesforce opportunity