Contributions Received by NFPs May Be Restricted

question 10

Essay

Contributions received by NFPs may be restricted. Funds can be received in the form of endowment contributions and contributions that are externally restricted by the donor or internally restricted by the board.
Required:
Explain the differences between endowment contributions and contributions that are externally restricted by the donor or internally restricted by the board. Discuss the accounting treatment for each type of restricted contribution if the NFP uses the deferral method of reporting.

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Definitions:

Fiscal Year

A one-year period that companies and governments use for financial reporting and budgeting, which does not necessarily align with the calendar year.

Semiannual Interest

Interest that is calculated and paid twice a year, often used in the context of bonds or loans.

Fiscal Year

A 12-month period used for calculating annual financial statements in businesses and other organizations, which may or may not align with the calendar year.

Bond Indenture

A legal and binding agreement between a bond issuer and the bondholders specifying the terms of the bond, such as the interest rate, maturity date, and obligations of both parties.