---
schema_version: "1"
id: 9a39fbe31a06e99da86c3dfb945e239dd7d4a96c88f4c85c0011106cc9d77272
title: Set Up General Accounting Units for Allocations
collection: admin
version: current
locale: en-us
portal_url: https://docs.salesforce.com/admin/current/en-us/sfdo/264-0-0/gem_set_up_general_acct_units_allocs.md
canonical_url: https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sfdo.gem_set_up_general_acct_units_allocs.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5
source_site: help.salesforce.com
content_type: documentation
content_hash: 0a3190cf35382f7bc0f008e13c66d95c2b07be5447ad040aafcd663417d1d7f3
description: Configure General Accounting Units to designate portions of gifts to multiple funds.
products:
  - Nonprofit
release: "264"
---
# Set Up General Accounting Units for Allocations

Configure General Accounting Units to designate portions of gifts to multiple funds.

_Allocations_ (sometimes referred to as designations) are used to designate portions of a donor's gift to multiple funds through General Accounting Units (GAUs). During setup, create GAUs for funds that are eligible to receive donations.

It's also very important that you edit your org's Default General Accounting Unit. GEM automatically assigns the Default General Accounting Unit to any Opportunity (and its Payments) that doesn't have Allocations.

- **[Create Your Own GAUs](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sfdo.gem_set_up_general_acct_units_allocs.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5)**  
    Create a custom General Accounting Unit.
- **[Update Default GAU](https://help.salesforce.com/s/articleView?id=sfdo.gem_set_up_general_acct_units_allocs.htm&release=264.0.0&type=5)**  
    Set the default General Accounting Unit for your org.

## Create Your Own GAUs

Create a custom General Accounting Unit.

To create a new GAU:

1. From the App Launcher ![App Launcher icon](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-sfdo-gift_entry_manager-264-0-0-production-enus/06e55002-f089-4a3e-bc0c-67a1c776fdd3/resources-product/images/app_launcher_grey.png), find and select **General Accounting Units**.
2. Click **New**.
3. Give your GAU a name.
4. Make sure **Active** is selected.
    
    Don't worry about entering anything in the Allocation Information or Allocation Totals fields; NPSP fills these in automatically.
5. Optionally, enter a Description.
6. Click **Save**.

## Update Default GAU

Set the default General Accounting Unit for your org.

Set the default GAU to match the GAU your org prefers to use.

1. Go to the NPSP Settings tab.
    
    ![Note](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-sfdo-gift_entry_manager-264-0-0-production-enus/06e55002-f089-4a3e-bc0c-67a1c776fdd3/images/icon_note.png)
    
    Note If you don't see the **NPSP Settings** tab in your org, you can find it in the App Launcher.
2. Click **Donations**, then click **GAU Allocations**.
3. Click **Edit**.
4. Under **Default General Accounting Unit**, select the name of the GAU that you want to receive all unallocated Payments.
5. Click **Save**.

Or, you can simply rename the Default GAU record to something more descriptive for your institution.

![Important](https://sf-zdocs-cdn-prod.zoominsoftware.com/tdta-sfdo-gift_entry_manager-264-0-0-production-enus/06e55002-f089-4a3e-bc0c-67a1c776fdd3/images/icon_important.png)

Important If the GAU Allocation record set in Default General Accounting Unit is deleted, the Payment Allocations Enabled setting (also in NPSP Settings) is automatically disabled. Re-enable it by specifying the **Default General Accounting Unit**, then enabling **Payment Allocations Enabled**.