Glossary
Fund Accounting

Interfund Transfer

By: Alec Hollingsworth
Updated:  
June 2, 2025

DEFINITION:

An interfund transfer is an internal movement of resources between different funds within a nonprofit, not recorded as income or expense.
An interfund transfer is the movement of money between different funds within a nonprofit organization. These transfers are not considered revenue or expenses but are internal reallocations of resources to ensure each fund has sufficient cash or assets to fulfill its designated purpose. Interfund transfers are commonly used to balance restricted and unrestricted funds, cover temporary cash shortfalls, or allocate shared costs between programs. Proper documentation and accounting of interfund transfers are essential to maintain transparency and compliance with fund accounting standards. They must be clearly recorded to ensure that donor restrictions and organizational policies are honored, and to provide accurate financial reporting.

Key Takeaways

  • Transfers move resources between internal funds, not between organizations.
  • They do not impact total organizational revenue or expenses.
  • Proper documentation is needed for transparency and compliance.
  • Helps manage cash flow among funds with different restrictions.

Why It Matters

They ensure funds are available for specific needs while maintaining compliance with restrictions.

Real World Example

A community nonprofit operates both a general fund and a scholarship fund. At midyear, the scholarship fund has more donations than are immediately needed, while the general fund faces a temporary cash shortfall for operating expenses. The nonprofit’s board approves an interfund transfer from the scholarship fund to the general fund, with the understanding that the money will be repaid within the fiscal year. The transfer is documented and recorded according to fund accounting principles, ensuring donor restrictions are respected and all internal movements are transparent and auditable.

How Aplos Helps

In Aplos, recording interfund transfers is streamlined within the fund accounting module. Users can easily move funds between designated accounts, track the purpose of each transfer, and generate accurate reports that reflect internal reallocations. This helps maintain transparency and accountability across all funds managed in the Aplos platform.
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Frequently Asked Questions

What is an interfund transfer?

An interfund transfer is an internal movement of money between different funds within the same nonprofit organization, not counted as income or expense.

How is an interfund transfer different from an expense?

Unlike expenses, interfund transfers do not represent money leaving the organization, but rather a reallocation of internal resources between funds.

Why do nonprofits use interfund transfers?

Nonprofits use interfund transfers to manage cash flow, cover shortfalls, or allocate shared costs while maintaining compliance with donor restrictions.

How does Aplos help with interfund transfers?

Aplos allows users to easily record and track interfund transfers, ensuring accurate reporting and compliance with fund restrictions.

Are interfund transfers audited?

Yes, auditors review interfund transfers to ensure they are properly documented, justified, and in compliance with applicable policies and restrictions.