Donordirected

Donor-directed refers to gifts or allocations that are directed by the donor to a specific recipient, project, organization, or area of interest. The term is used across philanthropy, health care, and research funding, though its exact meaning and rules vary by context and jurisdiction.

In philanthropy, donors may designate gifts to particular charities or programs, or establish donor-advised funds through which they advise grants to eligible organizations. In such arrangements the donor's influence is advisory; the charitable administrator retains fiduciary control and must ensure compliance with law and the charity's mission and policies.

In health care and transplantation, directed donation can mean a donor specifies a recipient for an organ or tissue. While donors may request a specific recipient, allocation policies and medical suitability determine whether the directed request can be fulfilled. Directed organ donation is allowed in some systems, but many programs still prioritize medical need and fair access, and directed requests may be limited by supply and ethical guidelines.

In research and patient care funding, donors may direct funds toward particular studies, departments, or patient populations. In all cases, regulatory, tax, and ethical considerations apply, and the permissible scope of donor-directed gifts depends on local law, institutional policy, and the mission of the recipient organization.

See also donor-advised funds, named gifts, organ allocation, and directed donation guidelines.