UNRESTRICTED assets may be used at the discretion of the Board of Directors to further the goals of the Association. Unrestricted contributions and donations to the MLA Fund are considered unrestricted assets.

TEMPORARILY RESTRICTED assets may be used only for a designated purpose, such as to fund an award. Donations classed as temporarily restricted may be used immediately for that purpose or invested in a development fund that supports that same purpose.

PERMANENTLY RESTRICTED assets may not be used. The earnings on these assets may be used for specified purposes. Donors of one-time or planned gifts of $50,000 or more may designate their gift as permanently restricted assets and specify the use of earnings, pending approval of the MLA Board of Directors.