Answers.Body: <p>Yes for large orgs we do track this by custom select field on the Contribution entity.</p>
  
  <p>Eg </p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>DM Fall 2017 </li>
  <li>DM Spring 2018 </li>
  <li>PhoneBank etc</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>That way the appropriate Dept can be credited with the new / increase in PAC; etc</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2018-07-26T01:34:12.630Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2018-07-26T12:12:00.567Z
Answers.LastEditDate: 2018-07-26T12:12:00.567Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: KarinG - Semper IT
Answers.Body: <p>You can create your own payment method to differentiate type of payments. If you have a fixed set of options than you can go for custom field against contribution and want to keep payment method consistent.</p>
  
  <p>HTH</p>
  
  <p>Pradeep</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2018-07-25T21:52:06.217Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2018-07-25T21:52:06.217Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: Pradeep Nayak
Body: <p>Payment method is pretty clear, however, we would like to be able to differentiate between donations that come via Online, Mail, in person, etc. It seems like source would make the most sense, but since it is an open field - its not our best option. Do most orgs simply use a custom field, that is our plan, but I wanted to know if there is a better approach before I do.</p>
  
Tags: <civicontribute><contributions>
Title: Donation Method - Suggested use?
ThreadText: # Donation Method - Suggested use?
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2018-07-25)
  
  Payment method is pretty clear, however, we would like to be able to differentiate between donations that come via Online, Mail, in person, etc. It seems like source would make the most sense, but since it is an open field - its not our best option. Do most orgs simply use a custom field, that is our plan, but I wanted to know if there is a better approach before I do.
  
  **Tags:** civicontribute, contributions
  
  
  ---
  
  ## 2 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_1 on 2018-07-26. Score: 1
  
  Yes for large orgs we do track this by custom select field on the Contribution entity.
  
  Eg
  
  * DM Fall 2017
  * DM Spring 2018
  * PhoneBank etc
  
  That way the appropriate Dept can be credited with the new / increase in PAC; etc
  
  
  ---
  
  ### Answer by username_2 on 2018-07-25. Score: 0
  
  You can create your own payment method to differentiate type of payments. If you have a fixed set of options than you can go for custom field against contribution and want to keep payment method consistent.
  
  HTH
  
  Pradeep
  
  
  ---
  
  