---
title: "Soft Credits"
slug: "soft-credits"
updated: 2026-04-08T15:20:18Z
published: 2026-04-08T15:20:18Z
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://knowledge.technolutions.net/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Soft Credits

Soft credits can be applied from any gift to any record. By default, **all**[**linked relationships**](/v1/docs/relationship-records-linked-and-unlinked)**are automatically suggested as soft credit recipients** when a gift is entered. Gift processors will see these related records as options to assign soft credit during gift processing.

Institutions can configure individual **Relationship Types** to customize how soft credits behave:

- **Defaulted**: The related record will automatically receive soft credit when a gift is entered, though this can be modified on a case-by-case basis.
- **Hidden**: The relationship type will not appear as a suggested soft credit during gift entry.

For example:

- A "Spouse" relationship type might be configured to **default** soft credit, so both partners receive credit regardless of who made the gift.
- A "Spouse - In Name Only" relationship type might be configured as **hidden**, ensuring the related record does not appear as a suggested recipient of soft credit.

Additionally, soft credits can be assigned to **non-related records** using the Soft Credit autosuggest field, allowing for full flexibility when applying gift recognition.

## Hiding and defaulting suggested soft credits

The following two PKVs can be added to the XML Configuration tab on any of the relationship_type prompts to either **hide**relationships from being suggested as a soft credit or **default**a particular relationship to automatically receive a soft credit when making a gift, like a spouse.

Note that only linked relationship records can be suggested or defaulted.

| Gift Type | PKV | Behavior |
| --- | --- | --- |
| **Hide as suggested soft credit** | ```plainText <p> <k>soft</k> <v>0</v> </p> ``` | Using this PKV will hide relationship types from appearing as a suggested soft credit. |
| **Default suggested** | ```plainText <p> <k>soft_default</k> <v>1</v> </p> ``` | Using this PKV will default a suggested soft credit to always receive credit. |

For additional information on defaulting, hiding, and suggesting soft credits in Slate, refer to the following Slate Bytes video:

[YouTube video player](https://www.youtube.com/embed/PaArZGZADO0?si=cAwzbE603XoJNd5z)

## Form/Import soft credit options

- Apply soft credits to all suggested records.
- Apply soft credits to only default records.
- Do not apply soft credits.