An amount set aside for a specific project may be treated as a qualifying distribution in the year set aside (but not in the year actually paid) if at the time of the set-aside the foundation establishes to the satisfaction of the Service that: The amount will actually be paid for the specific project within 60 months from the date of the first set-aside, and The set-aside satisfies the suitability test, that is, that the project is one that can be better accomplished by a set-aside than by immediate payment, or the foundation satisfies the cash distribution test. Additional information Failure to distribute minimum amounts Contingent set-aside Evidence of set-aside Form 8940 for Miscellaneous Determination Requests Technical Guide 59 Taxes on Foundation Failure to Distribute Income IRC 4942 PDF Return to Life Cycle of a Private Foundation