What term describes dividing funds by time or purpose?

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Dividing funds by time or purpose is apportionment. This term refers to allocating budget authority into portions that correspond to specific time periods (like quarters) or distinct program purposes, ensuring funds are available when needed and for the intended activities. For example, a yearly appropriation can be apportioned into quarterly installments and spread across different program areas, so cash is available as each period arrives and for the right purposes. This is different from obligating money, which is the act of formally committing to a purchase or contract, or outlay, which is the actual cash disbursement. Allotment is related and often involves distributing funds within an agency after apportionment to specific units or activities, but the specific idea of dividing by time or purpose is what apportionment captures.