In a shared Jain temple, it is common to have a single fund for temple maintenance and activities, but you may choose how your donation is handled. Here are pragmatic points to consider:

• Personal preference: If you want your donation to support a specific sect, goddess, or project, ask the temple trust or management if they can allocate it to that purpose or maintain a separate account for it.
• Transparency and trust: If the temple already pools funds, request a clear accounting of how donations are used (maintenance, rituals, education, charitable activities). This helps avoid misunderstandings and preserves trust.
• Harmony and etiquette: Jainism emphasizes non-attachment and non-dispute. Communicating respectfully, especially in a joint temple, helps maintain harmony among different sections (e.g., Digambar vs. Shwetambar) and other donors.
• Practical practicality: In many temples, funds are managed by a trust or committee. If you wish to keep your donation separate, you may fund a specific project or scholarship instead of general collective funds, if such options exist.
• Documentation: If you decide on a separate allocation, get written confirmation or a receipt specifying the intended use and duration (e.g., annual maintenance, a particular ceremony, a scholarship).

Bottom line: There is no universal rule mandating separate donations in a joint temple. Decide based on your comfort, the temple’s existing fund policies, and how clearly you can ensure your contribution is used as you intend, while maintaining harmony with the community.

If you’d like, tell me the temple’s name or the local trust policy, and I can help you think through how to phrase your request or check for common practices in that context.