> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://documentarians.gitbook.io/metadocumentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://documentarians.gitbook.io/metadocumentation/master/collectives/zero-collective-balance.md).

# Zero Collective Balance

Before [changing hosts](/metadocumentation/master/collectives/add-or-change-fiscal-host.md#changing-fiscal-host) or [closing a Collective](/metadocumentation/master/collectives/closing-a-collective.md), the balance must be at zero.

You can move money out of your Collective in several ways:

* [submit expenses](/metadocumentation/master/expenses-and-getting-paid/submitting-expenses.md) to withdraw funds
* [donating to another Collective](/metadocumentation/master/financial-contributors/collective-to-collective-donations.md) in the same fiscal host
* giving the remaining balance to your host by clicking the 'Empty Balance' button

## Leftover Balance

Due to the design of the Open Collective system, sometimes if you try to withdraw 100% of your balance, a small amount will be unintentionally left behind. This is usually caused by fees being hard to predict exactly.

If this happens, go to 'edit Collective > 'advanced' and use the 'Empty Balance' button to transfer the remaining funds to your fiscal host.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter:

```
GET https://documentarians.gitbook.io/metadocumentation/master/collectives/zero-collective-balance.md?ask=<question>&goal=<endgoal>
```

`ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
`goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal.

The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.