Can a non profit force you to make a donation?
Full Question:
Answer:
A pledge agreement could be viewed as an enforceable contract. A pledge may be a legal contract, regardless of the non-profit nature of one of the parties to the contract. State laws differ as to how enforceable philanthropic promises are. Often the intent of the parties and the degree of formality of the pledge will determine the outcome of a dispute. If the contract is specific about when and how pledges are to be paid, structured, and used, it will make it more likely to be enforced. If the charity has acted in reliance on the pledge, the likelihood a court would find the pledge enforceable increases.
Courts have shown a willingness to enforce pledges, especially when some sort of consideration (a benefit to the donor) is involved. For example, consideration may be found to exist when a charity will name a building after a donor in exchange for a pledge. The legal definition of when sufficient consideration has been received is frequently a subject for the courts to determine.
Please see the information at the following links:
http://definitions.uslegal.com/c/charitable-giving/
http://definitions.uslegal.com/c/charities/
http://lawdigest.uslegal.com/consumer-issues/contracts/
http://lawdigest.uslegal.com/consumer-issues/consumer-rights-and-protection/
http://definitions.uslegal.com/c/contracts-consideration/
http://definitions.uslegal.com/d/detrimental-reliance/