Can a member see a nonprofit's financial records?

Your Legal Questions Answered

Can a member see a nonprofit's financial records?

I am a member of a nonprofit golf club (600+ members). I was denied access to the financial records, by-laws and meeting minutes. What is the law?

Ordinarily members of a nonprofit corporation have a right under the state nonprofit corporation law to review the books and records of their corporation for any proper corporate purpose. Ask again, and ask for a specific reason if you are denied again. You may have to get help from a lawyer if they continue to resist.

Saturday, June 30, 2007

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November Webinar

Fiscal Sponsorship: For the Funders, Sponsors and the Sponsored
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
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PA Bar Institute

Don Kramer's annual what's new and what's hot in nonprofit law. The presentation included discussion of:

* Federal tax law cases, including one to invalidate the requirement for Schedule B on the annual Form 990 for charities and one to challenge the prohibition on electioneering and substantial lobbying, and the request to require demographic information on boards of large public charities on the Form 990.
* Challenges to higher education, including federal taxes, unionization, new Title IX regulations, name, image and likeness issues, and challenges to diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
* Status of the new annual report requirement for Pennsylvania nonprofit corporations.
* Updates on charitable solicitation registration issues.
* Standing issues.
* Special issues with charitable trusts, including one holding that many minor breaches of fiduciary duty can add up to a significant breach of duty.
* Other interesting cases, including one holding that donor lists are not trade secrets subject to protection from use by a former fundraiser.

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Nonprofit bylaw review

Don Kramer will review and comment on your own current or proposed bylaws

Do your Bylaws reflect the way you actually operate? Do they protect the interests of those who should be protected? Do they spell out clearly how to deal with governance issues? Or do they create uncertainty for those who have to implement them?

Most nonprofits don't spend a lot of time looking at their Bylaws until there is a question or a dispute. That's when you need bylaws that are clear and unambiguous, so your questions on how to proceed are already answered. That's when bad bylaws can lead to unnecessary controversies or even costly litigation. Nonprofit Issues editor Don Kramer will review your current or proposed Bylaws to see if they work for you.

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Can a member see a nonprofit's financial records?

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Can a member see a nonprofit's financial records?

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Can a member see a nonprofit's financial records?

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Can a member see a nonprofit's financial records?

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