Charity forms a crucial part of an estate plan for families. Citizens of the state have their own values and morals, and these involve all the religious, social, economic, and non-profit groups.
Donating the funds is a common practice among all the residents and not just the wealthy class of individuals. Passing on the money to the less fortunate or supporting a particular cause is a way of profoundly impacting what the future holds for us.
Donors usually have a specific intent about how they want their funds to be used, referred to as ‘donor intent.’ Let’s dive into it.
What is Donor Intent?
When a donor gives an amount for a charity or a cause, their intent is considered, called donor intent. Oftentimes, disputes arise between the giver of the gift and the charity about using the funds.
Following are the reasons disagreement may arise between the two parties:
- The organization has discontinued the specific that was supported by the giver
- The donor might have intended to support the sub-set programs, but the organization used the money to continue the general business because of its desperate need
- The funds are not enough to meet the requirements of a specific cause
- A certain amount is left even after the purpose is met
- The intent of the donor is not clear in the first place and thus can lead to many interpretations
- The donor is not around to clarify their intent
How to Resolve These Issues?
Usually, casebooks are filed with legal battles to resolve such issues. The better option is to state your intent in unambiguous terms so that there are minimal chances of a dispute.
However, if you want to clarify your goals, a legal professional can help you. The best place to contact in PA is the Keystone Estate Planning and Asset Protection for crafting all the arrangements necessary to avoid future disagreements and feuds.