Section 12C. Every corporation may, by its articles of organization or by-laws or by a general or special vote of its stockholders or members, authorize its directors, or its officers having the powers of directors, to make contributions, in such amounts as said directors or officers may determine to be reasonable, to corporations, trusts, funds or foundations, organized and operated exclusively for charitable, scientific or educational purposes, no part of the net earnings of which inures to the benefit of any private shareholder or individual; provided, that in the case of a corporation having capital stock, contributions in any fiscal year shall not in the aggregate exceed one half of one per cent of its capital and surplus as of the end of the preceding fiscal year, unless contributions in excess of one half of one per cent of such capital and surplus shall be authorized by the stockholders of the corporation at a regular or special meeting, and, in the case of a corporation not having capital stock, contributions in any fiscal year shall not in the aggregate exceed one half of one per cent of the surplus of such corporation as of the end of the preceding fiscal year, unless contributions in excess of one half of one per cent of such surplus shall be authorized by the members of the corporation at a regular or special meeting. Nothing in this section shall be construed as directly or indirectly restricting or otherwise affecting, except as herein provided, the rights and powers of any corporation with reference to payments of the nature above specified.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Chapter 155 - General Provisions Relative to Corporations
Section 1 - Application of Chapter; Secretary Defined
Section 2 - Examination of Certificates and Reports by State Secretary; Records; Reports
Section 3 - Acts of Incorporation and Corporate Organizations Subject to Legislative Action
Section 3a - Public Service Corporations; Deposit of Funds
Section 4 - Public Service Corporations; Misleading Use of Names or Titles
Section 5 - Violations of Sec. 4; Investigation; Penalties; Injunction
Section 7 - Content of By-Laws
Section 8 - Conveyance of Land
Section 9 - Name of Corporation; Exception
Section 9a - Reservation of Corporate Name
Section 11 - Unauthorized Business; Restraint by Injunction
Section 12 - Free Hospital Beds for Employees of Corporation; Appropriation
Section 12a - Contributions to Communities
Section 12b - Reciprocal Insurance Contracts; Exchanges
Section 12c - Contributions for Charitable, Scientific or Educational Purposes
Section 13 - Chartered Corporations; Time for Organization; Commencement of Corporate Existence
Section 14 - First Meeting; Holders of Privileges Prior to Organization
Section 15 - Failure, Refusal or Neglect to Call Meeting; Alternative Method
Section 16 - Par Value of Common and Preferred Shares
Section 17 - Issue at Less Than Par
Section 18 - Preferred Stock; Amount; Preferences and Voting Powers; Exceptions
Section 19 - Preferred Stock; Content of Certificate
Section 20 - Increase of Capital Stock; Notice of Vote; Disposition of New Shares
Section 21 - Voting Rights, Etc. of Persons in Representative or Fiduciary Capacity
Section 23 - Shareholders List; Filing; Failure to File
Section 45 - Record Transfer of Stock Not Paid For
Section 46 - New Certificates Upon Transfer or Pledge
Section 47 - Publication of Unclaimed Dividend List
Section 48 - False Statements; Penalty
Section 49 - Statement Required by Foreign Law; Penalty for Falsifying
Section 50 - Voluntary Dissolution
Section 51 - Continuation to Close Affairs
Section 51a - Distribution of Assets on Petition; Notice; Liability of Directors
Section 52 - Appointment of Receivers; Powers; Term
Section 53 - Payment of Debts; Distribution of Surplus
Section 54 - Surrender of Certificate of Incorporation; Notice
Section 55 - Return to State Secretary of Decree of Dissolution
Section 56 - Revival of Corporations Dissolved Under Provisions of Sec. 50a