(a) General rule.--A nonprofit corporation shall not pay dividends or distribute any part of its income or profits to its members, directors, or officers. Nothing herein contained shall prohibit a fraternal benefit society operating under the insurance laws of Pennsylvania from paying dividends or refunds by whatever name known pursuant to the terms of its insurance contracts.
(b) Reasonable compensation for services.--A nonprofit corporation may pay compensation in a reasonable amount to members, directors, or officers for services rendered.
(c) Certain payments authorized.--A nonprofit corporation may confer benefits upon members or nonmembers in conformity with its purposes, may repay capital contributions, and may redeem its subvention certificates or evidences of indebtedness, as authorized by this article, except when the corporation is currently insolvent or would thereby be made insolvent or rendered unable to carry on its corporate purposes, or when the fair value of the assets of the corporation remaining after such conferring of benefits, payment or redemption would be insufficient to meet its liabilities. A nonprofit corporation may make distributions of cash or property to members upon dissolution or final liquidation as permitted by this article.
(July 30, 1975, P.L.128, No.63; July 9, 2013, P.L.476, No.67, eff. 60 days)
2013 Amendment. Act 67 reenacted section 5551.
Cross References. Section 5551 is referred to in sections 5545, 7112 of this title.
Structure Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Pennsylvania Consolidated & Unconsolidated Statutes
Title 15 - CORPORATIONS AND UNINCORPORATED ASSOCIATIONS
Chapter 55 - Corporate Powers, Duties and Safeguards
Section 5501 - Corporate capacity
Section 5503 - Defense of ultra vires
Section 5504 - Adoption, amendment and contents of bylaws
Section 5505 - Persons bound by bylaws
Section 5506 - Form of execution of instruments
Section 5507 - Registered office
Section 5508 - Corporate records; inspection by members
Section 5509 - Bylaws and other powers in emergency
Section 5510 - Certain specifically authorized debt terms
Section 5511 - Establishment of subordinate units
Section 5512 - Informational rights of a director
Section 5513 - Forum selection provisions
Section 5541 - Capital contributions of members
Section 5543 - Debt and security interests
Section 5543.1 - Usury not a defense (Repealed)
Section 5544 - Dues and assessments
Section 5545 - Income from corporate activities
Section 5546 - Purchase, sale, mortgage and lease of real property
Section 5546.1 - Insolvency or bankruptcy (Repealed)
Section 5547 - Authority to take and hold trust property
Section 5548 - Investment of trust funds
Section 5548.1 - Nonjudicial settlement agreement
Section 5549 - Transfer of trust or other assets to institutional trustee
Section 5550 - Devises, bequests and gifts after certain fundamental changes
Section 5551 - Dividends prohibited; compensation and certain payments authorized
Section 5553 - Liabilities of members
Section 5554 - Annual report of directors or other body
Section 5585 - Establishment or use of common trust funds authorized
Section 5586 - Restrictions on investments
Section 5587 - Determination of interests