Q&A: Can the Church Borrow from a Restricted Fund?

Such borrowing is not a good practice and it’s illegal in most states.

If a church has a restricted fund, such as a building fund, can the church borrow from the fund for an unrelated purpose as long as it is made clear that the money will be repaid?
In most states, borrowing from a donor restricted account is prohibited. In some states it is considered theft (a criminal offense), even with a formal promissory note. In some states, it is considered a breach of fiduciary duty by those who approved the loan. And in some states, it is considered a violation of the deceptive trade practices statute allowing any donor to the fund or the attorney general to sue for damages, punitive damages, and attorneys’ fees. If the restricted account is created by the church board and it only holds funds transferred from the general fund, then the board can remove the restriction and transfer the funds to the general fund. In general, however, it is a bad idea. Equally bad is pledging the restricted account as collateral for a third-party loan.
Frank Sommerville is a both a CPA and attorney, and a longtime Editorial Advisor for Church Law & Tax.

This content is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. "From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations." Due to the nature of the U.S. legal system, laws and regulations constantly change. The editors encourage readers to carefully search the site for all content related to the topic of interest and consult qualified local counsel to verify the status of specific statutes, laws, regulations, and precedential court holdings.

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