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HomeCorporations CodeCh. 2Art. 4§ 9247 Nonprofit Volunteer Liability Protection

§ 9247 Nonprofit Volunteer Liability Protection

Corporations Code·California
AI Summary·Official Text·Key Terms·Related Statutes·References
AI SummaryVerified

§ 9247 Nonprofit Volunteer Liability Protection

Key Takeaways

  • •Volunteers who run nonprofits (like presidents or treasurers) usually can't be forced to pay money if they make a mistake while doing their job.
  • •This only works if the mistake was accidental, not on purpose or super careless, and they tried to do the right thing.
  • •The nonprofit must have insurance to cover the mistake, or at least tried really hard to get insurance.
  • •This rule doesn’t protect the nonprofit itself—only the volunteer. Also, it doesn’t work if the Attorney General sues or if other special laws apply.

Example

A volunteer treasurer for a local food bank accidentally mixes up the numbers in a budget report, causing the bank to overspend. A vendor sues for unpaid bills.

The treasurer won’t have to pay the money if they were trying their best, didn’t mean to mess up, and the food bank has insurance (or tried to get it). But the food bank itself might still have to pay the vendor.

AI-generated — May contain errors. Not legal advice. Always verify source.

Official Source
View on CA.gov

§ 9247 Nonprofit Volunteer Liability Protection

(a) There shall be no personal liability for monetary damages to a third party on the part of a volunteer director or volunteer executive officer of a nonprofit corporation subject to this part, caused by the director’s or officer’s negligent act or omission in the performance of that person’s duties as a director or officer, if all of the following conditions are met: (1) The act or omission was within the scope of the director’s or executive officer’s duties. (2) The act or omission was performed in good faith. (3) The act or omission was not reckless, wanton, intentional, or grossly negligent. (4) Damages caused by the act or omission are covered pursuant to a liability insurance policy issued to the corporation, either in the form of a general liability policy or a director’s or officer’s liability policy, or personally to the director or executive officer. In the event that the damages are not covered by a liability insurance policy, the volunteer director or volunteer executive officer shall not be personally liable for the damages if the board of directors of the corporation and the person had made all reasonable efforts in good faith to obtain available liability insurance. (b) “Volunteer” means the rendering of services without compensation. “Compensation” means remuneration whether by way of salary, fee, or other consideration for services rendered. However, the payment of per diem, mileage, or other reimbursement expenses to a director or executive officer does not affect that person’s status as a volunteer within the meaning of this section. (c) “Executive officer” means the president, vice president, secretary, or treasurer of a corporation, or other individual serving in like capacity, who assists in establishing the policy of the corporation. (d) Nothing in this section shall limit the liability of the corporation for any damages caused by acts or omissions of the volunteer director or volunteer executive officer. (e) This section does not eliminate or limit the liability of a director or officer for any of the following: (1) As provided in Section 9243 or 9245. (2) In any action or proceeding brought by the Attorney General. (f) Nothing in this section creates a duty of care or basis of liability for damage or injury caused by the acts or omissions of a director or officer. (g) This section is only applicable to causes of action based upon acts or omissions occurring on or after January 1, 1988. (Amended by Stats. 1990, Ch. 107, Sec. 6.)

Last verified: January 23, 2026

Key Terms

volunteer directorvolunteer executive officernegligent act or omissiongood faithliability insurancecompensationcorporation liability

Related Statutes

  • § 9244 Director Conflict Transactions
  • § 9246 Corporate Agent Indemnification Rules
  • § 12373 Director Conflict Transactions
  • § 13242 Corporate Bylaws Governance Rules
  • § 27100 Security Owner Representation Fees

References

  • Official text at leginfo.legislature.ca.gov
  • California Legislature. Corporations Code. Section 9247.
View Official Source