{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/15.2-953.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/15.2-953.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/15.2-953.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/15.2-953.html"}],"law_id":56590,"edition_id":1,"section_id":56590,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-953","catch_line":"Donations to charitable institutions and associations, volunteer and nonprofit organizations, chambers of commerce, etc","history":"Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 15-16, 15-16.1, 15-16.2; 1952, c. 381; 1959, Ex. Sess., c. 36; 1960, cc. 50, 225, 453; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7\u00a7 15.1-24, 15.1-25, 15.1-26; 1964, c. 32; 1974, c. 514; 1994, cc. 254, 317; 1995, c. 333; 1997, c. 587; 1998, c. 376; 1999, c. 430; 2003, c. 182; 2004, c. 272; 2005, c. 327; 2006, c. 118; 2007, cc. 292, 592, 641; 2008, cc. 612, 632; 2010, cc. 509, 600; 2014, c. 711; 2015, cc. 502, 503; 2020, cc. 439, 440; 2022, c. 566.","full_text":"A\n\nAny locality may make appropriations of public funds, of personal property or of any real estate and donations to the Virginia Indigent Health Care Trust Fund and to any charitable institution or association, located within their respective limits or outside their limits if such institution or association provides services to residents of the locality; however, such institution or association shall not be controlled in whole or in part by any church or sectarian society. The words “sectarian society” shall not be construed to mean a nondenominational Young Men’s Christian Association, a nondenominational Young Women’s Christian Association, Habitat for Humanity, or the Salvation Army. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any county or city from making contracts with any sectarian institution for the care of indigent, sick or injured persons. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no organization shall be prohibited from applying for or receiving public funds as part of a neutral grant or funding program from a locality on the basis of the organization’s religious status, provided that all government funds received from the locality are used to provide community services for secular purposes without regard to the religious affiliation of the recipients of such services. Nothing in this section shall be construed to absolve or change any existing right or obligation created by the provisions of § 2.2-3904 or 57-2.02.B\n\nAny locality may make gifts and donations of property, real or personal, or money to (i) any charitable institution or nonprofit or other organization providing housing for persons 60 years of age or older or operating a hospital or nursing home; (ii) any association or other organization furnishing voluntary firefighting services; (iii) any nonprofit or volunteer emergency medical services agency, within or outside the boundaries of the locality; (iv) any nonprofit recreational association or organization; (v) any nonprofit organization providing recreational or daycare services to persons 65 years of age or older; or (vi) any nonprofit association or organization furnishing services to beautify and maintain communities or to prevent neighborhood deterioration. Gifts or donations of property, real or personal, or money by any locality to any nonprofit association, recreational association, or organization described in provision (iv), (v), or (vi) may be made provided the nonprofit association, recreational association, or organization is not controlled in whole or in part by any church or sectarian society. Donations of property or money to any such charitable, nonprofit or other hospital or nursing home, institution or organization or nonprofit recreational associations or organizations may be made for construction purposes, for operating expenses, or both.\n\t\t\tA locality may make like gifts and donations to chambers of commerce which are nonprofit and nonsectarian.\n\t\t\tA locality may make like gifts, donations and appropriations of money to industrial development authorities for the purposes of promoting economic development.\n\t\t\tA locality may make like gifts and donations to any and all public and private nonprofit organizations and agencies engaged in commemorating historical events.\n\t\t\tA locality may make like gifts and donations to any nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is engaged in providing energy efficiency services or promoting energy efficiency within or without the boundaries of the locality.\n\t\t\tA locality may make like gifts and donations to any nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is engaged in providing emergency relief to residents, including providing the repair or replacement of private property damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster.\n\t\t\tA locality may make like gifts and donations to nonprofit foundations established to support the locality’s public parks, libraries, and law enforcement. For the purposes of this paragraph, “donations” to any such foundation shall include the lawful provision of in-kind resources.\n\t\t\tA locality may make monetary gifts, donations, and appropriations of money to a public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth that provides services to such locality’s residents.\n\t\t\tPublic library materials that are discarded from their collections may be given to nonprofit organizations that support library functions, including, but not limited to, friends of the library, library advisory boards, library foundations, library trusts and library boards of trustees.C\n\nAny locality may make gifts and donations of personal property and may deliver such gifts and donations to another governmental entity in or outside of the Commonwealth within the United States.D\n\nAny locality may by ordinance provide for payment to any volunteer emergency medical services agency that meets the required minimum standards for such volunteer emergency medical services agency set forth in the ordinance a sum for each rescue call the volunteer emergency medical services agency makes for an automobile accident in which a person has been injured on any of the highways or streets in the locality. In addition, unless otherwise prohibited by law, any locality may make appropriations of money to volunteer fire companies or any volunteer emergency medical services agency in an amount sufficient to enroll any qualified member of such volunteer fire company or emergency medical services agency in any program available within the locality intended to defray out-of-pocket expenses for transportation by an emergency medical services vehicle.E\n\nFor the purposes of this section, “donations” shall include the lawful provision of in-kind resources for any event sponsored by the donee and, with respect to any association or other organization furnishing voluntary firefighting services or a nonprofit or volunteer emergency medical services agency, the provision of in-kind resources for contract management services for capital projects; assistance in preparing requests for information, bids, or proposals; and budgeting services.F\n\nNothing in this section shall be construed to obligate any locality to appropriate funds to any entity. Such charitable contribution shall be voluntary.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":207092,"text":"Any locality may make appropriations of public funds, of personal property or of any real estate and donations to the Virginia Indigent Health Care Trust Fund and to any charitable institution or association, located within their respective limits or outside their limits if such institution or association provides services to residents of the locality; however, such institution or association shall not be controlled in whole or in part by any church or sectarian society. The words “sectarian society” shall not be construed to mean a nondenominational Young Men’s Christian Association, a nondenominational Young Women’s Christian Association, Habitat for Humanity, or the Salvation Army. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any county or city from making contracts with any sectarian institution for the care of indigent, sick or injured persons. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no organization shall be prohibited from applying for or receiving public funds as part of a neutral grant or funding program from a locality on the basis of the organization’s religious status, provided that all government funds received from the locality are used to provide community services for secular purposes without regard to the religious affiliation of the recipients of such services. Nothing in this section shall be construed to absolve or change any existing right or obligation created by the provisions of § 2.2-3904 or 57-2.02.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":207093,"text":"Any locality may make gifts and donations of property, real or personal, or money to (i) any charitable institution or nonprofit or other organization providing housing for persons 60 years of age or older or operating a hospital or nursing home; (ii) any association or other organization furnishing voluntary firefighting services; (iii) any nonprofit or volunteer emergency medical services agency, within or outside the boundaries of the locality; (iv) any nonprofit recreational association or organization; (v) any nonprofit organization providing recreational or daycare services to persons 65 years of age or older; or (vi) any nonprofit association or organization furnishing services to beautify and maintain communities or to prevent neighborhood deterioration. Gifts or donations of property, real or personal, or money by any locality to any nonprofit association, recreational association, or organization described in provision (iv), (v), or (vi) may be made provided the nonprofit association, recreational association, or organization is not controlled in whole or in part by any church or sectarian society. Donations of property or money to any such charitable, nonprofit or other hospital or nursing home, institution or organization or nonprofit recreational associations or organizations may be made for construction purposes, for operating expenses, or both.\n\t\t\tA locality may make like gifts and donations to chambers of commerce which are nonprofit and nonsectarian.\n\t\t\tA locality may make like gifts, donations and appropriations of money to industrial development authorities for the purposes of promoting economic development.\n\t\t\tA locality may make like gifts and donations to any and all public and private nonprofit organizations and agencies engaged in commemorating historical events.\n\t\t\tA locality may make like gifts and donations to any nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is engaged in providing energy efficiency services or promoting energy efficiency within or without the boundaries of the locality.\n\t\t\tA locality may make like gifts and donations to any nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is engaged in providing emergency relief to residents, including providing the repair or replacement of private property damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster.\n\t\t\tA locality may make like gifts and donations to nonprofit foundations established to support the locality’s public parks, libraries, and law enforcement. For the purposes of this paragraph, “donations” to any such foundation shall include the lawful provision of in-kind resources.\n\t\t\tA locality may make monetary gifts, donations, and appropriations of money to a public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth that provides services to such locality’s residents.\n\t\t\tPublic library materials that are discarded from their collections may be given to nonprofit organizations that support library functions, including, but not limited to, friends of the library, library advisory boards, library foundations, library trusts and library boards of trustees.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A","next_prefix":"C"},"2":{"id":207094,"text":"Any locality may make gifts and donations of personal property and may deliver such gifts and donations to another governmental entity in or outside of the Commonwealth within the United States.","type":"section","prefixes":["C"],"prefix":"C","entire_prefix":"C","prefix_anchor":"C","level":1,"prior_prefix":"B","next_prefix":"D"},"3":{"id":207095,"text":"Any locality may by ordinance provide for payment to any volunteer emergency medical services agency that meets the required minimum standards for such volunteer emergency medical services agency set forth in the ordinance a sum for each rescue call the volunteer emergency medical services agency makes for an automobile accident in which a person has been injured on any of the highways or streets in the locality. In addition, unless otherwise prohibited by law, any locality may make appropriations of money to volunteer fire companies or any volunteer emergency medical services agency in an amount sufficient to enroll any qualified member of such volunteer fire company or emergency medical services agency in any program available within the locality intended to defray out-of-pocket expenses for transportation by an emergency medical services vehicle.","type":"section","prefixes":["D"],"prefix":"D","entire_prefix":"D","prefix_anchor":"D","level":1,"prior_prefix":"C","next_prefix":"E"},"4":{"id":207096,"text":"For the purposes of this section, “donations” shall include the lawful provision of in-kind resources for any event sponsored by the donee and, with respect to any association or other organization furnishing voluntary firefighting services or a nonprofit or volunteer emergency medical services agency, the provision of in-kind resources for contract management services for capital projects; assistance in preparing requests for information, bids, or proposals; and budgeting services.","type":"section","prefixes":["E"],"prefix":"E","entire_prefix":"E","prefix_anchor":"E","level":1,"prior_prefix":"D","next_prefix":"F"},"5":{"id":207097,"text":"Nothing in this section shall be construed to obligate any locality to appropriate funds to any entity. Such charitable contribution shall be voluntary.","type":"section","prefixes":["F"],"prefix":"F","entire_prefix":"F","prefix_anchor":"F","level":1,"prior_prefix":"E"}},"ancestry":[{"id":13545,"edition_id":1,"name":"Additional Powers","identifier":"5","label":"article","depth":4,"order_by":1,"parent_id":13058,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:45:10","permalink":{"id":156673,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13545,"identifier":"5","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5","url":"\/15.2\/II\/9\/5\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":13058,"edition_id":1,"name":"General Powers of Local Governments","identifier":"9","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12733,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:44:11","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:44:11","permalink":{"id":156357,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":13058,"identifier":"9","token":"15.2\/II\/9","url":"\/15.2\/II\/9\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12733,"edition_id":1,"name":"Powers of Local Government","identifier":"II","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12720,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:50","permalink":{"id":152369,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12733,"identifier":"II","token":"15.2\/II","url":"\/15.2\/II\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12720,"edition_id":1,"name":"Counties, Cities and Towns","identifier":"15.2","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:49","permalink":{"id":151279,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12720,"identifier":"15.2","token":"15.2","url":"\/15.2\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":59834,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-950","catch_line":"Appropriations","url":"\/15.2-950\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-950","metadata":false},{"id":82496,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-951","catch_line":"Acquisition, disposition and use of personal property by localities generally","url":"\/15.2-951\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-951","metadata":false},{"id":80950,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-952","catch_line":"Political subdivisions may acquire property from United States","url":"\/15.2-952\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-952","metadata":false},{"id":56590,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-953","catch_line":"Donations to charitable institutions and associations, volunteer and nonprofit organizations, chambers of commerce, etc","url":"\/15.2-953\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-953","metadata":false},{"id":72872,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-954","catch_line":"Loans to volunteer firefighting and rescue organizations","url":"\/15.2-954\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-954","metadata":false},{"id":69377,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-954.1","catch_line":"Volunteer firefighter or volunteer emergency medical services personnel tuition reimbursement","url":"\/15.2-954.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-954.1","metadata":false},{"id":69752,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-955","catch_line":"Approval by local governing body for the establishment of volunteer emergency medical services agencies and firefighting organizations","url":"\/15.2-955\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-955","metadata":false},{"id":65390,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-956","catch_line":"Participation in certain federal development programs","url":"\/15.2-956\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-956","metadata":false},{"id":87224,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-957","catch_line":"Participation by localities in certain leasing programs","url":"\/15.2-957\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-957","metadata":false},{"id":63172,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-958","catch_line":"Local funding for repair or production of low and moderate income rental property or repair of residential property; other housing experiments","url":"\/15.2-958\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-958","metadata":false},{"id":57528,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-958.1","catch_line":"Sale of certain property in certain cities","url":"\/15.2-958.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-958.1","metadata":false},{"id":83582,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-958.1:1","catch_line":"Sale of certain vacant and blighted or derelict property","url":"\/15.2-958.1_1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-958.1_1","metadata":false},{"id":73990,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-958.2","catch_line":"Grants for homeownership; workforce housing","url":"\/15.2-958.2\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-958.2","metadata":false},{"id":55802,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-958.2:01","catch_line":"Grants for certain corporations and pass-through entities","url":"\/15.2-958.2_01\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-958.2_01","metadata":false},{"id":79079,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-958.3","catch_line":"Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing programs","url":"\/15.2-958.3\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-958.3","metadata":false},{"id":72340,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-958.3:1","catch_line":"Local green banks","url":"\/15.2-958.3_1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-958.3_1","metadata":false},{"id":57737,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-958.4","catch_line":"Waiver of certain fees for affordable housing","url":"\/15.2-958.4\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-958.4","metadata":false},{"id":61887,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-958.5","catch_line":"Local funding for community revitalization","url":"\/15.2-958.5\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-958.5","metadata":false},{"id":70528,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-958.6","catch_line":"Financing the repair of failed septic systems","url":"\/15.2-958.6\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-958.6","metadata":false},{"id":68666,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-958.7","catch_line":"Local Foundation and Soil Management Fund; 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penalty","url":"\/15.2-969\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-969","metadata":false},{"id":81250,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-970","catch_line":"Construction of dams, levees, seawalls, etc.; certain proceedings prohibited","url":"\/15.2-970\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-970","metadata":false},{"id":57651,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-971","catch_line":"Armories and markets; assistance to National Guard","url":"\/15.2-971\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-971","metadata":false},{"id":56304,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-972","catch_line":"Appropriations for the upkeep of certain cemeteries","url":"\/15.2-972\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-972","metadata":false},{"id":75971,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-973","catch_line":"Ordinances imposing license taxes on owners of certain motor vehicles","url":"\/15.2-973\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-973","metadata":false},{"id":82360,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-974","catch_line":"Permits for display of fireworks; use and exhibitions","url":"\/15.2-974\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-974","metadata":false},{"id":70734,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-975","catch_line":"Use of cash proffers","url":"\/15.2-975\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-975","metadata":false},{"id":83990,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-976","catch_line":"Notification of changes to the Federal Emergency Management Agency Special Flood Hazard Area map","url":"\/15.2-976\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-976","metadata":false},{"id":82759,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-977","catch_line":"Green Roof Incentive Programs","url":"\/15.2-977\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-977","metadata":false},{"id":75983,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-977.1","catch_line":"Local incentives for urban green space","url":"\/15.2-977.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-977.1","metadata":false},{"id":74337,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-978","catch_line":"Registration by locality of cemeteries, graveyards, or other places of burial on private property","url":"\/15.2-978\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-978","metadata":false},{"id":84096,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-979","catch_line":"Notice of sale under deed of trust","url":"\/15.2-979\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-979","metadata":false},{"id":77157,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-980","catch_line":" Civil penalties for violations of noise ordinances","url":"\/15.2-980\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-980","metadata":false},{"id":71445,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-981","catch_line":"Authority to sell dogs trained for police work","url":"\/15.2-981\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-981","metadata":false},{"id":72155,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-982","catch_line":"Designation of tourism activity zones","url":"\/15.2-982\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-982","metadata":false},{"id":81829,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-983","catch_line":"Creation of registry for short-term rental of property","url":"\/15.2-983\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-983","metadata":false},{"id":79056,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-983.1","catch_line":"Establishment by localities of certain real estate contract disclosures prohibited","url":"\/15.2-983.1\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-983.1","metadata":false},{"id":62607,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-984","catch_line":"Adoption of flood plain ordinances","url":"\/15.2-984\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-984","metadata":false},{"id":71419,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-985","catch_line":"Disposition of abandoned shopping carts; unauthorized possession; penalties","url":"\/15.2-985\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-985","metadata":false},{"id":64568,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-986","catch_line":"Broadband services; education","url":"\/15.2-986\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-986","metadata":false},{"id":64189,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-987","catch_line":"Rentals for 30 consecutive days or longer","url":"\/15.2-987\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-987","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":80950,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-952","catch_line":"Political subdivisions may acquire property from United States","url":"\/15.2-952\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-952","metadata":false},"next_section":{"id":72872,"structure_id":13545,"section_number":"15.2-954","catch_line":"Loans to volunteer firefighting and rescue organizations","url":"\/15.2-954\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-954","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/15.2-953\/","history_text":"

The record of this law\u2019s original creation isn\u2019t available online. It has been modified 21 times. Those modifications are cataloged by \u201cThe Acts of Assembly,\u201d a state publication, by year and chapter. Those modifications that can be read on the General Assembly\u2019s website will be linked accordingly. Those modifications are as follows: in 1952, chapter 381; in 1960, chapters 50, 225, and 453; in 1962, chapter 623; in 1964, chapter 32; in 1974, chapter 514; in 1994, chapters 254<\/a> and 317<\/a>; in 1995, chapter 333<\/a>; in 1997, chapter 587<\/a>; in 1998, chapter 376<\/a>; in 1999, chapter 430<\/a>; in 2003, chapter 182<\/a>; in 2004, chapter 272<\/a>; in 2005, chapter 327<\/a>; in 2006, chapter 118<\/a>; in 2007, chapters 292<\/a>, 592<\/a>, and 641<\/a>; in 2008, chapters 612<\/a> and 632<\/a>; in 2010, chapters 509<\/a> and 600<\/a>; in 2014, chapter 711<\/a>; in 2015, chapters 502<\/a> and 503<\/a>; in 2020, chapters 439<\/a> and 440<\/a>; in 2022, chapter 566<\/a>.<\/p>","references":[{"id":58584,"section_number":"15.2-7500","catch_line":"Definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-7500\/"},{"id":60424,"section_number":"15.2-820","catch_line":"Donations to legal entities owning recreational facilities","order_by":null,"url":"\/15.2-820\/"}],"refers_to":[{"id":83248,"section_number":"2.2-3904","catch_line":"Nondiscrimination in places of public accommodation; definitions","order_by":null,"url":"\/2.2-3904\/"}],"permalink":{"id":156687,"object_type":"law","relational_id":56590,"identifier":"15.2-953","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-953","url":"\/15.2-953\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/15.2-953\/","token":"15.2\/II\/9\/5\/15.2-953","dublin_core":{"Title":"Donations to charitable institutions and associations, volunteer and nonprofit organizations, chambers of commerce, etc","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 15.2-953","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> Any locality<\/span> may make appropriations of public funds, of personal property or of any real estate and donations<\/span> to the Virginia Indigent<\/span> Health Care Trust Fund and to any charitable institution or association, located within their respective limits or outside their limits if such institution or association provides services to residents of the locality<\/span>; however, such institution or association shall not be controlled in whole or in part by any church or sectarian society<\/span>. The words “sectarian society<\/span>” shall not be construed to mean a nondenominational Young Men’s Christian Association, a nondenominational Young Women’s Christian Association, Habitat for Humanity, or the Salvation Army. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit any county<\/span> or city<\/span> from making contracts<\/span> with any sectarian institution for the care of indigent<\/span>, sick or injured persons. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no organization shall be prohibited from applying for or receiving public funds as part of a neutral grant or funding program from a locality<\/span> on the basis of the organization’s religious status, provided that all government funds received from the locality<\/span> are used to provide community services<\/span> for secular purposes without regard to the religious affiliation of the recipients of such services. Nothing in this section shall be construed to absolve or change any existing right or obligation created by the provisions of § 2.2-3904<\/a> or 57-2.02<\/a>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> Any locality<\/span> may make gifts and donations<\/span> of property, real or personal, or money to (i) any charitable institution or nonprofit or other organization providing housing for persons 60 years of age or older or operating a hospital or nursing home; (ii) any association or other organization furnishing voluntary firefighting services; (iii) any nonprofit or volunteer emergency medical services agency, within or outside the boundaries of the locality<\/span>; (iv) any nonprofit recreational association or organization; (v) any nonprofit organization providing recreational or daycare services to persons 65 years of age or older; or (vi) any nonprofit association or organization furnishing services to beautify and maintain communities or to prevent neighborhood deterioration. Gifts or donations<\/span> of property, real or personal, or money by any locality<\/span> to any nonprofit association, recreational association, or organization described in provision (iv), (v), or (vi) may be made provided the nonprofit association, recreational association, or organization is not controlled in whole or in part by any church or sectarian society<\/span>. Donations<\/span> of property or money to any such charitable, nonprofit or other hospital or nursing home, institution or organization or nonprofit recreational associations or organizations may be made for construction purposes, for operating expenses, or both.\n\t\t\tA locality<\/span> may make like gifts and donations<\/span> to chambers<\/span> of commerce which are nonprofit and nonsectarian.\n\t\t\tA locality<\/span> may make like gifts, donations<\/span> and appropriations of money to industrial development authorities for the purposes of promoting economic development.\n\t\t\tA locality<\/span> may make like gifts and donations<\/span> to any and all public and private nonprofit organizations and agencies engaged in commemorating historical events.\n\t\t\tA locality<\/span> may make like gifts and donations<\/span> to any nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is engaged in providing energy efficiency services or promoting energy efficiency within or without the boundaries of the locality<\/span>.\n\t\t\tA locality<\/span> may make like gifts and donations<\/span> to any nonprofit organization that is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code that is engaged in providing emergency relief to residents, including providing the repair or replacement of private property damaged or destroyed by a natural disaster.\n\t\t\tA locality<\/span> may make like gifts and donations<\/span> to nonprofit foundations established to support the locality<\/span>’s public parks, libraries, and law<\/span> enforcement. For the purposes of this paragraph, “donations<\/span>” to any such foundation shall include the lawful provision of in-kind resources.\n\t\t\tA locality<\/span> may make monetary gifts, donations<\/span>, and appropriations of money to a public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth that provides services to such locality<\/span>’s residents.\n\t\t\tPublic library materials<\/span> that are discarded from their collections may be given to nonprofit organizations that support library functions, including, but not limited to, friends of the library, library advisory boards, library foundations, library trusts and library boards of trustees. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

C.<\/span> Any locality<\/span> may make gifts and donations<\/span> of personal property and may deliver such gifts and donations<\/span> to another governmental entity in or outside of the Commonwealth within the United States. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

D.<\/span> Any locality<\/span> may by ordinance<\/span> provide for payment to any volunteer emergency medical services agency that meets the required minimum standards for such volunteer emergency medical services agency set forth in the ordinance<\/span> a sum for each rescue call the volunteer emergency medical services agency makes for an automobile accident in which a person has been injured on any of the highways or streets in the locality<\/span>. In addition, unless otherwise prohibited by law<\/span>, any locality<\/span> may make appropriations of money to volunteer fire companies or any volunteer emergency medical services agency in an amount sufficient to enroll any qualified member of such volunteer fire company or emergency medical services agency in any program available within the locality<\/span> intended to defray out-of-pocket expenses for transportation by an emergency medical services vehicle. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

E.<\/span> For the purposes of this section, “donations<\/span>” shall include the lawful provision of in-kind resources for any event sponsored by the donee and, with respect to any association or other organization furnishing voluntary firefighting services or a nonprofit or volunteer emergency medical services agency, the provision of in-kind resources for contract<\/span> management services for capital projects; assistance in preparing requests for information, bids, or proposals; and budgeting services. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

F.<\/span> Nothing in this section shall be construed to obligate any locality<\/span> to appropriate funds to any entity. Such charitable contribution shall be voluntary. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDONATIONS TO CHARITABLE INSTITUTIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS, VOLUNTEER AND NONPROFIT\nORGANIZATIONS, CHAMBERS OF COMMERCE, ETC (\u00a7 15.2-953)\n\nA. Any locality may make appropriations of public funds, of personal property or\nof any real estate and donations to the Virginia Indigent Health Care Trust Fund\nand to any charitable institution or association, located within their\nrespective limits or outside their limits if such institution or association\nprovides services to residents of the locality; however, such institution or\nassociation shall not be controlled in whole or in part by any church or\nsectarian society. The words “sectarian society” shall not be\nconstrued to mean a nondenominational Young Men’s Christian Association, a\nnondenominational Young Women’s Christian Association, Habitat for\nHumanity, or the Salvation Army. Nothing in this section shall be construed to\nprohibit any county or city from making contracts with any sectarian institution\nfor the care of indigent, sick or injured persons. Notwithstanding the\nforegoing, no organization shall be prohibited from applying for or receiving\npublic funds as part of a neutral grant or funding program from a locality on\nthe basis of the organization’s religious status, provided that all\ngovernment funds received from the locality are used to provide community\nservices for secular purposes without regard to the religious affiliation of the\nrecipients of such services. Nothing in this section shall be construed to\nabsolve or change any existing right or obligation created by the provisions of\n§ 2.2-3904 or 57-2.02.\n\nB. Any locality may make gifts and donations of property, real or personal, or\nmoney to (i) any charitable institution or nonprofit or other organization\nproviding housing for persons 60 years of age or older or operating a hospital\nor nursing home; (ii) any association or other organization furnishing voluntary\nfirefighting services; (iii) any nonprofit or volunteer emergency medical\nservices agency, within or outside the boundaries of the locality; (iv) any\nnonprofit recreational association or organization; (v) any nonprofit\norganization providing recreational or daycare services to persons 65 years of\nage or older; or (vi) any nonprofit association or organization furnishing\nservices to beautify and maintain communities or to prevent neighborhood\ndeterioration. Gifts or donations of property, real or personal, or money by any\nlocality to any nonprofit association, recreational association, or organization\ndescribed in provision (iv), (v), or (vi) may be made provided the nonprofit\nassociation, recreational association, or organization is not controlled in\nwhole or in part by any church or sectarian society. Donations of property or\nmoney to any such charitable, nonprofit or other hospital or nursing home,\ninstitution or organization or nonprofit recreational associations or\norganizations may be made for construction purposes, for operating expenses, or\nboth.\n\t\t\tA locality may make like gifts and donations to chambers of commerce which\nare nonprofit and nonsectarian.\n\t\t\tA locality may make like gifts, donations and appropriations of money to\nindustrial development authorities for the purposes of promoting economic\ndevelopment.\n\t\t\tA locality may make like gifts and donations to any and all public and\nprivate nonprofit organizations and agencies engaged in commemorating historical\nevents.\n\t\t\tA locality may make like gifts and donations to any nonprofit organization\nthat is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code\nthat is engaged in providing energy efficiency services or promoting energy\nefficiency within or without the boundaries of the locality.\n\t\t\tA locality may make like gifts and donations to any nonprofit organization\nthat is exempt from taxation under § 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code\nthat is engaged in providing emergency relief to residents, including providing\nthe repair or replacement of private property damaged or destroyed by a natural\ndisaster.\n\t\t\tA locality may make like gifts and donations to nonprofit foundations\nestablished to support the locality’s public parks, libraries, and law\nenforcement. For the purposes of this paragraph, “donations” to any\nsuch foundation shall include the lawful provision of in-kind resources.\n\t\t\tA locality may make monetary gifts, donations, and appropriations of money to\na public institution of higher education in the Commonwealth that provides\nservices to such locality’s residents.\n\t\t\tPublic library materials that are discarded from their collections may be\ngiven to nonprofit organizations that support library functions, including, but\nnot limited to, friends of the library, library advisory boards, library\nfoundations, library trusts and library boards of trustees.\n\nC. Any locality may make gifts and donations of personal property and may\ndeliver such gifts and donations to another governmental entity in or outside of\nthe Commonwealth within the United States.\n\nD. Any locality may by ordinance provide for payment to any volunteer emergency\nmedical services agency that meets the required minimum standards for such\nvolunteer emergency medical services agency set forth in the ordinance a sum for\neach rescue call the volunteer emergency medical services agency makes for an\nautomobile accident in which a person has been injured on any of the highways or\nstreets in the locality. In addition, unless otherwise prohibited by law, any\nlocality may make appropriations of money to volunteer fire companies or any\nvolunteer emergency medical services agency in an amount sufficient to enroll\nany qualified member of such volunteer fire company or emergency medical\nservices agency in any program available within the locality intended to defray\nout-of-pocket expenses for transportation by an emergency medical services\nvehicle.\n\nE. For the purposes of this section, “donations” shall include the\nlawful provision of in-kind resources for any event sponsored by the donee and,\nwith respect to any association or other organization furnishing voluntary\nfirefighting services or a nonprofit or volunteer emergency medical services\nagency, the provision of in-kind resources for contract management services for\ncapital projects; assistance in preparing requests for information, bids, or\nproposals; and budgeting services.\n\nF. Nothing in this section shall be construed to obligate any locality to\nappropriate funds to any entity. Such charitable contribution shall be\nvoluntary.\n\nHISTORY: Code 1950, \u00a7\u00a7 15-16, 15-16.1, 15-16.2; 1952, c. 381; 1959, Ex. Sess.,\nc. 36; 1960, cc. 50, 225, 453; 1962, c. 623, \u00a7\u00a7 15.1-24, 15.1-25, 15.1-26;\n1964, c. 32; 1974, c. 514; 1994, cc. 254, 317; 1995, c. 333; 1997, c. 587; 1998,\nc. 376; 1999, c. 430; 2003, c. 182; 2004, c. 272; 2005, c. 327; 2006, c. 118;\n2007, cc. 292, 592, 641; 2008, cc. 612, 632; 2010, cc. 509, 600; 2014, c. 711;\n2015, cc. 502, 503; 2020, cc. 439, 440; 2022, c. 566.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}