N.Y. Executive Law 174-A – Contracts with charitable organizations
§ 174-a. Contracts with charitable organizations. 1. Whenever a charitable organization contracts with a professional fund raiser or fund raising counsel or commercial co-venturer, the charitable organization shall have the right to cancel the contract without cost, penalty, or liability for a period of fifteen days following the date on which said contract is filed with the attorney general pursuant to the provisions of this article, regardless of the date of execution of said contract. Any provision in the contract that is intended to waive this right of cancellation shall be void and unenforceable.
Terms Used In N.Y. Executive Law 174-A
- Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
- Damages: Money paid by defendants to successful plaintiffs in civil cases to compensate the plaintiffs for their injuries.
- Fraud: Intentional deception resulting in injury to another.
- Restitution: The court-ordered payment of money by the defendant to the victim for damages caused by the criminal action.
- solicitation: shall be deemed to have taken place whether or not a contribution is made. See N.Y. Executive Law 171-A
2. A charitable organization may cancel a contract signed pursuant to subdivision one of this section by a written notice of cancellation. If given by mail, cancellation shall be deemed effective when deposited in a mailbox, properly addressed and postage prepaid. The notice shall be sufficient if it states that the charitable organization does not intend to be bound by the contract.
3. Whenever a charitable organization cancels a contract pursuant to the provisions of this section, it shall mail a duplicate copy of the notice of cancellation to the attorney general, at the address designated for that purpose.
4. Every contract entered into pursuant to subdivision one of this section shall contain, in a conspicuous typeface:
(a) a concise, accurate statement of the charitable organization's right to cancel;
(b) a concise, accurate statement of the period during which the contract may be cancelled;
(c) the address to which the notice of cancellation is to be sent;
(d) the address of the attorney general to which a duplicate of the notice of cancellation is to be sent; and
(e) a clear statement of the financial arrangement including, if applicable, a statement of the percentage of the total funds collected on behalf of the charitable organization which shall be paid to the professional fund raiser or any other person for purposes other than the exclusive benefit of the charitable organization.
5. Any funds collected by any professional fund raiser, fund raising counsel, professional solicitor, commercial co-venturer, charitable organization or any other person in violation of this section shall be deemed to be held in trust for the benefit of the charitable organization without deduction for costs or expenses of any nature. A charitable organization shall be entitled to recover all funds collected in violation of this section together with costs, disbursements and allowances.
6. The failure of a professional fund raiser, fund raising counsel or commercial co-venturer to immediately discontinue solicitation or any other fund raising activity upon receipt of a notice of cancellation in accordance with the provisions of this article within fifteen days of the cancellation of the contract shall be deemed to be a continuing fraud upon the people of the state of New York.
7. In addition to all other remedies provided by law the attorney general may bring an action to enjoin the violation of the provisions of this section and to recover restitution, damages, costs and attorneys fees.