Title 7
Corporations, Associations, and Partnerships

Chapter 6
Rhode Island Nonprofit Corporation Act

§ 7-6-5. General powers.

Each corporation has power to:

(1) Have perpetual succession by its corporate name unless a limited period of duration is stated in its articles of incorporation;

(2) Sue and be sued, complain and defend, in its corporate name;

(3) Have a corporate seal that may be altered at pleasure, and to use that seal by causing it, or a facsimile of it, to be impressed or affixed or in any other manner reproduced;

(4) Purchase, take, receive, lease, take by gift, devise, or bequest, or otherwise acquire, own, hold, improve, use, and otherwise deal in and with real or personal property, or any interest in real or personal property, wherever situated, and without restriction as to amount;

(5) Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, transfer, and otherwise dispose of all or any part of its property and assets;

(6) Lend money to and use its credit to assist its employees (other than employees who are also directors) and otherwise assist its employees;

(7) Purchase, take, receive, subscribe for, or otherwise acquire, own, hold, vote, use, employ, sell, mortgage, lend, pledge, or otherwise dispose of, and otherwise use and deal in and with, shares or other interests in, or obligations of, other domestic or foreign corporations, whether for profit or not for profit, associations, partnerships, or individuals, or direct or indirect obligations of the United States, or of any other government, state, territory, governmental district or municipality, or of any instrumentality of those entities;

(8) Make contracts and guarantees and incur liabilities; borrow money at the rates of interest that the corporation determines; issue its notes, bonds, and other obligations; guarantee debts and secure any of its obligations by mortgage or pledge of all or any of its property, franchises, and income;

(9) Lend money for its corporate purposes; invest and reinvest its funds; and take and hold real and personal property as security for the payments of funds loaned or invested in that manner;

(10) Conduct its affairs, carry on its operations, have offices, and exercise the powers granted by this chapter within or without this state;

(11) Elect or appoint officers and agents of the corporation, who may be directors or members, and define their duties and fix their compensation;

(12) Make and alter bylaws, not inconsistent with its articles of incorporation or with the laws of this state, for the administration and regulation of the affairs of the corporation;

(13) Unless otherwise provided in the articles of incorporation, make donations for the public welfare or for charitable, scientific, or educational purposes;

(14) Pay pensions and establish pension plans or pension trusts for any or all of its directors, officers, and employees;

(15) Have and exercise all powers necessary or convenient to effect any or all of the purposes for which the corporation is organized.