2023 Tennessee Code › Title 48 - CORPORATIONS AND ASSOCIATIONS (§§ 48-1-101 — 48-250-115) › NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS (§§ 48-51-101 — 48-69-123) › Chapter 53 - PURPOSES AND POWERS (§§ 48-53-101 — 48-53-204) › Part 1 - PURPOSES AND POWERS OF NONPROFIT CORPORATIONS (§§ 48-53-101 — 48-53-104) › Section 48-53-102 - General powers

(a)
Unless its charter provides otherwise, every corporation has perpetual duration and succession in its corporate name and has the same powers as an individual to do all things necessary or convenient to carry out its affairs, including, without limitation, power to:
(1)
Sue and be sued, complain, and defend in its corporate name;
(2)
Have a corporate seal, which may be altered at will, and to use it, or a facsimile of it, by impressing or affixing it or in any other manner reproducing it;
(3)
Make and amend bylaws, not inconsistent with its charter or with the laws of this state, for regulating and managing the affairs of the corporation;
(4)
Purchase, receive, lease, or otherwise acquire, and own, hold, improve, use, and otherwise deal with, real or personal property, or any legal or equitable interest in property, wherever located;
(5)
Sell, convey, mortgage, pledge, lease, exchange, and otherwise dispose of, or grant a security interest in, all or any part of its property;
(6)
Purchase, receive, subscribe for, or otherwise acquire; own, hold, vote, use, sell, mortgage, lend, pledge, or otherwise dispose of, or grant a security interest in; and deal in and with shares of other interests in, or obligations of, any other entity;
(7)
Make contracts and guarantees, incur liabilities, borrow money, issue its notes, bonds, and other obligations, (which may be convertible into or include the option to purchase other securities of the corporation), and secure any of its obligations or those of any other person by mortgage, pledge of, or security interest in, any of its property, franchises, or income;
(8)
Lend money, invest and reinvest its funds, and receive and hold real and personal property as security for repayment;
(9)
Be a promoter, partner, member, associate, or manager of any partnership, joint venture, trust, or other entity;
(10)
Conduct its activities, locate offices, and exercise the powers granted by chapters 51-68 of this title within or without this state;
(11)
Elect, appoint, and designate directors and appoint officers, employees, and agents of the corporation, define their duties, and fix their compensation;
(12)
Pay pensions and establish pension plans, pension trusts, profit sharing plans, and benefit or incentive plans for any or all of the current or former directors, officers, employees, and agents;
(13)
Make donations for the public welfare or for charitable, scientific, or educational purposes;
(14)
Make payments or donations, or do any other act, not inconsistent with law, that furthers the corporate interest;
(15)
Accept gifts, devises, and bequests subject to any conditions or limitations contained in such gift, devise, or bequest, so long as such conditions or limitations are not contrary to chapters 51-68 of this title or the purposes for which the corporation is organized;
(16)
Impose dues, assessments, admission, service and transfer fees upon its members;
(17)
Establish conditions for admission to membership, admit members, and issue memberships;
(18)
Carry on a business; and
(19)
Do all things necessary or convenient, not inconsistent with law, to further the activities and affairs of the corporation.
(b)
A nonprofit corporation shall not have or issue shares of stock.
Acts 1987, ch. 242, § 3.02.