Which statement is not a core duty of trustees?

Which statement is not a core duty of trustees?

• A. Act in the charity's best interests
• B. Manage conflicts of interest
• C. Use charity funds for private gifts to trustees
• D. Ensure funds are used only for charitable purposes

Answer: (C)

Trustees have fiduciary duties to protect and advance the charity, which means acting in its best interests, handling conflicts of interest properly, and ensuring money and assets are used only for charitable purposes. The statement about using charity funds to give private gifts to trustees is not a duty; it represents a private benefit to individuals rather than a benefit to the charity. Personal use of charity funds is generally prohibited unless there is explicit authorization and strict transparency, so it would breach the trustees’ responsibilities. The other duties—acting in the charity’s best interests, managing conflicts of interest, and ensuring funds go to charitable purposes—are the legitimate obligations trustees must uphold.

Trustees have fiduciary duties to protect and advance the charity, which means acting in its best interests, handling conflicts of interest properly, and ensuring money and assets are used only for charitable purposes. The statement about using charity funds to give private gifts to trustees is not a duty; it represents a private benefit to individuals rather than a benefit to the charity. Personal use of charity funds is generally prohibited unless there is explicit authorization and strict transparency, so it would breach the trustees’ responsibilities. The other duties—acting in the charity’s best interests, managing conflicts of interest, and ensuring funds go to charitable purposes—are the legitimate obligations trustees must uphold.