36-1-19.1. Authority to make charitable donations; state authority to establish procedures.

In all counties of this state having a population of 400,000 or more according to the United States decennial census of 1990 or any future such census, the governing authorities of such counties are authorized to provide by ordinance for the appropriation of money for and the making of grants or contributions to any corporation, association, institution, or individual for purely charitable purposes, provided that the activities funded by any such grants or contributions shall take place within the county making such grant or contribution.#

In connection with the appropriation of money for or the making of any grant or contribution for purely charitable purposes, the governing authority of any county within this state may establish such boards or councils as it may determine to establish the procedures by which such grants or contributions are made and to advise the governing authorities of such counties generally with respect to such grants or contributions.#

Appropriations, grants, and contributions made pursuant to this Code section shall be in the form of contracts for services.#

For the purpose of this Code section, “purely charitable purposes” shall mean charitable, benevolent, or philanthropic purposes for health, education, social welfare, arts and humanities, or environmental organizations.#

No funds may be appropriated, granted, or contributed under this Code section for a purpose which is in violation of the laws of this state; provided, however, that this subsection shall not be interpreted to prohibit a good faith expenditure of funds for purposes authorized by law.#