---
kind: "section"
citation: "16 U.S.C. § 583j–2"
title: "16"
title_heading: "Conservation"
number: "583j–2"
heading: "Corporate powers and obligations"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/16/583j-2"
units:
  - "Chapter 3 — Forests; Forest Service; Reforestation; Management"
  - "Subchapter V — Forest Foundation"
---

# §583j–2. Corporate powers and obligations

- (a) **In general—** The [Foundation](/usc/16/450ss–1.md?p=1)—
  - (1) shall have perpetual succession;
  - (2) may conduct business throughout the several [States](/usc/16/544.md?p=r), territories, and possessions of the United States and in foreign countries;
  - (3) shall have its principal offices in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan [area](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=1-A); and
  - (4) shall at all times maintain a designated agent in the District of Columbia authorized to accept notice or service of process for the [Foundation](/usc/16/450ss–1.md?p=1).
- (b) **Notice and service of process—** The serving of notice to, or service of process upon, the agent required by [subsection (a)(4)](#a-4), or mailed to the business address of such agent, shall be deemed as service upon or notice to the [Foundation](/usc/16/450ss–1.md?p=1).
- (c) **Seal—** The [Foundation](/usc/16/450ss–1.md?p=1) shall have an official seal selected by the Board which shall be judicially noticed.
- (d) **Powers—** To carry out its purposes, the [Foundation](/usc/16/450ss–1.md?p=1) shall have, in [addition](/usc/16/410r–5.md?p=c-2) to powers otherwise authorized under this subchapter, the usual powers of a corporation in the District of Columbia, including the power to—
  - (1) accept, receive, solicit, hold, administer and use any gift, devise, or bequest, either absolutely or in [trust](/usc/16/450ss–1.md?p=4), or real or personal property or any income therefrom or other interest therein;
  - (2) [acquire](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1) by donation, gift, devise, purchase or exchange any real or personal property or interest therein;
  - (3) unless otherwise required by the instrument of transfer, sell, donate, lease, invest, reinvest, retain or otherwise dispose of any property or income therefrom;
  - (4) borrow money and issue bonds, debentures, or other debt instruments;
  - (5) sue and be sued, and complain and defend itself in any court of competent jurisdiction (except that the Directors of the Board shall not be personally liable, except for gross negligence);
  - (6) enter into contracts or other arrangements with public agencies, private organizations, and [persons](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) and to make such payments as may be necessary to carry out the purposes thereof; and
  - (7) do any and all acts necessary and proper to carry out the purposes of the [Foundation](/usc/16/450ss–1.md?p=1).
- (e) **Property—**
  - (1) The [Foundation](/usc/16/450ss–1.md?p=1) may [acquire](/usc/16/620e.md?p=1), hold and dispose of lands, waters, or other interests in real property by donation, gift, devise, purchase or exchange. For the purposes of this subchapter, an interest in real property shall include, but not be limited to, mineral and water rights, rights of way, and easements appurtenant or in gross. A gift, devise, or bequest may be accepted by the [Foundation](/usc/16/450ss–1.md?p=1) even though it is encumbered, restricted, or subject to beneficial interests of private [persons](/usc/16/450rr–1.md?p=b) if any current or future interest therein is for the benefit of the [Foundation](/usc/16/450ss–1.md?p=1).
  - (2) No lands or waters, or interests therein, that are owned by the [Foundation](/usc/16/450ss–1.md?p=1) and are determined by the Chief of the United States Forest Service to be valuable for purposes established in this subchapter shall be subject to condemnation by any [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a) or political [subdivision](/usc/16/539m–1.md?p=15), or any agent or instrumentality thereof.
  - (3) The [Foundation](/usc/16/450ss–1.md?p=1) and any income or property received or owned by it, and all transactions relating to such income or property, shall be exempt from all Federal, [State](/usc/16/590q.md?p=a), and local taxation with respect thereto.
  - (4) Contributions, gifts, and other transfers made to or for the use of the [Foundation](/usc/16/450ss–1.md?p=1) shall be treated as contributions, gifts, or transfers to an organization exempt from taxation under [section 501(c)(3) of title 26](/usc/26/501.md?p=c-3).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 101–593, title IV, § 404, Nov. 16, 1990, 104 Stat. 2971; Pub. L. 114–54, title II, § 201(c)(1), Sept. 30, 2015, 129 Stat. 516.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2015—Subsec. (a)(4). Pub. L. 114–54, § 201(c)(1)(A), inserted “notice or” after “authorized to accept”.

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 114–54, § 201(c)(1)(B), substituted “by subsection (a)(4)” for “under this paragraph”.