What is the term for the doctrine that directs funds to the nearest possible purpose when a specific bequest cannot be fulfilled?

• A. Unjust enrichment
• B. Statutory law
• C. Grantors
• D. Cy-pres doctrine

Answer: (D)

Cy-pres is the doctrine used to honor donor intent when a specific charitable bequest can’t be fulfilled exactly as written. It allows the gift to be redirected to the nearest possible purpose that still advances the same charitable goals, so the donor’s spirit of giving continues even if the original project or recipient is no longer feasible. For example, if funds were left to build a library in a town that no longer has that project, cy-pres lets the money support a nearby library or a similar community literacy effort that closely matches the original purpose. This avoids letting the gift fail and preserves the donor’s intent. The other terms don’t fit because unjust enrichment deals with compensation for improper benefits, statutory law is the body of written laws, and grantors simply refer to the donors, not a doctrine governing charitable gifts.