Tenn. Arts Group Claims Trust Is Violating Late Donor’s Intent

The Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Association has filed suit against the foundation of a late Tennessee philanthropist over what the organization says is a failure to make good on her promise of posthumous gifts, reports The Chattanoogan.

According to the symphony, Lillian L. Colby, a regular attendee and donor, pledged in 1991 that her estate would “provide specifically for CSO in a continuous manner after her death.” The suit says that since Ms. Colby’s death in December 2010, the Lillian L. Colby Charitable Foundation has required the symphony to apply for funds from the trust she established and restricted grants to organizations with youth education programs.

SunTrust Bank, a trustee of Ms. Colby’s estate, is also named in the Chancery Court complaint. The article does not quote representatives of the bank or the foundation.