Student organization being sued for not refunding a donation

[ted_mosby]

I am in a student-led club on a college campus in California, and a former club-member is asking for the $250 non-refundable donation (asked for at the beginning of the year) back as she is no longer in the club. We denied her request (as we did with several other students) and she claims she was unaware that the donation was non-refundable. The fact that the donation was non-refundable was not in writing but it was verbally stated several times during general meetings before members were required to pay. We are a registered non-profit organization with a tax ID number. We met for mediation with the university and they found we were not in violation of any university policies. The former member is now taking the case to small claims court.

Is it illegal to not have it in writing that the donations are non-refundable? Does she have a case?

Thanks for any suggestions

 

[Zigner]

A donation is, by definition, a gift. You don't have to give it back.