Pinkert v. Schwab Charitable Fund

“An injury that has not yet materialized but will occur in the future can be a basis for Article III standing, but the injury must be ‘imminent,’ meaning that it must be ‘certainly impending.’” Clapper v. Amnesty Int’l, 568 U.S. 398, 409 (2013).

Pinkert brought this case against Schwab Charitable Fund for allegedly breaching their fiduciary duties while maintaining his donor-advised fund (DAF) when they entered a partnership that caused Schwab Charitable to raise their fees, leaving Pinkert with less money to donate directly to charities. Pinkert agreed to pay these fees when he entered the contract. Pinkert appealed the district court judgment holding he lacked Article III standing. Pinkert argued that Schwab Charitable’s partnership leading to excessive fees injured his expressive rights. “An injury that has not yet materialized but will occur in the future can be a basis for Article III standing, but the injury must be ‘imminent,’ meaning that it must be ‘certainly impending.’” Clapper v. Amnesty Int’l, 568 U.S. 398, 409 (2013). The Court found Pinkert did not make the necessary allegations to prove that his injuries were certainly impending because he did not show he planned to donate a specific amount of money and Schwab Charitable's mismanagement prevented him from doing so; therefore, he lacked standing on this claim.

Pinkert also alleged damage to his property rights, arguing under the terms of the contract he had the right to advise Schwab Charitable where the funds were donated; however, Pinkert contended the excessive fees prevented him from doing so. Because Pinkert only had the right to advise where the funds were donated, the Court determined Pinkert lacked Article III standing to present his property rights claim in federal court. AFFIRMED.