Donor Agreement

This Donor Agreement ("Agreement") establishes the terms and conditions governing donations made to The Education Foundation ("Foundation," "we," "us," or "our"). By making a donation, you ("Donor," "you," or "your") agree to be bound by this Agreement.

The Education Foundation is a registered non-profit organization dedicated to providing educational opportunities to underprivileged students across India. Your generosity directly impacts the lives of students who dream of a better future through education.

2.1 One-Time Donations

Single contributions made to support specific students or the Foundation's general fund. One-time donations can be made via credit/debit card, UPI, net banking, or bank transfer.

2.2 Recurring Donations

Monthly or annual contributions that provide sustained support for students' educational journeys. Recurring donations can be modified or cancelled at any time through your donor dashboard.

2.3 Student-Preferred Donations

Contributions made with a preference for a specific student's educational needs. Your student selection expresses a preference, not a binding restriction — the Foundation retains final discretion over allocation (see Section 3.3). Preferred contributions are applied toward the student's tuition fees, books, supplies, or other educational expenses.

2.4 General Fund Donations

Contributions to our general fund allow us to allocate resources where they are needed most, including emergency assistance, administrative costs, and supporting students who haven't yet found individual sponsors.

2.5 In-Kind Donations

Non-monetary contributions such as books, educational materials, computers, or other supplies. Please contact us before making in-kind donations to ensure we can effectively utilize and distribute your contribution.

We are committed to ensuring that your donation creates maximum impact. Here's how your contributions are allocated:

3.1 Student-Preferred Allocation

When you donate with a preference for a specific student, 100% of your contribution is applied to direct student educational expenses, in line with your preference wherever possible. Administrative costs are covered by our general fund.

3.2 Surplus Funds

If a student receives more funds than needed for their current requirements, the surplus may be used for their future educational needs or, with appropriate notice to donors, redirected to students with similar needs.

3.3 Donor Preferences and Foundation Discretion

All donations are contributions to The Education Foundation and become the property of the Foundation upon receipt. When you select a student or program, you are expressing a preference, not imposing a restriction. The Foundation retains exclusive legal control and discretion over the use of all donated funds, and its Board (or designated committee) makes final allocation decisions using objective, need-based criteria. If a preferred student withdraws, is fully funded, or otherwise cannot receive funds, the Foundation will apply your gift to another student or program with similar charitable purposes.

We believe in acknowledging and celebrating our donors' generosity while respecting their privacy preferences.

4.1 Recognition Levels

• Friend: Donations up to ₹10,000 / $120
• Supporter: Donations from ₹10,001 to ₹50,000 / $121 to $600
• Champion: Donations from ₹50,001 to ₹1,00,000 / $601 to $1,200
• Guardian: Donations from ₹1,00,001 to ₹5,00,000 / $1,201 to $6,000
• Patron: Donations above ₹5,00,000 / $6,000

4.2 Privacy Options

You may choose to remain anonymous or specify how you'd like to be recognized. Options include:

• Full name recognition
• First name only
• Initials only
• Complete anonymity

4.3 Communication Preferences

You can customize your communication preferences to receive updates about:

• Student progress reports
• Impact newsletters
• Annual reports
• Event invitations

5.1 For Donors in India

Deductions for charitable donations in India are governed by Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961, and are available only for donations to organizations holding a valid 80G registration. The Foundation will publish its 80G registration details on this page once registration is granted. Until then, donations may not be eligible for deduction in India.

• Official donation receipts provided for every contribution
• 80G certificates will be issued once registration is in effect
• Annual consolidated donation statement available on request

5.2 For Donors in the United States

The Foundation is pursuing recognition as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code. If the IRS approves an application filed within 27 months of the Foundation's formation, exemption is generally retroactive to the formation date, which can make donations made while the application is pending deductible. Until the IRS issues a determination letter, deductibility of your donation in the United States is not guaranteed.

5.3 For Other International Donors

Tax benefits for international donations vary by country. We recommend consulting with your tax advisor regarding deductibility in your jurisdiction. We provide:

• Official donation receipts
• Documentation of our non-profit status
• Detailed records of how funds were utilized

We understand that circumstances may change. Our refund policy aims to be fair while ensuring committed funds can be utilized effectively.

6.1 Refund Eligibility

• Within 24 hours: Full refund available for any reason
• Within 7 days: Full refund if funds haven't been disbursed
• After 7 days: Refunds considered on a case-by-case basis

6.2 Non-Refundable Situations

Refunds may not be possible when:

• Funds have already been disbursed to the student or institution
• The donation was made more than 30 days ago
• Tax benefits have been claimed on the donation

6.3 Requesting a Refund

To request a refund, please contact us at support@theeducationfoundation.org with your donation receipt and reason for the refund request. We will respond within 3-5 business days.

6.4 Processing Time

Approved refunds will be processed within 7-10 business days using the original payment method. Please note that your bank may take additional time to reflect the refund.

Transparency is at the core of our operations. We believe you have the right to know exactly how your donation is being used.

7.1 Impact Tracking

For student-specific donations, you will receive:

• Initial confirmation of fund allocation
• Quarterly progress reports on the student
• Annual academic performance updates
• Photos and stories (with student/family consent)

7.2 Financial Reporting

We publish:

• Audited annual financial statements
• Quarterly financial summaries
• Detailed breakdown of fund utilization
• Third-party audit reports

7.3 Student Verification

Every student on our platform undergoes:

• Background verification
• School/institution confirmation
• Financial need assessment
• Home visit (where applicable)
• Periodic re-verification

As a donor to The Education Foundation, you have the right to:

8.1 Data Protection

Your personal and financial information is protected in accordance with our Privacy Policy. We never sell, trade, or share your information with third parties for marketing purposes.

8.2 Communication Control

You can update your communication preferences at any time through your donor dashboard or by contacting us directly. We respect your choices and will honor opt-out requests within 48 hours.

The Education Foundation commits to:

9.1 Accountability

• Maintaining accurate records of all donations and expenditures
• Providing timely and accurate reports to donors
• Undergoing annual independent audits
• Complying with all applicable laws and regulations

9.2 Integrity

• Using donations only for their intended purposes
• Being truthful in all communications
• Avoiding conflicts of interest
• Treating all stakeholders with respect and dignity

9.3 Impact

• Maximizing the educational impact of every donation
• Continuously improving our programs and processes
• Measuring and reporting outcomes honestly
• Supporting students beyond just financial assistance

9.4 Responsiveness

• Responding to donor inquiries within 2 business days
• Addressing concerns promptly and thoroughly
• Welcoming feedback and suggestions
• Maintaining open channels of communication

10.1 Donation Restrictions

We cannot accept donations that:

• Come from illegal sources or activities
• Require us to violate any law or regulation
• Would compromise our independence or integrity
• Have conditions that conflict with our mission
• Involve money laundering or terrorist financing

10.2 Use Restrictions

Donations cannot be used for:

• Non-educational purposes
• Political campaigns or lobbying
• Religious proselytization
• Discrimination based on caste, religion, gender, or ethnicity
• Personal benefit of Foundation staff or board members

10.3 Right to Decline

The Foundation reserves the right to decline any donation at its sole discretion, including donations with conditions that cannot be fulfilled or that may harm our reputation or mission.