Donation Terms
Donation Terms
These Donation Terms apply to all donations made to Help Learning, whether through our website, via mail, or by any other method. By choosing to donate to Help Learning, you are agreeing to the terms and practices outlined below. These terms are designed to provide clarity on recurring gifts, tax deductibility, and other important aspects of giving, so that you can donate with confidence in how your contribution will be handled.
1. Recurring Donations and Payment Authorization
If you choose to make a recurring donation (for example, a monthly or quarterly gift), you authorize Help Learning to automatically charge the payment method you provide on a recurring basis for the agreed-upon amount. The frequency, amount, and start date of your recurring donation will be clearly indicated during the donation process (e.g., “$50 on the 15th of each month”). You can cancel or modify a recurring donation at any time. Cancellation or change requests can be made by contacting us at [Donations Email] or [Donations Phone], or via any self-service portal we provide for managing donations. We will honor cancellation requests promptly; if possible, please notify us at least [a few days] before your next scheduled payment to ensure the cancellation is processed in time. There are no penalties or fees for canceling a recurring gift. Each time your recurring donation is processed, you will receive an electronic receipt (via email) confirming the charge, the amount, and the date. We recommend saving these receipts for your records.
Failed Payments: If a recurring donation payment fails (due to an expired credit card, insufficient funds, or other error), we will typically notify you by email and provide instructions to update your payment information. We may attempt to process the payment again within a short period (e.g., after a few days). If the payment continues to fail, we may suspend future recurring charges until you update your payment details. You will not be charged any fees by us for failed charges; however, please be aware your bank or card issuer might charge you fees according to your account agreement (for example, if your account had insufficient funds).
New Payment Card Regulations: Help Learning strives to follow industry best practices for recurring transactions. For instance, in line with guidelines recommended by payment card networks, we aim to provide clear upfront disclosure of the terms of recurring donations, send confirmation of your sign-up (with instructions on how to cancel), and include easy cancellation instructions in our email receipts. While these specific card network rules (like those introduced by Mastercard) are primarily optional for nonprofits, we choose to implement them to ensure a positive and transparent experience for our recurring donors. Our goal is to make managing your recurring gift simple and hassle-free.
2. Tax Deductibility and Receipts
Help Learning is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN [EIN]), and your contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by U.S. law. In general, if you did not receive any goods or services in return for your donation, the full amount of your gift is tax-deductible. We will provide a written acknowledgment (receipt) for each donation, which will include our name, the amount of the contribution (for cash gifts) or a description of any non-cash property contributed, and a statement regarding whether any goods or services were provided in exchange for the donation. For one-time donations made online, an email receipt will be sent immediately to the email address you provide. For donations by check or other offline methods, a receipt will be mailed or emailed typically within 1-2 weeks of the donation (please provide current contact information so we can send your acknowledgment).
If you make multiple donations over the course of the year, we may also provide a year-end consolidated receipt summarizing all your contributions for your convenience during tax season. Donors who contribute $250 or more in a single donation should retain the acknowledgment letter/receipt we provide, as the IRS requires donors to have written substantiation for contributions of $250+ in order to claim a deduction. (Our receipts are designed to meet IRS substantiation requirements.)
Consult Your Tax Advisor: While we can confirm our nonprofit status and provide documentation of your gifts, Help Learning does not provide individual tax advice. Factors such as your personal income, other contributions, or local laws can affect the deductibility of your donations. We recommend consulting a tax professional if you have specific questions about claiming a charitable deduction on your tax return. Generally, charitable deductions in the U.S. are allowed up to certain limits based on your income, and any excess can sometimes be carried over to future years. Your tax advisor can help determine how a donation to Help Learning may benefit you.
3. Goods and Services (Quid Pro Quo Contributions)
In some cases, Help Learning might offer a token of appreciation or host a fundraising event where donors receive something of value in return for their contribution. Examples include benefit dinners, charity auctions, sponsorship packages, or small thank-you gifts (like mugs or t-shirts) for certain donation levels. When a donor receives any goods or services in exchange for a donation, the IRS classifies the donation as a quid pro quo contribution. In such cases, only the portion of the donation that exceeds the fair market value of the goods/services received is tax-deductible. We will always inform you of the estimated value of any substantial benefits you receive.
For instance, if you donate $100 and receive an event ticket valued at $40, your tax-deductible amount is $60. As required by IRS regulations, if the quid pro quo portion of your donation exceeds $75, we will provide you with a written disclosure statement that includes a good-faith estimate of the fair market value of the goods or services provided and a statement that only the amount exceeding that value is deductible. We provide this disclosure in the donation receipt or acknowledgment for easy reference. There may be exceptions for items of insubstantial value (for example, a free bookmark or sticker given as a “thank you” is usually considered insubstantial and does not reduce your deductible amount under IRS guidelines). But as a rule of thumb, we clearly describe any benefits and their values to keep you informed.
Please note that if you decline or opt-out of the benefits (e.g., you choose not to accept the complimentary gift that comes with a certain donation level), then your donation may be fully deductible. If you’re ever uncertain about the deductible amount of a contribution, feel free to reach out to us for clarification. We will also ensure that our fundraising materials and event invitations transparently communicate these values upfront, so you know before you give.
4. Refunds and Errors
Charitable contributions are generally not refundable, since donors receive a tax benefit and the funds are often put to work quickly for our mission. However, if you believe that a mistake has occurred in connection with your donation (for example, you accidentally donated the wrong amount, made duplicate donations, or there was a technical error that caused an incorrect charge), please contact us as soon as possible. We will review the situation on a case-by-case basis and, if appropriate, issue a refund or correction. Our priority is donor satisfaction and trust, so we will make every reasonable effort to address errors.
To request a refund or report an issue, contact our donor support at info@helplearning.org . Please provide details of the transaction (date, amount, method, and what went wrong). If a refund is approved, we will issue it using the original payment method when possible. For credit card donations, refunds typically appear on your account within 5–10 business days after processing, depending on your bank’s policies. If the original payment method cannot be refunded (for instance, if a credit card account is closed), we will work with you to find an alternate solution.
Event Cancellations: If you made a donation in exchange for event tickets or sponsorship and the event is canceled by us, we will contact you to discuss options, which may include converting your full payment to a tax-deductible donation, applying it to a rescheduled event, or issuing a refund for the fair market value portion of your purchase. Our aim will be to accommodate your preferences in such situations.
Please note that if you received a tax deduction for a donation that is later refunded, you may be required to adjust your tax filings to account for the returned donation. Always consult with a tax advisor in the event of a refunded charitable contribution to understand any implications.
5. Donor Privacy and Communication Preferences
Your generous support is deeply appreciated, and we also respect your privacy and preferences as a donor. Our Privacy Policy (see above) details how we protect your personal information. In summary, we do not share or sell donor personal data to third parties without consent, and we honor any requests for anonymity. If you have special instructions regarding your donation (for example, if it is “in honor” or “in memory” of someone, or if you want to designate it for a specific program when such options are available), please indicate that at the time of giving or contact us. We will strive to honor designations, provided they align with our mission and are feasible; if not, we will inform you and discuss alternatives.
You have full control over how you hear from us. If you make a donation, we may send you occasional updates on how your funds are making a difference, along with future donation appeals. However, you can opt out of any or all communications at any time (aside from essential transactional emails like receipts). To change your contact preferences, use the unsubscribe link in emails or get in touch with us at [Contact Email/Phone]. We commit to implementing your preference changes promptly.
6. Changes to Donation Terms
We may update these Donation Terms from time to time to reflect new policies or compliance with laws. Any changes will be posted on this page with a revised effective date. Significant changes that affect your rights or obligations (for example, changes to cancellation terms for recurring donations) will be communicated via email or highlighted on our donation page at the time of your transaction. By continuing to donate after changes are posted, you signify acceptance of the updated terms.
If you have any questions about these Donation Terms or any aspect of your donation, please do not hesitate to contact us. We sincerely thank you for your support and want you to have a positive giving experience.
Contact for Donations:
Email: info@helplearning.org
Phone: +447407882041
Mailing Address: 6735 Mahi Lane, 1H, London, United Kingdom, 29572, Attn: Donor Services
Thank you for supporting Help Learning. Your donation is an investment in our mission, and we are committed to honoring that investment with transparency, integrity, and impact.