Terms of Service

1. Introduction and Acceptance

Welcome to UniteGive. These Terms of Service (the “Terms”) form a binding agreement between you and UniteGive (“UniteGive,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) and govern your access to and use of our website, applications, APIs, and related services (collectively, the “Services”). By creating an account, starting a fundraiser, donating, or otherwise using the Services, you agree to these Terms, our Privacy Policy, our Acceptable Use Policy, our Refund Policy, and any additional policies referenced here, each of which is incorporated into these Terms by reference.

If you do not agree to these Terms, do not use the Services. If you are using the Services on behalf of an organization, you represent that you have authority to bind that organization to these Terms, and “you” refers to both you and that organization.

In these Terms, an “organizer” is a person who creates a campaign, a “beneficiary” is the person or entity a campaign is intended to benefit, a “donor” is a person who contributes to a campaign, and a “campaign” (or “fundraiser”) is a fundraising page created through the Services.

2. Eligibility

To use the Services you must:

• Be at least 18 years of age, or the age of majority in your jurisdiction;
• Have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract;
• Not be barred from receiving services under applicable law or sanctions programs, and not be located in, ordinarily resident in, or organized under the laws of a country or region subject to comprehensive sanctions;
• Not have previously had an account or campaign removed by UniteGive, unless we expressly permit otherwise in writing;
• Provide accurate, current, and complete information when registering and keep it updated.

3. Accounts

You are responsible for safeguarding your account credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account. Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access. You may not sell, transfer, or share your account, create an account using false information or on behalf of another person without authorization, or maintain multiple accounts to evade enforcement of these Terms. We may suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms or pose risk to donors, beneficiaries, or the platform.

4. The Services and Our Role as a Platform

UniteGive is a technology platform that allows organizers to create fundraising campaigns and donors to contribute money to those campaigns. UniteGive is not a broker, agent, financial institution, money transmitter, creditor, charity, charitable trust, insurer, attorney, or fiduciary for any user, and no agency, partnership, joint venture, employment, or trust relationship is created by these Terms.

Campaigns are created by independent users, not by UniteGive. We do not choose the causes, write the campaign content, or verify the accuracy of statements made by organizers except as described in these Terms. Hosting, listing, featuring, promoting, or approving a campaign is not an endorsement of the campaign, the organizer, the beneficiary, or any opinion, allegation, or claim expressed. We do not control whether organizers will use donations as described, and we do not guarantee any campaign outcome.

We may, but are not obligated to, review, screen, moderate, feature, de-feature, edit, restrict, remove, or refuse any campaign, content, or user for any reason permitted by law. Any such action is taken at our sole discretion and does not create a duty to take similar action in any other case.

We may modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of the Services at any time. We do not guarantee that the Services will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free.

5. Fees and Tips

UniteGive charges a 0% platform fee. The Services are funded by optional donor tips. Standard payment processing fees are charged by our PCI-compliant payments partner and are deducted from donations. Tips are voluntary, are separate from your donation, are retained by UniteGive to operate the platform, and are generally non-refundable. We may change our fees or tip options at any time on a prospective basis.

6. Donations

• All donations are made in U.S. Dollars unless otherwise indicated.
• A donation is a voluntary transfer of funds to the organizer or beneficiary of a campaign. It is not a purchase, investment, loan, deposit, or contract for goods or services, and it creates no enforceable obligation by UniteGive to deliver any result.
• Donations are generally non-refundable except as described in Section 8 or required by law.
• Donations to most campaigns are not tax-deductible unless the campaign explicitly benefits a registered tax-exempt organization and provides appropriate documentation. UniteGive does not provide tax, legal, or financial advice; consult your own advisor.
• You authorize UniteGive and its payment processors to charge your selected payment method for the donation amount plus any tip you choose, and you represent that you are authorized to use that payment method.
• You may not donate with funds obtained unlawfully or in a manner intended to launder money, evade sanctions, test stolen payment credentials, or manipulate a campaign’s totals.

7. Recurring Donations and Payment Authorization

If you elect a recurring donation, you authorize UniteGive and its payment processor to charge your payment method on the schedule you select until you cancel. You may cancel a recurring donation at any time from your account or by contacting us; cancellation takes effect for future charges and does not refund charges already processed. It is your responsibility to keep your payment method current.

8. Refunds and Chargebacks

Donors who believe a campaign was fraudulent or that funds were misused may request a refund in accordance with our Refund Policy. UniteGive will investigate eligible claims and may, at its sole discretion, issue a refund from available funds, request return of funds from the organizer, or refer the matter to law enforcement. Any refund is discretionary and limited to the donation amount actually received and available; UniteGive is not a guarantor or insurer of any campaign.

If you dispute a charge with your bank or card issuer instead of contacting us first, we may suspend your account and any related campaigns while the dispute is resolved. Organizers are responsible for chargebacks, reversals, and associated fees on donations they received, and authorize us to recover those amounts from future payouts or by other lawful means. Excessive chargebacks may result in account suspension.

9. Organizer Responsibilities

• Provide truthful, accurate, and complete information about yourself, the beneficiary, and the use of funds.
• Deliver funds to the stated beneficiary and use funds only for the stated purpose.
• Comply with all applicable laws, including tax, consumer protection, charitable solicitation, and anti-money-laundering laws.
• Respond promptly to requests from UniteGive for verification or documentation.
• Provide timely updates to donors about the use of funds and material developments.
• Maintain records sufficient to demonstrate how funds were used, and provide them to us on reasonable request.

Organizers are solely responsible to donors and beneficiaries for the use of funds. By creating a campaign you agree that any failure to deliver funds to the stated beneficiary or to use funds for the stated purpose may constitute a violation of these Terms and of applicable law, and you agree to indemnify UniteGive as described in Section 24 for any resulting claim.

10. Beneficiaries

If you create a campaign for someone other than yourself, you must accurately identify the beneficiary and have their permission (or the permission of their legal guardian or estate representative) where required. A named beneficiary may contact us to claim funds, request that a campaign be corrected, or request that a campaign be removed, and we may, at our discretion, redirect payouts to the beneficiary or hold funds pending resolution. Campaigns for minors must be created and managed by an adult with legal authority.

11. Prohibited Conduct

You may not use the Services to:

• Violate any law, regulation, or third-party right;
• Engage in fraud, deception, or misrepresentation;
• Launder money or evade taxes or sanctions;
• Harass, threaten, defame, stalk, doxx, or harm any person or group, including UniteGive staff;
• Promote hate, violence, terrorism, or discrimination based on protected characteristics;
• Distribute malware, scrape the Services, use bots, or interfere with our infrastructure or security;
• Impersonate any person or entity, or misrepresent your affiliation with a person or entity;
• Reverse engineer, copy, resell, or create derivative works from the Services;
• Circumvent fees, identity verification, geographic restrictions, suspensions, or other platform controls.

12. Prohibited Campaign Categories

The following campaigns are not permitted on UniteGive:

• Weapons, ammunition, explosives, and related accessories;
• Illegal drugs, controlled substances, and drug paraphernalia;
• Tobacco, vaping products, and adult sexual content or services;
• Gambling, lotteries, sweepstakes, raffles, and games of chance;
• Pyramid schemes, multi-level marketing, and get-rich-quick schemes;
• Hate speech, terrorism, extremism, or organizations designated by sanctions authorities;
• Animal cruelty or the sale of endangered species;
• Counterfeit goods or intellectual-property infringement;
• Speculative financial investments, cryptocurrency offerings, or unregistered securities;
• Campaigns making false, misleading, or unsubstantiated medical claims;
• Activities that endanger public health or safety.

13. Criminal Activity, Legal Defense, and Wrongful Conviction Fundraising Policy

This Section 13 is part of these Terms and applies to every fundraiser involving alleged or actual criminal conduct, legal defense, or claims of wrongful conviction.

13.1 General Prohibition on Criminal Activity Fundraising

To protect donors, beneficiaries, and the integrity of the platform, UniteGive does not permit fundraising that directly or indirectly supports, promotes, encourages, finances, or rewards criminal conduct. Prohibited fundraisers include, but are not limited to:

• Fundraising intended to finance criminal activity;
• Fundraising that promotes violence or threats of violence;
• Fundraising for weapons, illegal substances, or illegal enterprises;
• Fundraising that financially rewards criminal conduct;
• Fundraising intended to help individuals avoid lawful consequences of criminal actions;
• Fundraising that glorifies, celebrates, or encourages unlawful behavior;
• Fundraising that supports terrorist, extremist, hate-based, or violent organizations;
• Fundraising that violates applicable laws or regulations.

In general, UniteGive will not permit funds to be raised for the personal benefit, lifestyle, or financial enrichment of individuals convicted of crimes.

13.2 Exception for Legal Defense and Due Process

UniteGive recognizes that every person is entitled to legal representation, due process, and access to the courts. Accordingly, fundraising for legal defense may be permitted when conducted in accordance with this policy. Approval of a fundraiser does not imply that UniteGive endorses the individual, the allegations, the defense, or any claims of innocence.

13.3 Permitted Legal Defense Fundraisers

The following fundraising activities may be approved:

• Criminal defense legal fees;
• Appeals and post-conviction legal proceedings;
• Wrongful conviction investigations;
• Innocence projects and legal review efforts;
• Expert witness fees;
• Court filing fees;
• Licensed private investigator fees retained by legal counsel;
• Forensic testing, transcripts, and evidence review costs.

13.4 Disbursement of Legal Defense Funds

• Funds raised for legal defense are generally disbursed directly to the attorney, law firm, or legal organization representing the beneficiary.
• Funds are not disbursed to an incarcerated individual, a convicted individual, a family member, or any third party not providing approved legal services.
• UniteGive may require proof of legal representation before approving a campaign or releasing funds.

13.5 Prohibited Uses of Legal Defense Funds

Legal defense fundraisers may not be used for:

• Personal living expenses;
• Housing, transportation, food, utilities, or entertainment;
• Restitution payments;
• Criminal fines or penalties;
• Bail payments unless expressly approved by UniteGive;
• Compensation to convicted individuals;
• Any purpose unrelated to legal representation or judicial review.

13.6 Wrongful Conviction and Innocence Claims

UniteGive does not determine guilt or innocence.

Fundraisers asserting innocence, wrongful conviction, prosecutorial misconduct, constitutional violations, or other claims seeking judicial review may be permitted provided that:

• The fundraising purpose is limited to legal defense, appeals, evidence review, or post-conviction relief;
• Campaign descriptions accurately represent the status of the case;
• Campaign organizers do not knowingly publish false information;
• Campaigns do not encourage harassment, intimidation, threats, or violence;
• Campaigns comply with all applicable laws and platform policies.

Approval of a fundraiser does not constitute endorsement of any claim made by the organizer.

13.7 Transparency Requirements

Campaign organizers must:

• Clearly disclose the intended use of funds;
• Identify the attorney, law firm, or legal organization receiving funds when requested;
• Provide supporting documentation reasonably requested by UniteGive;
• Maintain truthful and accurate campaign descriptions;
• Promptly update donors regarding major case developments affecting the fundraiser.

13.8 Platform Review and Discretion

UniteGive reserves the right to review, suspend, deny, remove, or refund any fundraiser that:

• Violates this policy;
• Contains misleading or fraudulent information;
• Creates significant legal, regulatory, safety, or reputational risks;
• Fails to provide requested verification;
• Is inconsistent with the mission and values of the platform.

13.9 Disclaimer

UniteGive is a crowdfunding platform and does not investigate criminal allegations or determine the guilt or innocence of any individual. Approval of a fundraiser does not constitute endorsement of the beneficiary, organizer, legal claims, defense strategy, allegations, or assertions of innocence.

14. Content You Submit

You retain ownership of content you submit (text, images, video). You grant UniteGive a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable, transferable license to host, store, reproduce, display, adapt, translate, and distribute that content for the purpose of operating, promoting, and improving the Services, including in press materials, search results, and social media previews. This license continues for content that has been shared with others or used in materials already distributed, even after your content or account is removed.

You represent that you have the rights necessary to grant this license, that you have permission to include any person shown or identified in your content, and that your content does not infringe or violate any third-party rights. Content posted by users is not reviewed or endorsed by UniteGive and does not represent our views.

15. Intellectual Property and Feedback

The Services, including all software, design, text, graphics, and trademarks, are owned by UniteGive or its licensors and are protected by intellectual property laws. Except for the limited rights granted in these Terms, no rights are transferred to you. If you send us suggestions or feedback, you grant us an unrestricted, perpetual, royalty-free right to use it without obligation or compensation to you.

16. Copyright and DMCA

We respond to notices of alleged copyright infringement and may remove content and terminate repeat infringers. See our DMCA Policy for how to submit a notice or counter-notice.

17. Privacy and Communications Consent

Our Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, and share information about you. By using the Services you consent to those practices.

You consent to receive communications from us electronically — including notices, disclosures, receipts, and agreements — by email or through the Services, and you agree that electronic communications and records satisfy any legal requirement that such communications be in writing. If you provide a phone number, you consent to receive service-related messages at that number; message and data rates may apply, and you may opt out of marketing messages at any time.

18. Identity Verification and Anti-Fraud

We may verify your identity, the identity of beneficiaries, and the legitimacy of any campaign. You authorize us and our partners to obtain reports from third parties (including credit bureaus and identity-verification providers) for these purposes. We may delay or withhold payouts pending review, screen users and transactions against sanctions and watchlists, and report suspected unlawful activity to law enforcement or regulators.

19. Payouts, Taxes, and Unclaimed Funds

Funds raised are held by our payment processor and disbursed to verified organizers or approved beneficiaries (including law firms under Section 13) according to our payout schedule and our Disbursement Policy. We may withhold, reverse, redirect, or refund payouts where we reasonably suspect a violation of these Terms or applicable law, where a campaign is under review, or where required by a court, regulator, or payment partner.

You are solely responsible for determining and paying any taxes applicable to funds you receive or donations you make, and for any required reporting or charitable-solicitation registration. If funds cannot be delivered because an organizer or beneficiary fails to complete verification or provide valid payout details, we may attempt refunds to donors or handle the funds as required by applicable unclaimed-property law.

20. Third-Party Services

The Services rely on third parties, including payment processors, identity-verification providers, and hosting and communications providers, and may link to third-party websites. Your use of a third party’s service may be governed by its own terms, and UniteGive is not responsible for third-party acts, omissions, outages, content, or policies.

21. Disclaimers

THE SERVICES ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. UNITEGIVE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT CAMPAIGNS ARE LEGITIMATE, THAT STATEMENTS MADE BY ORGANIZERS ARE TRUE, THAT FUNDS WILL BE USED AS DESCRIBED, OR THAT THE SERVICES WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED, SECURE, OR ERROR-FREE. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW CERTAIN DISCLAIMERS, SO PARTS OF THIS SECTION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

22. Assumption of Risk and Release

You understand that donating is a voluntary act and that you assume the risk that a campaign may not achieve its goal or that funds may not be used as described. Any dispute about a campaign, its content, or the use of funds is between the donor, organizer, and beneficiary.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, you release UniteGive and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from all claims, demands, and damages of every kind arising out of or connected with any dispute between you and another user, any campaign, any content posted by a user, or the use or misuse of funds. If you are a California resident, you waive California Civil Code § 1542, which says: “A general release does not extend to claims that the creditor or releasing party does not know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the release and that, if known by him or her, would have materially affected his or her settlement with the debtor or released party.”

23. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, UNITEGIVE AND ITS AFFILIATES, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, AND AGENTS WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, REVENUES, DATA, GOODWILL, OR DONATIONS, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE SERVICES, ANY CAMPAIGN, OR THE CONDUCT OF ANY USER, WHETHER BASED IN CONTRACT, TORT, STATUTE, OR ANY OTHER THEORY, AND EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. OUR TOTAL LIABILITY FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS WILL NOT EXCEED THE GREATER OF (A) THE AMOUNT OF TIPS YOU PAID TO UNITEGIVE IN THE 12 MONTHS BEFORE THE CLAIM OR (B) ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS ($100). THESE LIMITATIONS APPLY EVEN IF A REMEDY FAILS OF ITS ESSENTIAL PURPOSE. SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW CERTAIN LIMITATIONS, SO PARTS OF THIS SECTION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

24. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless UniteGive and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, liabilities, penalties, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of or related to your use of the Services, your content, your campaigns, your donations, your use of funds, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any law or third-party right. We may assume exclusive defense and control of any matter subject to indemnification, and you agree to cooperate with our defense.

25. Dispute Resolution; Arbitration; Class Action Waiver

Please read this section carefully — it affects your legal rights.

Informal resolution first. Before starting arbitration, you agree to contact us at admin@unitegive.com with a written description of the dispute and the relief sought, and to attempt to resolve the matter informally for at least 60 days.

Binding individual arbitration. Except where prohibited by law, you and UniteGive agree to resolve any dispute arising out of or related to these Terms or the Services by binding individual arbitration administered by a recognized arbitration provider under its consumer rules, before a single arbitrator, in the county of your residence or another mutually agreed location, or by video or documents only. The Federal Arbitration Act governs this section. The arbitrator decides all issues except that a court decides the enforceability of the class action waiver below.

Class action and jury trial waiver. Disputes will be brought only in an individual capacity. You and UniteGive waive any right to a jury trial and any right to bring, join, or participate in a class, collective, consolidated, or representative action. If the class action waiver is found unenforceable as to a particular claim, that claim will proceed in court and the rest of this section still applies.

Exceptions. Either party may bring an individual claim in small claims court, and either party may seek injunctive relief in court to protect intellectual property or stop unauthorized access to the Services.

Opt-out. You may opt out of arbitration by emailing admin@unitegive.com with your name, account email, and a clear statement that you opt out, within 30 days of first accepting these Terms. Opting out does not affect any other part of these Terms.

26. Governing Law and Venue

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas, USA, without regard to its conflict-of-laws principles, except that mandatory consumer-protection laws of your place of residence may apply. For any dispute not subject to arbitration, you and UniteGive consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the state and federal courts located in Texas.

27. Time Limit on Claims

To the extent permitted by law, any claim arising out of or related to these Terms or the Services must be filed within one (1) year after it arises, or it is permanently barred.

28. Termination

We may suspend or terminate your access to the Services at any time for any reason, including violation of these Terms. You may stop using the Services at any time. Sections that by their nature should survive termination will survive, including Sections 14, 15, and 19 through 27.

Without limiting the foregoing, UniteGive reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to deny, suspend, remove, or terminate any campaign, fundraiser, account, or access to the Services, at any time and without prior notice, if we believe there is a valid reason to do so, including, but not limited to, suspected repeat or fundamental violations of these Terms, our policies, or applicable law; suspected fraud, misrepresentation, or misuse of funds; risk to donors, beneficiaries, third parties, or the platform; or any other conduct we determine, in our sole discretion, to be inconsistent with the mission, values, integrity, or safety of UniteGive. Our decision to take or not take action in any particular instance does not waive our right to act with respect to future or similar conduct.

29. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be communicated through the Services or by email. Your continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms. If you do not agree, you must stop using the Services.

30. General Provisions

• Entire agreement. These Terms and the policies referenced in them are the entire agreement between you and UniteGive and supersede any prior agreements on the same subject.
• Severability. If any provision is held unenforceable, it will be limited or removed to the minimum extent necessary and the remaining provisions stay in force.
• No waiver. Our failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver of our right to enforce it later.
• Assignment. You may not assign these Terms without our written consent. We may assign them, including in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets.
• Force majeure. We are not liable for delays or failures caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including outages, natural disasters, and acts of government.
• No third-party beneficiaries. These Terms create no rights for anyone other than you and UniteGive, except for the indemnified parties named above.
• Export and sanctions compliance. You agree to comply with all applicable export control and economic sanctions laws.
• Notices. We may give notice to you by email or through the Services. Legal notices to us must be sent to admin@unitegive.com.
• Headings. Section headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.

31. Contact

Questions about these Terms? Contact us at our contact page. Please note that our contact channels are for questions about the platform — UniteGive does not create campaigns and cannot resolve disagreements with a campaign’s content or opinions. To report a campaign that violates these Terms or our Acceptable Use Policy, use the report link on that campaign’s page.