Donation & Refund Policy

Effective Date: January 1, 2025 | Last Updated: January 16, 2025

1. Nature of Charitable Donations

When you make a donation to us-Sunnah Foundation, you are making a voluntary, charitable contribution to support our humanitarian mission. Unlike commercial transactions:

• Donations are unconditional gifts with no expectation of goods or services in return
• Funds are immediately deployed to our programs (orphan care, refugee relief, humanitarian aid)
• Donations are tax-deductible as charitable contributions under IRS guidelines
• By donating, you acknowledge understanding and acceptance of this policy

2. General Refund Policy

Charitable donations are generally non-refundable. This is consistent with standard nonprofit practices and reflects the following realities:

• Immediate Allocation: Donations are promptly allocated to ongoing programs supporting orphans, refugees, and communities in need
• Charitable Nature: Donations are gifts, not payments for goods or services that can be "returned"
• Tax Implications: Refunded donations affect tax deductibility and may require amended tax filings
• Program Commitments: We make long-term commitments to beneficiaries based on donor support

3. Exceptions to Non-Refund Policy

We may consider refunds only in the following limited circumstances, subject to our sole discretion:

3.1 Technical Errors

• Documented duplicate charges for the same donation
• Incorrect amount charged due to website malfunction (with supporting evidence)
• System errors resulting in unintended transactions

3.2 Unauthorized Transactions

• Fraudulent use of your payment method by a third party
• Transactions made without your authorization

Note: For unauthorized transactions, you should also contact your bank or card issuer immediately.

3.3 Timeframe Requirement

Any refund request must be submitted within 7 calendar days of the original donation. Requests submitted after this period will not be considered, as funds will have been allocated to programs.

4. What We Do NOT Refund

To be clear, we do not provide refunds for:

• Change of mind: Deciding after donation that you didn't want to donate
• Donor's remorse: Regretting the donation amount or timing
• Financial hardship: While we sympathize, donated funds have been allocated
• Dissatisfaction with communications: Email frequency or content
• Campaign completion: A campaign reaching its goal
• Requests after 7 days: Regardless of reason

5. Recurring Donations

5.1 Full Self-Service Control

You have complete control over your recurring donations through your donor account. You can:

• Cancel immediately: Stop all future charges with one click
• Pause temporarily: Suspend charges and resume when ready
• Modify amount: Increase or decrease your monthly donation
• Update payment method: Change your card or payment details

These self-service options are available 24/7 without needing to contact us.

5.2 Recurring Donation Refunds

For recurring donations, refunds may be considered only if:

• A charge occurred after you requested cancellation through the portal
• A technical error caused charges to continue after cancellation
• The request is made within 7 days of the disputed charge

We do not refund past recurring donations simply because you wish to cancel. Cancellation affects future charges only.

6. How to Request a Refund

If you believe you qualify for a refund under the exceptions above:

1. Email us within 7 days at info@ussunnah.org with subject line: "Refund Request"
2. Include the following information:
   • Your name and email address used for the donation
   • Date and exact amount of the donation
   • Last 4 digits of the card used (for identification)
   • Detailed explanation of the issue
   • Any supporting documentation (screenshots, error messages)
3. Allow up to 7 business days for us to review your request

6.1 Review Process

All refund requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. We will:

• Verify the transaction details
• Investigate the claimed issue
• Communicate our decision via email

6.2 Approved Refunds

If a refund is approved:

• It will be processed within 5-10 business days
• The refund will be credited to the original payment method
• You may see the refund on your statement within 1-2 billing cycles
• Any tax receipt issued will be voided

7. Chargebacks and Disputes

7.1 We Encourage Direct Resolution

If you have concerns about a donation, please contact us first before initiating a chargeback with your bank. We are committed to resolving legitimate issues promptly and fairly.

7.2 Chargeback Policy

Filing a chargeback for a legitimate, authorized donation is considered a violation of our Terms of Service. When a chargeback is filed:

• We will provide documentation to your bank showing the donation was authorized
• This documentation includes confirmation emails, IP addresses, and transaction records
• Fraudulent chargebacks may be reported to relevant authorities
• Your account may be suspended pending resolution

7.3 Authorization Evidence

For all donations, we maintain records demonstrating donor authorization:

• Email address provided and confirmed
• IP address and device information at time of donation
• Confirmation email sent immediately upon donation
• Acceptance of Terms of Service and this Refund Policy
• For recurring: Initial authorization and each payment confirmation

8. Tax Implications

If you received a tax receipt for a donation that is subsequently refunded:

• You must not claim that donation as a tax deduction
• If you already filed taxes claiming the donation, consult a tax professional about filing an amended return
• We will issue a corrected receipt reflecting the refund

9. Response Time

We are a small nonprofit organization and do not guarantee specific response times for general inquiries. However:

• Refund requests: Reviewed within 7 business days
• General inquiries: We aim to respond within 5-7 business days
• Self-service is available 24/7: Use your donor account for immediate access to manage donations, view history, and download receipts

10. Policy Changes

We reserve the right to modify this Refund Policy at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. The policy in effect at the time of your donation applies to that donation.

11. Contact Information

For refund requests or questions about this policy:

us-Sunnah Foundation
Email: info@ussunnah.org
Subject Line: "Refund Request" or "Refund Policy Question"
Website: www.ussunnah.org/contact