Haridham Sokhda Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha, Inc. (“HSAPSS”) is committed to donor rights, as well as to transparency and accountability. Donors may have questions about how the donations themselves or their information is used. This policy, Donor Terms and Conditions (“Donor Terms”), is intended to answer frequently asked questions and explain how we use your donation. By donating to HSAPSS, you are agreeing to these Donor Terms.
1. Charitable Programming. HSAPSS is a nonprofit corporation and a 501(c)(3) public charity. HSAPSS’s charitable purpose and programming is to impact society through individual growth by fostering and furthering the Hindu Swaminarayan ideals of faith, friendliness, and selfless service.
2. Restricted Donations. All donations to HSAPSS are considered to be unrestricted donations. HSAPSS may solicit and/or accept donations for various programs or initiatives. Unless otherwise stated by the donor and accepted by HSAPSS, such donations are restricted only insofar as they may be used for HSAPSS’s use in carrying out its charitable programming, including programming carried out in India through Shri Hari Ashram, its subsidiaries and/or affiliates. All donations will be used to further HSAPSS’s charitable purposes, on local, national, and international levels.
3. Donations are Final. Because we very quickly utilize our funds in pursuit of our charitable purpose, any donations received are final. Exceptions may include times where a donor may have errantly added too many zeros in making the donation, or if the donation was fraudulent. In such events, we will, within reason, work with you and and other parties involved to ensure each donation is appropriately handled.
4. Donor Information. Donor information is managed in three ways. First, highly confidential donor information (i.e., credit card numbers and expiration dates) is never shared, nor is it accessible by our personnel. This information is treated confidentially and only utilized insofar as is necessary for accounting, donation processing and similar purposes. Second, donor contact information (names, addresses and email addresses) is collected and used by us only as necessary to (1) confirm required information (if needed) (2) complete a donation transaction, (3) send Gift Acknowledgments and, (4) on occasion, send you information relating to our charitable purpose, including marketing materials. Donors may opt out at any time from the receipt of communications by us by sending us an email at info@hsapss.org or by using the link for opting out in any email we send you.
5. Gifts to Donors. HSAPSS does not generally provide goods or services to donors in return for their donations. If we do, we will indicate the value of that good or service for your records.
6. Gift Acknowledgements. HSAPSS acknowledges the receipt of all gifts to HSAPSS, regardless of size, in writing and in a manner that satisfies the IRS substantiation requirements set forth in IRS Section 170(f) for the deduction of charitable gifts by individual donors. All gifts are acknowledged with an official charitable receipt that includes, at a minimum, the name of the donor, gift amount (for monetary gifts only), gift date and designation of the gift. This document is deemed to be the official acceptance of the gift and its related terms and conditions, as well as official certification of the donation for income tax purposes. If you donate non-cash gifts, HSAPSS will work with the donor to ensure the donor has sufficient records of the gift for tax reporting purposes.
7. Membership. Membership in HSAPSS is voluntary, and imposes no obligations on HSAPSS.