Fee Disclosure & Payment Terms

3.1. At checkout, Donors are given the option to cover both the platform fee and the processing fee so that the Organization receives 100% of the intended donation amount.

3.2. This option is entirely voluntary. It is not pre-selected, and Donors are never pressured or misled into covering fees.

3.3. When a Donor covers fees, GiveLink calculates the total charged with the same fee helper used in checkout. Stripe processing is passed through by method, and GiveLink's 1% platform fee is based on the intended donation amount.

3.4 Fee Examples

4.1. Platform Fee: Deducted from each donation at the time the payment is processed. The platform fee is collected by GiveLink as an application fee through Stripe Connect.

4.2. Processing Fee: Deducted by Stripe from the transaction at the time of payment processing. Stripe deducts processing fees before funds reach the Organization's connected account.

4.3. Net Payout: The Organization receives the donation amount minus both the platform fee and the processing fee (unless the Donor covered fees, in which case the Organization receives the full intended donation amount).

5.1. Payouts to Organizations are managed by Stripe Connect Express and follow Stripe's standard payout schedule:

• Established Accounts: Funds are typically available for payout within 2 business days of the transaction.
• New Accounts: New Stripe accounts may experience an initial payout delay of 7 to 14 days while Stripe completes account verification.
• Payout Frequency: Organizations can configure payouts as daily, weekly, or monthly through their Stripe dashboard.

5.2. GiveLink does not hold or delay funds beyond Stripe's standard processing timeline. We do not impose additional payout holds except in cases of suspected fraud or AUP violations (see our Acceptable Use Policy).

5.3. Payout timing may be affected by bank holidays, weekends, and Stripe's operational schedules. GiveLink is not responsible for delays caused by Stripe or the Organization's banking institution.

6.1. Requesting a Refund. Donors who wish to request a refund should contact the Organization that received the donation. Organizations can process refunds through their GiveLink dashboard.

6.2. Refund Window. Refunds may be issued within ninety (90) days of the original donation date. Refunds requested after 90 days are at the Organization's discretion and may be subject to limitations imposed by Stripe.

6.3. Refund of Fees:

• Processing fees on refunded donations are not returned by Stripe to the Organization.
• Platform fees on refunded donations are not refunded by GiveLink.
• If the Donor covered fees, the Donor will receive a refund of the original donation amount plus the fees they covered.

6.4. Partial Refunds. Organizations may issue partial refunds at their discretion.

6.5. Refund Timing. Refunds typically appear on the Donor's statement within 5 to 10 business days, depending on their bank or credit card issuer.

7.1. A chargeback occurs when a Donor disputes a charge with their bank or credit card issuer. If a chargeback is filed:

• The disputed amount is deducted from the Organization's Stripe balance.
• Stripe charges a $15.00 chargeback fee per dispute (this fee is set by Stripe and may change).
• The Organization is responsible for responding to the chargeback with supporting evidence through Stripe's dispute management system.

7.2. GiveLink will provide available transaction data to assist Organizations in responding to chargebacks, but we are not responsible for the outcome of chargeback disputes.

7.3. Excessive Chargebacks. Organizations with an unusually high chargeback rate may have their accounts reviewed, and we may require additional verification or suspend the account pending investigation.

7.4. Fraud Protection. Stripe provides built-in fraud detection (Stripe Radar) on all transactions processed through GiveLink. This helps reduce fraudulent donations and resulting chargebacks.

8.1. All transactions on GiveLink are processed in United States Dollars (USD) by default.

8.2. Donors paying from outside the United States may incur currency conversion fees from their bank or card issuer. These fees are not charged by GiveLink or Stripe.

8.3. Multi-currency support may be available for select campaigns. Currency options, if available, are configured at the campaign level.

9.1. For Organizations: Organizations are responsible for their own tax reporting and compliance, including but not limited to filing IRS Form 990 and issuing appropriate donor acknowledgment letters for tax-deductible contributions. GiveLink provides automated donation receipts as a convenience, but the Organization bears ultimate responsibility for tax compliance.

9.2. For Donors: The tax-deductibility of a donation depends on the Organization's tax-exempt status and applicable tax law. GiveLink does not provide tax advice. Donors should consult their tax advisor regarding the deductibility of their donations.

9.3. Platform Fees and Taxes: GiveLink does not currently charge sales tax on platform fees. If this changes due to regulatory requirements, we will provide advance notice.

10.1. GiveLink is founded on the principle that fundraising platforms should be transparent about costs — for both nonprofits and donors.

10.2. We will never:

• Solicit tips from Donors under any guise.
• Pre-select fee coverage options to inflate charges.
• Charge hidden fees or add undisclosed surcharges.
• Mark up Stripe processing fees.

10.3. Our fee structure is published on our Pricing page and in this document. Any changes to our fees will be communicated with at least thirty (30) days' advance notice.

11.1. We may modify our fee structure or these payment terms from time to time. Material changes (including any fee increase) will be communicated by email and/or a notice on the Platform at least thirty (30) days before the changes take effect.

11.2. If you do not agree with a fee change, you may terminate your account before the effective date. Any donations processed before the effective date will be subject to the fees in effect at the time of the transaction.