1. Introduction and Acceptance of Terms

CARING HEARTS2 INCORPORATED (referred to herein as the “Organization,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a non-profit entity dedicated to providing comprehensive community support, educational resources, and empowerment programs within Danbury, CT, and surrounding areas. These Terms and Conditions of Service and Engagement (the “Terms”) constitute a legally binding agreement between the Organization and any individual, entity, or group (“User,” “you,” or “your”) accessing our website, utilizing our services, enrolling in our programs, making a donation, or engaging with us in any capacity.

By accessing, browsing, or using any part of the Organization’s digital platforms, submitting an application, registering for an event, or participating in any program offered by CARING HEARTS2 INCORPORATED, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms, along with our accompanying Privacy Policy. If you do not agree to these Terms, you are explicitly prohibited from using our website and services, and you should discontinue use immediately. These Terms shall remain in full force and effect while you are a user of any of the Organization’s services or platforms. We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time, with updates taking immediate effect upon posting the revised version on this page. Your continued use of the services following any such modifications confirms your acceptance of the revised Terms.

2. Eligibility, Registration, and User Conduct

2.1. Eligibility and Program Enrollment

Our programs and services are generally available to the community members we serve, as defined by our mission and geographic focus. Eligibility for specific programs (e.g., age-restricted youth programs, income-based assistance) is determined by criteria explicitly outlined in the program documentation.

• Accurate Information: To register for any program, become a volunteer, or receive assistance, you agree to provide true, accurate, current, and complete information about yourself or your family as prompted by our registration or intake forms. You agree to promptly update this information to keep it accurate and complete. Failure to provide accurate information may result in the denial of services or immediate suspension of your program enrollment.
• Minors: Participants under the age of eighteen (18) must have the explicit, verifiable consent of a parent or legal guardian to enroll in any program, volunteer, or provide personal information to the Organization. The parent or guardian is fully responsible for the minor’s conduct, compliance with these Terms, and any liability arising from the minor’s participation.

2.2. Standards of User Conduct

We expect all Users, whether in-person participants, online communicants, or volunteers, to engage with the Organization and its community with respect, professionalism, and integrity.

• Prohibited Conduct: You agree not to use the Organization’s services or facilities for any unlawful purpose or in any way that harms or harasses others. This includes, but is not limited to:
  • Harassment, discrimination, or abusive behavior toward staff, volunteers, beneficiaries, or other community members based on race, gender, religion, age, disability, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.
  • Any activity that disrupts or interferes with the Organization’s operations, servers, networks, or digital security.
  • Submitting false, misleading, or fraudulent information for the purpose of gaining access to services or financial aid for which you are ineligible.
  • Attempting to gain unauthorized access to any part of the website, user accounts, or confidential data.
• Consequences of Misconduct: The Organization reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to immediately suspend or terminate access to any or all services, programs, or facilities for any User, participant, or volunteer found to be in violation of these standards of conduct or any other part of these Terms, without prior notice or refund.

3. Financial Transactions and Donation Policies

3.1. Donations and Fundraising

All donations made to CARING HEARTS2 INCORPORATED are irrevocable charitable gifts. By initiating a donation, you affirm that:

• Authorized Transaction: You are authorized to use the payment method provided for your donation.
• Voluntary Gift: The donation is voluntary, and you understand that, as a registered non-profit organization, contributions are generally non-refundable.
• Use of Funds: While the Organization strives to honor donor designations (e.g., directing funds to a specific program), we retain the ultimate authority and discretion to use all donated funds in a manner consistent with our mission and exempt purposes, including allocating funds where the need is deemed most pressing by the Board of Directors.
• Tax Receipts: We will issue an official tax receipt for all donations as required by law, provided the donor submits accurate contact information.

3.2. Third-Party Payment Processors

All online financial transactions, including donations, are processed by secure, third-party payment processing services (e.g., PayPal, Stripe, etc.).

• Security: We do not directly collect or store your sensitive payment card details (such as the full credit card number or CVV). This information is encrypted and transmitted directly to the payment processor.
• Processor Terms: By making a payment, you agree to be bound by the terms and conditions and privacy policy of the respective third-party payment processor, in addition to these Terms. We are not responsible for the actions or inactions of these third-party processors.

3.3. Refunds and Cancellation of Recurring Donations

• Refund Policy: As donations are used immediately for charitable purposes, refunds are generally not provided. Exceptions may be considered only in cases of documented fraud or technical error resulting in an unintended double charge, and any such request must be submitted in writing within 15 days of the transaction.
• Recurring Donations: If you set up a recurring donation, you may cancel it at any time by contacting us directly via email at info@chearts.site or by adjusting your settings through the donor portal provided by the third-party processor. Cancellation will take effect before the next scheduled payment.

4. Intellectual Property Rights

4.1. Organization Content and Ownership

All content on the Organization’s website, including text, graphics, logos, images, program materials, designs, and software (“Organization Content”), is the property of CARING HEARTS2 INCORPORATED or its content suppliers and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

• Use License: The Organization grants you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the website and Organization Content solely for personal, non-commercial use in connection with your participation in our programs or support of our mission.
• Restrictions: You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, sell, publish, modify, or create derivative works from any Organization Content without the prior express written permission of the Executive Director.

4.2. User-Generated Content

Any content you post, upload, or submit to the Organization, including testimonials, feedback, photographs taken at events, or comments on social media (“User Content”), is subject to the following:

• License Grant: You grant CARING HEARTS2 INCORPORATED a perpetual, irrevocable, worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive, sublicensable right and license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, and display such User Content in any media for the purpose of promoting the Organization and its mission (e.g., in annual reports, fundraising materials, or website promotion).
• Warranties: You represent and warrant that you own or otherwise control all rights to the User Content you post, that the User Content is accurate, and that the use of the User Content by the Organization will not violate any law or infringe upon the rights of any third party.
• Confidentiality of Personal Stories: Notwithstanding the above, the Organization commits to adhering strictly to its Privacy Policy regarding the use of personal stories and images of beneficiaries, and will obtain specific, separate written consent before using any identifying details in public communications.

5. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

5.1. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Organization’s website, services, and all Organization Content are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis, without any warranties of any kind, either express or implied. The Organization hereby disclaims all warranties, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not warrant that the website or services will be uninterrupted, error-free, secure, or that any defects will be corrected.

5.2. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, in no event shall CARING HEARTS2 INCORPORATED, its directors, employees, volunteers, or agents be liable to you or any third party for any indirect, consequential, exemplary, incidental, special, or punitive damages, including lost profit, lost revenue, loss of data, or other damages arising from your use of the services, even if the Organization has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

• Program Responsibility: While our educational and assistance programs are developed with the utmost care and professional expertise, the Organization makes no guarantee regarding the outcome of any service provided (e.g., guaranteed employment, specific academic achievement, or resolution of financial hardship). Participation in any program is at the User’s own risk.
• Liability Cap: Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Organization’s liability to you for any cause whatsoever and regardless of the form of the action, will at all times be limited to the amount paid, if any, by you to the Organization during the six (6) month period prior to any cause of action arising.

6. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless CARING HEARTS2 INCORPORATED, its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, and agents from and against any and all claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, or debt, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees) arising from: (a) your use of and access to the Organization’s services or website; (b) your violation of any term of these Terms; (c) your violation of any third-party right, including without limitation any copyright, property, or privacy right; or (d) any claim that your User Content caused damage to a third party. This indemnification obligation will survive the termination of these Terms and your use of the services.

7. Program Termination and Suspension

7.1. Termination by the Organization

The Organization reserves the right, without obligation to provide compensation, to immediately and without prior notice terminate or suspend your access to all or part of our services and programs for any reason, including but not limited to:

• Breach of these Terms or the policies referenced herein (e.g., the Code of Conduct).
• Actions that are harmful to other Users, staff, volunteers, or the Organization’s reputation.
• If we are unable to verify or authenticate any information you provide to us.
• Cessation of operation or funding for a specific program.

7.2. Termination by the User

You may terminate your participation in any program or volunteer engagement at any time by providing written notice to the appropriate Program Director or Coordinator. You remain bound by the provisions of these Terms relating to Intellectual Property, Disclaimers, Limitation of Liability, and Indemnification, which shall survive termination.

8. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

8.1. Governing Law

These Terms and your use of the services are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Connecticut, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

8.2. Informal Negotiations

To expedite resolution and control the cost of any dispute, controversy, or claim related to these Terms (each a “Dispute”), you and the Organization agree to first attempt to negotiate any Dispute (except those Disputes expressly excluded below) informally for at least thirty (30) days before initiating arbitration or court proceedings. Such informal negotiations commence upon written notice from one party to the other.

8.3. Binding Arbitration

If the parties are unable to resolve a Dispute through informal negotiations, the Dispute will be resolved by binding arbitration in the State of Connecticut. The arbitration shall be conducted by a single arbitrator and administered by the American Arbitration Association (AAA) under its Commercial Arbitration Rules. Judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof.

8.4. Exceptions to Informal Negotiations and Arbitration

The parties agree that the following Disputes are not subject to the above provisions concerning informal negotiations and binding arbitration: (a) any Dispute seeking to enforce or protect, or concerning the validity of, any of the intellectual property rights of a party; (b) any claim for injunctive relief; and (c) any claim related to or arising from the collection of funds or recovery of costs associated with a fraudulent transaction or non-payment.

9. General Provisions

9.1. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with any operating rules or policies posted by us on the website or in respect to the services, constitute the entire agreement and understanding between you and us, superseding all prior or contemporaneous agreements and communications, whether electronic, oral, or written, between you and us with respect to the services.

9.2. No Waiver

The failure of the Organization to exercise or enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not operate as a waiver of such right or provision. Any waiver of any provision of these Terms will be effective only if in writing and signed by an authorized representative of the Organization.

9.3. Severability

If any provision or part of a provision of these Terms is determined to be unlawful, void, or unenforceable, that provision or part of the provision is deemed severable from these Terms and does not affect the validity and enforceability of any remaining provisions.

9.4. Notices

All legal notices and communications regarding these Terms must be in writing and addressed to the Organization at its official mailing address: 44 ABBEY LANE 4111, DANBURY, CT 06810, with attention to the Executive Director. Electronic notices will not be considered valid legal notice.

10. Contact Information

For any questions or concerns regarding these Terms and Conditions of Service and Engagement, please contact us at:

CARING HEARTS2 INCORPORATED Address: 44 ABBEY LANE 4111, DANBURY, CT 06810 Email: info@chearts.site (Subject: Terms & Conditions Inquiry)