Terms of Service
These terms govern your use of RippleDeeds and outline the rights and responsibilities for all users of our donation platform.
Table of Contents
Welcome to RippleDeeds
These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of RippleDeeds, a platform that connects donors with communities in need. By using our services, you agree to be bound by these Terms.
Please read these Terms carefully before using our platform. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use RippleDeeds.
Acceptance of Terms
By accessing or using RippleDeeds, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy.
Legal Agreement
These Terms constitute a legally binding agreement between you and RippleDeeds. Your use of our platform indicates your acceptance of these Terms, even if you have not explicitly agreed to them.
Who Can Use RippleDeeds
- You must be at least 18 years old to create an account
- You must have the legal capacity to enter into binding agreements
- You must provide accurate and complete information during registration
- You must comply with all applicable laws and regulations
Description of Service
RippleDeeds is a donation platform that connects individuals with communities and organizations in need of support.
For Donors
- Browse and discover communities
- Make secure donations
- Track donation impact
- Receive tax receipts
For Communities
- Create community profiles
- Receive donations
- Share impact stories
- Manage donor relationships
Important: RippleDeeds acts as a platform facilitator. We do not guarantee the success of any fundraising campaign or the use of donated funds by recipient communities.
User Accounts & Registration
Account Creation
To use certain features of RippleDeeds, you must create an account by providing accurate and complete information.
- Provide accurate, current, and complete information
- Maintain and update your account information
- Keep your login credentials secure and confidential
- Notify us immediately of any unauthorized access
Account Security
You are responsible for all activities that occur under your account. We recommend using strong passwords and enabling two-factor authentication when available.
Account Types
Donor Accounts
Individual accounts for making donations, tracking impact, and managing giving preferences.
Community Accounts
Organizational accounts for communities, nonprofits, and groups seeking donations. Subject to additional verification requirements.
Donation Process & Payments
Making Donations
When you make a donation through RippleDeeds, you agree to the following:
- Donations are voluntary and made at your own discretion
- You have the legal right to make the donation
- All donation information provided is accurate
- You understand that donations are generally non-refundable
Payment Security
All payments are processed securely through our trusted financial partner Quiltt. We do not store your banking or payment information directly on our servers.
Donation Processing
Processing Time
Donations are typically processed within 1-3 business days. You'll receive confirmation once processing is complete.
Tax Receipts
Tax receipts are provided for eligible donations. Consult your tax advisor regarding deductibility.
Refund Policy
Donations are generally final and non-refundable. In exceptional circumstances (such as technical errors or fraudulent activity), refunds may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Contact our support team within 48 hours of the donation for assistance.
User Responsibilities
As a user of RippleDeeds, you agree to use our platform responsibly and in accordance with these Terms.
General Responsibilities
- Comply with all applicable laws and regulations
- Provide accurate and truthful information
- Respect the rights and privacy of other users
- Use the platform only for its intended purposes
For Community Organizations
- Provide accurate information about your organization
- Use donations for stated purposes
- Provide regular updates on impact and progress
- Maintain proper financial records
Prohibited Activities
The following activities are strictly prohibited on RippleDeeds:
Fraudulent Activities
- • Creating fake accounts or impersonating others
- • Providing false information about yourself or your organization
- • Misrepresenting the purpose or use of donations
- • Using stolen or unauthorized payment methods
Illegal Activities
- • Money laundering or terrorist financing
- • Supporting illegal organizations or activities
- • Violating any applicable laws or regulations
- • Infringing on intellectual property rights
Platform Abuse
- • Attempting to hack, disrupt, or damage our systems
- • Using automated tools to access our platform
- • Spamming or sending unsolicited communications
- • Interfering with other users' experience
Content Violations
- • Posting offensive, discriminatory, or harmful content
- • Sharing inappropriate or explicit material
- • Violating others' privacy or confidentiality
- • Spreading misinformation or false claims
Consequences
Violation of these prohibitions may result in account suspension, termination, legal action, and cooperation with law enforcement authorities.
Prohibited Community Types
Important Notice
The following types of organizations and causes are not permitted on RippleDeeds to ensure compliance with legal requirements, maintain platform safety, and align with our mission of supporting legitimate community needs.
Illegal Activities
- Organizations involved in illegal activities or supporting illegal causes
- Organizations facilitating drug trafficking or other criminal enterprises
- Money laundering or financial fraud operations
- Organizations involved in human trafficking or exploitation
Terrorist Organizations & Violent Groups
- Organizations designated as terrorist groups by government authorities
- Groups promoting violence, terrorism, or hate crimes
- Organizations supporting or financing violent extremism
- Militia groups or paramilitary organizations promoting violence
Discriminatory Organizations
- Groups that discriminate based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or other protected characteristics
- Hate groups or organizations promoting intolerance
- Organizations with exclusionary membership policies based on protected characteristics
Political Campaigns & Lobbying
- Political candidates or campaign committees
- Organizations primarily engaged in lobbying activities
- Partisan political action committees (PACs)
Religious Proselytizing
- Organizations whose primary purpose is religious conversion or proselytizing
- Groups that require religious conversion as a condition for receiving aid
- Religious organizations that discriminate in service provision
Personal & Individual Fundraising
- Individual personal fundraising campaigns (medical bills, education, etc.)
- Family or personal emergency funds
- Individual travel, sports, or hobby funding requests
Adult Entertainment & Explicit Content
- Adult entertainment venues, strip clubs, or escort services
- Organizations producing or distributing pornographic content
- Sex work or prostitution-related organizations
- Organizations promoting explicit sexual content or services
Gambling & Gaming
- Casinos, gambling establishments, or betting operations
- Online gambling platforms or sports betting organizations
- Lottery or sweepstakes operations (except licensed nonprofits)
- Organizations promoting gambling addiction or problem gambling
Weapons & Firearms
- Organizations involved in illegal weapons trafficking or sales
- Groups promoting violence or armed conflict
- Organizations manufacturing or distributing illegal weapons
- Mercenary or private military contractor organizations
Commercial Ventures
- For-profit businesses seeking investment or funding
- Startup companies or entrepreneurial ventures
- Organizations primarily focused on generating profit rather than community benefit
- Multi-level marketing (MLM) or pyramid scheme operations
Unverified or Fraudulent Organizations
- Organizations that cannot provide proper documentation or verification
- Groups with a history of misusing donated funds
- Organizations that provide false or misleading information about their activities
Verification Process
All community organizations undergo a verification process to ensure they meet our guidelines:
- Documentation review and legal status verification
- Background checks on organizational leadership
- Review of mission, activities, and impact claims
- Ongoing monitoring and periodic re-verification
Questions or Appeals
If you believe your organization has been incorrectly categorized or if you have questions about these restrictions, please contact our community team at community@rippledeeds.com. We review all appeals fairly and thoroughly.
Financial Terms & Fees
Platform Fees
RippleDeeds charges minimal fees to cover platform operations and payment processing:
For Donors
No fees for making donations. Payment processing fees may apply depending on your payment method.
For Communities
A small platform fee (typically 2-3%) is deducted from donations to cover operational costs.
Payment Processing
Third-party payment processing fees may apply and are separate from RippleDeeds platform fees. These fees are set by our payment partners and may vary based on payment method and transaction amount.
Fee Changes
We reserve the right to modify our fee structure with 30 days' notice to users. Current fees are always displayed during the donation process.
Intellectual Property
RippleDeeds Property
The RippleDeeds platform, including its design, functionality, content, and trademarks, is owned by RippleDeeds and protected by intellectual property laws.
- You may not copy, modify, or distribute our platform or content
- You may not use our trademarks without permission
- You may not reverse engineer or attempt to extract our source code
- You may not create derivative works based on our platform
User Content
You retain ownership of content you submit to RippleDeeds, but you grant us a license to use, display, and distribute your content as necessary to provide our services.
This includes community profiles, impact stories, photos, and other materials you upload to our platform.
Copyright Infringement
If you believe your copyright has been infringed, please contact us at legal@rippledeeds.com with details of the alleged infringement.
Limitation of Liability
Important Legal Notice: Please read this section carefully as it limits RippleDeeds' liability to you.
Service Disclaimer
RippleDeeds provides its platform "as is" without warranties of any kind. We do not guarantee:
- Uninterrupted or error-free service
- The accuracy of information provided by communities
- The proper use of donations by recipient organizations
- The success of any fundraising campaigns
Liability Limitations
Maximum Liability
Our total liability to you for any claims arising from your use of RippleDeeds shall not exceed the amount of fees you paid to us in the 12 months preceding the claim.
Excluded Damages
We are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, including lost profits or data.
Third-Party Actions
RippleDeeds is not responsible for the actions, content, or services of third parties, including community organizations, payment processors, or other users of the platform.
Termination
Termination by You
You may terminate your account at any time by contacting our support team or using the account closure feature in your dashboard.
Termination by RippleDeeds
We may suspend or terminate your account if you:
- Violate these Terms of Service
- Engage in prohibited activities
- Provide false or misleading information
- Fail to pay applicable fees
- Pose a risk to other users or our platform
Effect of Termination
Upon termination:
- Your access to the platform will be revoked
- Pending donations may be processed or refunded
- Your data will be handled according to our Privacy Policy
- These Terms will continue to apply to past activities
Changes to Terms
We may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our services, legal requirements, or business practices.
How We'll Notify You
- Email notification for significant changes
- In-app notifications when you log in
- Updated "Last modified" date at the top of this page
- 30-day notice period for material changes
Your Options
If you don't agree with updated Terms, you may close your account before the changes take effect. Continued use of RippleDeeds after changes indicates your acceptance of the new Terms.
Questions About These Terms?
We're here to help clarify any questions you may have about these Terms of Service. Don't hesitate to reach out to our legal team.
Contact Our Legal Team
Additional Resources
- • Privacy Policy
- • General Support
- • Community Guidelines (Coming Soon)
These Terms of Service are effective as of September 6, 2025 and apply to all users of the RippleDeeds platform.