Community Terms of Service
This agreement outlines the terms, responsibilities, and requirements for communities using RippleDeeds as a fundraising platform.
Table of Contents
Purpose & Relationship
RippleDeeds Is a Technology Platform
RippleDeeds provides donor engagement tools, fundraising pages, and integrations with payment processors. RippleDeeds is not a bank, money transmitter, money services business, marketplace facilitator, escrow provider, or financial institution.
Sub-Merchant Relationship Under Finix
By onboarding with RippleDeeds, the Community becomes a Sub-Merchant under RippleDeeds' payment processor, Finix.
Community Eligibility
Community represents and warrants that:
Important Notice
RippleDeeds may suspend or terminate the Community for failure to meet eligibility requirements.
Payment Processing
Finix as Payment Processor
All donation payments are processed by Finix. RippleDeeds does not handle, transmit, or control payment information.
Settlement and Reserves
Finix may:
RippleDeeds will pass along all Finix requirements.
Community Responsibilities
Donor Updates (Mandatory Every 14 Days)
The Community must post donor updates at least once every two (2) weeks through RippleDeeds.
Failure to meet this obligation is grounds for:
Accurate Information
All descriptions, images, videos, and statements must be truthful and not misleading.
Compliance
Community must comply with Finix, Plaid, and all applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Refunds
All refunds require RippleDeeds' written approval.
Unauthorized refunds are prohibited.
Prohibited Activities
Community may not use RippleDeeds for:
RippleDeeds may terminate the Community immediately for prohibited activities.
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 support@rippledeeds.com. We review all appeals fairly and thoroughly.
RippleDeeds will terminate a Community immediately for engaging in prohibited activities.
Fees, Chargebacks, Disputes & Penalties
Community Financial Liability
The Community is financially responsible for all fees, penalties, costs, losses, and expenses incurred by:
RippleDeeds has no liability for these costs.
200% Fee Pass-Through
If RippleDeeds incurs any cost, penalty, fine, or loss caused by the Community, RippleDeeds may charge the Community:
200%
of the total amount RippleDeeds incurred
Example:
Finix chargeback fee = $15
RippleDeeds recovers = $30
RippleDeeds may, at its sole discretion, reduce or waive this surcharge.
Methods of Recovery
RippleDeeds may recover amounts via:
The Community agrees to repay all amounts upon demand.
Data Handling & Privacy
RippleDeeds Privacy Policy
The Community agrees to RippleDeeds' Privacy Policy, which governs the handling of donor data.
No Access to Financial Account Credentials
Communities never receive donor:
Bank login credentials
Account numbers
Routing numbers
Use of Donor Data
Allowed:
Communities may use donor names and donation amounts only for legitimate donor relationship purposes.
Prohibited:
Suspension & Termination
RippleDeeds may suspend or terminate the Community immediately if:
Upon Termination:
Indemnification
Community Indemnifies RippleDeeds
The Community agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless RippleDeeds, Spotz Group Inc, and their officers, directors, employees, and contractors from any claims, losses, liabilities, damages, penalties, fines, costs, and expenses (including attorney fees) arising out of:
RippleDeeds may satisfy indemnified amounts via fund withholding, billing, or legal action.
Limitation of Liability
RippleDeeds is not liable for:
Maximum Liability Cap
RippleDeeds' maximum liability is limited to $100 or the amount of platform fees paid in the past 12 months, whichever is lower.
Governing Law & Amendments
Governing Law
This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Delaware.
Amendments
RippleDeeds may update this Agreement at any time. Continued use of the platform constitutes acceptance of updated terms.
Acceptance
By onboarding, submitting information, or receiving donations through RippleDeeds, the Community agrees to this Sub-Merchant Agreement.
Questions About These Terms?
If you have any questions or concerns about this Sub-Merchant Agreement, please reach out to our support team.
Contact Us