Terms of Service
Last updated: June 16, 2026
Welcome to The Village Fund (“FundTheVillage.org”, “we”, “us”, or “our”). By accessing or using our website and crowdfunding platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service (“Terms”). Please read them carefully. If you do not agree with any part of these Terms, you must not use our services.
1. Platform Overview
FundTheVillage.org is a community crowdfunding platform that connects campaign creators (“Campaign Owners”) with donors (“Backers”). We facilitate the collection and disbursement of funds but are not responsible for the fulfillment of campaign promises or outcomes.
2. Platform Fees
FundTheVillage.org charges a 5% platform fee on all funds successfully raised through the platform. This fee is deducted automatically before disbursement to the Campaign Owner. Additional payment processing fees may apply as charged by our payment processor, Stripe. By creating or donating to a campaign, you acknowledge and agree to these fees.
We do not charge donor fees, tip prompts, or hidden costs to Backers. The amount you donate is the amount that goes toward the campaign (minus standard payment processing fees).
3. Campaign Owner Responsibilities
Campaign Owners agree to:
- Provide accurate, truthful, and complete information about their campaign, including the purpose, goals, and intended use of funds.
- Use funds raised solely for the stated campaign purpose.
- Communicate transparently with Backers regarding campaign progress, delays, or changes.
- Comply with all applicable laws and regulations in their jurisdiction.
- Not create campaigns that violate our Prohibited Campaigns policy (see Section 6).
- Complete identity verification as required by our payment processor, Stripe Connect.
4. Donor / Backer Responsibilities
Backers agree to:
- Review campaign information carefully before making a contribution.
- Understand that donations may be non-refundable unless a campaign is cancelled or a refund is explicitly offered by the Campaign Owner.
- Not engage in fraudulent chargebacks or payment disputes without first contacting the Campaign Owner or us at support@fundthevillage.org.
- Comply with all applicable laws regarding charitable giving and online payments.
5. Refund and Dispute Policy
Donations are generally non-refundable. Once a donation is made, it is processed immediately and disbursed to the Campaign Owner upon campaign completion or on a rolling basis, depending on the campaign structure.
Refunds may be considered in the following circumstances:
- A campaign is cancelled by the Campaign Owner before funds are disbursed.
- A campaign is found to be fraudulent or in violation of these Terms.
- A technical error resulted in a duplicate or incorrect charge.
To request a refund or report a dispute, contact us within 30 days of your donation at support@fundthevillage.org. We will investigate and respond within 5 business days. FundTheVillage.org reserves the right to make final decisions on all refund requests.
6. Stripe Payment Terms
All payments on FundTheVillage.org are processed through Stripe, a third-party payment processor. By using our platform, you also agree to Stripe’s Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
Campaign Owners who wish to receive funds must create a Stripe Connect account and complete Stripe’s identity verification process. FundTheVillage.org is not responsible for delays or failures in Stripe’s verification process. Payment disputes and chargebacks are handled in accordance with Stripe’s policies.
7. Prohibited Campaigns
The following types of campaigns are strictly prohibited on FundTheVillage.org:
- Campaigns promoting illegal activities, violence, terrorism, or hate speech.
- Campaigns for illegal weapons, drugs, or controlled substances.
- Fraudulent campaigns that misrepresent the purpose or use of funds.
- Campaigns that violate intellectual property rights or privacy laws.
- Campaigns intended to harass, threaten, or harm individuals or groups.
- Campaigns related to pyramid schemes, multi-level marketing, or other deceptive practices.
- Campaigns for adult content or sexually explicit material.
- Any campaign that violates applicable federal, state, or local laws.
We reserve the right to remove any campaign that violates these guidelines without prior notice and to report suspected illegal activity to the appropriate authorities.
8. Account Termination
FundTheVillage.org reserves the right to suspend or permanently terminate any user account at our sole discretion, with or without notice, for:
- Violation of these Terms of Service.
- Engaging in fraudulent, deceptive, or harmful activity.
- Creating prohibited campaigns.
- Repeated violations of our community guidelines.
- Any activity that puts the platform, other users, or third parties at risk.
Upon termination, access to your account will be revoked. Any funds already disbursed will not be reversed unless required by law. Funds held pending disbursement may be returned to donors at our discretion.
9. Limitation of Liability
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, FundTheVillage.org and its owners, employees, affiliates, and service providers shall not be liable for:
- Any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages.
- Loss of profits, data, goodwill, or other intangible losses.
- Damages resulting from unauthorized access to or use of our platform.
- Failure of Campaign Owners to fulfill campaign promises or use funds as stated.
- Actions or inactions of third-party service providers, including Stripe.
Our total liability to you for any claims arising from your use of the platform shall not exceed the total fees paid by you to FundTheVillage.org in the 12 months preceding the claim.
10. Disclaimers
FundTheVillage.org is provided “as is” and “as available” without warranties of any kind, express or implied. We do not guarantee that the platform will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of viruses or other harmful components. We make no representations regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any campaign content posted by users.
11. Governing Law
These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the United States. Any disputes arising from these Terms shall be resolved through binding arbitration or in the courts of competent jurisdiction.
12. Changes to These Terms
We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. We will notify users of material changes by updating the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. Continued use of our platform after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the new Terms.
13. Contact Us
If you have questions about these Terms of Service, please contact us at: support@fundthevillage.org