Terms of Service

Last updated: March 10, 2026

1. Agreement to Terms

By accessing or using A Better Gift ("Platform", "Service", "we", "us", or "our"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service ("Terms"). If you disagree with any part of these terms, you may not access the Service.

2. Description of Service

A Better Gift is a personal fundraising platform that enables individuals to raise money from friends and family for personal needs and causes. Our Service allows users to:

• Create requests for personal needs such as medical expenses, education costs, housing assistance, emergency situations, and other personal causes
• Share requests privately with friends, family, and personal contacts
• Contribute financially to requests created by people they know
• Receive funds raised through direct deposit to a linked bank account or debit card

2.1 Our Role

A Better Gift provides a technology platform that connects people who need financial assistance with people who want to help them. We are not a bank, credit union, money transmitter, broker, financial advisor, or charity. We do not solicit contributions, and the existence of our Services is not a solicitation. We do not guarantee that any request will reach its goal or that any particular outcome will result from contributions made through the Platform.

2.2 How Funds Flow

When someone contributes to a request:

• The contribution is processed by our third-party payment processor
• Funds are routed immediately to the request creator's connected account through Stripe
• The request creator can receive funds to their verified bank account or debit card
• A Better Gift does not hold, control, or have custody of contributed funds

2.3 Private Platform

A Better Gift is a private crowdfunding platform. Requests are not publicly listed or searchable. Request creators share their requests directly with people they know through private links. This is similar to sharing a payment request with friends and family, not public crowdfunding to strangers.

2.4 Agency Relationship

By creating a request on A Better Gift, you authorize and appoint A Better Gift as your limited agent solely for the purpose of:

• Receiving contributions on your behalf through our third-party payment processor
• Facilitating the transfer of those contributions to your designated bank account or debit card

When a contributor makes a contribution through our platform, their obligation to provide the contribution to you is satisfied upon receipt of the funds by our payment processor.

A Better Gift's role is limited to providing a technology platform that connects request creators with potential contributors. We act solely as your agent for receiving and facilitating fund transfers, and we are not a party to the underlying contribution transaction between you and the contributor.

This agency relationship terminates upon the earlier of: (i) disbursement of funds to your designated account, (ii) refund of funds to contributors, or (iii) termination of your account.

2.5 Payment Processing

All payment processing services are provided by our third-party payment processor, Stripe, Inc. ("Stripe"). By using our Service, request creators agree to be bound by Stripe's Services Agreement (available at https://stripe.com/legal) and are establishing a direct relationship with Stripe for payment processing services. Stripe is responsible for all payment processing, fund holding, and fund disbursement. A Better Gift does not process payments, hold funds, or have access to contributor payment credentials.

3. Requests

3.1 Creating a Request

Users may create requests for legitimate personal needs. By creating a request, you represent and warrant that:

• All information provided is accurate and truthful
• The funds will be used for the purpose described in the request
• You are the intended beneficiary or have authorization to create the request on behalf of the beneficiary
• You will provide documentation if requested to verify the legitimacy of your request
• You understand that contributions are voluntary contributions from individuals, not guaranteed funding

3.2 Request Categories

A Better Gift supports requests in the following categories:

• Medical & Health expenses
• Education costs
• Housing assistance
• Utilities and essential bills
• Transportation needs
• Childcare expenses
• Emergency situations
• Legal expenses
• Pet care
• Food assistance
• Life events and celebrations
• Other personal needs

3.3 Request Limits

Requests are subject to the following limits:

• Minimum request amount: $500
• Maximum request amount: $10,000
• Maximum active requests per user: 3

4. Contributions

4.1 Making a Contribution

When you contribute to a request:

• You are making a voluntary contribution to the campaign creator
• Contributions are not tax-deductible charitable donations
• You acknowledge that you have a personal relationship with or know the request creator
• You understand that A Better Gift does not guarantee how funds will be used

4.2 Contribution Limits

• Minimum contribution: $100
• Maximum contribution: The remaining amount needed to reach the request goal

4.3 Contribution Processing

Contributions are processed by our third-party payment processor. By making a contribution, you agree to the payment processor's terms of service. A Better Gift does not store your complete payment card information.

5. User Accounts

5.1 Account Creation

To create requests or receive funds, you must register for an account. You agree to:

• Provide accurate, current, and complete information
• Maintain and promptly update your account information
• Maintain the security of your password and account
• Accept responsibility for all activities under your account
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized use

5.2 Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old and a legal resident of the United States to use this Service. By agreeing to these Terms, you represent that you meet these requirements.

5.3 Identity Verification

To create requests and receive funds, you must complete identity verification. This includes providing:

• Government-issued identification (driver's license, passport, or state ID)
• Social Security Number for tax reporting and fraud prevention purposes
• Phone number verification via SMS
• Bank account or debit card information for receiving funds

A Better Gift and our payment processor reserve the right to delay or refuse fund disbursement pending satisfactory completion of verification.

6. Fees

Contributions are subject to platform and payment processing fees, which are clearly disclosed before completing any transaction.

6.1 Fee Changes

We reserve the right to change our fees with reasonable notice. Any fee changes will not affect contributions already made.

7. Refunds

All contributions are final and non-refundable. When a contribution is made, funds are immediately transferred to the request creator's linked bank account or debit card through our payment processor — A Better Gift does not hold or have access to these funds once transferred. Because of this immediate transfer, we are unable to issue refunds under any circumstances. By making a contribution, you acknowledge that you personally know and trust the request creator, and that the transaction is non-refundable.

8. Prohibited Uses

You agree not to use the Service for:

• Any illegal activity or violation of laws or regulations
• Fraud, deception, or misrepresentation of any kind
• Fundraising for illegal goods, services, or activities
• Drugs, controlled substances, or drug paraphernalia
• Weapons, ammunition, or explosives
• Gambling, lotteries, raffles, or games of chance
• Pornography, adult content, or sexually explicit material
• Hate speech, discrimination, or harassment
• Terrorism, violence, or threats of harm
• Money laundering or other financial crimes
• Pyramid schemes, multi-level marketing, or "get rich quick" schemes
• Securities, investments, loans, or financial products
• Political campaigns or political action committees
• Activities that violate sanctions or embargoes
• Impersonating another person or entity
• Creating multiple accounts for fraudulent purposes
• Interfering with or disrupting the Service
• Any activity that could harm minors
• Soliciting funds for someone without their knowledge or consent

9. Content and Intellectual Property

9.1 User Content

You retain ownership of content you submit to the Service, including text, images, and documents. By submitting content, you grant us a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, display, and distribute your content in connection with operating and promoting the Service.

9.2 Platform Content

The Service and its original content, features, and functionality are owned by A Better Gift and are protected by international copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

10. Privacy

Your use of our Service is also governed by our Privacy Policy. Please review our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, and protect your personal information.

11. Disclaimers

11.1 Service Provided "As Is"

The Service is provided on an "AS IS" and "AS AVAILABLE" basis without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or non-infringement.

11.2 No Guarantee of Funding

A Better Gift does not guarantee that any request will reach its goal, receive any contributions, or achieve any particular outcome. Success depends entirely on whether individuals choose to contribute.

11.3 No Verification of Use

While we require identity verification and may review requests, we cannot and do not verify how funds are ultimately used by request creators. Contributors should only contribute to requests from people they personally know and trust.

11.4 Third-Party Services

The Service relies on third-party payment processors and other service providers. We are not responsible for the acts or omissions of these third parties.

12. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, A Better Gift and its officers, directors, employees, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits or revenues, whether incurred directly or indirectly, or any loss of data, use, goodwill, or other intangible losses resulting from:

• Your use or inability to use the Service
• Any conduct or content of any third party on the Service
• Unauthorized access, use, or alteration of your content
• The actions or inactions of request creators or contributors

13. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless A Better Gift and its affiliates from any claims, damages, obligations, losses, liabilities, costs, or expenses arising from:

• Your use of the Service
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of another person or entity
• Any content you submit to the Service
• Any request you create or contribution you make

14. Termination

We may terminate or suspend your account immediately, without prior notice or liability, for any reason, including breach of these Terms. Upon termination:

• Your right to use the Service will cease immediately
• Active requests may be closed
• Funds already withdrawn are not affected
• Funds not yet disbursed remain within Stripe's systems and may be returned to contributors or held by Stripe pending resolution — A Better Gift does not hold or control these funds

15. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Oregon and the United States, without regard to conflict of law provisions.

16. Dispute Resolution

Any disputes arising from these Terms or your use of the Service shall first be resolved through good faith negotiations. If resolution cannot be reached within 30 days, disputes shall be settled through binding arbitration in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, conducted in Oregon.

17. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. If we make material changes, we will notify you by email or through the Service. Your continued use of the Service after such modifications constitutes acceptance of the updated Terms.

18. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.

19. Entire Agreement

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and A Better Gift regarding the use of the Service, superseding any prior agreements.