{"id":319,"date":"2022-07-19T02:22:37","date_gmt":"2022-07-19T02:22:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/connectionpoint.com\/help\/?post_type=docs&p=319"},"modified":"2023-07-17T13:49:35","modified_gmt":"2023-07-17T20:49:35","password":"","slug":"319-2","status":"publish","type":"docs","link":"https:\/\/connectionpoint.com\/help\/docs\/319-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Can I raise money for disaster or tragedy relief?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

When disaster or tragedy – such as earthquakes, tsunamis, forest fires, hurricanes, and civic unrest – strike, it can bring out the best in us. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We at ConnectionPoint meet some of the most amazing people on the planet, doing what they can to help those in need. So thank you, first and foremost, for reaching out and wanting to help those in dangerous or tragic circumstances.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, some take advantage of such situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This can happen in many different ways. Perhaps someone pretends they are a victim and need money for medical bills or evacuation, or they work with an organization providing aid. Even if a campaign is run with all the best intentions at heart, sometimes the owner isn\u2019t sure how to get funds to those who need them safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There is also the matter of location. Some regions are heavily monitored or directly unsupported by our payment processors or local governments. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And finally, as we are a Canadian company, we must adhere to our government\u2019s crowdfunding regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so, we work within strict parameters and monitor what types of campaigns can and cannot run with our system. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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There are two scenarios where we allow fundraising on our platforms for disaster\/tragedy relief.<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Important: <\/strong>Any campaigns created for disaster relief that do not fall under either of these scenarios may be suspended without notice. PayPal and\/or Stripe may be notified regarding the account being used to accept contributions through that campaign. This may result in the funds in that PayPal and\/or Stripe account being frozen and funds either being held or returned to the senders or further action.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Scenario 1: You\u2019re collecting contributions as an Authorized Officer of a registered Non-Profit Organization with 501(c)3 status (or equivalent if outside the US).<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

If you fall under this category \u2013 Your campaign must be created as a Non-Profit Organization campaign. Personal campaigns will not be accepted, even if you are an Authorized Offer of a registered non-profit\/charity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you are from a For-Profit organization, you must ensure that your group can send funds to the region in question. Many countries do not allow support from groups without a registered charity number due to taxation and government policies. For ease, we recommend that for-profit groups raise funds independently, then direct them to a registered charity so the funds can be managed safely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Scenario 2: You are helping someone you know personally, AND you can prove your connection.<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Your campaign must be created as a Personal campaign, and your campaign page must name the person or group of people you\u2019re raising funds for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upon request, you must provide us with information and\/or documentation that proves that you have the authority or have been granted authority to raise funds on behalf of this individual. We may also ask for information and\/or documentation that clearly shows how the funds collected will be transferred to or used to benefit this person or group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cDocumentation\u201d can be as simple as a string of emails between you and them discussing the campaign, as long as the emails clearly identify the person or group of people and clearly show the person or group of people authorizing you to raise funds on their behalf. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Please DO NOT simply copy & paste the conversation into your reply. We need to see the original conversation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n