Donation and Support Contribution Policy

1. Scope

This policy applies to a voluntary contribution initiated through an ASCA-operated public support checkout. It does not govern purchases, subscriptions, event registrations, marketplace transactions, sponsorships, partnership agreements, membership dues, grants, or payments collected by an independent organization through an ASCA-supported service.

The checkout presently supports a one-time contribution in the amount selected by the contributor. A recurring contribution applies only if the checkout expressly identifies its frequency and the contributor affirmatively accepts that arrangement.

2. Voluntary contributions

A contribution is voluntary. It does not purchase an ASCA product, create a membership, reserve access, establish priority, confer governance rights, or obligate ASCA to release a feature. Public descriptions of ASCA's mission and intended use of support do not create a restricted gift, trust, fiduciary relationship, or project-specific commitment unless ASCA expressly accepts such terms in a separate written instrument.

ASCA may decline, cancel, or return a contribution when required to address a payment error, suspected fraud, sanctions or legal restrictions, a disputed source of funds, an unsupported payment method, or an amount or condition ASCA cannot accept.

3. Payment processing

An independent payment processor handles the checkout and payment credentials. The processor may present its own terms and privacy information. ASCA receives transaction records needed to confirm, reconcile, support, refund, secure, and account for the contribution, but ASCA does not receive or store a complete payment-card number through the standard hosted checkout.

The amount, currency, payment method, processor fees, exchange treatment, and any taxes or reporting depend on the presented checkout and applicable law. The contributor represents that they are authorized to use the selected payment method and that the submitted information is accurate.

4. Tax treatment and receipts

A contribution is not represented as tax-deductible unless a receipt or separate written notice from the legally identified recipient expressly states that treatment. A payment confirmation proves that a transaction was recorded; it is not tax advice or a determination of deductibility.

Contributors are responsible for obtaining their own tax, accounting, or legal advice. ASCA may request information reasonably needed for accounting, reporting, fraud review, or a legally required acknowledgment.

5. Errors, cancellations, and refunds

Review the amount before completing checkout. A contributor may contact [email protected] to report a duplicate charge, incorrect amount, unauthorized payment, technical error, or other refund request. ASCA may require transaction information and reasonable verification before acting on the request.

A refund is not guaranteed merely because requested. ASCA will evaluate the request under the applicable payment rules, legal requirements, processor limitations, use or commitment of funds, fraud risk, and the facts of the transaction. Nothing in this policy limits a non-waivable right or a payment provider's dispute process.

6. Privacy, records, and communications

Contribution records are handled under the Privacy Policy, Data Retention, Export, and Deletion Policy, and Third-Party Services and Integrations Notice. ASCA may send a transactional confirmation, receipt, security communication, refund notice, or legally required message concerning the contribution.

Marketing messages require the permission and preference treatment described in the Electronic Communications and Notices Policy. A contribution does not by itself enroll the contributor in marketing.

7. Changes and questions

The checkout terms and this policy version presented for a transaction govern that transaction, subject to mandatory law and any more specific accepted instrument. Later changes do not silently alter a completed contribution.

Questions about a contribution may be sent to [email protected]. Legal notices may be sent to [email protected].