Terms of Service

1. Agreement to Terms

Welcome to NeighborSOS! These Terms of Service ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the NeighborSOS website located at neighborsos.org (the "Platform") and all related services provided by NeighborSOS ("we," "us," or "our").

By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree to these Terms, you may not access or use the Platform.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Any changes will be effective immediately upon posting. Your continued use of the Platform after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

2. Description of Service

NeighborSOS is a platform that connects local donors with verified charities to fulfill urgent needs and sponsor families during the holiday season. Our services include:

• Displaying urgent needs posted by verified 501(c)(3) charitable organizations
• Facilitating holiday family sponsorships
• Coordinating donations between donors and charities
• Providing communication tools for delivery coordination

NeighborSOS acts as an intermediary platform and does not handle physical donations or monetary transactions directly. All donations are coordinated between donors and charities.

3. User Accounts and Eligibility

3.1 Eligibility

You must be at least 18 years old to use NeighborSOS. By using the Platform, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years of age and have the legal capacity to enter into these Terms.

3.2 Account Registration (Charities)

Charitable organizations must register and be verified to post needs on the Platform. By registering, charities agree to:

• Provide accurate and complete registration information
• Maintain a valid 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
• Keep account information current and accurate
• Maintain the security of account credentials
• Notify us immediately of any unauthorized account access

3.3 Donors

Donors are not required to create accounts to use the Platform. When committing to a donation, you agree to provide accurate contact information and fulfill your commitment in a timely manner.

4. User Responsibilities

4.1 Donor Responsibilities

As a donor, you agree to:

• Honor all donation commitments made through the Platform
• Deliver or ship donations by the specified deadline
• Provide items in good, usable condition
• Communicate promptly with charities regarding delivery coordination
• Notify the charity immediately if you are unable to fulfill a commitment

4.2 Charity Responsibilities

As a registered charity, you agree to:

• Post only legitimate and urgent needs
• Provide accurate and truthful information about needs and families
• Maintain current and accurate organization information
• Respond promptly to donor communications
• Provide clear delivery or drop-off instructions
• Acknowledge and thank donors for their contributions
• Use donated items solely for their intended charitable purpose
• Update need statuses promptly when fulfilled

5. Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to engage in any of the following prohibited activities:

• Posting false, misleading, or fraudulent information
• Impersonating any person or entity
• Using the Platform for any illegal purpose
• Harassing, threatening, or abusing other users
• Attempting to gain unauthorized access to the Platform or other users' accounts
• Transmitting viruses, malware, or other harmful code
• Scraping, data mining, or using automated tools to access the Platform
• Interfering with or disrupting the Platform's operation
• Selling or reselling donated items for profit
• Using the Platform to solicit donations for personal use

6. Verification and Vetting

NeighborSOS makes reasonable efforts to verify the 501(c)(3) status of registered charities. However, we do not guarantee the accuracy of information posted by charities or the proper use of donated items.

We reserve the right to:

• Reject or remove any charity or need posting at our discretion
• Request additional documentation from charities
• Suspend or terminate accounts that violate these Terms
• Investigate reports of fraudulent or suspicious activity

7. Donations and Transactions

7.1 Nature of Donations

All donations facilitated through NeighborSOS are in-kind donations (physical items) or monetary commitments for purchasing specific items. NeighborSOS does not process payments or handle monetary transactions.

7.2 Tax Deductibility

Donations made through NeighborSOS may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. You are responsible for determining the tax deductibility of your donations and obtaining any necessary receipts from the receiving charity. NeighborSOS does not provide tax advice or issue tax receipts.

7.3 Fulfillment

Donors are responsible for delivering or shipping donated items directly to charities according to the instructions provided. NeighborSOS is not responsible for failed deliveries, lost items, or delivery disputes.

8. Intellectual Property

8.1 Ownership

The Platform and all content, features, and functionality (including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, and software) are owned by NeighborSOS and are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

8.2 Limited License

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use the Platform for its intended charitable purposes. This license does not include the right to:

• Modify, copy, or create derivative works
• Reverse engineer or decompile the Platform
• Remove any proprietary notices
• Use the Platform for commercial purposes

8.3 User Content

By posting content on the Platform (such as charity needs or family information), you grant NeighborSOS a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use, display, reproduce, and distribute that content for the purpose of operating and promoting the Platform.

9. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

9.1 "As Is" Basis

THE PLATFORM 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.

9.2 No Guarantee

NeighborSOS does not guarantee:

• The accuracy or completeness of information posted by charities
• That donors will fulfill their commitments
• That charities will use donations appropriately
• The quality or condition of donated items
• Uninterrupted or error-free operation of the Platform

9.3 Limitation of Liability

TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, NEIGHBORSOS AND ITS AFFILIATES, 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 Platform
• Any conduct or content of any third party on the Platform
• Unauthorized access to or alteration of your data
• Failed or incomplete donations
• Disputes between donors and charities

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless NeighborSOS and its affiliates, officers, directors, employees, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, or expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising out of or related to:

• Your use of the Platform
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any third-party rights
• Any content you post on the Platform
• Your donations or interactions with charities or other users

11. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your access to the Platform at any time, with or without notice, for any reason, including but not limited to:

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent or illegal activity
• Requests from law enforcement or government agencies
• Discontinuation of the Platform

Upon termination, your right to use the Platform will immediately cease, but the provisions of these Terms that by their nature should survive termination will remain in effect.

12. Dispute Resolution

12.1 Informal Resolution

If you have a dispute with NeighborSOS, you agree to first contact us at info@neighborsos.org to attempt to resolve the dispute informally.

12.2 Governing Law

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

12.3 Jurisdiction

Any legal action or proceeding arising under these Terms shall be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Ramsey County, Minnesota, and you consent to the jurisdiction of such courts.

13. General Provisions

13.1 Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and NeighborSOS regarding the use of the Platform.

13.2 Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

13.3 Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision.

13.4 Assignment

You may not assign or transfer these Terms or your rights hereunder without our prior written consent. We may assign these Terms without restriction.

14. Contact Information

If you have any questions about these Terms, please contact us: