Donation & Refund Policy
Effective Date: [EFFECTIVE DATE]
Legacy Athletic Fund, Inc. ("LAF," "we," "us," or "our") is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charity classified under Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code (EIN: 99-2543373), with its principal office at 401 S Mount Juliet Rd, Ste 235, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122. We are deeply grateful for every contribution we receive. This Donation & Refund Policy outlines the terms and conditions governing charitable contributions made to LAF.
1. Donation Acceptance Policy
Legacy Athletic Fund welcomes and solicits charitable contributions from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other organizations to support our mission of building better people through better athletic achievement. LAF accepts donations in the following forms:
- Cash and cash equivalents (checks, money orders, electronic funds transfers);
- Credit and debit card payments processed through our online donation platform;
- Recurring (monthly, quarterly, or annual) donations;
- In-kind donations of goods, services, and equipment;
- Planned gifts, bequests, and estate gifts;
- Matching gifts from employers;
- Donor-advised fund distributions;
- Grants from foundations and government entities.
LAF reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to decline or return any donation that:
- Is inconsistent with LAF's mission, values, or charitable purposes;
- Would create an actual or perceived conflict of interest;
- Comes with donor-imposed restrictions that are too burdensome, impractical, or not aligned with our programs;
- Is from a source that could expose the organization to legal, financial, or reputational risk;
- Involves unlawful activity or funds derived from illegal sources;
- Would require LAF to engage in activities outside its charitable purpose as described in its Articles of Incorporation and bylaws.
2. Payment Processing
2.1 Online Donations via Zeffy
Online donations to LAF are processed through Zeffy, a third-party payment processing platform designed for nonprofit organizations. Zeffy is PCI Data Security Standard (PCI-DSS) compliant, which means it adheres to the highest industry standards for the secure handling, processing, and storage of credit card and financial data.
When you make an online donation, your payment information (including credit card number, expiration date, and CVV) is transmitted directly to Zeffy via encrypted channels. LAF does not have access to, collect, or store your full credit card number or sensitive payment credentials. All transactions are processed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise specified.
By making a donation through our website, you agree to Zeffy's terms of service and privacy policy in addition to this policy.
2.2 Other Payment Methods
Donations may also be made by check or money order payable to "Legacy Athletic Fund, Inc." and mailed to our principal office address. Wire transfers and ACH payments may be arranged by contacting us directly. For large or complex gifts, please contact our office to discuss the most appropriate method of giving.
3. Tax Deductibility
Legacy Athletic Fund, Inc. is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and is classified as a public charity under Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi). Donations to LAF are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law.
The tax deductibility of your contribution depends on your individual tax situation. LAF does not provide tax, legal, or accounting advice. We recommend that you consult with your own tax advisor or accountant to determine the deductibility of your contribution.
In accordance with IRS regulations:
- For cash contributions of $250 or more, LAF will provide a written acknowledgment (tax receipt) that includes the organization's name, the date and amount of the contribution, and a statement that no goods or services were provided in exchange for the contribution (or a description and good-faith estimate of the value of any goods or services provided). This written acknowledgment is required by IRS regulations (Section 170(f)(8)) before a donor may claim a tax deduction.
- For contributions under $250, your bank statement, credit card statement, or canceled check may serve as documentation for tax purposes.
- For quid pro quo contributions in excess of $75 (i.e., payments made partly as a contribution and partly for goods or services provided by LAF), we will provide a written statement that includes a good-faith estimate of the value of the goods or services provided and the amount of the contribution that is deductible.
- For non-cash contributions valued at more than $5,000 (excluding publicly traded securities), the donor is generally required to obtain a qualified appraisal and complete IRS Form 8283. LAF will sign Section B of Form 8283 as the donee organization when applicable.
4. Recurring Donations
LAF offers the option to make recurring (automatic) donations on a monthly, quarterly, or annual basis through our online donation platform. By setting up a recurring donation, you authorize LAF and its payment processor (Zeffy) to automatically charge your designated payment method on the schedule you select.
Key terms for recurring donations:
- Authorization: By establishing a recurring donation, you authorize the specified amount to be charged to your payment method at the frequency you select until you cancel.
- Cancellation: You may cancel your recurring donation at any time by contacting us at info@legacyathleticfund.org or by calling (270) 300-6922. You may also manage your recurring donation through the Zeffy platform if you created a Zeffy account. Cancellation requests will be processed within five (5) business days. Cancellation will take effect for the next scheduled payment; any payment already processed before your cancellation request is received cannot be reversed under this provision (but may be eligible for a refund under the exceptions listed in Section 5 below).
- Modification: You may request to change the amount or frequency of your recurring donation by contacting us. Changes will take effect for the next scheduled payment.
- Failed Payments: If a recurring payment fails due to an expired card, insufficient funds, or other reasons, we may attempt to contact you to update your payment information. Your recurring donation will be suspended until the payment issue is resolved.
- Tax Receipts: You will receive a tax receipt for each recurring donation payment. An annual summary may also be provided upon request.
5. Refund Policy
5.1 General Policy
Charitable contributions to Legacy Athletic Fund are generally considered final and non-refundable. When you make a donation, you are making a voluntary charitable gift, and we allocate and utilize donated funds in accordance with our charitable mission and organizational budget. As such, we strongly encourage donors to carefully consider the amount of their contribution before completing a transaction.
5.2 Exceptions
Notwithstanding the general non-refundable policy, LAF will consider refund requests in the following limited circumstances:
- Duplicate Charges: If your payment method was charged more than once for the same donation due to a technical error or processing issue, we will refund the duplicate charge(s) in full.
- Unauthorized Transactions: If a donation was made using your payment method without your authorization (e.g., identity theft, fraud, or unauthorized use of a credit card), we will work with you and our payment processor to investigate and refund the unauthorized transaction. We may require you to file a report with your financial institution or law enforcement.
- Incorrect Amount: If a donation was processed for an amount significantly different from what you intended due to a technical error (e.g., a system glitch, extra digit entered), we will process a refund of the difference or the full amount, as appropriate, upon verification.
- Donor's Immediate Request: If you contact us within seventy-two (72) hours of making a donation and request a refund due to a change of mind or financial hardship, we will consider your request on a case-by-case basis. We are not obligated to grant such requests but will make every reasonable effort to accommodate them when the donated funds have not yet been allocated or spent.
5.3 Refund Procedures
To request a refund, please contact us as soon as possible with the following information:
- Your full name as it appears on the donation record;
- The email address associated with the donation;
- The date and amount of the donation;
- The reason for the refund request;
- Any relevant transaction confirmation or receipt numbers.
Refund requests should be submitted by email to info@legacyathleticfund.org or by calling (270) 300-6922.
If a refund is approved:
- Refunds will be processed to the original payment method used for the donation;
- Refunds will be processed within ten (10) to fifteen (15) business days of approval, depending on your financial institution's processing time;
- If a tax receipt has already been issued for the refunded donation, we will issue a corrected receipt and notify you of the adjustment. You are responsible for making any necessary corrections to your tax filings;
- Refunds for donations made by check may be issued by check mailed to your address on file;
- LAF is not responsible for any bank fees, currency conversion charges, or other costs incurred by the donor in connection with a refund.
5.4 Event Registration Fees
Fees paid for event registrations, galas, or ticketed fundraisers may be subject to separate refund terms as specified at the time of registration. Generally, event registration fees are non-refundable within fourteen (14) days of the event date. The charitable contribution portion of event fees (i.e., the amount exceeding the fair market value of goods or services received) is subject to the same refund policy as general donations.
6. In-Kind Donations
LAF gratefully accepts in-kind donations of goods, services, and equipment that support our mission and programs, subject to the following terms:
- Acceptance: All in-kind donations are subject to review and approval by LAF. We reserve the right to decline gifts that do not align with our needs, mission, or capacity.
- Valuation: It is the responsibility of the donor to determine the fair market value of in-kind donations for tax purposes. LAF does not appraise or assign value to non-cash gifts. For non-cash contributions valued at more than $500, the donor must complete IRS Form 8283 and maintain appropriate records. For gifts exceeding $5,000 (excluding publicly traded securities), an independent qualified appraisal is generally required.
- Acknowledgment: LAF will provide written acknowledgment of in-kind donations describing the donated items but will not include a dollar value in the acknowledgment, consistent with IRS guidelines.
- Refunds: In-kind donations are non-refundable. Once an in-kind gift is accepted, it becomes the property of LAF and will not be returned to the donor.
- Disposition: LAF reserves the right to use, sell, donate, or dispose of any in-kind gift as it deems appropriate to further its charitable mission.
7. Donor Recognition and Anonymity
LAF values and appreciates every donor. We may recognize donors in our publications, annual reports, website, social media, event programs, and other communications. Donor recognition may include:
- Listing donor names (and giving level, if applicable) in annual reports and on our website;
- Public acknowledgment at events and programs;
- Social media recognition and thank-you posts;
- Naming opportunities for significant gifts, as agreed upon in writing.
If you wish to remain anonymous, please notify us at the time of your donation or at any time thereafter. We will honor all requests for anonymity and will not include your name in any public recognition materials. To request anonymous status, contact us at info@legacyathleticfund.org.
8. Restricted vs. Unrestricted Gifts
8.1 Unrestricted Gifts
Unless otherwise specified by the donor, all contributions to LAF are considered unrestricted general operating support. Unrestricted gifts provide LAF with the flexibility to direct funds where they are needed most in support of our overall mission and organizational priorities.
8.2 Restricted Gifts
Donors may designate their contribution for a specific program, fund, or purpose (a "restricted gift"). LAF will make every reasonable effort to honor donor restrictions. However:
- If a restricted gift cannot be used for the purpose designated by the donor (e.g., the program is discontinued, fully funded, or no longer active), LAF will contact the donor to discuss an alternative use that is consistent with our mission. If the donor cannot be reached after reasonable efforts, the funds may be redirected to LAF's general operating fund or to the program or initiative most closely aligned with the donor's original intent.
- Restricted gifts are subject to the same refund policy as unrestricted gifts.
- LAF does not accept contributions with restrictions that are inconsistent with our mission or that impose conditions that are overly burdensome, impractical, or legally impermissible.
- Endowment gifts and gifts with complex restrictions may require a written gift agreement signed by both the donor and an authorized representative of LAF.
9. IRS Receipt and Acknowledgment Requirements
LAF complies with all IRS requirements for the acknowledgment and substantiation of charitable contributions:
- For single cash contributions of $250 or more, LAF will provide a contemporaneous written acknowledgment that meets the requirements of Section 170(f)(8) of the Internal Revenue Code. This acknowledgment will include: (a) the name of the organization; (b) the amount of the cash contribution; (c) a statement that no goods or services were provided in exchange for the contribution, or a description and good-faith estimate of the value of any goods or services provided; and (d) the date of the contribution.
- For non-cash contributions, LAF will provide Form 8283 acknowledgment as required.
- For quid pro quo contributions over $75, LAF will provide the required disclosure statement.
- All donation receipts are typically sent via email at the time of the donation. If you require a physical copy, a year-end summary, or a replacement receipt, please contact us.
- It is the donor's responsibility to retain donation receipts and acknowledgments for their own tax records. LAF recommends that donors consult with their tax advisors regarding the deductibility of contributions.
10. Compliance and Legal Disclosures
Legacy Athletic Fund, Inc. is registered in the State of Tennessee and complies with all applicable state and federal charitable solicitation laws and regulations. Certain states require the following disclosures:
- A copy of LAF's latest annual report, financial statements, and state registration information may be obtained by contacting us at the address below or, where applicable, from your state's charity registration office.
- Registration with a state agency does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by that state.
- The organization's IRS determination letter, Form 990, and other governance documents are available upon request.
11. Changes to This Policy
We reserve the right to update or modify this Donation & Refund Policy at any time. When we make material changes, we will update the "Effective Date" at the top of this page. Changes will apply to donations made after the revised Effective Date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Your continued support of LAF after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.
12. Contact Information
If you have any questions about this Donation & Refund Policy, need to request a refund, require a tax receipt, or wish to discuss your giving options, please contact us:
Legacy Athletic Fund, Inc.
401 S Mount Juliet Rd, Ste 235
Mt. Juliet, TN 37122
Phone: (270) 300-6922
Email: info@legacyathleticfund.org
Website: legacyathleticfund.org
We are here to ensure that your giving experience is positive, transparent, and meaningful. Thank you for your generous support of Legacy Athletic Fund.