Donation and Refund Policy

1. About this policy

Surfing Swami Foundation accepts voluntary donations to support its charitable programmes and activities, including youth and athlete development, ocean conservation, surfing and Stand Up Paddling development, and related community initiatives.

This policy explains how donations are accepted, acknowledged, allocated and, in limited circumstances, refunded.

2. Donation methods

Donations may be made through the payment methods currently provided or approved by Surfing Swami Foundation, including:

• UPI and QR code payments
• Indian debit and credit cards
• Bank transfer
• Other authorised payment methods introduced by the Foundation

Bank account information is provided only through authorised donation channels or direct communication from the Foundation.

Unless a recurring donation option is expressly offered, all donations are treated as one-time contributions.

3. General and programme-specific donations

Donors may contribute to the Foundation's general charitable work or request that a contribution support a named programme, campaign, athlete requirement or defined activity.

A programme-specific request is treated as restricted only when Surfing Swami Foundation has expressly accepted that restriction.

Where a programme-specific contribution cannot be used as originally intended, including where the requirement has already been fully funded, changed, delayed or cancelled, the Foundation may contact the donor regarding another suitable use. Where contact is not reasonably possible, the contribution may be applied to closely related charitable work consistent with the Foundation's objectives.

4. Use and allocation of donations

Unrestricted donations may be used where the Foundation determines that support is most needed.

Donations may be allocated towards programme delivery, equipment, coaching, athlete support, travel, events, conservation activities, community work, documentation, administration and other reasonable costs connected with the Foundation's charitable objectives.

Making a donation does not give the donor ownership of Foundation assets or control over operational decisions unless otherwise agreed through a separate written arrangement.

5. Acknowledgements and receipts

The Foundation will provide a payment acknowledgement or donation receipt after the payment has been successfully received and the required donor details have been verified.

Donors may be asked to provide information such as:

• Full name
• Address
• Email address and phone number
• PAN, where required
• Donation amount
• Payment date and transaction reference
• Other information required for accounting or compliance

A payment confirmation from a bank or payment provider may not by itself constitute the Foundation's formal donation receipt.

6. Tax benefits

Eligible donations to Surfing Swami Foundation may qualify for tax benefits under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, subject to the Foundation's current approval, applicable law and the donor providing the required information.

The availability and amount of any tax benefit depend on the nature of the contribution and the donor's circumstances. Donors should obtain independent tax advice where necessary.

Sponsorship payments, payments made in return for advertising or commercial benefits, and certain CSR or event-support arrangements may not be treated as charitable donations.

7. Failed or cancelled payments

A failed or cancelled payment is not treated as a completed donation.

Where an amount appears to have been debited but the Foundation has not received confirmation, the donor should first check with their bank or payment provider and then contact the Foundation with the transaction details.

The Foundation is not responsible for delays caused solely by banks, payment gateways, card networks or other third-party payment services.

8. Duplicate or incorrect payments

A donor who believes that a payment was made twice, entered for the wrong amount or sent using incorrect details should contact the Foundation as soon as possible.

The request should include:

• The donor's name
• Payment date
• Payment amount
• Transaction ID or bank reference
• A description of the error
• Payment screenshot or other supporting proof

The Foundation will verify its records before approving any correction or refund.

9. When a refund may be considered

Donations are generally voluntary and non-refundable.

A refund may be considered only in limited circumstances, including:

• A duplicate payment
• An incorrect donation amount caused by a genuine error
• An unauthorised transaction
• A technical payment error
• A programme-specific contribution that the Foundation cannot reasonably use for the accepted purpose
• Another exceptional circumstance accepted by the Foundation

Submitting a refund request does not guarantee that a refund will be approved. Every request is reviewed individually.

10. Refund request process

Refund requests must normally be submitted within 7 calendar days of the payment.

Requests should be emailed to info@surfingswamifoundation.org .

The email should include the donor's name, payment amount, payment date, transaction reference, reason for the request and supporting documents.

For a suspected unauthorised transaction, the donor should also contact their bank or payment provider immediately.

11. Refund processing time

Approved refunds will normally be initiated within 7 to 15 working days after the Foundation has received and verified all required information.

Refunds will ordinarily be returned through the original payment method. The time taken for the amount to appear in the donor's account may depend on the relevant bank, card network or payment provider.

12. Payment gateway and bank charges

Where a bank, payment gateway or other payment provider does not return its processing charges, those non-recoverable charges may be deducted from the refund amount.

The Foundation will not add an administrative penalty to an approved refund.

13. Sponsorships, CSR and event partnerships

Sponsorships, CSR contributions, institutional grants, event partnerships and support provided in return for agreed deliverables are separate from ordinary donations.

Such arrangements may be governed by a proposal, letter, grant document, memorandum of understanding, sponsorship agreement or other written terms. Refunds, cancellations and changes relating to those arrangements will be handled under the applicable agreement rather than this policy.

Partnership enquiries may be submitted through the Foundation's Partner and Support page or Contact page.

14. Foreign contributions

Surfing Swami Foundation does not accept foreign contributions unless they are received through a route that complies with the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act and other applicable requirements.

Foreign nationals, foreign organisations, overseas companies and anyone making a payment from outside India should contact the Foundation before attempting to contribute.

A payment should not be made through an Indian donation channel where it may legally constitute a foreign contribution.

15. Changes to this policy

Surfing Swami Foundation may update this policy to reflect changes in its payment systems, programmes, compliance requirements or operating processes.

The latest version will be published on this page with the revised effective or last-updated date.