Donation Policy

1. Scope

This Donation Policy applies to donations made to Synergy Health Foundation, Public Trust Registration No. E-12699/Thane, through www.synergyhealthfoundation.org or another channel expressly identified by the Foundation. It should be read with the Website Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

2. Nature of a donation

A donation is a voluntary and unconditional charitable contribution unless the relevant campaign expressly states a lawful, specific purpose. It does not create an entitlement to medical treatment, priority, educational admission, employment, volunteering placement, commercial benefit or control over Foundation decisions.

Where a campaign expressly identifies a specific purpose, the Foundation will apply the contribution consistently with that stated purpose and applicable law. If it becomes impossible or unlawful to use the contribution as stated, the Foundation will address the contribution in accordance with applicable law and, where reasonably practicable, communicate with the donor.

3. Donor information and authority

By donating, you confirm that you are legally authorised to use the chosen payment method, the funds are from lawful sources, and the information you provide is accurate. The Foundation may request identity, address, tax, payment or source information where reasonably necessary for receipts, accounting, fraud prevention, banking, audit, tax or other legal requirements.

A donor seeking any available tax certificate must provide complete and accurate information required by law. The Foundation is not responsible for a donor’s tax treatment or for an unavailable benefit caused by incomplete, inaccurate or late information.

4. Payment processing

Available payment methods, currency and any transaction instructions will be displayed through the applicable donation channel. A bank, card network, payment gateway or other payment service provider may process the transaction under its own terms and privacy notice. A donation is treated as received only after successful settlement or other confirmation available to the Foundation.

The Foundation may decline, hold, reverse or report a transaction where reasonably necessary to address an error, suspected fraud, legal restriction, sanctions or payment-network requirement.

5. Foreign contributions

The Website does not invite or accept a foreign contribution unless and until the Foundation has the registration or prior permission required under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 for that contribution and provides a legally compliant designated channel and instructions. A prospective donor connected with a source outside India must contact the Foundation before attempting a donation. The Foundation may reject or return funds that it cannot lawfully accept.

6. Receipts and tax treatment

The Foundation will issue an acknowledgement or receipt using the information available to it. An ordinary payment acknowledgement is not, by itself, proof of eligibility for a tax deduction.

A tax deduction is available only where the Foundation holds the required valid approval for the relevant period and donation, the donor and payment satisfy applicable legal conditions, and the prescribed reporting or certificate requirements are completed. Where legally applicable, the Foundation will provide the prescribed donation certificate. Donors should obtain independent tax advice; the Foundation does not guarantee any donor’s tax outcome.

7. Refunds for duplicate or erroneous payments

Successful donations are generally final. The Foundation considers a refund only for a duplicate payment or a payment made in error. The donor should notify the Foundation promptly after discovering the issue and provide the donor’s name, contact details, transaction reference, date, amount, reason and any reasonably requested proof.

The Foundation will verify the request against its records and applicable banking, payment-provider and legal requirements. If approved, a refund will ordinarily be initiated to the original payment method where feasible. The time for credit is controlled partly by banks and payment providers. A tax receipt or certificate relating to a refunded amount may be cancelled or corrected as required by law.

A change of mind, dissatisfaction with a programme, or a donor’s inability to claim a tax benefit is not an erroneous-payment ground. This does not limit any remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded.

8. Chargebacks and failed transactions

Before raising a chargeback for a suspected duplicate or error, please contact the Foundation so that the transaction can be checked. A failed, pending or reversed transaction may appear differently across banking systems; the Foundation can confirm only the status shown in its records and by its payment provider.

9. Privacy and records

Donor information will be handled under the Privacy Policy and applicable law. Records may be retained for accounting, audit, tax, banking, fraud-prevention and legal-compliance purposes. Payment credentials may be handled directly by the payment provider rather than stored by the Foundation, depending on the selected channel.