Terms & conditions

Last Updated: December 17, 2025

Welcome to Heart in Hand. These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your access to and use of our website, services, programs, and activities. By accessing or using our website or participating in our programs, you agree to be bound by these Terms.

1. Acceptance of Terms

By accessing or using the Heart in Hand website (heartinhandproject.org), making a donation, volunteering with us, participating in our programs, or otherwise engaging with our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms and our Privacy Policy.

We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes will be effective immediately upon posting to our website. Your continued use of our services after any changes indicates your acceptance of the modified Terms.

2. About Heart in Hand

Heart in Hand is a student-led project dedicated to:

• Providing healthcare education to children and youth
• Assembling and distributing care kits to hospitalized patients and families
• Creating opportunities for student volunteers to serve their community
• Partnering with hospitals, schools, and community organizations

Important: Heart in Hand is not a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization or any other type of registered legal entity. We are a student-led charitable project founded to further our charitable mission and serve the public good. All donations made to Heart in Hand are not tax-deductible.

3. Use of Our Website

Permitted Use

You may use our website for lawful purposes only. Specifically, you may:

• Browse and read content about our organization and programs
• Make donations to support our mission
• Submit volunteer applications or inquiries
• Subscribe to our newsletter and communications
• Share our content on social media platforms
• Contact us with questions or feedback

Prohibited Use

You may not use our website to:

• Violate any applicable local, state, national, or international law
• Transmit any harmful code, viruses, or malicious software
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or networks
• Interfere with or disrupt the website's operation
• Collect or harvest personal information about other users
• Impersonate any person or entity or misrepresent your affiliation
• Use automated systems (bots, scrapers) without our written permission
• Post or transmit defamatory, harassing, or offensive content

4. Donations

Tax Deductibility

Heart in Hand is not a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization or any other registered legal entity. Donations made to Heart in Hand are not tax-deductible. We are a student-led charitable project, and contributions are made voluntarily to support our mission of serving the community.

Donation Processing

All donations are processed securely through third-party payment processors. We do not store complete credit card information on our servers. By making a donation, you agree to the terms and conditions of our payment processors.

Donation Use

All donations will be used to support Heart in Hand's mission and operations, including:

• Purchasing materials and supplies for care kits
• Developing and delivering healthcare education programs
• Supporting volunteer recruitment and activities
• Covering operational expenses
• Expanding our programs and community reach

Refund Policy

All donations are final and non-refundable except in cases of:

• Duplicate donations made in error
• Unauthorized charges
• Technical errors during the donation process

To request a refund under these circumstances, please contact us within 30 days of the donation date.

Recurring Donations

If you set up a recurring donation, your payment method will be charged automatically according to the frequency you selected. You may cancel recurring donations at any time by contacting us at info@heartinhandproject.org.

5. Volunteer Program

Eligibility

Volunteers must meet certain eligibility requirements, which may include:

• Minimum age requirements (varies by program)
• Parental consent for minors
• Background checks for certain activities
• Attendance at orientation and training sessions
• Agreement to our volunteer code of conduct

Volunteer Responsibilities

As a volunteer, you agree to:

• Represent Heart in Hand professionally and respectfully
• Follow all policies, procedures, and safety guidelines
• Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information
• Respect the dignity and privacy of patients, families, and fellow volunteers
• Notify us promptly if you are unable to fulfill a commitment
• Report any concerns, incidents, or safety issues immediately

Volunteer Rights

Heart in Hand commits to:

• Provide a safe and supportive volunteer environment
• Offer appropriate training and supervision
• Recognize and appreciate volunteer contributions
• Maintain accurate volunteer records and hours
• Address concerns and feedback in a timely manner

Termination

Heart in Hand reserves the right to terminate a volunteer relationship at any time for any reason, including but not limited to violation of these Terms, misconduct, or behavior that conflicts with our mission and values. Volunteers may also choose to end their volunteer relationship at any time.

6. Program Participation

Healthcare Education Programs

Our healthcare education programs are designed to be age-appropriate and educational. By allowing a child to participate in our programs, parents/guardians:

• Acknowledge that programs involve discussions of health topics
• Consent to their child's participation in activities
• Understand that we may take photos/videos for promotional purposes (with prior consent)
• Agree to inform us of any relevant medical conditions or special needs

Parental Consent

For participants under 18, we require written parental or guardian consent before participation in any program or activity.

7. Intellectual Property

Our Content

All content on our website, including but not limited to text, graphics, logos, images, videos, and software, is the property of Heart in Hand or its licensors and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

Limited License

We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to access and use our website for personal, non-commercial purposes. You may not:

• Reproduce, distribute, or publicly display our content without permission
• Modify or create derivative works from our content
• Use our logos, trademarks, or branding without written authorization
• Remove or alter any copyright notices or proprietary markings

User-Generated Content

If you submit content to us (such as testimonials, photos, or feedback), you grant Heart in Hand a perpetual, worldwide, royalty-free license to use, reproduce, modify, and display that content for our charitable purposes.

8. Photography and Media Release

Heart in Hand may take photographs, videos, or other recordings at our events and programs for promotional and educational purposes. By participating in our programs or events, or by submitting content to us, you (or your parent/guardian if you are a minor) grant us permission to use your likeness in:

• Website content and social media posts
• Promotional materials and publications
• Fundraising campaigns
• Educational presentations
• Annual reports and impact statements

If you do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please notify us in writing before participating in any event or program.

9. Third-Party Links and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, including social media platforms, payment processors, and partner organizations. These links are provided for your convenience only. We do not endorse, control, or assume responsibility for:

• The content or practices of third-party websites
• The accuracy of information on external sites
• The privacy practices of third parties
• Any transactions or interactions with third parties

Your use of third-party websites is at your own risk and subject to their terms and conditions.

10. Disclaimers and Limitation of Liability

Website "As Is"

Our website and services are provided "as is" and "as available" 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.

No Medical Advice

The healthcare education information we provide is for general educational purposes only and should not be considered professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified healthcare providers with questions about medical conditions.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Heart in Hand, its directors, officers, employees, and volunteers 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 of or inability to use our website or services
• Any unauthorized access to or use of our servers
• Any interruption or cessation of transmission to or from our website
• Any bugs, viruses, or other harmful code transmitted through our website
• Any errors or omissions in any content

Volunteer Activities

While we take reasonable precautions to ensure volunteer safety, participation in volunteer activities carries inherent risks. Volunteers participate at their own risk and should maintain appropriate personal insurance coverage.

11. Indemnification

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

• Your use of our website or services
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of another person or entity
• Your conduct as a volunteer or program participant

12. Privacy and Data Protection

Your privacy is important to us. Our collection, use, and protection of your personal information is governed by our Privacy Policy, which is incorporated into these Terms by reference. Please review our Privacy Policy to understand our practices.

13. Children's Privacy and Safety

We are committed to protecting the privacy and safety of children who participate in our programs. We comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and other applicable child protection laws. We:

• Obtain parental consent before collecting information from children under 13
• Conduct background checks for volunteers working with minors
• Maintain appropriate supervision ratios during programs
• Train volunteers on child safety and mandatory reporting
• Have policies to prevent and respond to any suspected abuse or misconduct

14. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

Governing Law

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

Dispute Resolution

In the event of any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or our services, the parties agree to first attempt to resolve the dispute through good faith negotiations. If the dispute cannot be resolved through negotiations within 30 days, either party may pursue resolution through mediation or litigation in the appropriate courts of California.

Class Action Waiver

You agree that any dispute resolution proceedings will be conducted only on an individual basis and not in a class, consolidated, or representative action.

15. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, illegal, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect. The invalid provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid and enforceable.

16. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy and any other policies referenced herein, constitute the entire agreement between you and Heart in Hand regarding your use of our website and services, and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.

17. Waiver

Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms shall not constitute a waiver of such right or provision. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by an authorized representative of Heart in Hand.

18. Contact Information