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At Rise Above Poverty, we are committed to transparency and donor satisfaction. This Refund Policy outlines the circumstances under which donations made through our platform at riseabovepoverty.social may be refunded.
All donations are processed through Razorpay, a secure and reliable payment gateway. This policy applies to all transactions made on our platform and should be read in conjunction with our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.
Important Notice
Donations made through our platform are generally non-refundable as they are voluntary contributions intended to support verified beneficiaries. However, we understand that exceptional circumstances may arise, and we handle each refund request on a case-by-case basis.
General Refund Policy
Voluntary Donations
All donations are voluntary contributions made with the intention of supporting verified beneficiaries in need.
Secure Processing
All transactions are processed through Razorpay's secure payment gateway with industry-standard encryption.
48-Hour Window
Refund requests must be submitted within 48 hours of the donation for faster processing.
Case-by-Case Review
Each refund request is reviewed individually based on the specific circumstances and evidence provided.
Key Principles:
- Refunds are processed back to the original payment method used for the donation
- Platform fees and payment gateway charges are non-refundable
- Refunds are subject to verification and approval by our team
- We reserve the right to deny refund requests that do not meet our eligibility criteria
- Tax receipts issued for donations will be invalidated upon refund processing
Situations Eligible for Refund
Refund requests may be considered in the following circumstances:
Technical Errors & Duplicate Transactions
Refunds will be automatically processed if:
- Multiple charges occurred due to technical glitches
- The donation amount was incorrectly processed
- Payment was deducted but donation was not recorded
- System errors resulted in duplicate transactions
Fraudulent or Misleading Campaigns
If we determine that a campaign:
- Contains false or misleading information
- Was created with fraudulent intent
- Misrepresents the beneficiary or purpose
- Violates our Terms and Conditions
Note: In such cases, we will proactively contact affected donors and process refunds automatically.
Unauthorized Transactions
If you can prove that:
- The transaction was made without your authorization
- Your payment credentials were compromised
- The donation was made by a minor without parental consent
Required: You must provide evidence such as police reports, bank statements, or other relevant documentation.
Campaign Cancellation by Organizer
If the campaign organizer:
- Cancels the campaign before funds are withdrawn
- Requests that all donations be refunded
- Is unable to continue due to unforeseen circumstances
Accidental Donations
If you accidentally:
- Entered the wrong donation amount
- Donated to the wrong campaign
- Made an unintended donation
Important: Requests must be made within 48 hours of the transaction and before funds are transferred to the beneficiary.
Situations NOT Eligible for Refund
Refunds will generally NOT be provided in the following cases:
Change of Mind
Simply changing your mind about supporting a campaign after making a donation is not grounds for a refund. All donations are voluntary and should be made with careful consideration.
Funds Already Transferred
Once funds have been withdrawn by the campaign organizer and transferred to the beneficiary, refunds cannot be processed. This is why we encourage donors to verify campaign details before contributing.
Dissatisfaction with Campaign Updates
Disagreement with how the campaign is being managed, frequency of updates, or the pace of fundraising does not qualify for a refund. You may contact us to report concerns, but refunds are not guaranteed.
Campaign Not Reaching Goal
If a campaign does not reach its fundraising goal, donations are still valid and will be transferred to the beneficiary (unless the minimum threshold is not met as per campaign terms). Partial goal achievement is not grounds for refund.
Expired Timeframe
Refund requests made more than 30 days after the donation date will generally not be accepted, except in cases of proven fraud or technical errors.
Platform or Payment Gateway Fees
Platform service fees (up to 5%) and Razorpay payment gateway charges are non-refundable as these cover operational costs and third-party processing fees.
Tax Deduction Claims
Donations for which you have already claimed tax deductions under Section 80G cannot be refunded, as this would constitute tax fraud. You must ensure the refund does not conflict with your tax filings.
Anonymous Donations
Anonymous donations cannot be refunded as we cannot verify the donor's identity and payment method. If you wish to retain the option of requesting a refund, do not donate anonymously.
Please Note: All donations should be made thoughtfully and after verifying campaign details. We encourage donors to read campaign descriptions, view supporting documents, and assess the credibility before contributing.
How to Request a Refund
If you believe your situation qualifies for a refund, please follow these steps:
Step 1: Gather Required Information
Collect the following details:
- Transaction ID / Payment Reference Number
- Razorpay Order ID
- Donation date and time
- Campaign name and URL
- Donation amount
- Email address used for donation
- Payment method used
Step 2: Submit Refund Request
Contact us through one of these methods:
Step 3: Provide Supporting Documentation
Attach relevant documents based on your situation:
- Screenshots of payment confirmation
- Bank statement showing duplicate charges (if applicable)
- Police report (for unauthorized transactions)
- Any other evidence supporting your claim
Step 4: Wait for Review
Our team will review your request within 3-5 business days. We may contact you for additional information or clarification during this period.
Step 5: Receive Decision
You will receive an email notification with our decision. If approved, refund processing will begin immediately.
Pro Tip
To expedite your refund request, ensure all information is accurate and complete. Incomplete requests may experience delays in processing.
Refund Processing Timeline
Understanding the refund timeline helps set appropriate expectations:
Initial Response
Days: You will receive an acknowledgment of your refund request within 1-2 business days.
We will confirm receipt of your request and provide a ticket number for tracking.
Review & Decision
Days: Our team will review your request and supporting documents within 3-5 business days.
You will be notified of the decision via email, along with detailed reasons.
Refund Processing
Days: If approved, the refund will be initiated and processed through Razorpay within 7-14 business days.
The exact timeline depends on your bank or payment provider.
Credit to Account
Days: After Razorpay processes the refund, it takes an additional 5-7 business days for the amount to reflect in your account.
This timeline is controlled by your bank or card issuer.
Total Timeline
Complete refund process: Approximately 15-26 business days from request submission to amount credit.
Please note that weekends and public holidays are not counted as business days. Technical errors and duplicate charges are typically processed faster (5-7 days).
Razorpay Payment Processing
All donations on our platform are processed through Razorpay, India's leading payment gateway. Understanding how Razorpay handles refunds is important:
About Razorpay
Razorpay is a secure, PCI-DSS compliant payment gateway trusted by thousands of Indian businesses. All transactions are encrypted and protected.
Refund Processing Methods
Credit/Debit Card Refunds
- Refunds are credited back to the original card
- Processing time: 5-7 business days after approval
- The refund will appear as a credit transaction on your card statement
- International cards may take up to 10 business days
Net Banking Refunds
- Refunds are credited to the source bank account
- Processing time: 5-7 business days
- Refund reference number will be provided for tracking
- Check with your bank if funds don't appear within expected time
UPI Refunds
- Refunds are processed to the source UPI ID
- Processing time: 3-5 business days (typically faster)
- You will receive a notification on your UPI app
- Instant refunds may be available for eligible transactions
Wallet Refunds (Paytm, PhonePe, etc.)
- Refunds are credited back to your wallet
- Processing time: 3-5 business days
- You will receive a notification from your wallet provider
- Check your wallet transaction history for confirmation
Important Notes About Razorpay Refunds
Refunds can only be processed to the original payment method used for the donation
Razorpay charges (approximately 2% + GST) are non-refundable as they are third-party processing fees
You will receive email notifications at each stage of the refund process
Razorpay provides a unique refund ID for tracking purposes
Contact Razorpay support directly at support@razorpay.com for payment gateway-specific issues
Security & Privacy
Razorpay uses bank-grade security with 256-bit SSL encryption. Your payment information is never stored on our servers. All refund transactions are logged and auditable for transparency.
Tax Implications of Refunds
Understanding the tax implications of donation refunds is crucial for compliance with Indian tax laws:
Important Tax Notice
Donations made through our platform are eligible for tax deduction under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, 1961. However, if you receive a refund, special considerations apply.
Section 80G Certificates
Certificate Invalidation
If a refund is processed, the 80G tax receipt issued for that donation will be automatically invalidated. You will receive a notification confirming the cancellation.
Already Claimed Deductions
If you have already claimed a tax deduction for a refunded donation in your Income Tax Return (ITR):
- You must inform the Income Tax Department
- File a revised return if within the revision period
- Remove the claimed deduction from your tax calculations
- Failure to do so may result in penalties
Refund Reporting
We are required to report all refunded donations to the Income Tax Department as part of our annual compliance. Ensure your tax records are updated accordingly.
Donor Responsibilities
- Maintain records of all donation receipts and refund confirmations
- Consult with a tax professional if you've claimed deductions for refunded donations
- Update your tax filings promptly to avoid penalties
- Keep copies of all communication regarding refunds
- Inform your chartered accountant about any refunded donations
Disclaimer
This information is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute tax advice. Please consult with a qualified tax professional or chartered accountant for advice specific to your situation.
Dispute Resolution
If your refund request is denied and you disagree with our decision, you have the following options:
Step 1: Request Reconsideration
Reply to the refund denial email with additional evidence or clarification. Our senior team will review your case again within 3-5 business days.
Step 2: Escalate to Management
If you're unsatisfied with the reconsideration outcome, escalate your concern to our management team at:
disputes@riseabovepoverty.socialStep 3: Mediation
For unresolved disputes, we encourage mediation through a neutral third party. Both parties agree to work in good faith to reach a mutually acceptable resolution.
Step 4: Legal Recourse
As a last resort, you may pursue legal action. All disputes are subject to the jurisdiction of courts in [Your City], India, as per our Terms and Conditions.
Consumer Rights
As a donor, you have certain rights under Indian consumer protection laws:
- Right to be informed about our refund policies before making a donation
- Right to fair treatment and non-discriminatory practices
- Right to seek redressal of grievances
- Right to approach consumer forums for unresolved disputes
Commitment to Fair Resolution: We are committed to resolving all disputes fairly and transparently. Our goal is to ensure donor satisfaction while maintaining the integrity of our platform and protecting beneficiaries.
Additional Information
Partial Refunds
In certain exceptional circumstances, we may offer partial refunds. For example, if you donated ₹10,000 but only ₹8,000 was transferred to the beneficiary due to early detection of an issue, we may refund the ₹8,000 portion. Platform fees and amounts already disbursed cannot be refunded.
Recurring Donations
If you have set up recurring donations and wish to cancel future payments, please contact us immediately. Already processed donations follow the standard refund policy. Cancellation of recurring donations does not automatically trigger refunds for past contributions.
Chargeback Requests
We strongly discourage initiating chargebacks through your bank or card issuer without first contacting us. Chargebacks can:
- Result in additional fees charged by Razorpay
- Lead to account suspension
- Harm beneficiaries who depend on timely fund transfers
- Create legal complications
If you believe you have grounds for a chargeback, please contact us first at refunds@riseabovepoverty.social. We will work with you to resolve the issue fairly.
Currency & Exchange Rate
All donations are processed in Indian Rupees (INR). If you donated using a card issued in a foreign currency, the refund will be processed in INR and converted by your bank. Exchange rate fluctuations may result in slight differences between the amount charged and refunded. We are not responsible for currency conversion fees or exchange rate variations.
Policy Updates
We reserve the right to update this Refund Policy at any time. Material changes will be communicated via email and posted on our website. Continued use of the platform after such changes constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. Refund requests will be governed by the policy in effect at the time of donation.
Contact Us for Refund Inquiries
For any questions or concerns regarding refunds, please reach out to our dedicated refund support team:
Refund Support
Dedicated Refund Team
General Support
All Other Inquiries
Dispute Resolution
Escalated Concerns
Phone Support
Mon-Fri, 9 AM - 6 PM IST
Response Time Commitment
We are committed to providing prompt responses to all refund inquiries:
- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Refund decision: Within 3-5 business days
- Urgent requests: Prioritized for faster review
Please include your Transaction ID and Razorpay Order ID in all communications for faster processing.
Our Commitment to You
At Rise Above Poverty, we are committed to transparency, fairness, and donor satisfaction. While donations are generally non-refundable due to their charitable nature, we understand that exceptional circumstances arise and will review each request with care and consideration.
Thank you for supporting our mission to rise above poverty. Your generosity changes lives.