Donation and Donor Privacy Policy

Effective Date: May 1. 2026

Begin Within Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to educating through emotional wellness, healing, and community empowerment. This Donation and Donor Privacy Policy explain how Begin Within Foundation accepts, acknowledges, and stewards contributions, and how we collect, use, and protect the personal information of our donors.

Part One:

Donation Policy

Acceptance of Donations

Begin Within Foundation gratefully accepts donations from individuals, corporations, foundations, and other organizations. All donations are subject to review and acceptance by the Board of Directors. The Foundation reserves the right to decline any donation that conflicts with our mission, values, or legal obligations.

Eligible Forms of Donation

Begin Within Foundation accepts the following types of contributions:

Cash and checks, payable to Begin Within Foundation
Credit and debit card payments through our secure online donation platform
Electronic funds transfers (EFT/ACH)
In kind donations of goods or services, subject to approval
Planned gifts and bequests, please contact us to discuss

All donations must be made in U.S. dollars. We do not accept anonymous cash donations exceeding $100.

Restricted and Unrestricted Gifts

Donors may designate their gift for a specific program or purpose, known as a restricted gift. Begin Within Foundation will make every effort to honor donor intent. If a restriction becomes impractical or impossible to fulfill, we will contact the donor to discuss an alternative use. Unrestricted gifts allow the Foundation to direct funds where they are needed most, including general operations and program delivery.

Gift Acknowledgment and Tax Receipts

Refund Policy

Donations to Begin Within Foundation are generally non refundable. However, if a donation was made in error, such as a duplicate transaction or incorrect amount, the donor may submit a written refund request within 30 days of the transaction. Approved refunds will be processed using the original payment method within 10 business days. Requests should be directed to hello@beginwithinfoundation.org.

Use of Donated Funds

All donations will be acknowledged in writing. Donors will receive a receipt confirming the amount, date, and tax deductible status of their contribution. For donations of $250 or more, a written acknowledgment is required by the IRS for the donor to claim a charitable deduction. In kind donations will be acknowledged but not assigned a monetary value by the Foundation. Donors are responsible for obtaining independent appraisals as required by the IRS.

Ethical Fundraising Standards

Donors who wish to include Begin Within Foundation in their estate plans are encouraged to contact us directly at hello@beginwithinfoundation.org. We are honored to work with donors and their advisors to ensure that planned gifts align with both donor intent and organizational needs.

Planned Giving and Bequests

Begin Within Foundation welcomes gifts from corporations and private foundations. We are committed to transparency regarding all funding sources. Corporate donors should be aware that acceptance of a gift does not imply endorsement of the donor's products or services. The Foundation will disclose major funding sources in its annual report as required by law.

Corporate and Foundation Gifts

In kind donations of non-cash goods or services are accepted at the discretion of the Foundation. Prospective in-kind donors should contact us prior to making a contribution to ensure the item or service aligns with our current needs. The Foundation will provide written acknowledgment of in-kind gifts but cannot assign or guarantee a specific dollar value for tax purposes.

In Kind Donations

All donations are used to advance the mission of Begin Within Foundation, which is to promote education on emotional wellness, healing, mentorship, and community empowerment for individuals and families in Columbus, Ohio, surrounding counties and rural counties. A minimum of 80% of all donated funds will be directed toward program services. The Foundation is committed to responsible stewardship and financial transparency.

Begin Within Foundation adheres to ethical fundraising practices. We will never pressure prospective donors, misrepresent our programs or financials, or use donated funds in a manner inconsistent with donor intent. All fundraising activities comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws, including Ohio charitable solicitation registration requirements.

Part Two:

Donor Privacy Policy

Information We Collect

When you make a donation through our website or donation platform, we may collect the following information: your name, email address, mailing address, phone number, payment information (processed securely through our payment processor), and donation amount and date. We do not store your credit card or bank account details on our servers.

How We Use Your Information

Begin Within Foundation uses the information you provide solely to: process your donation and send you a receipt, issue tax acknowledgment letters for your records, communicate updates about our programs and impact (only if you opt in), and comply with legal and financial reporting requirements. We do not sell, trade, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.

Donor Confidentiality

We respect your privacy and are committed to keeping your personal information confidential. Your name and giving information will not be publicly disclosed without your explicit consent. If you wish to remain an anonymous donor, please indicate so at the time of your gift and we will honor that request.

Data Security

Begin Within Foundation takes reasonable measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse. All online transactions are encrypted using Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology. However, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Third-Party Payment Processors

Donations made online are processed through a secure third-party payment processor. These processors are PCI-DSS compliant and operate under their own privacy policies. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any third-party service you use in connection with your donation.

Communications and Opt-Out

If you provide your email address, you may receive occasional updates about Begin Within Foundation's programs, events, and impact. You may opt out of these communications at any time by contacting us directly at hello@beginwithinfoundation.org or by following the unsubscribe instructions in any email we send.

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you, request correction of inaccurate information, request deletion of your personal data (subject to legal obligations), and withdraw consent for communications at any time. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at hello@beginwithinfoundation.org.

Begin Within Foundation reserves the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. Any changes will be posted on our website at www.beginwithinfoundation.org. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact us at:

Begin Within Foundation

Columbus, Ohio

Email: hello@beginwithinfoundation.org

Website: www.beginwithinfoundation.org

Begin Within Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. This policy applies to all donors and prospective donors of Begin Within Foundation.