Refund Policy

1. Introduction

Sayam Foundation ("we," "us," "our") is a registered non-profit organization committed to transparency and accountability in all financial transactions. This Refund Policy outlines the conditions under which donations made through our website at www.sayam.org may be eligible for a refund, the process for requesting a refund, and the timelines involved.

As a charitable organization, donations are generally non-refundable once processed, as funds are immediately allocated toward programs serving underprivileged children and communities. However, we recognize that exceptional circumstances may arise, and this policy provides a fair framework for handling refund requests.

By making a donation through our Website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to the terms of this Refund Policy.

2. General Refund Principle

All donations to Sayam Foundation are voluntary and non-refundable once successfully processed and acknowledged. This is because:

• Donations are immediately directed toward program activities (education, books, supplies, health, etc.)
• As a non-profit, we do not offer "products" or "services" in exchange for donations
• Section 80G tax exemption receipts are issued upon successful processing, creating additional compliance obligations
• Refunds may create complications under FCRA and tax regulations applicable to NGOs in India

Notwithstanding the above, we handle refund requests on a case-by-case basis with fairness and empathy.

3. Refund Eligibility

The following table outlines the eligibility criteria for refund requests:

Scenario	Eligible?	Details
Duplicate / accidental donation	Yes	Full refund if you were charged twice for the same donation
Incorrect amount donated	Yes	Partial or full refund if amount differs significantly from intent
Payment failure / transaction error	Yes	Full refund if payment was deducted but donation was not received
Unauthorized / fraudulent transaction	Yes	Full refund upon verification that the transaction was unauthorized
Change of mind / buyer's remorse	No	Donations are voluntary; no refund for change of mind once processed
Donation acknowledged with receipt	No	Refund not available after Section 80G receipt issuance
Donation via bank transfer / cheque	Case-by-case	Refund possible before funds are allocated to programs
Recurring / subscription donation	Case-by-case	Future installments can be cancelled; past payments follow standard rules

4. Refund Request Process

If you believe you are eligible for a refund under this policy, please follow these steps:

Step 1: Submit a Written Request

Send a formal refund request via email to info@sayam.org with the following information:

• Full name as used during donation
• Email address used for the transaction
• Donation date and approximate amount
• Transaction reference number or payment receipt
• Reason for the refund request
• Preferred refund method (same as original payment, bank transfer, etc.)

Step 2: Acknowledgement

We will acknowledge receipt of your refund request within 3 business days via email, along with a reference number for tracking your request.

Step 3: Review and Verification

Our team will review your request and verify the transaction details with our payment gateway partners. This process typically takes 7 to 15 business days. We may contact you for additional information or clarification during this period.

Step 4: Decision and Processing

Once a decision is made, we will notify you via email. If the refund is approved, the refund will be processed within 7 to 14 business days from the date of approval. The refund will be credited to the original payment method or an alternative method as agreed upon.

5. Refund Timeline Summary

Stage	Timeframe
Request acknowledgement	Within 3 business days
Review and verification	7 to 15 business days
Refund processing (after approval)	7 to 14 business days
Total estimated time	17 to 32 business days

Please note that actual refund timelines may vary depending on your bank, payment gateway, or credit card provider. We have no control over the processing times of external financial institutions.

6. Exceptions and Special Cases

The following exceptions apply to this Refund Policy:

• Section 80G Receipt Already Issued: If a tax exemption receipt has been issued and filed with tax authorities, the refund amount will exclude the tax benefit portion. The donor is responsible for any tax implications arising from the refund.
• Event or Campaign Donations: Donations made for specific events, campaigns, or crowdfunding drives may have separate refund terms as communicated at the time of the donation.
• International Donations: Refunds for international donations may be subject to currency conversion differences and additional banking charges. We will refund the equivalent amount in the original donation currency, minus any non-refundable transaction fees.
• Third-Party Platforms: If you donated through a third-party platform (e.g., Give India, Milaap, Ketto), you must contact that platform directly for refund requests. We can assist with verification if needed.
• In-Kind Donations: This policy applies only to monetary donations. In-kind donations (physical items, books, supplies) are not eligible for refund once delivered and acknowledged.

7. Dispute Resolution

If you are dissatisfied with the outcome of your refund request, you may escalate the matter by writing to our Grievance Officer at info@sayam.org with the subject line "Refund Dispute - [Reference Number]." We commit to reviewing escalated disputes within 15 business days.

If the dispute remains unresolved, either party may seek resolution through mediation or arbitration in New Delhi, India, in accordance with the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996. The costs of arbitration shall be borne equally by both parties unless the arbitrator determines otherwise.

8. Changes to This Refund Policy

We reserve the right to update or modify this Refund Policy at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Material changes will be communicated via email to registered donors or through a prominent notice on our Website.

We encourage you to review this page periodically. Your continued use of the Website and making donations after any changes constitutes your acceptance of the revised Refund Policy.

9. Contact Us

For all refund-related inquiries, or to submit a refund request, please contact us:

We are committed to resolving refund matters promptly and fairly. Please allow up to 32 business days for the complete refund process to be executed.