Christian Angel Ride Foundation Donation Policy

Effective Date: August 5, 2025

At Christian Angel Ride Foundation (C-A-R), we are deeply grateful for your support as we work to provide free, faith-based rideshare services to veterans, the elderly, individuals with special needs, and those requiring medical transport. As we are currently forming our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status with the IRS, this Donation Policy outlines how we handle your contributions, ensuring transparency and compliance with all legal requirements. Your generosity helps us drive hope, one ride at a time.

1. 501(c)(3) Status and Legal Compliance

Christian Angel Ride Foundation is in the process of applying for 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status with the IRS. Until this status is approved, donations are not yet tax-deductible. Once approved, we will issue tax-exempt receipts retroactively for all qualifying donations, in accordance with IRS regulations. All donations are handled in compliance with federal and Georgia state laws, including registration with the Georgia Secretary of State for charitable solicitations (Registration Fee: $35, upon approval). We are committed to maintaining strict financial accountability and separating nonprofit funds from any for-profit activities.

2. Types of Donations Accepted

We accept:

  • Monetary Donations: One-time or recurring (monthly) contributions via secure platforms like Stripe ($25, $50, $75, $100 tiers) or checks mailed to [insert mailing address, or note TBD if not yet established].
  • In-Kind Donations: Goods or services (e.g., vehicles, office supplies) that support our mission, subject to approval by our board.
  • Pledges: Commitments for future donations, tracked for follow-up.

All donations are recorded in our secure donation log to ensure proper documentation.

3. How Donations Are Used

Your contributions directly support our mission to provide free rides, including:

  • Startup costs (e.g., legal fees for 501(c)(3) filing, approximately $275-$600).
  • Operational expenses (e.g., insurance, volunteer training, website development).
  • Program development (e.g., rideshare scheduling systems tailored for accessibility).

Donations are used solely for nonprofit activities and kept separate from any for-profit operations to ensure compliance with IRS and Georgia regulations.

4. Donation Receipts

  • Pre-501(c)(3) Approval: We collect donor information (name, email, amount, date) for all contributions. Receipts acknowledging your gift will be provided, but they will not claim tax-deductibility until IRS approval.
  • Post-501(c)(3) Approval: Once approved, we will issue tax-exempt receipts via email or mail, including our EIN, donation amount, date, and a statement confirming no goods or services were provided, per IRS requirements.

Donors will be notified of our 501(c)(3) status update via email or our website ([insert website, e.g., christianangelride.org]).

5. Refunds

Donations are generally non-refundable, as they are gifts to support our charitable mission. In cases of error (e.g., duplicate payments), contact us within 30 days at [insert email, e.g., info@christianangelride.org] to request a refund, subject to board approval.

6. Donor Privacy

We respect your privacy and protect your information as outlined in our Privacy Policy. Personal details (e.g., name, email, payment info) are securely stored and used only for donation processing, receipt issuance, and mission-related communications. We do not sell or share donor information, except as required by law.

7. Transparency and Accountability

All donations are tracked and managed with integrity, following best practices for nonprofit financial stewardship. Once 501(c)(3) status is granted, we will provide annual reports on our website detailing how funds are used to support free rides for our community.

8. Contact Us

For questions about donations or this policy, please reach out:

Email: [insert email, e.g., info@christianangelride.org]
Phone: [insert phone number]
Mailing Address: [insert address, or note TBD if not yet established]

Thank you for your generosity and trust in Christian Angel Ride Foundation. With your support, we're building a community of care, guided by faith and driven by love.