Donation & Refund Policy

1. About Donations to Spark Bio

Spark Bio is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 85-1862988). All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. We are committed to using your donations responsibly and effectively to support our mission of empowering communities through education, healthcare, and sustainable development.

2. Types of Donations

We accept the following types of donations:

• One-Time Donations: Single contributions made via credit card, debit card, or electronic check
• Recurring Donations: Automatic monthly contributions (can be modified or canceled at any time)
• Memorial/Honor Donations: Donations made in memory or honor of someone special
• Matching Gifts: Employer-matched donations (check with your employer for eligibility)
• Planned Giving: Bequests, trusts, and other estate planning donations
• In-Kind Donations: Goods or services (subject to pre-approval)

3. How Donations Are Used

We maintain the highest standards of financial stewardship:

• 95% of donations go directly to program services
• 4% supports administration and operations
• 1% covers fundraising costs

You may designate your donation for a specific program or purpose. If you do not specify, your donation will be used where it is needed most. In rare cases where a specific program is overfunded or discontinued, we will redirect funds to similar programs serving the same mission.

4. Tax Receipts

All donors will receive an official tax receipt via email immediately after making a donation. This receipt includes:

• Spark Bio's legal name and EIN (85-1862988)
• Donation amount and date
• Statement confirming no goods or services were provided in exchange
• Legal language for tax deduction purposes

Please retain this receipt for your tax records. For donations of $250 or more, the IRS requires written acknowledgment from us, which is automatically provided in your receipt.

5. Payment Security

All online donations are processed through secure, PCI-compliant payment processors. We use industry-standard SSL encryption to protect your financial information. We do not store complete credit card numbers on our servers.

6. Refund Policy

All donations are final. However, we understand that mistakes can happen. We will consider refund requests under the following circumstances:

• Duplicate donation made in error
• Incorrect donation amount entered
• Technical error during payment processing

Refund requests must be submitted within 30 days of the donation and include:

• Donation confirmation number or receipt
• Reason for refund request
• Original payment method information

To request a refund, please contact us at donate@SparkBio.org. Refunds are processed to the original payment method within 10-14 business days.

Important: Refunded donations will result in an amended tax receipt, and you should not claim the refunded amount as a tax deduction.

7. Recurring Donations

Monthly recurring donations continue until you choose to modify or cancel them. You can:

• Change the donation amount
• Update payment information
• Cancel at any time without penalty

To make changes, please contact us at donate@SparkBio.org. Changes take effect in the next billing cycle. Failed payments will be retried once. If payment fails twice, your recurring donation will be canceled automatically, and you will be notified.

8. Privacy and Donor Information

We respect your privacy and adhere to the Donor Bill of Rights. We will:

• Never sell, trade, or share your personal information with other organizations
• Keep your contact information confidential
• Honor requests for anonymity
• Respect your communication preferences
• Provide transparent information about how donations are used

For more information, please see our Privacy Policy.

9. Anonymous Donations

You may choose to donate anonymously. Anonymous donors will still receive a tax receipt but will not be publicly acknowledged. If you wish to remain anonymous, please indicate this during the donation process or contact us directly.

10. Memorial and Honor Donations

Memorial and honor donations are a meaningful way to celebrate someone's life or achievements. We can send a notification to the honoree or their family if you provide contact information. The donation amount will not be disclosed unless you specify otherwise.

11. Matching Gifts

Many employers offer matching gift programs that can double or even triple your donation impact. Check with your HR department to see if your employer matches charitable contributions. We will provide any necessary documentation to facilitate employer matching.

12. Planned Giving

Including Spark Bio in your estate plans is a powerful way to create a lasting legacy. Options include bequests, charitable trusts, gift annuities, and life insurance policies. For more information about planned giving, please contact our development team at plannedgiving@SparkBio.org.

13. In-Kind Donations

We occasionally accept in-kind donations of goods and services. However, due to logistical considerations, all in-kind donations must be pre-approved. To inquire about in-kind donations, please contact us at info@SparkBio.org with details about what you would like to donate.

14. Questions and Contact Information

For questions about donations, tax receipts, or this policy, please contact us:
Spark Bio
4365 Executive Drive Suite 1100
San Diego, CA 92121, United States
Email: donate@SparkBio.org