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Terms of Use

These Terms of Use govern your use of the Helpster mobile app (the “App”), the website https://helpstercharity.org, and other websites, web platforms, dashboards, online tools and services that Helpster Charity US, Inc., a Delaware non-profit corporation, with address at PO Box 610226 Newton Highlands, MA 02461, United States (“Helpster,” “we,” “us” and “our”) makes available to users, donors and sponsors. Together, these are our “Services.”

We have set up some ground rules to ensure that we can keep the Services clear, useful, and safe for everyone. Helpster provides the Services to help children from developing countries receive free vital operations and other essential medical treatment where social or public assistance is absent or poorly provided (the “Goal”).

For purposes of this Agreement, “you” means the person using the Services; if the user is not an individual, then “you” means the organization on whose behalf the Services are used. These terms and conditions (the “Agreement”) govern your access to and use of the Services.

Please read this Agreement before using the Services or donating. By accepting this Agreement when registering or donating, or using the Services after being given notice of this Agreement and an opportunity to read it, you agree to it. If you act for an organization, you confirm that you are authorized to bind it. If you do not agree, please do not use the Services.

Eligibility & Accounts

The Services are offered and available to users who are 18 years of age or older. Our donor accounts and donation features are not intended for children. Children receiving charitable assistance are beneficiaries, not account holders under this Agreement.

By using the Services, you represent and warrant that you are of legal age to form a binding contract with us. If you do not meet all of these requirements, you must not access or use the Services.

You must provide accurate information, keep it up to date, keep your credentials confidential, and notify us promptly of any unauthorized use. One account per user/platform is permitted. We may suspend or terminate accounts that breach these Terms.

App License & Marketplace Terms

The App is available through the Apple App Store and Google Play. The applicable store’s terms also apply to your download and use of the App. Apple and Google are not parties to this Agreement.

Subject to these Terms, we grant you a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable license to install and use the App on devices you own or control, as permitted by the applicable store rules, for non-commercial use in connection with Helpster’s charitable Goal.

Charitable donations are separate from purchases of digital content. Using Apple Pay or Google Pay does not, by itself, make a donation an App Store or Google Play purchase. Please use the donation management and refund channels described below.

We may provide updates, patches, or changes to the App or Services. Changes to this Agreement are governed by “Waiver & Modifications” below, not simply by installing an update.

Where the App requests access to device features, you can manage the relevant permissions in your device settings; disabling permissions may make some features unavailable.

Donations, Payments & Refunds

All new one-time donations and newly established recurring donations made through the App or our US website are made directly to Helpster Charity US, Inc.. Third-party payment providers process payments on our behalf.

Existing Estonian subscriptions

If you already have an active recurring donation to Helpster Charity MTÜ, our Estonian partner, that subscription remains with Helpster Charity MTÜ. Its existing payment authorization and the donation terms applicable when you subscribed continue to govern those donations. This Agreement does not transfer that subscription, change its recipient or replace those donation terms. Our US tax-deductibility statements do not apply to those Estonian donations. You do not need to take action to continue an unchanged, validly authorized subscription, and you may cancel it at any time through its existing cancellation process or contact team@helpstercharity.org for help. To donate to the US entity instead, cancel the Estonian subscription and separately authorize a new US subscription; no automatic transfer takes place.

How we use donations

Donations support our charitable Goal. Public donations for children’s treatment are allocated to hospital bills, after applicable third-party payment processing, bank transfer and currency conversion costs. We do not use these donations for our operating overhead, which is funded separately. Any separate contribution toward operating costs is optional and must be clearly identified before payment. Any additional amount charged to you by Helpster will be disclosed before you authorize it; your bank or payment provider may charge its own fees.

Helpster selects and verifies beneficiaries and retains control over the charitable use of donations, including when working with hospitals or partner organizations abroad. A donation is a gift to Helpster, not a direct payment to a child or a foreign partner. Selecting a child’s case expresses a preference within our charitable program, not a legally binding earmark for that individual. We aim to honor that preference. If a case is fully funded, treatment changes or cannot proceed, or funds remain, we may use the donation for other children’s treatment within the Goal, consistently with the appeal presented before payment. Any restriction we expressly accept must be honored and can be changed only with the donor’s consent or as otherwise permitted by law.

Treatment estimates and fundraising targets may change. A donation does not guarantee a particular treatment outcome, and does not give the donor ownership rights, a financial return, or authority over a child’s care.

Payments and refunds

We accept the payment methods displayed at checkout. You confirm that you are authorized to use the selected method and that the payment information you provide is accurate. You authorize only the amount and, for recurring donations, the schedule shown to you and expressly accepted by you. We may decline or return a donation where required by law or where we reasonably suspect fraud, an unauthorized payment or unlawful activity.

We use third-party payment providers and reasonable security measures, but no internet transmission is completely secure. For donation or payment problems, please contact team@helpstercharity.org; you may also contact your bank or payment provider. Nothing in this Agreement removes their obligations or your legal rights concerning unauthorized payments or payment errors.

Completed donations are generally non-refundable, subject to applicable law. Please contact team@helpstercharity.org promptly if you believe there has been a duplicate charge, processing error, unauthorized payment or another mistake. We will review the request and make any refund required by law; we may also approve an appropriate refund in other exceptional circumstances. Approved refunds are normally returned to the original payment method. Cancelling a recurring donation does not automatically refund earlier, properly authorized donations, but does not limit any applicable refund or payment-dispute rights.

Recurring Donations

Before you subscribe, we will show the recipient, donation amount, currency, frequency and when charges begin. Recurring payments require your separate affirmative authorization; accepting these Terms alone is not authorization. We will provide a confirmation of that authorization, including the payment schedule and cancellation instructions, in a form you can retain. Payments continue on the agreed schedule until cancelled.

You may cancel online through the App’s Profile > Donations & Subscriptions section or the donation-management link provided with your subscription, or by emailing team@helpstercharity.org. There is no cancellation fee. We will process cancellation promptly, confirm it, and not initiate further charges under the cancelled authorization after receiving your request. A payment already submitted for processing may still settle; contact us if that happens. Deleting the App does not cancel a subscription.

We will not increase the amount or frequency, or change the donation recipient, without your fresh authorization. Changes to these Terms do not themselves amend a recurring-payment authorization. These provisions govern US subscriptions; the existing Estonian subscriptions described above remain subject to their existing authorizations and donation terms.

Tax Treatment & Donation Receipts

Helpster Charity US, Inc. is recognized as a tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the US Internal Revenue Code. Our EIN is 93-3969693. Donations to us may be deductible for US federal income tax purposes to the extent permitted by law and depending on your circumstances. We do not guarantee deductibility in the United States or any other country.

We will provide a donation confirmation and, for each contribution of US$250 or more, a written acknowledgment containing the information required for US tax substantiation. This includes the cash amount and whether any goods or services were provided in return. Donations under these Terms do not purchase goods or services. If we separately offer a benefit in exchange for a payment, we will identify it and provide any required disclosure of its value and the potentially deductible portion. Please retain your records and consult your tax adviser if needed.

Receipts must identify the charity that actually received the donation. Donations under existing Estonian subscriptions are received by Helpster Charity MTÜ, not by the US entity. They do not qualify as donations to Helpster Charity US, Inc. and generally are not deductible for US federal income tax purposes as gifts to a foreign charity.

Registration, Privacy & User Content

In order to access certain features of the Services, you may be required to create an account with Helpster (an “Account”) or connect a valid account from a third-party service (a “Third-Party Account”), such as Google, Apple or Facebook. By connecting a Third-Party Account, you authorize access only to the information you permit that provider to share with us, subject to its rules and your settings.

You represent that you are entitled to grant Helpster this access without breaching the terms governing your use of the Third-Party Account and without obligating Helpster to pay fees or comply with additional usage limits beyond those applicable under the provider’s own rules.

Our Privacy Policy at https://helpstercharity.org/privacy-policy explains how personal data is collected, used and shared, including the respective roles of the US and Estonian organizations. This Agreement does not replace any separate consent required by law. You can disconnect a Third-Party Account using the available account or provider settings. Disconnecting it does not itself cancel a recurring donation.

If you submit content, you retain ownership and grant Helpster a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, reproduce and display it only as reasonably needed to operate and provide the Services. You must have the necessary rights and permissions. Do not upload a child’s identifying or medical information without appropriate authority and consent. You may report unlawful content or concerns about a child’s privacy or safety to team@helpstercharity.org, identifying the content and explaining your concern. We will review reports and take appropriate action in accordance with applicable law.

Intellectual Property

The Services and all content and information therein, such as text, graphics, designs, logos, catalogs, images, presentations, button icons, videos, data, instructions, photographs, graphs, typefaces, sounds, and software (the “Materials”), are the property of Helpster or its licensors. Your use of any of the trademarks found on the Services, or any confusingly similar marks, without express permission of the owner is strictly prohibited.

Limited License

Subject to the terms of this Agreement, Helpster grants you a limited, revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-assignable, personal license to (i) access and display the Materials; and (ii) access and use the Services, in each case only for the Goal and only for your personal and non-commercial use. You agree to retain all copyright and other proprietary notices contained on the Materials. All rights not expressly granted here are reserved. The license granted in this Section terminates upon termination of your account.

Restrictions on Use

You agree not to:

  • Use the Materials or Services for purposes other than Helpster’s stated charitable Goal;
  • Use Materials (including images of children) in violation of applicable laws or without appropriate consent;
  • Create a database by systematic downloading or storage of Materials;
  • Copy, modify, remove, publish, distribute, sell, license, or create derivative works from the Materials or Services, except as expressly permitted;
  • Interfere with, disable, or attempt to manipulate the Services, including security features or access controls;
  • Upload or transmit viruses, worms, malware or other malicious code;
  • Use automated means (robots, spiders, scrapers, scripts) to access the Services without prior written consent;
  • Attempt to access accounts or data without authorization;
  • Provide false or misleading information in connection with your Account;
  • Impose an unreasonable load on Helpster’s infrastructure;
  • Restrict or inhibit another user’s access to the Services (including by hacking or defacing);
  • Collect, solicit, or misuse personal data of users in violation of applicable privacy laws or our Privacy Policy;
  • Reverse engineer, decompile or extract source code from the Services, except to the extent applicable law permits this despite a contractual restriction;
  • Use the Services for unauthorized commercial purposes;
  • Upload or share content that is unlawful, defamatory, harassing, hateful, discriminatory, pornographic, sexually exploitative of children, incites violence, or contains gratuitous violence;
  • Intimidate, harass, or bully users;
  • Post identification documents, payment card details, or sensitive financial information in public areas of the Services; or
  • Use the Services in a misleading, malicious or discriminatory manner, or otherwise in violation of applicable law (including data protection, export control, sanctions, and consumer laws).

Helpster’s Rights

We may update the Services, remove content that violates this Agreement, and restrict access where reasonably necessary to protect users, beneficiaries or the Services, or to comply with law. We will give notice where reasonably practicable, but may act immediately in cases involving fraud, security, child safety or other urgent concerns. These rights do not override our obligations concerning donations, accepted restrictions, cancellations, refunds or personal data.

Disclaimer of Warranties

To the extent permitted by law, the Services are provided “as is” and “as available,” without implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement. We do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free access. This does not exclude any warranty or obligation that cannot lawfully be excluded, or excuse misleading fundraising statements.

Information about beneficiaries and treatment is provided for transparency and fundraising, not as medical advice. Please consult qualified professionals for medical concerns. Medical images or descriptions may be distressing; viewer discretion is advised.

Limitation of Liability

To the extent permitted by law, Helpster is not liable for indirect or consequential losses arising from use of the Services, and our total liability under this Agreement is limited to US$100.

These limitations do not apply to fraud, gross negligence, willful misconduct, death or personal injury caused by negligence, or liability that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited. They do not reduce our obligations to apply donations lawfully and consistently with accepted restrictions, make required refunds, or respect your mandatory payment and data-protection rights.

Choice of Law and Disputes

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, United States, without regard to conflict of law principles. Subject to any mandatory law allowing you to bring proceedings elsewhere, disputes are subject to the state or federal courts in Delaware with jurisdiction over the dispute. Nothing in this Agreement takes away protections or remedies that applicable law does not allow you to waive, including applicable consumer protections where you live. You may contact a regulator or bring a complaint without first contacting us.

Limitations on Claims

The time limits set by applicable law apply to claims. This Agreement does not impose a shorter contractual deadline.

Term and Termination

We may suspend or terminate access for a material breach of this Agreement or the protective reasons described above. You may stop using the Services and request account closure at any time. Before closing an account, we will provide a practical way to cancel or manage any active subscription. Account closure does not redirect a subscription to a different charity. We remain responsible for obligations relating to donations already received. Provisions intended to continue after termination, including intellectual property, lawful use of donations, liability and dispute provisions, continue to apply.

Waiver & Modifications

If for any reason a court of competent jurisdiction finds any provision of this Agreement to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable, that provision shall be enforced to the maximum extent permissible so as to effect the intent of the Agreement, and the remainder of this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect. No waiver by either party of any breach or default hereunder shall be deemed to be a waiver of any preceding or subsequent breach or default.

We may update this Agreement by posting the revised version in the App and on our website and updating the date above. We will give reasonable advance notice of material changes, by email or an in-app notice, before they apply to existing users, unless a legal or urgent security reason requires earlier action. Changes apply prospectively and do not alter completed donations, accepted donation restrictions or existing payment authorizations. We will obtain fresh acceptance or consent where required by law.

Electronic Communications

We may send donation confirmations, cancellation confirmations, security alerts and other service communications electronically. Where the law requires a particular form of notice or consent, we will follow those requirements. Service communications are separate from optional marketing communications; you may opt out of marketing without cancelling your donations.

Contact & Notices

Helpster Charity US, Inc.

Address: PO Box 610226, Newton Highlands, MA 02461, United States.

Email: team@helpstercharity.org

Please contact us with donation questions, cancellation or refund requests, technical issues, complaints, or requests for information about our charitable activities and publicly available financial filings. State registration, where applicable, does not mean that a government agency endorses Helpster.

Last update: 25 September 2026