Donation Policy

Last Updated: 25 Mar 2025

Sozo Coterie Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. This Donation Policy outlines how charitable contributions are accepted, used, acknowledged, and managed in accordance with applicable federal and South Carolina laws and best practices in nonprofit governance.

1. Purpose of Donations

Donations to Sozo Coterie Inc. support our charitable mission, including but not limited to:

Veteran-led community preparedness and resilience initiatives

Emergency response, medical, and lifesaving training (e.g., Stop the Bleed)

Community education and outreach

Equipment, supplies, and operational capacity to serve communities

All donations are used to further Sozo’s exempt charitable purposes.

2. Voluntary and Non-Refundable Contributions

All donations made to Sozo Coterie Inc. are voluntary and non-refundable.

Donations are not payments for goods or services

Donations cannot be returned, exchanged, or credited

Refunds are not provided once a donation is processed

If a donation is believed to have been made in error (for example, duplicate transactions), the donor must contact Sozo within 48 hours of the transaction. Any review or exception is at Sozo’s sole discretion and subject to legal and accounting requirements.

3. Tax-Deductibility

Sozo Coterie Inc. is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Donations may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law

Donors are responsible for determining the tax deductibility of their contributions

No goods or services are provided in exchange for donations unless explicitly stated

Official donation receipts are provided for donor records.

4. Use of Funds & Financial Stewardship

Sozo is committed to responsible financial stewardship.

Donations are applied to programs, operations, and mission-supporting activities

Funds are managed using appropriate financial controls and oversight

Sozo reserves the right to allocate unrestricted donations where they are most needed

5. Restricted Donations

Sozo may accept restricted or program-specific donations subject to the following conditions:

Restrictions must be clearly stated at the time of donation

Restrictions must align with Sozo’s mission and legal obligations

Sozo reserves the right to decline or renegotiate restricted gifts that are impractical, unlawful, or inconsistent with organizational capacity

If a restricted purpose becomes impossible or impractical to fulfill, Sozo may redirect funds in a manner consistent with donor intent and applicable law.

6. Corporate, Foundation, and Institutional Giving

Donations from corporations, foundations, and institutional partners:

Support charitable programming and community impact

Do not constitute advertising, endorsement, or promotion

Are acknowledged in compliance with IRS regulations governing nonprofit recognition

Recognition of support is factual and non-promotional.

7. In-Kind Donations

Sozo may accept in-kind donations (goods, equipment, supplies, or services) that support our mission.

Acceptance is subject to operational need, safety, and compliance considerations

Donors are responsible for determining the fair market value of in-kind gifts for tax purposes

Sozo does not assign monetary value to donated goods or services

8. Donor Privacy

Sozo respects donor privacy and confidentiality.

Donor information is not sold, rented, or traded

Information is used solely for donation processing, acknowledgment, compliance, and relationship management

Donors may request anonymity unless disclosure is required by law

See our Privacy Policy for more information.

9. Third-Party Donation Platforms

Online donations may be processed through third-party platforms and payment processors. These providers maintain their own privacy and security policies. Sozo does not store full payment card or banking information on its servers.

10. Right to Decline Donations

Sozo Coterie Inc. reserves the right to decline any donation that:

Is inconsistent with our mission or values

Could compromise our integrity, independence, or legal compliance

Imposes conditions that are unlawful or impractical

11. Policy Updates

This Donation Policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in law, operations, or best practices. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.

12. Contact Information

For questions regarding donations or this policy, please contact:

Sozo Coterie Inc.

🌐 https://www.MissionSozo.org

📧 info@missionsozo.org