VMF values every donation and seeks to use charitable funds responsibly. Because donations may be allocated or committed to charitable programs promptly after receipt, successfully processed donations are ordinarily non-refundable. VMF will nevertheless review limited requests involving a genuine transaction error, duplicate payment, unauthorised payment, or other circumstance described below.
1. Circumstances Eligible for Review
VMF may consider a full or partial refund where:
- The same donation was charged more than once because of a technical or processing error.
- The donor entered an incorrect amount and promptly requests return of the excess amount.
- The transaction was made without the payment-method holder's authorisation, subject to identity, payment-provider, bank, and fraud verification.
- A payment was debited and shown as failed or incomplete, but VMF later confirms that the funds were actually received and were not automatically reversed by the bank or payment provider.
- VMF is unable to accept the donation lawfully, or the relevant campaign or activity is cancelled by VMF and no acceptable alternative allocation is agreed.
- Applicable law, a bank, card network, UPI provider, payment gateway, or binding dispute outcome requires a refund.
2. Normally Non-Refundable Circumstances
A refund will not normally be provided merely because a donor changes their mind, no longer wishes to support a program, is dissatisfied with a non-guaranteed acknowledgement or program update, cannot attend an activity, requests cancellation after funds have been allocated, or made a donation without first checking tax eligibility.
3. How to Request a Refund
Send the request to info@vandemataram.foundation as soon as possible and preferably within seven (7) calendar days of the transaction. Requests involving an allegedly unauthorised payment should be reported immediately and may also need to be raised with the issuing bank or payment provider within their applicable dispute period.
Include:
- Donor or payment-holder name.
- Email address and mobile number used for the donation.
- Donation date, amount, currency, and selected program or campaign.
- Razorpay payment ID, PayPal transaction ID, UPI reference, bank reference, or other transaction identifier.
- The reason for the request and supporting evidence, such as a statement showing duplicate charges.
4. Review and Decision
VMF may request additional information to verify the transaction, donor identity, payment-method ownership, receipt status, tax documentation, or whether funds have been allocated. VMF aims to communicate its decision within seven (7) business days after receiving all reasonably required information. Complex bank, fraud, or cross-border matters may take longer.
5. Refund Method and Timing
Approved refunds will be initiated to the original payment method unless the payment provider or applicable law requires another process. VMF will not ordinarily issue a refund in cash or to an unrelated bank account. After initiation, the refund typically takes approximately five to ten (5–10) business days to appear, depending on the payment method, payment provider, and receiving bank.
6. Donation Receipts and Tax Claims
If a donation receipt, 80G certificate, U.S. charitable acknowledgement, or other tax document has been issued for an amount that is later refunded, it will be cancelled or adjusted. The donor must not claim a tax deduction for the refunded amount and must cooperate in correcting any previously issued document.
7. Failed or Pending Transactions
A debit relating to a failed or pending transaction may be automatically reversed by the donor's bank or payment provider. The donor should first verify the transaction status. Avoid making repeated attempts until the status of the first transaction is known.
8. Chargebacks and Disputes
Donors are encouraged to contact VMF promptly so that genuine errors can be investigated. Nothing in this Policy prevents a payment holder from using a lawful bank, card-network, UPI, or payment-provider dispute process.
9. Contact
Refund Support
Vandemataram Foundation
Email: info@vandemataram.foundation
Phone: +91 98490 54339
Address: Nithin Bhavan, Thorrur, Mahabubabad – 506163, Telangana, India