Terms of Service

Welcome & Important Notices

Welcome to ClassroomSponsors. We're building a warm, transparent way for parents, families, and supporters (“Donors” or “Supporters”) to support K-12 teachers and classrooms in the DMV region — and eventually beyond. Teachers list real classroom needs. Donors can give flexible cash (to a teacher-controlled wallet) or buy specific items that ship directly to the classroom. We show the love with opt-in leaderboards, stories, and beautiful impact visualizations.

1. Introduction & Acceptance

ClassroomSponsors, LLC (a Virginia limited liability company — “Company”) operates the Platform. By creating an account, browsing, donating, claiming a classroom, or using the Platform, you agree to these Terms and our Privacy Policy. We may update these; material changes noticed via email or site. Continued use = acceptance.

2. Eligibility & Account Types

Teachers / Educators: Current K-12 teacher or staff at a participating public, charter, or private school in our pilot region. Claim classrooms, post needs, receive funds/payouts, share voluntary updates.

Parents / Supporters / Donors: 18+ individuals who browse, donate (cash or items), view impact, and optionally join Community Heroes features with privacy controls.

One account per individual. Accurate info required. Delete anytime (see Privacy for data consequences).

3. Teacher Verification, Listings & Fund Usage

To protect donors, schools, our fiscal sponsor, and the community, teachers undergo verification before listing needs or receiving funds:

• Tier 0 (School Email Fast-Path): Instant or near-instant automated confirmation via curated trusted DMV school email domains (examples: fcps.edu, k12.dc.gov, mcpsmd.org and expanding). Magic link or OTP.
• Tier 1 (Photo ID + Selfie): For others or when email not possible. Upload clear photo of driver’s license / state ID / school badge (redact SSN or sensitive info yourself) + matching selfie. Human review, typically 12–48 hours SLA target. “Needs More Info” requests are kind, specific, and carry no penalty — simply re-upload and we re-review promptly.

Teacher obligations include keeping info accurate, using funds/items for stated educational purposes in compliance with school policies, providing W-9 before payout thresholds, and promptly notifying of eligibility changes.

4. Donations, Payments, Payouts & Fees — Hybrid Model

Donate Cash (Teacher Wallet): Flexible support. Funds go to the verified teacher's controlled balance. Teacher decides how best to use for the classroom.

Buy Specific Items: Choose exact supplies from a teacher's list. Items ship directly to the classroom/school when the feature is live.

Fee transparency is non-negotiable: 0% mandatory platform fee. At checkout we show a clear itemized breakdown before you confirm. Optional “Support ClassroomSponsors” tip (suggested ~5% or custom dollar amount; default may be pre-selected for convenience but always fully editable by you — set to $0, any amount, or percentage). Payment processing fees (Stripe or equivalent) disclosed. Total you will be charged shown clearly.

We never hide fees or use dark patterns. Net designated amounts (after your chosen tip and processor fees) are transferred to teacher-controlled accounts on a reasonable published schedule. Teachers are responsible for their own tax reporting (we may facilitate 1099-NEC for qualifying U.S. persons $600+ as required by law — exact workflow depends on fiscal sponsor agreement).

5. User Content, Impact Displays & Community Features (“Fun Layer”)

Teachers may post voluntary stories, photos, updates. Donors may add optional notes or choose visibility on leaderboards/impact pages.

Leaderboards, Visualizations & “Community Heroes”: Strictly opt-in, privacy-first, framed positively. Strong defaults: Anonymous, “Proud [School] Parent”, or fully hidden. You control at donation time or later in settings; changes propagate quickly. “X other heroes chose to support privately.” No financial incentives or investment-like promises tied to rankings. No student PII or images without proper consent.

6. Fiscal Sponsorship & Tax Deductibility Notice

Current Status: ClassroomSponsors, LLC is a for-profit Virginia LLC (or successor). We are not a 501(c)(3) and cannot offer tax-deductible receipts on our own.

When a qualified 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor partner is live, donations processed through them may be tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Receipts will clearly name the fiscal sponsor. Prominent notices at checkout and confirmations. We make no tax, legal, or financial advice. Consult your own advisor. Any material change in sponsorship communicated promptly.

7–13. Prohibited Uses, IP, Privacy (cross-ref), Disclaimers, Termination, Dispute Resolution, Miscellaneous

Full details in the canonical draft: prohibited uses include fraud, misrepresentation, harm, false needs, violation of school policies, unlawful activity. IP owned by Company with limited license to users. Strong “AS IS” disclaimers, limitation of liability (capped), indemnification. VA governing law + binding individual arbitration (class waiver; DMV consumer notes preserved; small claims exception). Exhibits to be finalized with counsel (Fee Schedule, Teacher Payout Policy, State Notices, DMCA, Acceptable Use).