Refund Policy

Every gift to Human Development Fund (HDF) is an amanah, a trust we are responsible for. Part of honoring that trust is being clear about what happens when something goes wrong with a donation. This policy explains when HDF will refund a gift, how to ask for one, and what to expect from our Donor Care team along the way. We want giving to HDF to feel safe. If a gift was made in error, or was charged without your permission, we will work with you to make it right.

This policy applies to donations made directly to HDF through our website or donation forms by:

• Credit or debit card
• ACH bank transfer
• One-time or recurring (monthly) payment

It applies to every fund and designation, including Zakat, Sadaqah, Sadaqah Jariyah, Qurbani, and emergency appeals. Gifts made by check, wire transfer, stock, cryptocurrency, or through a donor-advised fund are not covered by this policy. If you have a question about one of those gifts, contact Donor Care and we will help.

Third-party platforms. Gifts made through a fundraising platform, workplace giving program, or payment service that collects donations on HDF’s behalf are governed by that platform’s refund policy. If you need help, contact the platform first. Donor Care can support you if the platform directs you back to us.

You may request a refund of a gift you made within 90 days of the date the donation was processed. The window is measured from the processing date shown on your receipt, not the date you submit your request.

Refunds within the first 30 days of processing are available whether the gift was made in error or you have simply reconsidered; a reason is not required. Between 31 and 90 days, refunds are available for verifiable errors (such as duplicate charges, wrong amounts, or incorrect fund designations). We may ask a few questions to understand your request.

After 90 days, donations are considered final, except for unauthorized charges described in Section 6. Gifts are put to work quickly in our programs, and a clear window allows us to plan responsibly with the funds entrusted to us.

Right to decline. Under any section of this policy, HDF may decline a refund request where required documentation has not been provided, or where HDF reasonably determines the request is fraudulent or abusive.

Mistakes happen, and they are the most common reason donors contact us. Within the 90-day window, HDF will refund or correct a gift if:

• The same gift was accidentally submitted more than once
• The wrong amount was entered
• The gift was made to the wrong fund or campaign
• A recurring gift was set up when you intended a one-time gift

The gift was intended for a different organization For many of these situations, we can simply correct the gift instead of refunding it, for example by moving it to the fund you intended. Donor Care will ask which you prefer.

If a donation was charged to your card or bank account without your permission, such as through a stolen or compromised card, HDF will refund it provided the claim is reported within 60 days of the date the account holder discovered the unauthorized charge, and in no case more than one year after the date the donation was processed. Because this exception extends beyond the standard window, it requires verification by HDF’s Finance team in accordance with HDF’s financial policies.

1. The cardholder or account holder contacts Donor Care and reports the unauthorized charge.
2. Donor Care requests supporting documentation, such as a fraud report or dispute confirmation from the bank or card issuer.
3. Finance reviews the claim, including whether the bank or card issuer has already returned the funds.
4. Once the claim is verified, Finance approves and processes the refund.

If your bank or card issuer has already reversed the charge through a dispute or chargeback, the funds have already been returned to you and HDF will not issue a second refund. We will confirm this with you.

You can change, pause, or cancel a recurring gift at any time by contacting Donor Care. Please reach out at least 5 business days before your next scheduled charge so the change takes effect in time.

Each recurring payment is treated as its own donation. A refund request for a recurring payment follows the refund windows described in Section 4, measured from the date that specific payment was processed.

Refund requests for Zakat, Sadaqah, and other designated gifts are handled the same way as any other donation under this policy. HDF distributes these funds according to their designation and our scholar-reviewed Zakat policy.

When a designated gift is refunded, it is returned to you in full and is no longer held by HDF for its original purpose.

If HDF is unable to use a gift for the purpose you designated, we will contact you using the email address and phone number on your donation record, making at least two attempts over 60 days.

You may choose to redirect the gift to another HDF program or request a full refund. Because this situation arises on HDF’s side, your refund option is not limited by the 90-day window in Section 4. If we are unable to reach you within 60 days of our first attempt, HDF will apply the gift to the purpose closest to your original intent. Zakat gifts will always remain within Zakat-eligible uses.

• Payment method. Refunds are returned to the original card or bank account whenever possible. If that account is closed or can no longer accept the refund, HDF will issue a check to the donor of record.
• Full amount. Approved refunds are issued for the full amount of the original gift. HDF absorbs any non-recoverable payment processing fees associated with the refund.
• Identity. To protect you, HDF may ask you to verify your identity before a refund is issued. Refunds are issued only to the donor of record or the verified account holder.
• Timing. Donor Care will confirm receipt of your request within 3 business days. HDF aims to complete its review and communicate a decision within 15 business days of receiving all required documentation. Once a refund is approved, it typically appears on your statement within 5 to 10 business days, depending on your bank or card issuer.

When a gift is refunded, the donation is no longer tax-deductible. HDF will update its records and void the acknowledgment for the refunded amount. If only part of a gift is refunded, or a gift is corrected, HDF will issue an updated acknowledgment reflecting the correct amount.

If a refund is processed after HDF has issued a year-end giving statement, we will send a corrected statement. You are responsible for any tax consequences of a refunded donation, and we encourage you to consult your tax advisor with questions.

We ask that you contact HDF Donor Care before filing a dispute with your bank or card issuer. In most cases, we can resolve the issue faster directly, and it helps us keep donation processing costs low so more of every gift reaches the people we serve.

If a dispute is filed, HDF will work with the payment processor to resolve it and may provide records of the donation, such as the receipt and authorization details. Where a dispute is resolved in the donor’s favor, the bank’s reversal serves as the refund.

1. Contact HDF Donor Care by email or phone using the details below.
2. Provide the donor’s name, the email address used for the gift, the donation date, the amount, and the reason for your request.
3. For an unauthorized charge, include supporting documentation from your bank or card issuer.
4. Donor Care confirms receipt and routes the request to Finance for review.
5. Donor Care follows up with you once a decision has been made.

Our Donor Care team is here to help with any question about this policy or your donation. JazakumAllahu Khaira for your trust and generosity.

Email: info@hdfund.org
Phone: 1-800-614-9560

HDF’s Compliance Office reviews this policy at least once a year and whenever changes in law, payment processing, or HDF operations require it. Changes apply to donations processed on or after the updated effective date.