Terms of Service

Last updated: [DATE] Operated by: [ALUM LEGAL ENTITY NAME], a company registered in [COUNTRY] with registration number [NUMBER] and registered office at [ADDRESS] ("ALUM", "we", "us", "our").

Plain-language summary (not legally binding): ALUM is a platform that lets organizations — alumni networks, associations, religious bodies, nonprofits, clubs, and others — run their own branded app. When you create an ALUM account, join an organization, donate to a fund, or attend an event, these Terms govern your relationship with ALUM. Your relationship with any Organization you join is separate and is governed by that Organization's own rules.

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1. Acceptance of These Terms

1.1. These Terms of Service ("Terms") are a legally binding agreement between you and ALUM. By creating an account, accessing or using the Platform (including any Organization's branded app powered by ALUM), or making a donation as a Guest Donor, you agree to be bound by these Terms and by our [Privacy Policy].

1.2. If you do not agree to these Terms, you must not use the Platform.

1.3. If you use the Platform on behalf of an Organization in an administrative capacity (for example, as an Owner, Admin, Finance Officer, Moderator, or Event Coordinator), the ALUM Organization Agreement also applies to your administrative activities, and your Organization is separately bound by it.

2. Definitions

• "Platform" means the ALUM websites, applications, progressive web apps (PWAs), APIs, and all related services, including every Organization Space and every current or future Module.
• "Organization" means any group, association, alumni network, religious body, nonprofit, professional body, club, or other entity that has created a presence on the Platform.
• "Organization Space" means an Organization's dedicated area on the Platform, including its branded page, branded installable app, and (where applicable) its custom domain.
• "Member" means a User who has joined an Organization.
• "Org Role" means any role granted within an Organization (including Member, Verified Member, Moderator, Admin, Finance Officer, Event Coordinator, and Owner).
• "User" means any individual holding an ALUM account.
• "Basic User" means a User who has completed sign-up and email verification but not Identity Verification.
• "Verified User" means a User who has completed Identity Verification (see Section 5).
• "Identity Verification" means the process by which ALUM verifies a User's identity, which may include Bank Verification Number (BVN) verification in Nigeria or equivalent identity checks in other jurisdictions.
• "Guest Donor" means an individual who donates to a public Fund without holding an ALUM account.
• "Fund" means any fundraising, collection, dues, contribution, or similar financial campaign created on the Platform, whether public, member-only, or personal.
• "Module" means any distinct functional feature set of the Platform, whether existing now (including funds and donations, events, posts and communications, membership and roles) or introduced in the future.
• "Content" means any text, images, video, audio, documents, comments, or other material submitted to or displayed on the Platform.

3. Eligibility

3.1. You must be at least 18 years old, or the age of legal majority in your jurisdiction if higher, to create an account.

3.2. You must have the legal capacity to enter into a binding contract.

3.3. You must not be barred from using the Platform under any applicable law, and you must not have been previously suspended or removed from the Platform.

3.4. Where an Organization permits participation by younger individuals (for example, a school alumni body onboarding recent graduates), such participation is only permitted where lawful and, where required, with verifiable parental or guardian consent, and remains subject to these Terms.

4. Your Account

4.1. Registration. You may sign up using an email address, or through supported third-party sign-in providers (such as Google or Apple). You must provide a valid phone number and verify your email address.

4.2. Accuracy. You agree that all information you provide is accurate, current, and complete, and that you will keep it up to date.

4.3. One person, one account. Accounts are personal to you. You may not create an account for anyone else, share your credentials, or transfer your account.

4.4. Security. You are responsible for all activity under your account. Notify us immediately at [SECURITY EMAIL] if you suspect unauthorized access.

5. Account Tiers and Identity Verification

5.1. Basic Users may browse the Platform, join Organizations (subject to each Organization's admission process), participate in permitted Modules, and donate to Funds.

5.2. Verified Users have completed Identity Verification and may additionally: create Organizations, create personal Funds (where enabled), and hold Org Roles above Member.

5.3. Identity Verification. In Nigeria, Identity Verification is performed by validating your Bank Verification Number (BVN) through licensed third-party verification providers. In other jurisdictions, we may use equivalent government-ID or bank-grade verification. You warrant that any identity information you submit relates to you and is accurate. Our handling of verification data is described in the Privacy Policy.

5.4. We may decline, revoke, or require re-completion of Identity Verification at our reasonable discretion, including where we suspect fraud, impersonation, or a legal or regulatory requirement to do so.

6. Your Relationship with Organizations

6.1. ALUM is infrastructure. Organizations are independent of ALUM. ALUM provides the technology; each Organization is solely responsible for its own governance, membership decisions, content, communications, events, fundraising purposes, and use of funds.

6.2. Branded apps. An Organization Space may carry the Organization's own name, logo, branding, and even its own domain. It is nonetheless operated on the ALUM Platform and subject to these Terms. Where required, the Organization Space will disclose that it is powered by ALUM.

6.3. Joining and leaving. Organizations set their own admission criteria and may approve or decline join requests. You may leave an Organization at any time through your account settings. Leaving an Organization does not entitle you to a refund of donations or contributions already made, except as described in Section 9.7.

6.4. Organization rules. Organizations may adopt their own rules, codes of conduct, dues structures, and policies. These are between you and the Organization. If an Organization's rules conflict with these Terms, these Terms prevail on the Platform.

6.5. Data visibility. When you join an Organization, that Organization's authorized administrators can see your membership profile and your activity within that Organization, as described in the Privacy Policy.

6.6. Org Roles. If you accept an Org Role, you act on behalf of the Organization when exercising that role, and the Organization is responsible for your role-based actions. Certain roles require Verified User status.

7. Modules — Current and Future

7.1. The Platform is delivered as a set of Modules. These Terms apply to all Modules by function, as follows:

• Financial functions (Section 9) apply to any Module involving payments, donations, dues, contributions, ticketing, disbursements, or withdrawals.
• Content and communication functions (Section 11) apply to any Module involving posts, comments, messages, announcements, media, or notifications.
• Participation functions (Section 10) apply to any Module involving events, attendance, RSVPs, invitations, polls, elections, or similar activities.
• Administration functions (Sections 5 and 6) apply to any Module involving roles, verification, membership, or organizational management.

7.2. New Modules. We may introduce, modify, or retire Modules at any time. New Modules are automatically governed by these Terms according to their function under Section 7.1, together with any module-specific supplemental terms we publish when the Module launches. If supplemental terms conflict with these Terms, the supplemental terms prevail for that Module only.

7.3. Some Modules may be available only to certain account tiers, Org Roles, Organization categories, or verification levels.

8. Fees

8.1. Creating a User account is free. ALUM may charge fees on transactions (for example, a platform fee or payment-processing fee on donations) and for premium features. Applicable fees will be disclosed before you complete a transaction.

8.2. Fees, once disclosed and incurred, are non-refundable except where required by law or expressly stated otherwise.

9. Funds, Donations, and Payments

9.1. Fund types. Funds may be public (open to anyone, including Guest Donors), member-only (restricted to Members of the Organization), or personal (created by a Verified User where the feature is enabled). The Fund creator determines the stated purpose of the Fund.

9.2. ALUM's role. ALUM is a technology platform. ALUM is not a charity, fundraiser, broker, escrow agent, financial adviser, or trustee, and does not solicit donations on its own behalf. Payments are processed by licensed third-party payment processors. Funds raised belong to, and are the responsibility of, the receiving Organization or Fund creator.

9.3. No endorsement. ALUM does not verify, guarantee, or endorse the purpose of any Fund or the use of donated money. You donate at your own discretion and risk. We encourage you to donate only to Organizations and people you know and trust.

9.4. Verification tiers and caps. Unverified Organizations are subject to fundraising caps and withdrawal restrictions. Verification status is displayed on the Platform. Verification reduces, but does not eliminate, risk.

9.5. Anonymous giving. Where you choose to donate anonymously, your name is hidden from the public donor list. Anonymity is a display setting only: your identity remains visible to ALUM, our payment processors, and — where necessary for legal, accounting, or fraud-prevention purposes — the receiving Organization's authorized financial administrators, as described in the Privacy Policy.

9.6. Guest Donors. If you donate without an account, you must provide your name, email address, and phone number. Sections 9 (Payments), 14 (Privacy), 17–19 (Disclaimers, Liability, Indemnity), and 21 (Governing Law) of these Terms apply to you.

9.7. Refunds and chargebacks. Donations are generally final. Refunds may be issued where: (a) required by law; (b) a transaction was unauthorized or fraudulent; (c) a duplicate payment occurred; or (d) the receiving Organization approves a refund. Refund requests should be raised first with the receiving Organization, then with ALUM at [SUPPORT EMAIL]. Initiating a chargeback in bad faith may result in account suspension.

9.8. Prohibited financial conduct. You must not use any Fund or payment feature for money laundering, terrorist financing, fraud, deceptive fundraising, sanctions evasion, or any unlawful purpose. We may report suspicious activity to relevant authorities and cooperate with law enforcement.

9.9. Currency and processing. Payment amounts, supported currencies, settlement timing, and processor terms are displayed at the point of payment. Your card issuer or bank may apply additional fees or exchange rates outside our control.

10. Events and Participation

10.1. Events are created and managed by Organizations or authorized Users. The event host — not ALUM — is responsible for the event's occurrence, safety, accuracy of details, admission decisions, and any changes or cancellations.

10.2. Where an event involves payment (such as ticketing or paid registration), Section 9 applies.

10.3. Attendance data (RSVPs, check-ins, invitations) is visible to the host Organization's authorized administrators.

10.4. ALUM is not liable for anything that occurs at or in connection with an in-person or virtual event, to the maximum extent permitted by law.

11. Content and Conduct

11.1. Your Content. You retain ownership of Content you submit. You grant ALUM a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable license to host, store, reproduce, adapt (for technical display purposes), publish, and distribute your Content solely to operate, promote, and improve the Platform, for as long as the Content remains on the Platform plus a reasonable period for backups and legal compliance. You also grant the Organization within whose Space you post Content the rights reasonably necessary for it to display and manage that Content.

11.2. Responsibility. You are solely responsible for your Content and warrant that you have all rights necessary to post it and that it does not violate any law or third-party right.

11.3. Prohibited conduct. You must not:

• post Content that is unlawful, defamatory, fraudulent, harassing, hateful, obscene, or that infringes intellectual-property or privacy rights;
• impersonate any person or Organization, or misrepresent an affiliation;
• solicit donations under false pretenses;
• harvest or scrape data from the Platform, or access it by automated means without written permission;
• interfere with the Platform's security, integrity, or availability, or attempt to access accounts or data you are not authorized to access;
• use the Platform to send spam or unauthorized marketing;
• circumvent verification requirements, fundraising caps, or any technical restriction.

11.4. Moderation. Organizations moderate Content within their own Spaces. ALUM retains an overriding right (but not the obligation) to remove any Content, restrict any account, or restrict any Organization Space that we reasonably believe violates these Terms or applicable law.

11.5. Reporting. You can report Content or conduct at [REPORT EMAIL / in-app reporting]. Intellectual-property complaints should be sent to [IP EMAIL] with sufficient detail to identify the work and the alleged infringement.

12. Intellectual Property

12.1. The Platform — including its software, design, trademarks, and all materials other than User Content and Organization branding — is owned by ALUM or its licensors and is protected by intellectual-property laws.

12.2. We grant you a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to use the Platform for its intended purposes in accordance with these Terms.

12.3. Organization names, logos, and branding displayed in an Organization Space belong to the respective Organization.

13. Third-Party Services

The Platform integrates third-party services, including payment processors, identity-verification providers, and hosting infrastructure. Your use of those services may be subject to their own terms. ALUM is not responsible for third-party services, though we choose our providers with reasonable care.

14. Privacy

Our collection and use of personal data — including special handling of BVN and identity-verification data, the data visibility of Organization administrators, and your rights under the EU/UK General Data Protection Regulation ("GDPR") and the Nigeria Data Protection Act 2023 ("NDPA") — is described in the [Privacy Policy], which forms part of these Terms.

15. Suspension and Termination

15.1. By you. You may close your account at any time in settings or by contacting [SUPPORT EMAIL]. Closure does not affect completed transactions or obligations already incurred.

15.2. By us. We may suspend or terminate your account, restrict features, or remove Content, with or without notice, where we reasonably believe: (a) you have breached these Terms; (b) your conduct creates legal exposure or risk of harm to Users, Organizations, or ALUM; (c) we are required to do so by law or a competent authority; or (d) your account has been inactive for an extended period (with prior notice).

15.3. Effect. Upon termination, your license to use the Platform ends. Sections that by their nature should survive (including 9.7–9.8, 11.1–11.2, 12, 14, and 17–21) survive termination. Data retention and deletion after account closure are described in the Privacy Policy.

15.4. Organization suspension. If an Organization you belong to is suspended or removed, your access to that Organization Space ends, but your ALUM account is unaffected unless independently actioned.

16. Changes to the Platform and These Terms

16.1. We may modify the Platform and these Terms. For material changes, we will give at least [30] days' notice by email or in-app notification before the changes take effect, unless a shorter period is required for legal or security reasons.

16.2. Your continued use of the Platform after changes take effect constitutes acceptance. If you do not agree, you must stop using the Platform and may close your account.

17. Disclaimers

17.1. The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available". To the maximum extent permitted by law, we disclaim all warranties, express or implied, including merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement.

17.2. We do not warrant that the Platform will be uninterrupted, secure, or error-free, or that any Organization, Fund, event, or Content is accurate, lawful, or trustworthy.

17.3. Nothing in these Terms excludes liability that cannot lawfully be excluded, including liability for death or personal injury caused by negligence, or for fraud.

18. Limitation of Liability

18.1. To the maximum extent permitted by law, ALUM's total aggregate liability to you arising out of or in connection with the Platform shall not exceed the greater of (a) the total fees paid by you to ALUM in the twelve (12) months preceding the event giving rise to the claim, or (b) [USD 100 / NGN equivalent].

18.2. To the maximum extent permitted by law, ALUM shall not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or for loss of profits, revenue, data, or goodwill.

18.3. ALUM is not liable for the acts or omissions of any Organization, Fund creator, event host, Member, Guest Donor, or third-party service provider.

19. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless ALUM, its officers, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, liabilities, and reasonable legal costs arising from: (a) your Content; (b) your breach of these Terms or applicable law; (c) your violation of any third-party right; or (d) actions taken under an Org Role you hold, except to the extent caused by ALUM's own breach or negligence.

20. Disputes Between You and an Organization

20.1. Disputes about membership decisions, use of donated funds, event conduct, or an Organization's internal affairs are between you and the Organization. ALUM is not a party to such disputes and has no obligation to resolve them.

20.2. Notwithstanding 20.1, you may report suspected fraud, unlawful fundraising, or Terms violations to us, and we may investigate and take Platform-level action at our discretion.

21. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution

21.1. These Terms are governed by the laws of [GOVERNING JURISDICTION — e.g., the Federal Republic of Nigeria], without regard to conflict-of-law rules, and without prejudice to any mandatory consumer protections of the country in which you reside.

21.2. Before commencing formal proceedings, the parties will attempt in good faith to resolve any dispute through negotiation for at least [30] days after written notice.

21.3. Unresolved disputes shall be finally resolved by [arbitration under the Arbitration and Mediation Act 2023, seated in [CITY], in English / OR the courts of [JURISDICTION]]. Nothing prevents either party from seeking urgent injunctive relief in a competent court, and nothing deprives you of mandatory rights to bring claims in your local courts where applicable consumer law so provides.

22. General

22.1. Entire agreement. These Terms, the Privacy Policy, and any supplemental Module terms constitute the entire agreement between you and ALUM regarding the Platform.

22.2. Severability. If any provision is held invalid, the remainder continues in effect.

22.3. No waiver. Failure to enforce a provision is not a waiver.

22.4. Assignment. You may not assign these Terms. We may assign them in connection with a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, with notice to you.

22.5. Force majeure. Neither party is liable for delay or failure caused by events beyond its reasonable control.

22.6. Language. These Terms are drafted in English. Translations are for convenience; the English version prevails.

23. Contact

[ALUM LEGAL ENTITY NAME] [REGISTERED ADDRESS] Support: [SUPPORT EMAIL] Legal: [LEGAL EMAIL]