Terms of service

1. Agreement to terms

By accessing and using CommuniTie ("the Platform"), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Service and all applicable laws and regulations. If you do not agree with any of these terms, you are prohibited from using the Platform.

2. Description of service

CommuniTie is a platform that connects local businesses ("Donors") with schools and charitable organisations ("Receivers") for the purpose of charitable donations. The Platform facilitates:

• Businesses listing items available for donation
• Schools and charities browsing and claiming donations
• Coordination of collection and delivery
• Public recognition through social media thank you posts

3. User accounts

3.1 Account creation

You must create an account to use CommuniTie. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information during registration and to update such information to keep it accurate.

3.2 User roles

Users may register as either:

• Donors: Businesses donating items and resources to schools and charities
• Receivers: Schools, charities, or nonprofit organisations claiming donations

3.3 Account security

You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activities under your account.

4. Platform access

4.1 For donors

Business donors can list items and surplus goods on the Platform free of charge. Donors agree to honor all claims made through the Platform and provide accurate descriptions of items.

4.2 For receivers

CommuniTie is completely free for Receivers. There are no sign-up fees, subscription costs, or charges for claiming donations.

5. Donor responsibilities

As a Donor, you agree to:

• Provide accurate descriptions of items, including value, restrictions, and expiration dates
• Honor all claims made through the Platform
• Make items available for collection or delivery as agreed
• Not discriminate against any Receiver based on protected characteristics
• Respond to Receiver inquiries in a timely manner

6. Receiver responsibilities

As a Receiver, you agree to:

• Use claimed donations solely for purposes that benefit your organisation or community
• Provide accurate information about your organisation and intended use
• Arrange collection or delivery of items in a timely manner
• Not resell or profit from donated items beyond their intended charitable purpose

7. Showing appreciation

CommuniTie is built on a spirit of generosity and gratitude. Many schools and charities naturally want to thank their donors publicly, and CommuniTie makes this easy to do. A simple public thank-you can mean a great deal to donors and helps build lasting community relationships.

If you'd like to show appreciation, CommuniTie makes it easy to:

• Post a public thank-you on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X, etc.)
• Tag or mention the Donor's business if you choose to post
• Share genuine messages of gratitude with your community
• Upload proof of appreciation to the Platform if you'd like to share it with the donor

Showing appreciation is voluntary and at your discretion. There is no obligation or requirement to post publicly, and no penalty for choosing not to. Any recognition you provide is a genuine expression of thanks, not a contracted service or commercial obligation.

8. Tax information and charitable donations

This section clarifies the nature of donations made through CommuniTie and the relationship between donors, recipients, and the Platform. Users should read this section carefully.

8.1 Nature of donations

All donations made through CommuniTie are intended to be genuine charitable donations. Donors give goods or fulfil wishlist items with the primary purpose of supporting schools, charities, and community organisations. The Platform facilitates these donations but does not itself receive or distribute donated goods.

8.2 Thank-you posts are expressions of gratitude

When recipients post public thank-you messages on social media, these are voluntary expressions of gratitude, not contracted advertising services. Recipients are not obligated to provide specific marketing outcomes, guaranteed reach, or measurable exposure. CommuniTie makes it easy for recipients to share appreciation if they choose to, but this recognition is incidental to the charitable purpose of the donation and does not constitute a commercial transaction or sponsorship arrangement.

8.3 No commercial quid pro quo

CommuniTie does not facilitate sponsorship arrangements or commercial advertising transactions. There is no guaranteed, contracted, or purchased marketing exposure in exchange for donations. Any public recognition donors receive is at the discretion of the recipient organisation and represents genuine appreciation, not a commercial service. Donors should not expect or rely upon any specific marketing outcomes from their donations.

8.4 Tainted donations and HMRC compliance

Under UK tax law, a "tainted donation" occurs when a donation to charity is connected to arrangements that result in financial benefits flowing back to the donor (Finance Act 2011, sections 30-33). CommuniTie is designed to facilitate genuine charitable donations and not tainted donation arrangements:

• No financial benefit flows from the recipient to the donor through CommuniTie
• Thank-you posts are expressions of gratitude, not contracted services with monetary value
• Donors receive no goods, services, or rights from recipients in exchange for donations
• Reputational goodwill and emotional satisfaction are not "benefits" under HMRC donor benefit rules

If any user attempts to structure an arrangement through CommuniTie that would constitute a tainted donation or disguised commercial transaction, CommuniTie reserves the right to refuse or terminate such arrangements.

8.5 Donor benefit limits

For donations to qualify for tax relief, HMRC limits the value of benefits a donor may receive. Any tangible benefits received through CommuniTie (such as small thank-you gifts from recipients, if any) must comply with HMRC's donor benefit thresholds. CommuniTie does not facilitate, encourage, or require recipients to provide any tangible benefits to donors.

8.6 VAT and corporation tax

Business donors may be eligible to reclaim VAT on goods purchased for donation and to deduct the cost of donations from taxable profits. These tax benefits arise from HMRC rules governing charitable donations, not from any arrangement with CommuniTie. The Platform provides information about potential tax benefits for educational purposes only. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances, the nature of goods donated, and current HMRC rules.

8.7 Tax advice disclaimer

CommuniTie does not provide tax, legal, or financial advice. Information provided on the Platform regarding VAT, corporation tax, Gift Aid, or other tax matters is for general guidance only and should not be relied upon as professional advice. Tax rules are complex, subject to change, and depend on individual circumstances. Users should consult a qualified accountant, tax advisor, or HMRC directly before making decisions based on potential tax benefits.

CommuniTie accepts no liability for any tax consequences arising from donations made through the Platform, or for any reliance on tax information provided by CommuniTie. Users are solely responsible for their own tax compliance.

8.8 Recipient eligibility

For donations to qualify for certain tax treatments, recipients may need to be registered charities, excepted charities, or otherwise qualify under HMRC rules. CommuniTie checks that recipient organisations are genuine before they can publish a wishlist, but does not confirm whether a particular donation qualifies for tax relief. Donors are responsible for confirming recipient eligibility if they intend to claim tax relief on donations.

9. Prohibited uses

You may not use CommuniTie to:

• Engage in fraudulent activity or misrepresent yourself or your organisation
• Request goods without a legitimate organisational need
• Resell donated goods for personal profit
• Harass, abuse, or harm other users
• Upload malicious code or attempt to compromise the Platform's security
• Scrape or collect user data without authorization
• Violate any applicable laws or regulations

10. Content and intellectual property

You retain ownership of content you submit to CommuniTie (listing descriptions, organisation information, photos, etc.). However, you grant CommuniTie a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to use, reproduce, and display this content for the purpose of operating the Platform.

For thank-you content, the operating licence above is limited by the recipient’s sharing choices. Private sharing with a donor does not authorise public reuse. Donor public reposting and CommuniTie website/social sharing require their separate permissions. Recipients can withdraw either choice beside the thank-you. If you publish content, check the current permission before sharing and act on withdrawal notices by removing copies under your control. These permissions do not replace permissions required from identifiable people.

All CommuniTie branding, design, software, and related intellectual property are owned by CommuniTie and protected by copyright and trademark laws.

11. Disclaimers

CommuniTie is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We do not guarantee:

• That the Platform will be uninterrupted or error-free
• The accuracy or reliability of content posted by users
• That goods listed will be provided by Donors
• That Receivers will share appreciation publicly
• Any specific outcomes from using the Platform

CommuniTie acts as a facilitator only. We are not responsible for disputes between Donors and Receivers, the quality of donated goods, or their suitability for a recipient.

12. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, CommuniTie shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages, or any loss of profits or revenues, whether incurred directly or indirectly, or any loss of data, use, goodwill, or other intangible losses resulting from:

• Your use of or inability to use the Platform
• Any conduct or content of users on the Platform
• Unauthorised access to or alteration of your data
• Disputes over listed goods or unfulfilled commitments

13. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold CommuniTie harmless from any claims, damages, losses, liabilities, and expenses (including legal fees) arising from:

• Your use of the Platform
• Your violation of these Terms
• Your violation of any rights of another user
• Content you submit to the Platform

14. Termination

We reserve the right to suspend or terminate your account at any time for:

• Violation of these Terms
• Fraudulent activity
• Repeated failure to fulfil commitments
• Abusive or harassing behavior
• Any other reason we deem appropriate to protect the Platform or other users

You may close your account at any time. Upon termination, your right to use the Platform ceases immediately.

15. Changes to terms

We may modify these Terms at any time. We will notify users of material changes via email or Platform notification. Your continued use of CommuniTie after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the modified Terms.

16. Governing law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any disputes shall be resolved in the courts of England and Wales.

17. Contact information

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us at:

Email: bryn@communitie.co.uk

18. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision shall be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary so that these Terms shall otherwise remain in full force and effect.

19. Entire agreement

These Terms constitute the entire agreement between you and CommuniTie regarding use of the Platform and supersede all prior agreements and understandings.