Privacy Policy
Last updated: 10/28/2025
At HopeWin Foundation, your privacy matters deeply to us.
We collect only the information necessary to operate our programs, process donations, and communicate with our members.
Information We Collect
Personal Information you voluntarily provide — such as name, email, state, and story submissions when applying for Hope Grants or joining the community.
Donation Information — if you make a contribution, your payment details are processed securely by our third-party payment provider (e.g., Stripe or PayPal). HopeWin does not store or have access to your full credit card information.
Automatic Data — standard analytics like page views or device type, used only to improve website performance.
How We Use Your Information
To communicate with you about HopeWin updates, votes, and impact reports.
To process donations and issue receipts.
To review Hope Grant applications and contact selected recipients.
To comply with legal and financial reporting obligations.
We will never sell, trade, or rent your personal information to any third party.
Data Security
We use industry-standard encryption, SSL security, and secured servers hosted by Squarespace and our payment providers.
Access to member data is limited to authorized staff and administrators.
Your Choices
You may unsubscribe from emails or request deletion of your personal data at any time by contacting [insert your official HopeWin email].
If you are a grant applicant, deleting your data may affect your eligibility.
Third-Party Services
HopeWin partners only with trusted providers (e.g., Squarespace, Stripe, Google, Mailchimp).
Each provider has its own privacy practices, which we encourage you to review.
Children’s Privacy
Our programs and website are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from minors.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy periodically to reflect new features or legal requirements.
The latest version will always be posted on this page.
Contact Us
For privacy inquiries or data requests, contact us at:
📧 info@hopewinofficial.com
📍 PO Box 92 Brick, NJ 08723
Terms of Use
Last updated: 10/28/2025
Welcome to HopeWin Foundation’s website (“Site”).
By using our Site, you agree to these Terms of Use. Please read them carefully.
1. Purpose of the Site
HopeWin Foundation provides information about our mission, community initiatives, Hope Grants, and opportunities to participate or donate.
2. Eligibility
You must be at least 18 years old to create a member account or apply for a Hope Grant.
3. Donations
All donations are voluntary and processed securely through third-party payment providers.
HopeWin Foundation is a nonprofit organization, and contributions may or may not be tax-deductible depending on our current registration status.
4. Member Conduct
By joining the HopeWin community, you agree to:
Use the Site for lawful purposes only.
Refrain from posting or submitting harmful, misleading, or offensive content.
Respect the privacy and dignity of other members.
We reserve the right to suspend or remove access for anyone violating these principles.
5. Intellectual Property
All materials on this Site, including text, graphics, and logos, are owned by HopeWin Foundation or used with permission.
You may not reproduce or distribute any content without prior written consent.
6. Grant Applications and Voting
Submitting a story or application does not guarantee funding or selection.
All awards are subject to review and eligibility confirmation.
Voting is limited to registered members and may be moderated for fairness.
7. Disclaimer
The Site and all content are provided “as is.”
We make no warranties about uninterrupted operation or absolute accuracy, though we strive for excellence.
8. Limitation of Liability
HopeWin Foundation shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages arising from your use of the Site or participation in our programs.
9. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms periodically. Continued use of the Site means you accept the revised version.
10. Contact
For any questions about these Terms, please email
📧 Info@hopewinofficial.com
Hope Grant & Disbursement Policy
(Adopted by the Founders – Sterling and Jena)
Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all Hope Grants distributed by the HopeWin Foundation are awarded fairly, transparently, and in alignment with our mission, to bring hope, stability, and relief to individuals and families facing genuine hardship.
Hope Grants are made possible through the collective support of the HopeWin community. While financial contributions help sustain our mission, no payment or donation is ever required to apply for or receive a Hope Grant.
Hope Grant Overview
Hope Grants are available to free HopeWin members who are experiencing genuine hardship and are in need of temporary assistance.
During HopeWin’s Founding Phase, Hope Grants are issued as funds responsibly allow. Grant frequency, timing, and amounts are determined based on available funding, verified need, and the foundation’s commitment to long-term sustainability.
Hope Grants are not guaranteed on a monthly basis, and submission of an application does not ensure selection.
Guiding Principles for Grant Review
Each Hope Grant application is reviewed holistically and guided by the following principles:
1. Demonstrated Need
Priority is given to individuals or families facing clear, immediate hardship, which may include medical challenges, loss of income, housing instability, essential living needs, or unforeseen crises.
2. Meaningful Impact
HopeWin seeks opportunities where a Hope Grant can provide real, stabilizing support and help recipients move forward with renewed hope.
3. Authenticity and Good Faith
Applicants are encouraged to share their situation honestly. Applications are evaluated for sincerity, clarity, and alignment with the purpose of Hope Grants.
4. Fairness and Community Consideration
HopeWin strives to distribute assistance thoughtfully across a range of circumstances and communities while honoring the intent of collective community support.
5. Available Funding and Sustainability
All Hope Grants are awarded based on available funds and responsible stewardship. Applications may be reconsidered in the future as funding allows.
Founder Discretion
Hope Grant decisions are made by the founders using compassion, care, and discretion. Each application is reviewed as a complete story, not a checklist.
The founders reserve the right to determine grant amounts, timing, and selection based on the foundation’s mission and financial capacity. All decisions are final and non-appealable.
Grant Amounts
During the Founding Phase, Hope Grants are typically modest and focused on essential needs such as groceries, utilities, transportation, or other immediate necessities.
As the HopeWin community grows and funding capacity increases, grant amounts and frequency may expand accordingly. HopeWin does not promise specific grant sizes or timelines.
Eligibility and Verification
To ensure fairness and integrity:
Applicants must:
Have an active free HopeWin account
Reside in the United States
Submit one application per household per review period
Agree to HopeWin’s terms and policies
Recipients may be asked to verify identity or details related to their hardship prior to disbursement. Any falsified or misleading information may result in disqualification from current or future consideration.
Disbursement of Funds
Approved Hope Grants are distributed directly to recipients through secure electronic methods such as PayPal or Venmo, or by check when necessary.
Grant funds are distributed solely at the discretion of the HopeWin Foundation and are not tied to any donation activity.
Story Sharing and Transparency
By submitting an application, applicants consent to allow HopeWin to share their story if selected for a Hope Grant.
All shared stories are anonymized to protect privacy and dignity. Only a first name, last initial, and state may be used, along with an edited version of the story.
Aggregate grant totals and impact summaries are published in HopeWin’s Transparency Reports.
Confidentiality and Non-Discrimination
All applicant information is kept confidential.
Hope Grants are awarded without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, or any other protected characteristic.
Hope belongs to everyone.
Fund Allocation Policy
Effective Date: 10/30/2025
Approved By: Sterling Sherwood & Jena O'Connell, Founders
Purpose
This policy defines how all donations received by HopeWin Foundation are allocated between charitable programs and operational costs. The goal is to ensure consistent, transparent management of community-funded resources in alignment with HopeWin’s mission.
Allocation Overview
All incoming donations—whether one-time or recurring—are divided as follows:
75% – Hope Grants & Charitable Giving
Funds reserved for Hope Grants (direct support to individuals) and for donations to national or community charities chosen through member voting.
25% – Operational & Development Fund
Funds reserved for operating expenses that sustain and expand HopeWin, including but not limited:
Payment processing and financial administration
Website hosting, digital tools, and platform subscriptions
PO Box, communications, and accounting costs
Marketing, outreach, and community engagement
Modest salaries or stipends for the founders and future staff
Long-term development projects (mobile app, technology upgrades, etc.)
Banking Structure
Two dedicated accounts are maintained:
HopeWin Charity Fund – receives all donations.
HopeWin Operations Fund – receives a monthly transfer equal to 25% of the prior month’s total donations.
All grant disbursements and charity donations are paid exclusively from the Charity Fund.
All operational expenses are paid exclusively from the Operations Fund.
Transfer & Reporting Procedure
On the first day of each month, the Foundation transfers exactly 25% of the previous month’s donation total from the Charity Fund to the Operations Fund.
A Monthly Allocation Log records:
Total donations received
Amount transferred to Operations
Remaining Charity Fund balance
Notes on disbursements or major expenses
Summary data from this log appears in monthly Transparency Reports on the website.
Oversight & Review
Allocation percentages may only be changed by a unanimous vote of both founders and must be reflected in updated Transparency Reports.
The Foundation will review this policy annually or upon major growth milestones to ensure continued alignment with nonprofit standards and donor expectations.
Charitable Solicitation Compliance & Disclosure Policy
Last updated: November, 2025
HopeWin Foundation is a registered nonprofit organization based in the State of New Jersey and recognized as a federally tax-exempt public charity under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
We are fully committed to maintaining compliance with all federal and state laws governing charitable solicitations and nonprofit operations. HopeWin holds all required charitable registrations and authorizations necessary to solicit donations in New Jersey and other participating U.S. states where required by law.
Our organization is built on a foundation of transparency, integrity, and accountability. Every contribution made through HopeWin is securely processed and allocated according to our public 75/25 impact model:
75% of all funds directly support Hope Grants and verified national charitable partners.
25% is used for operational costs, community growth, and platform sustainability.
HopeWin Foundation continually expands its registration coverage as our community grows to ensure full compliance across all 50 states. We also maintain dedicated accounts for both charitable and operational funds to preserve clarity and accountability in every transaction.
If you have questions about our registration status, documentation, or compliance procedures, you may contact our compliance team at:
📬 HopeWin Foundation
92 PO Box, Brick, NJ 08723
📧 info@hopewinofficial.com
Conflict of Interest Policy
Purpose:
The purpose of this Conflict of Interest Policy is to protect the integrity and public trust of HopeWin Foundation by ensuring that decisions are made solely in the best interest of the organization and its mission.
1. Covered Individuals
This policy applies to all Board members, officers, staff, contractors, and volunteers involved in decision-making processes.
2. Definition of Conflict of Interest
A conflict of interest arises when a person’s personal, financial, or professional interests could improperly influence — or appear to influence — their ability to act impartially on behalf of the Foundation.
Examples include:
Receiving compensation or benefits from an organization doing business with HopeWin.
Having a family or financial relationship with a grant recipient or vendor.
Using inside information for personal gain.
3. Duty to Disclose
All covered individuals must disclose any potential conflict in writing to the Board or designated Compliance Officer.
4. Determining a Conflict
The Board (excluding the individual in question) shall review the facts and determine whether a conflict exists and what corrective actions, if any, are needed.
5. Abstention from Decision
Any person with a conflict must abstain from discussion and voting on matters related to the conflict.
6. Documentation
All disclosures and resolutions shall be recorded in the meeting minutes.
7. Annual Statement
Each Board member shall sign an annual Conflict of Interest Statement affirming that they have read, understood, and agree to comply with this policy.
8. Violations
Failure to disclose a conflict or comply with this policy may result in removal from the Board or termination of association with the Foundation.
GRANT USE POLICY
Last updated: December 2025
1. Purpose of This Policy
This policy explains how HopeWin Foundation receives, manages, and uses grant funds.
It ensures that all grants are used responsibly, transparently, and in alignment with our mission to support local families, community partners, and nonprofit initiatives throughout New Jersey.
2. Types of Grants HopeWin May Receive
A. Unrestricted Grants
Unrestricted grants can be used for any charitable purpose that advances HopeWin’s mission.
These may include:
General operating support
Event expenses
Software, tools, and administrative costs
Communications and outreach
Staff or contractor stipends for nonprofit work
Capacity-building efforts
B. Restricted Grants
Restricted grants must be used for a specific purpose defined by the funder.
Examples:
Pet supply procurement
Holiday toy purchases
Community support programs
Event-specific costs
HopeWin will honor all restrictions exactly as written.
3. Deposit and Accounting Rules
A. Unrestricted Grants
Unrestricted grants are deposited into the Operations Account, unless otherwise required by the funder.
B. Restricted Grants
Restricted grants are deposited into either:
The Operations Account (if expenses are operational), or
The Charity Fund (if funds directly support families or nonprofit partners)
Separate tracking will be maintained to ensure restrictions are followed.
C. No Commingling
Grant funds are tracked separately from donor subscriptions, individual gifts, and merchandise revenue.
4. Allowable Uses of Grant Funds
Grant funds may be used for:
Program Activities
Event supplies, community outreach, donation drives, transparency tools.
Operational Expenses
Website hosting, Canva Pro, printing, marketing, tables, signage, software, administrative supplies.
Capacity Building
Training, equipment, systems, professional development.
Personnel / Stipends (When Allowed)
Reasonable stipends for essential nonprofit labor including:
Executive Director duties
Administrative support
Social media & communications management
Event organization
Program delivery
Compensation is allowed only when:
The grant permits general operating support
The stipend is reasonable and tied to documented work
It complies with IRS guidelines for nonprofit compensation
Volunteer Reimbursements
Mileage, materials, transportation, or small expenses related to volunteer activity.
5. Prohibited Uses of Grant Funds
Grant funds may not be used for:
Personal financial benefit unrelated to nonprofit duties
Cash gifts to board members or founders
Loans to individuals
Political campaigning or lobbying
Expenses unrelated to HopeWin’s mission
6. Founder & Staff Compensation Rules
A. Compensation is Allowed When:
The grant is unrestricted or specifically allows operational funding
The work is legitimate and essential to the nonprofit
The amount is reasonable and approved internally
It is recorded as “Administrative Stipend” or “Executive Director Compensation,” not “Founder Payout”
B. 75/25 Rule Does Not Apply to Grants
HopeWin’s 75/25 model applies to donor revenue, not to grant revenue.
Grant funds follow the grant’s requirements.
7. Financial Reporting & Transparency
HopeWin commits to:
Tracking every grant separately
Providing receipts and documentation
Reporting usage to funders when required
Including grant impact in monthly transparency reports
8. Revisions to This Policy
This policy may be updated as HopeWin grows, receives larger grants, hires staff, or expands programming.