Terms of Use

Acceptance of terms

By accessing or using this website, donation forms, program applications, or any other online service operated by Silicon Valley Center for Entrepreneurial Development (SVCED), you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the site.

Changes to these terms

We may update these terms from time to time as our programs, technology, or legal obligations change. Material changes will be reflected in the "last updated" date below. Continued use of the site after changes means you accept the revised terms.

Donations

All donations made through this site are voluntary and processed by a third-party payment processor.

Tax deductibility

SVCED is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by United States law. Donors receive a receipt by email for tax-record purposes.

Refunds

Donations are generally non-refundable. If you believe a donation was made in error, contact us promptly at hello@svced.org and we will review the request.

Use of funds

Unless restricted by the donor or a funder, donations are used where needed most to advance our charitable purposes, including programs, capacity, and administrative support.

Program applications and participation

Our programs are operated for charitable purposes and are subject to eligibility requirements, funding availability, and compliance obligations.

No guarantee of acceptance

Submitting an application or referral does not guarantee acceptance, funding, or services. We evaluate each submission based on eligibility, capacity, and alignment with program goals.

Accurate information

You agree to provide complete and accurate information in applications and program forms. Providing false or misleading information may result in disqualification.

Independent relationship

Participation in a SVCED program does not create an employment, agency, partnership, or joint venture relationship between SVCED and the participant.

Program changes

We may modify, suspend, or discontinue any program or service at any time, with or without notice, based on funding, operations, or mission alignment.

User conduct

You agree to use this site lawfully and respectfully. You may not attempt to disrupt the site, access restricted areas without authorization, upload harmful code, or use the site to harass staff, applicants, or participants.

Intellectual property

Unless otherwise noted, all content on this site — including text, graphics, logos, photographs, program materials, and downloadable documents — is owned by SVCED or its licensors and is protected by copyright and trademark law. You may view, download, and print pages for personal, non-commercial use. Republication, distribution, or commercial use requires our prior written permission.

Third-party links and services

This site may link to third-party websites or services, including our sibling organization, the Silicon Valley Black Chamber of Commerce (SVBCC), payment processors, and funders. We are not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or terms of those third parties.

Disclaimer of warranties

This site and its content are provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. We do not warrant that the site will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of harmful components.

Limitation of liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, SVCED and its directors, officers, employees, and volunteers will not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your use of the site, donations, or program applications.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless SVCED from any claims, damages, or expenses arising from your violation of these terms or your use of the site in an unauthorized or unlawful manner.

Governing law

These terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any dispute arising from these terms or use of the site shall be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Santa Clara County, California.

Contact us

Questions about these Terms of Use may be directed to hello@svced.org or by postal mail to SVCED, San José, California.