Terms and Conditions

Effective date: 14 June 2026

These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your access to and use of the Chelo platform at cheloapp.com and any related applications, services and content (together, the "Platform"). The Platform is operated by Chelo Services (Pty) Ltd ("Chelo", "we", "us"), a company registered in the Republic of South Africa.

By creating an account, making a donation, creating a project, or otherwise using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, do not use the Platform.

1. About Chelo and our role

Chelo provides an online platform that connects donors, fundraisers (including schools, non-profit organisations, registered NPOs and PBOs, and community projects) and service providers to enable milestone-based funding of projects.

Chelo is a technology intermediary only. Chelo is not a bank, a registered charity, a payment processor, a broker, a trustee, or a financial, legal or tax advisor. We do not control, endorse, or guarantee any fundraiser, project, organisation or service provider beyond the verification steps we expressly describe. We are not a party to the relationship between a donor and a fundraiser, or between a fundraiser and a service provider.

2. Definitions

Donor — a person or entity that contributes funds to a project or organisation through the Platform.
Fundraiser — a person or entity that creates and manages a project to raise funds.
Project — a fundraising campaign, typically structured into milestones.
Service Provider — a person or entity engaged to fulfil project deliverables.
Milestone — a defined stage of a project against which funds are allocated and released.

3. Eligibility and accounts

You must be at least 18 years old and able to enter into a legally binding contract to use the Platform. You are responsible for keeping your account credentials secure and for all activity under your account. You agree that the information you provide is accurate, current and complete, and you will keep it up to date.

4. Donations

Donations are voluntary, irrevocable and unconditional. Once a donation is processed, you are not entitled to a refund except as set out in clause 7 or where the receiving organisation agrees.
No guarantee of outcome. Chelo does not guarantee that any project will reach its funding goal, receive any donations, be completed, or that funds will be used for any particular purpose. You donate at your own risk.
You are responsible for satisfying yourself as to the legitimacy of any project or organisation before donating.

5. Fundraisers

Fundraisers are solely responsible for the accuracy of their project information, for using funds for the stated purpose, and for complying with all applicable laws (including, where relevant, the Nonprofit Organisations Act and any tax obligations). Fundraisers warrant that they are entitled to raise funds for the stated cause. Chelo may request supporting information and may suspend or remove any project at its discretion.

6. Milestone funding and release of funds

Funds raised for a project are allocated to milestones. Funds are held and released to the fundraiser or to a service provider upon approval of the relevant milestone, in accordance with the Platform's processes. Chelo holds funds as an intermediary pending release and does not pay interest on funds held. Release timelines depend on the payment provider and on completion and approval of the relevant milestone.

7. Refunds, chargebacks and clawbacks

Refunds. Refunds are made at Chelo's sole discretion. We may, but are not obliged to, refund a donation where a project is cancelled, where fraud is suspected, or where required by law.
Chargebacks. By donating, you authorise Chelo and its payment provider to contest any chargeback you initiate on the basis of the authorisation granted in these Terms.
Clawback. Where a donation is later reversed, charged back or found to be fraudulent after funds have been released, Chelo is entitled to reclaim the reversed amount from the organisation or party to whom the funds were paid.

8. Fees and payment processing

Payments are processed by third-party payment providers. Applicable platform fees and payment-processing charges are disclosed before you complete a transaction. The total amount payable, including any taxes and fees, is shown to you prior to payment. Chelo is not responsible for the acts or omissions of payment providers.

9. Service providers

Service providers must comply with the Procurement Terms published on the Platform, in addition to these Terms. Service providers are independent contractors and are not employees or agents of Chelo.

10. Tax certificates

Where a receiving organisation is approved by the South African Revenue Service ("SARS") in terms of section 18A of the Income Tax Act, a section 18A tax-deduction certificate may be issued in respect of a qualifying donation. The validity and tax-deductibility of any certificate depends on the receiving organisation holding valid SARS section 18A approval and on the donation qualifying under applicable law. Chelo does not warrant the tax-deductibility of any donation, and you should obtain independent tax advice. You agree that information reasonably required to issue certificates and to meet SARS third-party (IT3(d)) reporting obligations may be collected and submitted to SARS.

11. Acceptable use

You may not use the Platform to: break any law; raise or solicit funds fraudulently or for an unlawful purpose; infringe the rights of others; upload harmful or misleading content; or interfere with the operation or security of the Platform. We may suspend or terminate access for any breach.

12. Intellectual property and your content

The Platform and its content are owned by Chelo or its licensors and are protected by law. You retain ownership of content you submit, but you grant Chelo a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide licence to host, display and use that content for the purpose of operating and promoting the Platform and the relevant project.

13. Disclaimers

The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available". To the maximum extent permitted by law, Chelo disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including as to the accuracy, reliability, legitimacy or success of any project, organisation or service provider.

14. Limitation of liability

To the maximum extent permitted by law, Chelo is not liable for any indirect, incidental, special or consequential loss, or for any loss of funds donated, misuse of funds by a fundraiser, or the acts or omissions of any donor, fundraiser, service provider or payment provider. Nothing in these Terms limits any liability that cannot lawfully be limited.

15. Indemnity

You agree to indemnify and hold Chelo harmless against any claim, loss or expense arising from your use of the Platform, your content, or your breach of these Terms or any applicable law.

16. Suspension and termination

We may suspend or terminate your account or any project at any time where we reasonably believe there has been a breach of these Terms, a legal risk, or fraudulent or harmful activity. You may close your account at any time.

17. Disputes

Disputes between donors, fundraisers and service providers are primarily a matter between those parties. Chelo may, but is not obliged to, provide tools or assistance to help resolve disputes. Any dispute with Chelo should first be raised with us at support@cheloapp.com so that we can try to resolve it.

18. Changes to these Terms

We may amend these Terms from time to time. Material changes will be notified through the Platform. Your continued use after changes take effect constitutes acceptance.

19. Governing law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa, and you submit to the jurisdiction of the South African courts.

20. Company information

In accordance with section 43 of the Electronic Communications and Transactions Act, 2002:

Legal name: Chelo Services (Pty) Ltd
Nature of business: Online fundraising and donation platform
Website: cheloapp.com
Email: support@cheloapp.com

For our data-protection practices, see our Privacy Policy and POPIA Notice.