Terms of Use

Acceptance of Terms

By accessing, browsing, submitting information through, or otherwise using COTSA's website, you acknowledge that you have read and agree to these Terms of Use.

These Terms apply to website visitors, donors, volunteers, community members, program participants, partners, and others who interact with COTSA through our website or online services.

Changes to These Terms

COTSA may update these Terms from time to time to reflect changes in our website, programs, technology, organizational practices, or applicable legal requirements.

Updated Terms become effective when posted unless otherwise stated. The “Last Updated” date at the top of this page indicates when these Terms were most recently revised.

Your continued use of the website following an update constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms to the extent permitted by applicable law.

Use of Our Website

COTSA provides its website to share information about our nonprofit mission, community programs, cultural initiatives, events, resources, volunteer opportunities, fundraising activities, and other organizational work.

You may use the website only for lawful purposes and in accordance with these Terms.

You are responsible for obtaining the internet connection, device, software, and other resources necessary to access the website.

Eligibility

You must be legally capable of agreeing to these Terms under the laws applicable to you.

Minors may participate in certain COTSA programs, community activities, or events with appropriate parental or guardian involvement when required.

Parents and legal guardians are responsible for supervising a minor's use of our website and participation in activities requiring their authorization.

Information You Provide

Certain portions of our website may allow you to submit information, including contact forms, event registrations, volunteer forms, community forms, donation information, messages, comments, or other materials.

You agree that information you intentionally submit will, to the best of your knowledge, be accurate and will not intentionally misrepresent your identity or relationship with another individual or organization.

Personal information submitted to COTSA is handled according to our Privacy Policy.

Community Programs & Participation

COTSA supports Salvadoran and transnational communities through cultural, educational, civic, charitable, community, and nonprofit activities.

Individual programs or events may have additional participation guidelines, registration requirements, safety rules, deadlines, or eligibility requirements.

Participants are expected to act respectfully toward community members, volunteers, staff, partners, guests, and the public.

COTSA may limit or end participation in an event, program, online community, or activity when reasonably necessary to protect participants, maintain safety, prevent disruption, or protect the organization.

Donations

COTSA may provide opportunities to make charitable donations through our website or through third-party fundraising and payment services.

COTSA may use services such as Give Lively and the payment processors supported by those platforms to facilitate online donations.

Unless otherwise stated, donations to COTSA are intended to support COTSA's charitable mission and programs.

COTSA is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 27-2048548. The deductibility of a contribution depends on applicable tax law and the circumstances of the contribution. Donors should consult their own tax adviser regarding individual tax matters.

Third-Party Fundraising & Payment Services

COTSA does not directly operate every technology used to process online donations or other transactions.

Third-party providers may process payment card, bank account, or other financial information according to their own terms and privacy policies.

COTSA is not responsible for the independent operation, availability, security practices, terms, fees, or privacy practices of a third-party provider except to the extent required by applicable law.

Before completing a transaction through an external provider, you should review the terms presented by that provider.

Donation Refunds

Charitable contributions are generally considered final once processed, subject to applicable law and the policies of the payment or fundraising provider used for the transaction.

If you believe a donation was made in error, entered in an incorrect amount, or was not authorized, contact COTSA promptly at info@cotsasv.org.

COTSA will review the circumstances and, where applicable, coordinate with the relevant payment or fundraising provider. A refund cannot be guaranteed when funds have already been processed, transferred, used, or when the applicable provider does not permit it.

Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise indicated, COTSA owns or has permission to use the content appearing on its website, including its name, logos, branding, original text, graphics, photographs, videos, designs, publications, educational materials, and other original content.

Content may be viewed and shared for personal, informational, educational, or other noncommercial purposes when appropriate attribution is provided and the content is not materially altered or presented in a misleading manner.

You may not use COTSA's name, logo, branding, photographs, original materials, or other protected content to imply sponsorship, endorsement, partnership, or affiliation without authorization.

Materials belonging to third parties remain the property of their respective owners.

Content & Materials You Submit

If you voluntarily submit photographs, videos, testimonials, stories, comments, artwork, documents, or other materials to COTSA, you represent that you have the right to provide those materials.

Submission of material does not automatically transfer ownership to COTSA.

When COTSA requests permission to reproduce or publish submitted material, the permitted use may be described in the applicable submission form, release, agreement, event rules, or other authorization.

Photography, Video & Public Events

COTSA regularly participates in cultural, community, educational, charitable, and public events where photography, video, or audio recording may occur.

Media captured during public activities may be used, when legally permitted, to document COTSA's work and communicate its nonprofit mission through websites, social media, newsletters, reports, publications, fundraising materials, and other communications.

Additional authorization may be obtained when required by law or appropriate under the circumstances, particularly when minors are involved.

Prohibited Uses

You may not use COTSA's website or online services to:

• Violate applicable federal, state, local, or international law
• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the website, server, accounts, or systems
• Introduce viruses, malicious code, or other harmful technology
• Interfere with the operation or security of the website
• Impersonate COTSA, another organization, or another person
• Submit information you know to be false or misleading
• Use automated systems to disrupt, overload, scrape, or abuse the website
• Use COTSA's identity to falsely imply endorsement or affiliation
• Harass, threaten, exploit, or harm other users or community members
• Use the website for fraudulent or unlawful activity

COTSA may restrict access when reasonably necessary to protect its website, organization, community, programs, or legal rights.

Links to Other Websites

COTSA's website may contain links to government agencies, community organizations, nonprofit partners, fundraising platforms, social media services, news sources, educational resources, and other third-party websites.

These links are provided for convenience or informational purposes. Unless expressly stated otherwise, a link does not constitute COTSA's ownership or control of the third-party website.

Third-party websites maintain their own terms, policies, content, and security practices.

Accuracy of Website Information

COTSA works to provide useful and accurate information, but website content may occasionally become outdated, incomplete, or contain errors.

Program dates, locations, schedules, eligibility requirements, community resources, external links, and other information may change.

Information provided through the website is generally intended for informational purposes and should not automatically be considered legal, financial, tax, immigration, medical, or other professional advice.

Website Availability & Changes

COTSA may modify, update, suspend, remove, or discontinue portions of its website, online resources, or functionality when reasonably necessary.

We do not guarantee that the website will always be available, uninterrupted, error-free, or free from technical problems.

Disclaimer of Warranties

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, COTSA's website and online content are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis.

COTSA does not make warranties regarding uninterrupted availability, accuracy, completeness, reliability, security, or suitability of the website or its content, except for warranties that cannot legally be excluded.

Nothing in these Terms excludes rights or protections that cannot lawfully be waived or limited.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, COTSA and its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, and representatives will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from or relating to use of, or inability to use, the website.

This limitation does not apply to liability that cannot legally be excluded or limited.

Indemnification

To the extent permitted by applicable law, you agree to be responsible for claims, losses, liabilities, or expenses arising from your unlawful use of the website, your material violation of these Terms, or your infringement of the rights of another person or organization.

Governing Law

These Terms and matters relating to the use of COTSA's website will be governed by applicable law, including the laws applicable to COTSA as a nonprofit organization based in Washington, District of Columbia, without overriding rights that may apply under other applicable law.

Severability & Waiver

If any provision of these Terms is determined to be invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue in effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.

COTSA's failure to enforce a provision of these Terms on one occasion does not necessarily waive its right to enforce that provision in the future.

Privacy

Your use of COTSA's website is also subject to our Privacy Policy, which explains how we collect, use, share, and protect personal information.

Questions About These Terms

Questions or concerns regarding these Terms of Use may be directed to COTSA using the contact information below.