The Begin Network
Donation Policy
Effective 5 November 2026
Thank you
Every gift helps us awaken dreams and purpose through courage, creativity, and community. This policy explains how gifts work, so you can give with confidence.
Who receives your gift
All gifts made through any of our sites go to The Begin Network, a California-based 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN 39-4447031). This is true whether you give on thebeginnetwork.com or on a project site such as asongbirdinthevalley.com, forgivemeapril.com, beginbooks.com, martinssamuel.com or thewrongguybook.com.
Tax-deductibility
The Begin Network is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) public charity under section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code, with exemption effective 13 September 2025. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Please talk with your own tax advisor about your situation.
How to give
You can give online through the secure Stripe payment form on our sites, using a card, Cash App Pay, bank transfer (ACH), Klarna or Link. Your payment details go directly to Stripe; we never see or store your full card number. If you would like to give another way, email [email protected].
Receipts
Right after your gift, you will receive an automatic email receipt. It shows our name, our EIN, the amount and date of your gift, and that you received no goods or services in return. Please keep it for your tax records.
Gifts to a specific project
When you give through a project site, such as A Songbird in the Valley, we record your gift as designated to that project and use it for that project's work. You can also give to The Begin Network's general work, which goes where the need is greatest.
As a 501(c)(3) charity, The Begin Network keeps final authority and discretion over how all gifts are used. We honor your designation whenever we can. If a project is fully funded, is completed, changes, or cannot go ahead, we will use your gift for a similar purpose that is as close as possible to your intent, in line with our charitable mission.
Give a Copy Forward
On martinssamuel.com, the Give a Copy Forward programme lets your gift fund a copy of a book for someone else. The book goes to someone else, not to you. You receive no goods or services in return, so your whole gift is tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Refunds
If you made a mistake with your gift, such as a wrong amount or a duplicate, please contact us within 30 days at [email protected] and we will work with you to correct it. Approved refunds go back to the original payment method through Stripe. Because receipts are issued for tax purposes, a refunded gift is no longer tax-deductible, and we will issue a corrected receipt.
If you see a charge you do not recognize, please contact us before disputing it with your bank, so we can help quickly.
Donor privacy
We protect donor information as described in our Privacy Policy. We do not sell, rent or trade donor information.
Questions
Email [email protected] or write to The Begin Network, 1160 E Perrin Ave #206, Fresno, CA 93720.