Ma Earth Funding Platform: Terms and Conditions

1.1.These Terms and Conditions (hereinafter, the "Platform Terms") govern your use of the Ma Earth Funding Platform (hereinafter, the "Platform"). By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these Platform Terms.

1.2.The Platform is operated by Ma Earth Labs AG (hereinafter, "MEL"), a Swiss limited company ("Aktiengesellschaft") registered in the Canton of Zug, fully owned by Ma Earth Foundation (hereinafter, "MEF"), a Swiss tax-exempt public-benefit foundation ("Stiftung"), also registered in the Canton of Zug.

1.3.The Platform connects "Donors" (users making voluntary donations) with "Projects" (nature conservation and regeneration initiatives) operated by "Organizations" (eligible non-profit organizations, non-profit equivalents, or approved partners). Where an Organization requires a support partner for a Project, a "Host Partner" (a registered non-profit approved by MEL) may receive and administer funds for that Project on behalf of the Organization. An Organization may be supported by different Host Partners for different Projects. "Evaluators" are independent reviewers appointed by MEL to assess Project outcomes. Donations flow to Projects via the Platform. During time-limited "Funding Rounds", eligible Projects may also receive discretionary matching grants.

1.4.MEL operates the Platform solely as a technology and operational service provider; it does not finance Projects. While MEL actively promotes and amplifies Projects on the Platform, this should not be taken as a formal endorsement or guarantee of any Project, Organization, or Host Partner, or of their activities, representations, or use of funds. Donors remain solely responsible for their decision to support any Project.

1.5.MEL is not a bank, payment processor, broker, financial advisor or investment advisor (Anlageberater, conseiller en placement) under applicable law, including the Swiss Federal Act on Financial Services. Use of the Platform creates no entitlement to any donation, matching grant, or other form of funding. MEL does not solicit contributions for Projects; the existence of the Platform is not a solicitation of contributions. MEL does not act in any capacity that requires registration as a Professional Fundraiser, Commercial Fundraiser, or equivalent under applicable law.

2.1.Donations are voluntary, irrevocable and non-refundable payments made by Donors directly to the Organization or, where the Organization is supported by a Host Partner, to the Host Partner. They are not purchases of goods or services, not investments, and not loans.

2.2.Where the Organization is supported by a Host Partner, the Donor acknowledges that the donation is legally received by the Host Partner, not by the Project or the Organization. The Host Partner holds the funds restricted to the charitable purpose of the named Project and forwards them to the Project in accordance with its own arrangements with the Project. If the Project becomes unable to proceed, ceases to be eligible, or otherwise cannot use the funds for the purpose described, the Host Partner retains discretionary authority to redirect the funds to another activity consistent with its charitable purpose. Donations are not refunded in such cases.

2.3.Donations are processed by Stripe, Inc. and its affiliates (hereinafter, "Stripe") via Stripe Connect. Donations are charged directly to the Stripe Connected Account of the Organization or, where the Organization is supported by a Host Partner, of the Host Partner. The descriptor shown on the Donor's payment or card statement will identify MEL or the entity receiving the funds (the Organization or, where applicable, the Host Partner), not the individual Project. MEL does not at any point receive, hold, or exercise custody or control over Donor funds routed to Organizations or Host Partners. Use of Stripe is subject to Stripe's own terms of service and privacy policy, available at stripe.com/legal, which users accept separately.

2.4.Stripe processing and currency conversion fees vary by payment method and card origin. Current fees and conversion rates are published at stripe.com/pricing and may change at Stripe's discretion. Stripe fees are deducted from donations before they reach the Organization or, where applicable, the Host Partner, however, during checkout, Donors may optionally cover the Stripe fee. This is calculated as a good faith estimate by MEL but the final amount may be slightly different based on jurisdiction, payment type, or Stripe changes. MEL does not receive any portion of the Stripe processing fee.

2.5.Donors may add a voluntary tip, a separate, optional payment received by MEL to support platform operations. Such tips are voluntary, irrevocable and non-refundable donations made to MEL; they do not constitute consideration for, nor entitle the Donor to, any specific service, benefit, preferential treatment from MEL.

2.6.MEL does not currently charge an additional platform fee; if one is introduced, it will be published on the Platform before it takes effect. Where an Organization is supported by a Host Partner, the Host Partner may deduct an administration fee from the donation before transferring the remaining funds to the Organization for the relevant Project. This fee is in addition to Stripe processing fees. The Donor acknowledges that the amount ultimately received by the Organization may therefore be lower than the donation amount.

2.7.The total charge is itemized at checkout and no payment is processed without the Donor's explicit confirmation. Donations are final upon confirmation. MEL is not liable for delays caused by Stripe, bank processing times, or circumstances outside MEL's reasonable control.

2.8.Donors seeking a tax receipt can contact the receiving Organization or its Host Partner directly, as eligibility depends on the Donor's jurisdiction and the Organization's registered status.

3.1.During Funding Rounds, eligible Projects may receive matching grants from MEF or from third-party philanthropic funders. Matching grants are made solely at the discretion of MEF (or the relevant funder) and are governed by separate terms between MEF and the selected Organization. No Donor, Organization, or Host Partner has any entitlement to a matching grant by virtue of using the Platform or participating in a Funding Round.

3.2.The matching methodology, pool sizes, eligibility criteria, and indicative timelines are published in the Platform documentation and may be updated by MEF at any time.

3.3.Selected projects may be designated for continuous funding and remain listed on the Platform beyond the Funding Round in which they were selected. Such projects may continue to receive donations via the Platform, subject to these Platform Terms.

4.1.The following activities are strictly prohibited: (a) creating multiple user accounts for the same person or entity to inflate the number of unique Donors recorded for a Project; (b) splitting donations across multiple accounts, devices, or payment methods to artificially increase matching allocations; (c) coordinating with other users, Organizations, or third parties to manipulate the matching formula, including through reciprocal donation arrangements; (d) using bots, scripts, or automated tools to generate donations or interactions, or otherwise interfere with or undermine the normal operation or integrity of the Platform; (e) providing false or misleading information during account creation, application, or due diligence; and (f) any other act designed to circumvent, game, or otherwise manipulate the Platform's mechanisms. MEL employs technical and analytical measures to detect such conduct.

4.2.If MEL has reasonable grounds to believe that a breach of clause 4.1 has occurred or is occurring, MEL may, without prior notice and at its sole discretion: (a) disqualify the affected Project from the current Funding Round, exclude it from future Funding Rounds, and/or remove it from the Platform; (b) recommend MEF to withhold, reduce, adjust, or claw back any matching grants associated with the suspected breach; (c) suspend or permanently terminate the account of any user involved; (d) share information relevant to the suspected breach with MEF to the extent necessary for MEF to exercise its rights under any related grant agreement; and (e) take legal action to recover damages and costs. MEL cannot unilaterally recover donations already processed to an Organization's or Host Partner's Stripe Connected Account. MEL may however engage in legal actions to recover such funds, if made necessary by the discovery of a breach of clause 4.1.

4.3.MEL may take reasonable time to investigate before acting and is not obliged to disclose the reasons for any enforcement decision during an active investigation. MEL will notify the affected Organization and, where applicable, its Host Partner once an investigation is concluded, except where doing so would compromise the investigation or is prohibited by law.

4.4.MEL reserves the right to restrict or suspend fundraising in any jurisdiction where applicable law creates compliance obligations inconsistent with MEL's role as a technology platform.

5.1.Organizations apply in two phases. In the Application Phase, MEL reviews submissions for strategic fit and confirmation of non-profit or equivalent status or representation by an approved Host Partner. Selected Organizations then enter the Participation Phase, governed by separate terms between MEF and the Organization.

5.2.By applying, the Organization consents to the processing of its application data for due diligence and Platform administration, including Funding Round selection, which may include AI-based screening tools.

5.3.Organizations must cooperate fully with all due diligence requests from MEL. Separate due diligence may be conducted by MEF in connection with any grant agreement and by Stripe for payment onboarding.

5.4.By creating a Project on the Platform, the Organization and, where the Organization is supported by a Host Partner, the Host Partner each agrees to comply with all applicable laws governing its fundraising activities, including charitable solicitation registration requirements in any jurisdiction from which it receives donations. MEL's facilitation of a Project does not constitute solicitation by MEL on the Organization's or the Host Partner's behalf and does not relieve the Organization or the Host Partner of its compliance obligations.

5.5.MEL may reject any application or withdraw an Organization from the Application or Participation Phase at any time, with or without cause, and without liability.

6.1.You must be at least 18 years of age to create an account. By registering, you confirm that you are 18 or older and that all information you provide is accurate, complete, and current. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity under your account. You must notify MEL immediately at [email protected] if you become aware of any unauthorized use.

6.2.MEL may, at its sole discretion and at any time, suspend or terminate any account without prior notice, if it has reasonable grounds to believe that a user is in breach of these Platform Terms, has provided false or misleading information, or poses a risk to the Platform, to other users or to third parties. You may request account closure by contacting [email protected]. Account closure does not automatically remove content you have previously uploaded; MEL may retain data as required by applicable law or these Platform Terms. Provisions that by their nature should survive termination (including content licences, liability limitations, and the provisions of Sections 6 and 7) remain in force after account closure.

6.3.Organization and user records published via the Platform are stored on a Personal Data Server (PDS) and published to the AT Protocol network. By default, MEL uses a PDS hosted by Certified, a service of Hypercerts Foundation; you may instead use another provider or self-host. The AT Protocol is open and federated: once published, records may be replicated, cached, indexed, and displayed by independent servers, applications, and archives outside MEL's or your PDS provider's control. Your PDS provider and any such third parties process records under their own legal responsibility, not on MEL's behalf. You may delete your records from the Platform at any time. The Platform issues the deletion through your PDS, but independent AT Protocol services are not obliged to honor it, and MEL cannot guarantee removal from third-party services or the public internet. Publish only if you are prepared for records to be publicly accessible beyond the Platform.

6.4.Organizations retain ownership of all content they upload to the Platform (hereinafter, "Content"). By uploading Content, the Organization grants MEL and its parent and affiliates a worldwide, irrevocable, royalty-free, sublicensable, non-exclusive licence to use, reproduce, adapt, and distribute that Content for Platform operations, fundraising, charitable communications, and impact reporting purposes. Sublicensing to third parties is limited to non-commercial, mission-aligned uses consistent with MEL's purpose and also with the charitable purpose of its parent foundation MEF. Organizations warrant that they hold all rights necessary to grant this licence, that the Content is accurate and not misleading, and that it does not infringe any third-party rights, in particular intellectual property rights. Organizations shall indemnify and hold MEL harmless against any claims, damages, losses, and costs arising out of or related to the Content. MEL may remove or restrict Content, at its sole discretion and at any time, without prior notice, and assumes no responsibility for Content posted by users.

6.5.The Platform is provided "as is" and "as available." MEL does not warrant that the Platform will be available without interruption or free from errors or security vulnerabilities. To the maximum extent permitted under Swiss law (Art. 100 CO), MEL excludes all liability for any direct or indirect damages, including pure economic loss, or claims arising from or in connection with: (a) use of or inability to use the Platform; (b) any Project's use of donated funds; (c) decisions by MEF regarding matching grants; (d) inaccuracies in Organization content; (e) third-party actions, including those of Stripe; or (f) technical failures, interruptions, or security incidents. This exclusion does not apply to liability for gross negligence (grobe Fahrlässigkeit) or wilful misconduct (Vorsatz) attributable to MEL. Nothing in these Platform Terms limits liability that cannot be excluded under mandatory Swiss law.

7.1.MEL's processing of personal data in connection with the Platform is described in the Privacy Policy, available at maearth.com/privacy. By using the Platform, you acknowledge that you have read and understood the Privacy Policy and agree to the processing of personal data as described therein. The Privacy Policy forms part of these Platform Terms.

7.2.These Platform Terms are governed by Swiss law. Any dispute arising out of or in connection with these Platform Terms shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the ordinary courts of Zug, Switzerland.

7.3.If any provision of these Platform Terms is held invalid or unenforceable, that provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force.

7.4.MEL may amend these Platform Terms at any time. Where changes are material, MEL will provide at least 14 days' advance notice via the Platform or by email. Continued use of the Platform after the effective date of any amendment constitutes acceptance of the revised Platform Terms. If you do not accept the revised Platform Terms, you must cease using the Platform before the effective date.

7.5.These Platform Terms constitute the entire agreement between MEL and you regarding the Platform and supersede all prior communications on the same subject.