Our Involvement in the contribution process

As a fiscal host, we manage and process financial contributions to the projects we host. Here's how that works:

1. We receive and hold the funds

Contributions are made to TMF on behalf of the project, rather than directly to the project itself. As the fiscal host, we ensure compliance, oversight and proper fund management.

Please Note: All transactions are processed in USD. If someone contributes in another currency, the amount will be converted during the transaction per the current exchange rate.

2. We allocate the funds to the project

Your contributions are allocated to the project on the Open Collective platform.

• If you make another contribution via the Open Collective platform, your contribution will immediately be credited to the project's balance
• If you make a contribution via an invoice, once we receive the fund, we will manually credit the project's balance.

3. Transparency and Reporting

We provide transparent reporting on how funds are being used within the project. This includes regular updates on financials, project milestones, and impact reports to keep all contributors informed.

Understanding the types of Funds We Handle

Not all contributions are the same. We handle different types of funds to accommodate various project needs and donor preferences. Here are the main types of funds we manage:

1. General Contributions: These are one-time or recurring donations made to support the overall mission of the project. They provide essential resources for ongoing development and maintenance.

2. Restricted Funds: Some contributions may be designated for specific purposes or initiatives within the project. These funds are allocated according to the donor's intent and are tracked separately to ensure proper usage.

3. In-Kind Donations: In addition to monetary contributions, we also accept in-kind donations such as software, hardware, or services. These donations are evaluated for their potential impact on the project and may be converted to monetary value for accounting purposes.

4. Sponsorships: Companies and organizations can sponsor specific aspects of the project, such as events, features, or outreach efforts. Sponsorships often come with additional benefits, such as branding opportunities and recognition within the community.

By understanding the different types of funds we handle, donors can make informed decisions about their contributions and how they align with the project's goals.

Tax-related Information

Contributions to projects hosted by us are not tax-deductible.

**For international contributors: **Contributions are voluntary payments, so we do not charge VAT or sales tax. Most contributors outside the U.S. do not need to account for VAT, but you should confirm with local tax advisor.

Ways to Financially Contribute

• Credit Card
• PayPal
• Bank Transfer
• Invoices
• Procurement systems & purchase orders
• Funds

Credit Card and PayPal

Contributing through credit card or PayPal is the quickest and easiest way to support a project hosted by The Modding Foundation.

How It Works:

1. Visit the project's profile page on Open Collective
2. Click 'contribute' and select a one-time or recurring donation option
3. Choose your preferred payment method: PayPal or credit card.
4. Complete the payment. Your payment will be instantly credited to the project's balance.

Bank Transfer

All transactions should be set up on Open Collective whenever possible. If someone makes a contribution and selects 'bank transfer' as the payment method, they will automatically receive these details. However, if you need our banking info, please contact us directly at hello@modding.foundation.

If you choose to donate via bank transfer (ACH or wire transfer), the process is straightforward but requires a few extra steps to ensure your contribution is properly recorded.

How It Works:

1. Visit the project's profile page on Open Collective
2. Click 'contribute' and select a one-time or recurring donation option
3. Choose your preferred payment method: bank transfer
4. You will receive detailed bank transfer instructions, both on-screen and via email, including a unique reference ID code.
5. Include the reference ID in your transfer details — this is essential for matching your transaction to the correct project.
6. Once the funds have been received and processed, they will be credited to the project's balance

Important Notes About Bank Transfer

1. Processing time: bank transfers take longer to process than credit card or PayPal contributions. It may take 3-5+ business days for funds to clear and be allocated to the project.
2. Receipt from your bank: If your bank allows, once you initiate the transfer, please send us an email notification to help speed up the processing. This will help us match the contribution.

Invoices

For organizations, companies, and institutions that require an invoice before making a financial contribution, OSC offers invoice-based contributions. This option is typically available for contributions over $500 USD.

How It Works:

1. Request an invoice — If your organization cannot donate directly through a project's Open Collective page, contact us at hello@modding.foundation with the following details: a. Link to the project's Open Collective b. Your organization's name and contact email c. Preferred invoice date (if it should be issued in the future) d. Description of the contribution e. Contribution amount (USD) f. Purchase Order (PO) number (if applicable) g. Any additional instructions

Unless otherwise agreed upon, the standard payment terms we use are 30 days.

2. Payment and allocation: once the invoice is paid, funds typically take a few days to clear. After we confirm receipt, the contribution is credited to the project's balance on Open Collective under your organization's name.

Fees

We charge a fixed 10% fee on all incoming contributions via bank transfer. If you would like to cover the 10% host fee instead of deducting it from the total contribution, please let us know when you request the invoice.

Procurement Systems

For organizations using procurement systems or requiring purchase orders, please reach out to us at hello@modding.foundation to discuss the best way to facilitate your contribution.

How it works

1. TMF can register as a provider in your company's procurement system, including signing any necessary agreements.
2. Once registered, your organization can create purchase orders (POs) to facilitate contributions to TMF projects.
3. TMF will provide any necessary documentation or information required to process the PO and ensure the contribution is properly allocated.
4. Once the PO is approved and processed, the contribution will be credited to the project's balance on Open Collective under your organization's name.
5. Your organization will receive a confirmation email once the contribution has been successfully allocated.

Fees

We charge a fixed 10% fee on all incoming contributions via this method. If you would like to cover the 10% host fee instead of deducting it from the total contribution, please let us know via email.

Funds

A Fund is a dedicated profile under TMF designed to streamline financial support for multiple projects. Companies and organizations often create funds to manage their contributions more efficiently, while some Funds are centered around specific topics or initiatives.

Why should I create a Fund?

Creating a Fund offers several benefits:

1. Centralized Management: Funds allow organizations to manage their contributions to multiple projects from a single account, simplifying the donation process.
2. Increased Visibility: Funds can help raise awareness for specific topics or initiatives, attracting more contributors and support.
3. Streamlined Reporting: With a dedicated Fund, organizations can more easily track their contributions and the impact of their support across various projects.
4. Flexibility: Funds can be tailored to meet the specific needs and goals of the organization, allowing for more strategic giving.

Fees

We charge a fixed 10% fee on all incoming contributions via this method. If you would like to cover the 10% host fee instead of deducting it from the total contribution, please let us know via email.

The fee is charged when the money is deposited to a fund, contributions from a Fund to a hosted project does not incur any additional fees.