Policies & Donor Assurance

Organization Credentials

• Legal Entity: Influential Kids
• Registered Address: 13201 Northwest Fwy. Suite 324, Houston, Texas 77040
• IRS Determination Date: November 8, 2019 (Effective August 26, 2019)
• Tax Classification: 501(c)(3) Public Charity – Section 170(b)(1)(A)(vi)
• EIN: 84-2843825  |  DLN: 29053288339029
• Accounting Period: Fiscal year ending August 31
• IRS Contact: Frederick J. Robben – ID# 17234  |  (877) 829-5500
• Gifts & Contributions: Tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law

We retain our IRS determination letter on file and provide copies upon request. Documentation is maintained in accordance with IRS Publication 4221-PC.

Terms of Use

By accessing our website, donating, or participating in Influential Kids programs you agree to the following terms:

• Content on this site is provided for educational, fundraising, and informational purposes. We strive for accuracy but do not warrant completeness; materials are provided “as is.”
• Programs, events, and donor campaigns may change without prior notice. We reserve the right to update or discontinue offerings.
• Users agree not to misuse our digital platforms, including attempts to gain unauthorized access, introduce malware, or infringe intellectual property rights.
• All trademarks, logos, images, and written materials belong to Influential Kids or are used with permission. Reuse requires prior written consent.
• The site is governed by the laws of the State of Texas and applicable federal statutes. Any disputes will be resolved in competent courts located in Harris County, Texas.
• We may update these terms periodically; continued use of the site constitutes acceptance of the current version.

Privacy Policy

Influential Kids respects donor and participant privacy. We collect, use, and safeguard information as follows:

• Information Collected: Name, contact details, donation amounts, event preferences, and communications you voluntarily provide. When you donate online, payment processors collect billing data on our behalf.
• Use of Data: To process contributions, issue tax receipts, communicate program updates, comply with audit requirements, and improve our services.
• Sharing: We do not sell or rent personal data. Limited information may be shared with trusted service providers (payment gateways, email delivery platforms, CRM tools) under confidentiality agreements.
• Legal Compliance: We disclose records only when required by law, including IRS filings (e.g., Schedule B redactions per current rules) or court orders.
• Opt-Out: Donors can opt out of marketing emails via unsubscribe links or by contacting us directly. Operational emails (receipts, confirmations) cannot be waived for compliance reasons.
• Children’s Data: We do not knowingly solicit personal information from children under 13 online. Youth participant data is collected with parental or guardian consent.
• Security: We implement administrative, technical, and physical safeguards. Online payments are transmitted through PCI-DSS compliant processors using TLS encryption.
• Retention: Records are retained for a minimum of seven (7) years in line with IRS and state charitable regulations unless a longer period is required for legal, contractual, or risk-management purposes.

For privacy questions or to request updates/corrections, email info@influentialkids.org.

Donation Acceptance & Stewardship Policy

We gratefully accept contributions that support our mission to empower youth. Our practices include:

• Gift Types: Cash, checks, credit/debit card transactions, ACH transfers, employer-matched contributions, grants, in-kind gifts aligned with program needs, and planned gifts allowed under Sections 2055, 2106, and 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code.
• Restrictions: We evaluate gifts with conditions or restrictions to ensure alignment with organizational goals and legal obligations. We may respectfully decline gifts that compromise our integrity or place undue administrative burden.
• Tax Receipts: Donors receive written acknowledgements stating the tax-deductible portion of each contribution, including disclosures when goods or services are provided in exchange.
• Donor Intent: Funds designated for specific programs are tracked separately. If a project is fully funded or discontinued, we will consult the donor to reallocate to a similar need or offer a refund where appropriate.
• Refunds: Refund requests must be submitted within 30 days of the gift by emailing donations@influentialkids.org. Approved refunds are processed through the original payment method when possible.
• Contribution Disclosure: Annual giving statements are available upon request. We file Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N according to revenue thresholds to maintain transparency.

Payment Methods & Security

• Online Payments: Processed via secure HTTPS connections with PCI-DSS compliant vendors (e.g., Stripe, PayPal, or comparable gateways). We never store full credit card numbers on our servers.
• Checks & Money Orders: Payable to “Influential Kids” and mailed to 13201 Northwest Fwy. Suite 324, Houston, TX 77040. Please include your contact information for receipt issuance.
• ACH / Wire Transfers: Available upon request. Contact finance@influentialkids.org for routing details and pledge documentation.
• Employer Matching Gifts: We cooperate with matching gift portals. Donors should notify us once their employer approves a match.
• In-Kind Contributions: Must align with active program needs. We document the nature of goods or services but do not assign monetary value; donors should consult their tax advisor for valuation.

All electronic payments utilize TLS/SSL encryption. Access to financial systems is limited to authorized personnel under least-privilege principles, multi-factor authentication, and audit logging.

Donor Rights & Transparency

• We adopt the Donor Bill of Rights published by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). Donors are entitled to accurate information about our mission, use of funds, board leadership, and financial statements.
• Donor anonymity is honored when requested, except where disclosure is legally mandated.
• We provide prompt, courteous responses to inquiries about financial stewardship, governance, and impact metrics.
• Annual reports, IRS Form 990 filings, and audited financial statements (when applicable) are made available upon written request.

Regulatory Compliance & Reporting

• We file Form 990, 990-EZ, or 990-N with the IRS each fiscal year ending August 31. Failure to file for three consecutive years results in automatic revocation of exempt status; we maintain calendar reminders and board oversight to prevent lapses.
• State charitable registration requirements are reviewed annually. Where solicitation laws require registration, we complete the necessary filings or refrain from soliciting until authorized.
• Records of grants, restricted funds, and donor acknowledgements are retained for at least seven years and stored in secure cloud-based systems with regular backups.
• We adhere to IRS regulations on quid pro quo contributions, non-cash gifts, and acknowledgment thresholds, providing donors with IRS Form 8283/8282 support when applicable.
• Board-approved financial policies outline internal controls, segregation of duties, whistleblower protections, and conflict-of-interest disclosure requirements.

Questions & Requests

For copies of our IRS determination letter, annual filings, or policy clarifications, please contact:

Influential Kids
13201 Northwest Fwy. Suite 324
Houston, Texas 77040

Email: info@influentialkids.org  |  Phone: +1 (346) 667-7028

Last updated: November 8, 2025.