How It Works — AapkaSahyog

Welcome to AapkaSahyog.com! Our platform brings together compassionate donors and passionate change-makers. Below is a comprehensive guide on how the platform works — from launching a campaign, to donating, to managing funds, and ensuring trust. If you have any questions at any point, feel free to reach out to us at anjorfoundation@gmail.com

Table of Contents

1. Overview & Philosophy

2. For Campaign Creators — Step by Step
    2.1. Sign up & Registration
    2.2. Verification & KYC
    2.3. Campaign Setup
    2.4. Pre-Launch Review & Approval
    2.5. Launching Your Campaign
    2.6. Promoting & Sharing
    2.7. Accepting Contributions
    2.8. Updates & Reporting
    2.9. Withdrawing Funds
    2.10. Closing / Completing the Campaign

3. For Donors — Step by Step
    3.1. Browsing & Discovering Campaigns
    3.2. Evaluating & Selecting
    3.3. Making a Contribution
    3.4. Visibility & Anonymity Options
    3.5. Tracking & Follow-Up
    3.6. Communicating with Campaign Creators
    3.7. Disputes, Refunds & Chargebacks

4. Funds, Fees & Disbursement Mechanics

5. Trust, Security & Verification

6. Rules, Policies & User Responsibilities

7. Safety Tips & Best Practices

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

9. Contact & Support

10. Definitions & Interpretation

1. Overview & Philosophy

At its core, AapkaSahyog operates on a simple but powerful principle: collective small contributions can lead to big change. Our platform serves as a bridge — campaign creators propose projects, proposals, or needs, and donors support them.

We emphasize transparency, accountability, security, and impact. Every campaign goes through verification, periodic checks, and ongoing monitoring. Donors see updates; campaign creators must report.

We are not a charity ourselves; we are the platform that enables fundraising. All funds raised flow between donors and campaign creators (after fees), under controlled and auditable systems.

This “How It Works” page gives you a complete walkthrough — whether you are raising funds or donating.

2. For Campaign Creators — Step by Step

2.1 Sign up & Registration

• Visit aapkasahyog.com and click on “Start a Campaign” or “Register / Sign Up.”

• Provide essential details: name, email address, mobile number, password, address, etc.

• Agree to our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Trust & Safety guidelines.

• Verify your email (you’ll receive a confirmation link).

• (Optional) Provide additional profile information or biography to build trust with future donors.

2.2 Verification & KYC

• To maintain credibility and discourage misuse, we require identity verification (KYC) before campaigns can go live.

• Upload government-issued ID (e.g. Aadhaar, PAN, passport, driver’s license), address proof, and optionally a photograph or selfie for face matching.

• In some cases, we may ask supporting documents (bank statement, canceled cheque, etc.).

• Once verification is approved, your profile may display a “Verified” badge, which helps donor trust.

2.3 Campaign Setup

2.3.1 Basic Details

• Give your campaign a title (concise, descriptive).

• Choose a category (health, education, disaster relief, community, arts, etc.).

• Provide a target funding goal (in your local currency).

• Set a campaign duration / deadline (start date, end date).

• Write a compelling campaign description — purpose, background, beneficiaries, risks, use of funds, progress plan.

• Upload media assets — images, videos, documents, receipts, proof, identity info (if needed).

• Add updates / milestones (planned checkpoints) that donors can track.

2.3.2 Use of Funds & Budget

• Break down how you will use the funds: materials, labor, logistics, administration, transport, etc.

• Be realistic and transparent.

• Describe contingencies (if more/less is raised).

2.3.3 Rewards / Incentives (if applicable)

• If you plan to offer rewards (thank-you notes, merchandise, acknowledgments), define them clearly.

• Indicate shipping, fulfilment responsibilities, timelines, and costs.

• Note: Reward-based campaigns must comply with legal/regulatory rules in your jurisdiction.

2.3.4 Timeline & Milestones

• Provide a schedule for when funds will be used in phases.

• Include interim updates, progress checkpoints, reporting dates.

2.3.5 Disclosure & Legal Compliance

• Disclose affiliations, conflicts of interest, prior experience.

• Confirm you are legally allowed to run the campaign (e.g. local regulations, charity registration).

• Include risk disclaimers (delays, cost overruns, unforeseen events).

2.4 Pre-Launch Review & Approval

• After submission, your campaign goes into review by our Trust & Safety / Compliance team.

• We check for completeness, clarity, legitimacy, identity verification, risk level, compliance with policies.

• We may request revisions, additional documents, or clarifications.

• You will be notified of approval or changes required, generally within a few business days.

• Only after approval will the campaign become visible and available for contributions.

2.5 Launching Your Campaign

• Once approved, your campaign goes live and is publicly visible on AapkaSahyog.

• You will receive a unique campaign URL that you can share.

• The campaign page will display your title, description, media, funding bar, updates section, donor list (if public), progress metrics, and “Contribute” button.

2.6 Promoting & Sharing

• Share your campaign link on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn), WhatsApp, email, blogs, community groups.

• Craft personal messages, updates, and ask contacts to spread the word.

• Use multimedia (photos, videos, testimonials) to engage potential donors.

• Provide periodic updates (milestones, challenges, successes) to maintain momentum and donor confidence.

• Encourage donors to share your campaign in their network.

2.7 Accepting Contributions

• Donors select your campaign, input an amount, optionally include a message, and choose anonymity or public display.

• They proceed via secure payment methods (credit card, debit card, UPI, net banking, wallets) supported by the platform.

• A payment processing fee (or transaction fee) is applied; a platform fee is deducted before disbursal (as transparently disclosed).

• Upon successful contribution, donors get confirmation and receipt via email.

• You (the campaign creator) will see the contribution logged in your campaign’s dashboard (after any holds or verification checks).

2.8 Updates & Reporting

• You should update donors periodically—at least monthly or upon hitting milestones.

• Share photos, videos, documents, narrative descriptions of progress, challenges, and next steps.

• If delays or issues occur, inform donors promptly, explain remedy or adjustments.

• At the end of the campaign, provide a final report, financial statement, receipts, and evidence of how funds were used.

2.9 Withdrawing Funds

• After meeting withdrawal conditions (verification, minimum threshold, no holds or disputes), you may request disbursement of funds to your bank or payment account.

• We may impose a short processing delay or require confirmation.

• Funds are transferred net of platform fees and transaction fees.

• Funds may be disbursed in phases if campaign is large or high-risk, based on milestones or deliverables.

• You may need to provide additional proof (receipts, invoices) before subsequent disbursements.

2.10 Closing / Completing the Campaign

• Once funds are fully withdrawn or the deadline passes, the campaign is marked “Completed.”

• Provide a final update summarizing achievements, remaining funds (if any), and next steps.

• Archive the campaign (read-only), but maintain its history, updates, donor list (if public).

• If there are unused funds, decide whether to refund donors, donate to another cause, or use as per campaign plan — disclose your intention clearly.

3. For Donors — Step by Step

3.1 Browsing & Discovering Campaigns

• On the AapkaSahyog homepage, browse featured campaigns, categories, new campaigns, trending, or recommended ones.

• Use filters (category, location, amount raised, urgency, deadline) to find causes you care about.

• Read campaign descriptions, updates, media, and donor comments to evaluate authenticity and trustworthiness.

3.2 Evaluating & Selecting

• Look for verified campaigns (identity badges, documented updates).

• Read use-of-funds breakdown, proposed timeline, risk statements, prior track record (if available).

• Check donor reviews or feedback.

• Consider campaign history, update frequency, transparency.

• Evaluate how much impact your donation can make (small campaigns may need less to achieve goal).

3.3 Making a Contribution

• Click “Contribute” on the campaign page.

• Enter the amount you wish to donate (subject to minimum or maximum limits).

• Optionally include a short message or note (e.g. “Wish you success!”, “For education”, etc.).

• Choose whether your donation should be public (name visible) or anonymous (only the campaigner sees your identity).

• Proceed to payment via supported methods (cards, UPI, net banking, wallets).

• Provide necessary payment details, OTPs, authentication.

• After successful transaction, you receive confirmation and receipt via email.

• You can view the contribution in your “My Donations / Dashboard” section.

3.4 Visibility & Anonymity Options

• If you choose public, your name, message and donation amount may appear on the campaign page (unless the campaign opts for anonymizing donors).

• If you choose anonymous, your identity is hidden from the public and often from the campaigner (depending on privacy settings).

• Regardless of visibility, internally the platform may retain your identity for compliance, verification, and security.

3.5 Tracking & Follow-Up

• After donating, track updates posted by the campaigner via email notifications, Dashboard, or campaign page.

• You will get notifications when milestones are achieved, funds are withdrawn, or final reports are posted.

• You can revisit your contributions via your account, see status, and review campaign history.

3.6 Communicating with Campaign Creators

• Use the platform’s messaging or comment system (if available) to send polite questions, encouragement, or requests for updates.

• Be respectful, avoid harassment or spam.

• Campaign creators are encouraged (and expected) to respond promptly.

3.7 Disputes, Refunds & Chargebacks

• If you believe a campaign misused funds, didn’t deliver, or misrepresented itself, you may file a dispute or request a refund according to our Refund / Dispute policy.

• Submit evidence (emails, screenshots, campaign updates) and explanation via the support or dispute mechanism.

• The platform will mediate between you and the campaigner.

• In cases of proven fraud or violations, we may arrange for partial or full refunds (as per our policies and legal feasibility).

• If you initiate a chargeback through your bank or credit card issuer, we may recover funds from the campaigner or your account may be reviewed for misuse.

4. Funds, Fees & Disbursement Mechanics

• We charge a platform fee (a percentage of the donation) for hosting, maintenance, security, customer support, and operating costs.

• Additionally, payment processor / gateway fees (interchange, gateway cost, currency conversion, etc.) apply; these are often deducted before or during the transaction.

• The campaign creator receives net funds = Contributions – (platform fee + transaction fees).

• Disbursement schedules may involve delays (e.g. 3–7 business days), hold periods, or staged releases based on campaign size or risk.

• Some campaigns may require escrow or milestone-based releases especially for large amounts.

• Campaign creators must provide documentation or proof before subsequent disbursement in multi-stage campaigns.

• If a campaign is canceled or terminated by us for violation, we may refund donors (if funds remain) or take other actions as described in the Terms.

5. Trust, Security & Verification

• Every campaign passes through a vetting / review process before going live.

• Campaign creators must complete KYC / identity verification to earn a “Verified” badge.

• We monitor donations, account behavior, traffic anomalies, refunds, unusual patterns via automated and manual systems.

• In case of suspected fraud, we may freeze funds, suspend campaigns, request more documents, or cancel campaigns.

• Donors are encouraged to donate to campaigns with frequent updates, clear use-of-fund statements, and evidence of progress.

• We maintain logs, audit trails, and security protocols to protect user data and ensure traceability.

• Our policies, terms, trust & safety mechanisms all aim to deter abuse while preserving legitimate campaigns’ freedom.

6. Rules, Policies & User Responsibilities

• Users must comply with our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, Trust & Safety Policy, and any local laws.

• Campaigners must be honest, transparent, and fulfill their commitments.

• Donors must not abuse dispute mechanisms or make frivolous claims.

• No user is allowed to run prohibited content or campaigns (fraud, violence, hate speech, political campaigns if disallowed, gambling, etc.).

• Users must not attempt to manipulate campaign metrics, use fake accounts, multiple identities, or artificially inflate contributions.

• Users should report suspicious campaigns or behavior to anjorfoundation@gmail.com.

• Users are responsible for reading campaign descriptions carefully, asking doubts, and using discretion in donating.

7. Safety Tips & Best Practices

For Campaign Creators

• Use high-quality images and authentic media (receipts, documents).

• Start with smaller target goals and stretch goals.

• Share regular updates, transparent breakdowns, invoices, and progress photos.

• Engage with donors, respond to comments, and maintain trust.

• Promote through your personal networks, social media, local media.

• Use plain language, avoid overpromising, disclose risks, manage expectations.

• Keep backup records — bank statements, invoices, receipts.

• Avoid sharing sensitive identity documents publicly; use private upload through secure channels.

For Donors

• Choose campaigns with verification badges, frequent updates, detailed use-of-fund plans.

• Be cautious of campaigns with vague descriptions, zero updates, or very new profiles.

• Donate modest amounts initially if unsure, later scale up.

• Use secure payment methods and avoid sharing your sensitive banking info outside secure checkout.

• Check donor comments or feedback, previous campaign history (if repeat campaigner).

• Report suspicious campaigns or activities.

• Keep records of your donation receipts, emails, and transaction IDs.

8. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Who can start a campaign?
A: Any individual or organization (18+ and conforming to verification rules) can submit a proposal campaign subject to review and approval.

Q: Do I need paperwork for my campaign?
A: Yes — identity proof, address proof, bank account proof, and campaign documentation to support use of funds.

Q: When do I get paid?
A: After your campaign is approved, meets withdrawal conditions (verification, minimal threshold, no holds), you'll request disbursement and receive net funds within the processing schedule.

Q: Can I donate anonymously?
A: Yes, donors can choose anonymity. Your identity will not be disclosed publicly (or to campaigner, depending on settings) though internally we retain KYC info.

Q: What happens if a campaign fails to raise its goal?
A: Depending on campaign type (fixed goal or flexible goal), either donors are refunded (less non-recoverable fees) or campaign creator receives what’s raised. Details depend on campaign settings and our policy.

Q: Can I cancel a donation or get a refund?
A: Donations are typically final, except in exceptional cases (fraud, campaign termination). You may request a refund or file a dispute for investigation.

Q: What are the fees?
A: We charge a platform fee (percentage) plus payment processing / gateway fees. These are clearly disclosed before donation and deducted before disbursement.

Q: Can I run a political or religious campaign?
A: It depends on local laws and our platform policy. Some types may be restricted or prohibited; contact us for clarification at anjorfoundation@gmail.com

Q: How do I know the campaign is legitimate?
A: Look for verified badge, regular updates, transparency in fund usage, positive donor feedback, media evidence, receipts, and campaigner credibility.

Q: What if I’m unhappy with how funds were used?
A: You may file a dispute, request accountability from the campaigner, or request refund/partial refund depending on the outcome of investigation.

9. Contact & Support

If you need help at any stage — launching a campaign, verifying documents, donation issues, disputes, suspicious activity — our support team is ready to assist.

Email: anjorfoundation@gmail.com
Subject Suggestions: “How It Works Help”, “Campaign Setup Support”, “Donation Issue / Dispute”, “Verification Help”, “Report Suspicious Campaign”

Our team strives to respond within 1 to 3 business days. In urgent cases, highlight “Urgent” in subject.

10. Definitions & Interpretation

• Platform refers to AapkaSahyog.com and its infrastructure, features, APIs, services.

• Campaign / Project = a fundraising initiative created by a user.

• Campaign Creator / Organizer = user who initiates and manages a campaign.

• Donor / Contributor = user who contributes funds to a campaign.

• Contribution / Donation = the amount given by a donor to a campaign.

• Verification / KYC = identity, bank or document validation processes.

• Net Funds = amount after deduction of platform fee and transaction fees.

• Updates / Reports = posts, media, narrative updates from campaign creator to donors.

• Platform Fee = the fee charged by us to operate, maintain, and support the service.

• Payment Processor Fee = fees charged by banks or payment gateways for transaction processing.

• Disbursement = the process of sending funds from platform to campaigner’s bank or payment account.

• Trust & Safety = systems, policies, and teams working to ensure integrity and reduce abuse.