Guardian Fundraising Rewards Program

Official Terms

Effective Date: July 27, 2026

These Official Terms govern the Guardian Fundraising Rewards Program (“Program”) administered by Guardian Training, a California nonprofit public benefit corporation recognized as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, EIN 47-1846753 (“Guardian”).

By creating, operating, promoting, or participating in an eligible fundraising page connected to this Program, the fundraiser organizer agrees to these Official Terms.

1. Purpose of the Program

The Program encourages independent supporters to raise charitable contributions for Guardian and the charitable programs Guardian supports.

Program rewards are promotional incentives provided to eligible fundraiser organizers. Rewards are not offered to individual donors in exchange for their donations. Donors do not receive merchandise, prizes, tournament registration, reimbursements, gift cards, lodging, or other benefits from Guardian as a result of making a donation.

The Program is not a raffle, lottery, sweepstakes, contest of chance, or gambling activity. No winner is selected randomly. Every eligible participant who reaches a published fundraising milestone and satisfies all applicable requirements may claim the corresponding reward, subject to these Official Terms.

2. Eligibility

To receive a Program reward, a participant must:

  1. Be a legal resident of one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia;

  2. Be at least 18 years old;

  3. Create or manage an official fundraising page approved by Guardian;

  4. Comply with these Official Terms, the fundraising platform’s terms, and all applicable laws;

  5. Provide accurate identification, contact, payment, eligibility, and tax information when requested; and

  6. Remain in good standing with Guardian throughout the reward-verification and fulfillment process.

Individuals residing outside the 50 United States and the District of Columbia may create and share Guardian fundraising pages when permitted by the fundraising platform and applicable law, but they are not currently eligible to receive Program rewards.

A person under 18 may assist with a campaign only under the active supervision of a parent or legal guardian. The parent or legal guardian must be the official fundraiser organizer and reward recipient. Guardian will not issue cash-equivalent rewards or lodging reservations directly to a minor.

Guardian employees, officers, directors, and members of their immediate households are not eligible unless their participation is disclosed in advance and approved through Guardian’s applicable conflict-of-interest procedures.

The Program is void where prohibited or restricted by law.

3. Independent Participant Status

Participants are independent supporters of Guardian.

Participation does not create an employment, independent-contractor, agency, partnership, joint-venture, fiduciary, franchise, or authorized-representative relationship between the participant and Guardian.

Participants have no authority to:

  • Enter into agreements on Guardian’s behalf;

  • Make commitments or promises on Guardian’s behalf;

  • Incur expenses on Guardian’s behalf;

  • Collect or receive donations outside Guardian’s approved fundraising process;

  • Contact Guardian’s sponsors or partners as an official representative without written permission;

  • Promise donors particular tax treatment; or

  • Make representations that have not been approved by Guardian.

Participants may not represent themselves as employees, agents, professional fundraisers, authorized spokespeople, or legal representatives of Guardian.

Program rewards are fixed promotional incentives associated with published fundraising milestones. They are not percentage-based commissions calculated according to the amount raised.

Nothing in these Official Terms overrides any classification or legal requirement imposed by applicable law.

4. Qualifying Donations

Only verified donations credited to the participant’s approved fundraising page during the applicable Program period count toward reward milestones.

Qualifying totals will be determined using Guardian’s records and the fundraising platform’s records.

The following will not count toward reward milestones:

  • Refunded donations;

  • Reversed payments;

  • Disputed transactions;

  • Chargebacks;

  • Fraudulent or unauthorized donations;

  • Uncollectible transactions;

  • Donations Guardian or the platform determines are invalid;

  • Donations made by the fundraiser organizer to their own page; or

  • Transactions made through a payment method, account, card, or funding source owned or controlled by the fundraiser organizer.

Participants may not:

  • Make or arrange sham donations;

  • Reimburse another person for making a donation;

  • Promise a donor repayment or a personal benefit;

  • Misrepresent donation amounts or sources;

  • Use unauthorized payment methods;

  • Collect donations personally while claiming they were made through the approved fundraising page;

  • Divide or manipulate transactions to obtain rewards;

  • Create multiple campaigns to obtain duplicate rewards; or

  • Engage in conduct intended to manipulate campaign attribution or eligibility.

Guardian may request additional documentation and may delay or deny a reward while donations or eligibility are being verified.

5. Reward Milestones

Unless Guardian clearly states otherwise on the campaign page, rewards are cumulative.

The available reward milestones are:

  • $250 raised: One Guardian T-shirt;

  • $600 raised: Reimbursement of one eligible jiu-jitsu competition registration fee, up to $180;

  • $800 raised: One Guardian rashguard; and

  • $1,200 raised: Up to five consecutive nights of lodging at Guardian’s designated headquarters property in Peru.

An eligible participant who raises at least $1,200 may qualify for all four rewards, provided the participant separately satisfies the requirements for each reward.

Each participant may receive each milestone reward only once during the Program unless Guardian expressly approves otherwise in writing.

Reward qualification is based on verified donations credited to one approved fundraising page. Donations attributed to different participants or pages may not be combined unless Guardian provides written approval.

6. $250 Milestone — Guardian T-Shirt

An eligible participant who raises at least $250 in qualifying donations may receive one Guardian T-shirt.

Available sizes, styles, colors, designs, and inventory may vary. Guardian does not guarantee the availability of a specific size, style, color, or design.

The participant must provide a complete and accurate United States shipping address by Guardian’s stated deadline.

Guardian is not responsible for a reward that is lost, delayed, returned, or misdelivered because the participant supplied incomplete or inaccurate shipping information.

If the advertised shirt is unavailable, Guardian may substitute another Guardian item of reasonably comparable or greater retail value.

The T-shirt:

  • Is nontransferable;

  • May not be redeemed for cash;

  • May not be exchanged for another reward; and

  • May not be returned or exchanged except when Guardian determines that the item was defective or incorrectly fulfilled.

7. $600 Milestone — Competition Entry Reimbursement

An eligible participant who raises at least $600 in qualifying donations may receive reimbursement for the participant’s actual registration fee for one eligible jiu-jitsu competition.

The maximum reimbursement is $180.

This reward is a reimbursement of a verified registration expense. It is not an automatic $180 cash payment.

The reimbursement will equal the lesser of:

  1. The participant’s actual and verified competition registration fee; or

  2. $180.

Examples:

  • If the verified registration fee is $95, the reimbursement will not exceed $95.

  • If the verified registration fee is $180, the reimbursement will not exceed $180.

  • If the verified registration fee is $225, the reimbursement will not exceed $180.

Eligible expenses

The reimbursement applies only to the participant’s registration fee for an eligible jiu-jitsu competition.

It does not cover:

  • Airfare;

  • Ground transportation;

  • Lodging;

  • Meals;

  • Membership fees;

  • Coaching fees;

  • Spectator tickets;

  • Late fees;

  • Cancellation protection;

  • Uniforms or equipment;

  • Insurance;

  • Medical expenses;

  • Training expenses; or

  • Any other cost not included in the participant’s competition registration fee.

Required proof

The participant must submit documentation satisfactory to Guardian showing:

  1. The participant’s full legal name;

  2. The tournament or event name;

  3. The event date and location;

  4. The participant’s registration category or division, when applicable;

  5. The registration fee actually paid;

  6. The date payment was made; and

  7. Confirmation that the registration belongs to the participant claiming the reward.

Acceptable documentation may include:

  • An official paid receipt;

  • A registration confirmation;

  • An invoice marked paid; or

  • A transaction record issued by the tournament organizer or registration provider.

A bank or credit-card statement by itself may be insufficient if it does not identify the tournament, registered participant, and nature of the charge.

Guardian may contact the tournament organizer or registration provider to verify the documentation.

Guardian may deny altered, incomplete, unverifiable, misleading, or fraudulent documentation.

Eligible registration period

The registration fee must have been paid:

  • No more than 60 days before the participant reached the $600 milestone; or

  • No later than 12 months after the participant reached the $600 milestone.

The participant must submit the complete reimbursement request and supporting documentation within 60 days after paying the registration fee.

Guardian may deny late or incomplete claims.

Payment method

After Guardian approves the reimbursement request, Guardian may provide the approved amount:

  • Through Zelle to an eligible United States account held in the recipient’s legal name; or

  • As an Amazon.com eGift Card delivered to the recipient’s verified email address.

The recipient may indicate a preferred payment method, but Guardian may select or require another available method when reasonably necessary because of security, verification, banking, technical, fraud-prevention, or administrative requirements.

Guardian will not send a Zelle payment to a third party, coach, teammate, friend, family member, or account that cannot reasonably be verified as belonging to the eligible recipient.

An Amazon.com eGift Card issued as the reimbursement method will be provided only in the approved reimbursement amount. It may not be exchanged through Guardian for cash or transferred to another Program participant.

Guardian is not responsible for an eGift Card that is accessed, shared, transferred, lost, stolen, or redeemed after successful delivery to the recipient’s verified email address.

Refunds and duplicate reimbursements

A participant may not receive reimbursement from Guardian for an expense that has already been fully reimbursed by another person, nonprofit, business, sponsor, insurer, tournament organizer, or funding source.

If the participant later receives a tournament refund, charge reversal, credit, sponsorship payment, or other repayment for an amount already reimbursed by Guardian, the participant must notify Guardian and return the duplicated amount within 30 days.

Guardian may offset an unpaid duplicated amount against any future reward owed to the participant.

8. $800 Milestone — Guardian Rashguard

An eligible participant who raises at least $800 in qualifying donations may receive one Guardian rashguard.

Available sizes, styles, colors, designs, and inventory may vary. Guardian does not guarantee the availability of a specific design or size until fulfillment is confirmed.

If the advertised rashguard is unavailable, Guardian may substitute another Guardian product of reasonably comparable or greater retail value.

The participant must provide complete and accurate sizing and United States shipping information by Guardian’s stated deadline.

The rashguard:

  • Is nontransferable;

  • May not be redeemed for cash;

  • May not be exchanged for another reward; and

  • May not be returned or exchanged except when Guardian determines that the item was defective or incorrectly fulfilled.

9. $1,200 Milestone — Guardian Peru Lodging

An eligible participant who raises at least $1,200 in qualifying donations may receive up to five consecutive nights of lodging at Guardian’s designated headquarters property in Peru.

The lodging reward is for the eligible recipient. An additional guest may be permitted only with Guardian’s prior written approval and subject to property capacity, safety requirements, and applicable guest rules.

This reward includes lodging only.

It does not include:

  • Airfare;

  • Ground transportation;

  • Passport or visa expenses;

  • Travel or medical insurance;

  • Medical treatment;

  • Meals or beverages;

  • Tournament expenses;

  • Tours, activities, or excursions;

  • Personal spending;

  • Taxes or governmental fees;

  • Baggage fees;

  • Telephone expenses;

  • Damage deposits; or

  • Any other travel-related cost.

The participant is solely responsible for determining and satisfying all passport, visa, vaccination, health, entry, exit, insurance, and travel requirements.

The stay is subject to:

  1. Availability;

  2. Advance reservation;

  3. Blackout dates;

  4. Property capacity;

  5. Guardian’s guest, conduct, safety, and child-protection policies;

  6. Completion of any required lodging agreement, liability waiver, emergency-contact form, and assumption-of-risk documentation; and

  7. Compliance with Peruvian law and property rules.

The stay must be completed within 18 months after the participant reaches the $1,200 milestone unless Guardian approves an extension in writing.

Requested dates are not guaranteed.

The participant should not purchase airfare, reserve transportation, or make other nonrefundable travel arrangements until Guardian provides written confirmation of the lodging reservation.

Guardian is not responsible for airfare, transportation, reservations, or other expenses booked before Guardian provides written confirmation.

A participant under 18 may not redeem the stay independently and must be accompanied throughout the trip by a parent or legal guardian approved by Guardian.

The lodging reward:

  • Is nontransferable;

  • May not be sold or resold;

  • Has no cash value;

  • May not be exchanged for lodging at another property; and

  • May not be exchanged for a cash payment or travel reimbursement.

Guardian may reschedule or cancel a reservation when reasonably necessary because of:

  • Property damage;

  • Maintenance;

  • Safety concerns;

  • Government restrictions;

  • Natural disasters;

  • Civil unrest;

  • Public-health conditions;

  • Transportation disruptions;

  • Unavailability of the property;

  • Force majeure; or

  • Other circumstances beyond Guardian’s reasonable control.

If Guardian cancels an approved stay for one of these reasons, Guardian will make reasonable efforts to offer alternative available dates. Guardian will not be responsible for airfare, transportation, lost reservations, cancellation charges, or consequential expenses.

The participant and any approved guest are responsible for damage they cause to the property and may be required to provide payment information or a security deposit under a separate lodging agreement.

10. Reward Claims and Deadlines

Reaching a published fundraising milestone does not automatically complete fulfillment.

The participant must:

  1. Submit Guardian’s reward-claim form;

  2. Provide all requested documentation;

  3. Confirm identity and eligibility;

  4. Provide accurate shipping, email, payment, and reservation information;

  5. Complete any required tax documentation; and

  6. Claim the reward by the applicable deadline.

Except when a different deadline is stated for a specific reward, the participant must begin the claim process within 90 days after Guardian sends its first reward-eligibility notice.

Guardian may treat a reward as forfeited when the participant fails to respond to reasonable requests for information or does not complete the claim process within the applicable deadline.

Forfeiture of a reward does not affect the charitable nature or use of donations already made to Guardian.

11. Taxes and Tax Documentation

Rewards may constitute taxable income or have federal, state, local, or other tax consequences to the recipient.

Each recipient is solely responsible for determining and paying any tax arising from a reward.

Guardian does not represent or guarantee that a merchandise reward, reimbursement, Amazon.com eGift Card, lodging stay, or other benefit will be tax-free.

Guardian may require a recipient to provide:

  • A completed Form W-9;

  • A taxpayer-identification number;

  • Certification of United States status;

  • Proof of identity; or

  • Other documentation Guardian reasonably determines is necessary.

Guardian may report the amount or fair market value of rewards to federal or state tax authorities when Guardian determines that reporting is required.

Failure to provide requested tax documentation may result in delayed fulfillment, legally required withholding, or denial of a reward when Guardian cannot lawfully provide it.

Guardian does not provide tax advice. Recipients should consult their own qualified tax advisers.

12. Donations and Tax Deductibility

Donations are made to Guardian for Guardian’s charitable purposes.

The fundraiser organizer does not own, control, withdraw, or direct the donations except through any program-selection options expressly approved by Guardian.

Program rewards are provided to eligible fundraiser organizers. Rewards are not provided to individual donors in exchange for their donations.

Each donor is responsible for consulting a qualified tax adviser regarding the deductibility of a donation.

Participants may not promise or represent that:

  • A donation will be deductible in every circumstance;

  • A donor will receive a specific tax benefit;

  • Guardian will provide goods or services to the donor; or

  • A specific amount will be deductible based on the donor’s personal tax circumstances.

13. Campaign Communications

Participants must describe Guardian, the campaign, the use of funds, and the available rewards accurately.

Participants may not:

  • Make false or misleading claims;

  • Guarantee a particular charitable result;

  • Claim that donations are being made directly to the participant;

  • Suggest that the participant may personally withdraw donations;

  • Use Guardian’s name or branding in a misleading manner;

  • Contact sponsors or partners as Guardian representatives without written authorization;

  • Create unauthorized merchandise;

  • Make political endorsements on Guardian’s behalf; or

  • Use campaign funds or Guardian’s name for an unlawful purpose.

Guardian may require a participant to correct or remove campaign content that Guardian determines is inaccurate, misleading, unsafe, unauthorized, or inconsistent with Guardian’s mission.

14. Verification, Fraud, and Disqualification

Guardian may investigate suspected violations of these Official Terms.

Guardian may deny, suspend, revoke, or recover a reward when Guardian reasonably determines that a participant:

  • Submitted false or altered documentation;

  • Misrepresented identity, residency, age, donations, expenses, or eligibility;

  • Engaged in fraud, manipulation, harassment, misconduct, or illegal activity;

  • Violated Guardian’s safety or child-protection policies;

  • Violated the fundraising platform’s terms;

  • Made unauthorized representations on Guardian’s behalf;

  • Encouraged donors to expect goods or services in return for donating;

  • Received or attempted to receive duplicate reimbursement;

  • Created multiple pages to obtain duplicate rewards; or

  • Otherwise acted contrary to the purpose or integrity of the Program.

Guardian may require repayment or return of a reward obtained through fraud, material misrepresentation, or violation of these Official Terms.

15. Reward Availability and Substitution

Guardian will make reasonable efforts to fulfill rewards as described.

Merchandise styles, sizes, inventory, shipping providers, payment services, property availability, and third-party services may change.

Guardian may substitute a merchandise item with another item of reasonably comparable or greater retail value when the original item is unavailable.

Guardian will not replace the competition reimbursement with an amount greater than the participant’s verified expense or the $180 maximum.

Any material Program change will apply prospectively. Guardian will honor rewards properly earned under the terms in effect when the participant reached the applicable milestone, subject to:

  • Eligibility;

  • Verification;

  • Fraud prevention;

  • Legal restrictions;

  • Platform restrictions;

  • Safety concerns; and

  • Circumstances beyond Guardian’s reasonable control.

16. Third-Party Services

GoFundMe, Amazon, Zelle, tournament organizers, registration providers, airlines, transportation providers, insurers, and other third parties are independent from Guardian.

The Program is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Amazon, Zelle, GoFundMe, or any tournament organizer unless Guardian expressly states otherwise in writing.

Amazon and all related marks are trademarks of their respective owners. Zelle and all related marks are trademarks of their respective owners.

Guardian is not responsible for:

  • A third party’s acts, omissions, policies, fees, outages, cancellations, insolvency, or service failures;

  • Suspension or closure of a participant’s fundraising, banking, payment, or retail account;

  • A participant’s inability to use Zelle or an Amazon.com eGift Card;

  • Tournament cancellation, postponement, rule changes, disqualification, injury, or denial of registration;

  • Travel interruption, border restrictions, denied entry, illness, injury, or personal expenses;

  • Lost, stolen, compromised, incorrectly addressed, or redeemed gift-card credentials after successful delivery; or

  • A participant’s failure to comply with third-party terms.

Nothing in these Official Terms limits liability that cannot legally be limited.

17. Assumption of Risk

Jiu-jitsu competition and international travel involve inherent and potentially serious risks.

Participation in a competition is voluntary and is not required by Guardian.

Providing a competition registration reimbursement does not mean Guardian:

  • Organizes the competition;

  • Supervises the competition;

  • Controls the competition;

  • Sanctions the competition;

  • Provides medical clearance; or

  • Guarantees the safety of the competition.

The participant is responsible for determining whether the participant is physically and medically able to compete.

The participant should consult an appropriate medical professional when necessary and is responsible for obtaining any competition, medical, travel, or personal insurance the participant considers appropriate.

Any separate tournament, lodging, travel, guest, or property agreement required by Guardian is in addition to these Official Terms.

18. Program Modification or Termination

Guardian may modify, suspend, or end the Program prospectively by posting notice on the campaign page or Guardian’s website.

A modification or termination will not eliminate a reward properly earned before the effective date of the change except when fulfillment would be:

  • Illegal;

  • Impossible;

  • Unsafe;

  • Fraudulent;

  • Prohibited by a third-party platform; or

  • Prevented by circumstances beyond Guardian’s reasonable control.

Guardian may immediately suspend the Program while investigating fraud, security concerns, legal requirements, platform restrictions, or threats to participants, donors, Guardian, or the public.

19. Privacy

Guardian may collect information necessary to administer the Program, including a participant’s:

  • Name;

  • Address;

  • Email address;

  • Telephone number;

  • Tax information;

  • Tournament registration information;

  • Payment information;

  • Travel information; and

  • Identification documents.

Guardian may use and disclose this information as reasonably necessary to:

  • Verify eligibility;

  • Administer rewards;

  • Prevent fraud;

  • Complete payments;

  • Arrange lodging;

  • Satisfy legal or tax obligations; or

  • Protect Guardian, participants, donors, and the public.

Guardian will handle personal information in accordance with applicable law and Guardian’s published privacy practices.

20. Governing Law and Venue

These Official Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, without regard to conflict-of-law principles, except to the extent another jurisdiction’s nonwaivable laws apply.

Any legal proceeding arising from the Program must be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction located in San Mateo County, California, unless applicable law requires another venue.

21. Severability and No Waiver

If any provision of these Official Terms is held invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permitted and the remaining provisions will remain in effect.

Guardian’s failure to enforce a provision in one instance does not waive Guardian’s right to enforce that provision in another instance.

22. Entire Program Terms

These Official Terms, together with the campaign page, Guardian’s privacy notice, applicable reward-claim forms, and any separate lodging, guest, safety, or property agreements, constitute the terms governing the Program.

If a campaign summary conflicts with these Official Terms, these Official Terms control.

Guardian will not use this provision to withdraw a material reward that was clearly and unambiguously promised to a participant who properly earned it, except when fulfillment would be illegal, impossible, unsafe, fraudulent, or prohibited by a third-party platform.

23. Contact Information

Questions about the Program, eligibility, or reward fulfillment may be directed to:

Guardian Training
1151 Santa Cruz Avenue
Menlo Park, California 94025
Email: info@guardiangym.org
EIN: 47-1846753