Democracy Rising Collaborative is a fiscally sponsored project of Independence Initiative, Inc.
Effective Date: June 30, 2026
1. Introduction and Scope
Welcome to the Democracy Rising Collaborative website (the "Site"). Democracy Rising Collaborative is a fiscally sponsored project of Independence Initiative, Inc. Throughout this document, "we," "our," and "us" refer collectively to Democracy Rising Collaborative and Independence Initiative, Inc., as applicable. "You" and "your" refer to any individual or entity that accesses or interacts with the Site.
By navigating to, browsing, or otherwise making use of the Site, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to be bound by these Terms of Use along with our Privacy Policy. If these terms are unacceptable to you, please discontinue your use of the Site immediately.
2. Eligibility
You confirm that you are at least eighteen (18) years of age or have reached the age of legal majority in your jurisdiction, whichever is greater. You further confirm that you possess the legal authority and capacity to enter into a binding agreement under these Terms of Use.
3. Modifications
We retain the right to revise, amend, or supplement these Terms of Use at our discretion. When we make changes, we will update the Effective Date shown above. Your continued interaction with the Site after any such revision constitutes your acceptance of the updated terms. We encourage you to review this page periodically.
4. How the Site May and May Not Be Used
4.1 Permitted Uses
The Site exists to inform the public about the work and mission of Democracy Rising Collaborative and to facilitate civic engagement. You are welcome to access the Site for personal, noncommercial, and informational purposes consistent with these Terms of Use.
4.2 Prohibited Conduct
When using the Site, you agree that you will not:
(a) Engage in activity that disrupts, overburdens, or impairs the functionality, security, or infrastructure of the Site;
(b) Attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of the Site, its servers, or any connected systems or networks;
(c) Collect, harvest, or compile data about other users without their express permission;
(d) Transmit unsolicited bulk communications, chain messages, or promotional materials of any kind;
(e) Upload or distribute any software virus, malicious code, or other harmful technological component;
(f) Use the Site in furtherance of any unlawful, fraudulent, or deceptive activity;
(g) Reproduce, duplicate, sell, trade, or exploit any portion of the Site for commercial gain without our prior written authorization;
(h) Misrepresent your identity or affiliation with any person or organization;
(i) Take any action that could damage, tarnish, or otherwise negatively reflect upon the reputation of Democracy Rising Collaborative or Independence Initiative, Inc.; or
(j) Encourage or assist any third party in doing any of the foregoing.
5. Content Ownership and Limited License
5.1 Our Content
All text, graphics, images, logos, audio, video, data compilations, software, and other materials available on the Site ("Our Content") are the property of Democracy Rising Collaborative, Independence Initiative, Inc., or their respective licensors, and are protected under applicable intellectual property laws. We grant you a limited, revocable, non-transferable, and non-exclusive right to access and view Our Content solely for your personal and noncommercial use. This limited license does not permit you to modify, copy, distribute, transmit, display, perform, reproduce, publish, license, create derivative works from, or sell any of Our Content without our express written consent.
5.2 Trademarks
The name "Democracy Rising Collaborative," along with any logos, designs, or slogans associated with the Site, are proprietary identifiers belonging to us or our affiliates. No license or right to use any such marks is conferred by these Terms of Use, and unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.
5.3 Materials You Submit
If you submit, post, or transmit any content to or through the Site—including but not limited to text, comments, suggestions, feedback, or other materials ("Your Submissions")—you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable, and fully sublicensable right to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, distribute, and display Your Submissions in any medium and for any purpose related to our mission and operations. You represent and warrant that you own or have all necessary rights to provide Your Submissions and to grant this license, and that Your Submissions do not infringe upon or violate the rights of any third party.
6. External Links and Third-Party Resources
The Site may contain hyperlinks to websites or resources operated by third parties. These links are provided as a convenience and do not signify our endorsement of, or responsibility for, the content, products, services, or practices of any third-party site. We have no control over these external destinations and accept no liability for any harm or loss arising from your interaction with them. We recommend that you review the terms and privacy practices of any third-party site before engaging with it.
7. Copyright Complaints
We respect the intellectual property rights of others. If you believe that any material on the Site infringes upon a copyright you hold, you may submit a notification in accordance with the Digital Millennium Copyright Act ("DMCA"), 17 U.S.C. § 512(c)(3). Your notice should be directed to:
Democracy Rising Collaborative [601 Pennsylvania Ave NW South Building, Ste 900 Washington, DC 20004] Email: info@democracyrisingcollaborative.org
Your DMCA notification must include: (a) a description of the copyrighted work you believe has been infringed; (b) identification of the allegedly infringing material and its location on the Site; (c) your contact information; (d) a statement of your good-faith belief that the use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; (e) a statement, made under penalty of perjury, that the information in the notification is accurate and that you are the copyright owner or are authorized to act on the owner's behalf; and (f) your physical or electronic signature.
8. Donations and Financial Transactions
Certain areas of the Site may allow you to make financial contributions or other transactions. Any such transactions are processed through third-party payment services, and you acknowledge that applicable processing fees may apply. All donations and contributions are subject to the policies of Independence Initiative, Inc. as fiscal sponsor. You represent that you are authorized to use any payment method you provide and that all information you supply in connection with a transaction is accurate and complete.
9. Privacy
Your use of the Site is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, and protect your personal information. By using the Site, you consent to the practices outlined in that policy.
10. Disclaimer of Warranties
THE SITE AND ALL CONTENT, MATERIALS, INFORMATION, AND SERVICES AVAILABLE THROUGH IT ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" BASIS. TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT ALLOWED BY APPLICABLE LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED, OR STATUTORY, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE DO NOT WARRANT THAT THE SITE WILL OPERATE WITHOUT INTERRUPTION OR ERROR, THAT DEFECTS WILL BE CORRECTED, OR THAT THE SITE OR ITS SERVERS ARE FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. YOUR RELIANCE ON ANY INFORMATION OR MATERIALS ON THE SITE IS ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN RISK.
11. Limitation of Liability
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, NEITHER DEMOCRACY RISING COLLABORATIVE NOR INDEPENDENCE INITIATIVE, INC., NOR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, VOLUNTEERS, AGENTS, OR AFFILIATES SHALL BE LIABLE FOR ANY INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES—INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO LOSS OF DATA, REVENUE, PROFITS, OR GOODWILL—ARISING OUT OF OR CONNECTED TO YOUR USE OF OR INABILITY TO USE THE SITE, REGARDLESS OF THE LEGAL THEORY AND EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. IN ALL EVENTS, OUR TOTAL AGGREGATE LIABILITY TO YOU FOR ANY AND ALL CLAIMS RELATED TO THE SITE SHALL NOT EXCEED ONE HUNDRED U.S. DOLLARS ($100.00).
12. Indemnification
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Democracy Rising Collaborative, Independence Initiative, Inc., and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, volunteers, agents, and affiliates from and against any claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses, costs, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from or related to: (a) your access to or use of the Site; (b) Your Submissions; (c) your breach of any provision of these Terms of Use; or (d) your violation of any applicable law or regulation or the rights of any third party. This obligation survives the termination of these Terms of Use.
13. Governing Law and Dispute Resolution
These Terms of Use are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the District of Columbia, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. You consent to the exclusive jurisdiction and venue of the courts located in the District of Columbia for the resolution of any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms of Use or your use of the Site. You further agree that any claim or cause of action related to the Site must be filed within one (1) year of the date the claim arose, or it will be permanently barred.
14. No Professional Advice
Nothing on the Site constitutes legal, financial, tax, or other professional counsel. The information presented is for general awareness only and should not be treated as a substitute for individualized guidance from a qualified professional. You should consult an appropriate advisor before acting on any information obtained from the Site.
15. Termination
We may suspend or revoke your access to the Site at any time, with or without cause, and without prior notice or liability. Upon termination, all rights and licenses granted to you under these Terms of Use will cease immediately. The provisions of these Terms of Use that by their nature should survive termination—including but not limited to Sections 5, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 16—shall remain in full force and effect.
16. General Provisions
Entire Agreement. These Terms of Use, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the complete understanding between you and us with respect to the Site and supersede all prior agreements, communications, and understandings regarding the same subject matter.
Severability. If any provision of these Terms of Use is found by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable, that provision will be enforced to the maximum extent permissible, and the remaining provisions will continue in full force and effect.
No Waiver. Our failure to enforce any right or provision of these Terms of Use at any time does not constitute a waiver of that right or provision or of any other right or provision.
Assignment. You may not assign or transfer any of your rights or obligations under these Terms of Use without our prior written consent. We may freely assign or delegate our rights and obligations under these Terms of Use.
Contact. Questions or concerns regarding these Terms of Use may be directed to:
Democracy Rising Collaborative [601 Pennsylvania Ave NW South Building, Ste 900 Washington, DC 20004] Email: info@democracyrisingcollaborative.org
© 2026 Democracy Rising Collaborative is a fiscally sponsored project of Independence Initiative, Inc. All rights reserved.