Terms & Conditions

GiveShield is a business-to-business facilitation platform that connects corporate donors with SARS-approved Public Benefit Organisations ("PBOs") and automates the issuance of Section 18A tax receipts and related invoicing.

GiveShield does not hold, receive, or process donor funds.All donations are paid directly by the donor to the PBO's own bank account by EFT. GiveShield is not a payment processor, bank, financial services provider, or a party to the donation itself.

Invoices and Section 18A receipts issued through the platform are issued in the name of the relevant PBO, under a written authority granted by that PBO to GiveShield during onboarding (the "Service Agreement"). GiveShield acts solely as the PBO's administrative agent for this purpose and is not the issuer of the receipt.

The PBO remains solely responsible for the accuracy of its PBO number, Section 18A approval, banking details, and for its compliance with the Income Tax Act and SARS requirements, including its bi-annual IT3(d) third-party data submission.

You must register an account and complete verification ("KYC") before transacting. You agree to provide accurate, current, and complete information, including proof that your organisation is legitimate and that you are an authorised representative. We may approve, decline, suspend, or revoke any account at our discretion where information is incomplete, inaccurate, or cannot be verified.

Donors must be verified before donating; PBOs must be verified and approved before being listed to donors. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your login credentials and for all activity under your account.

A donor selects a listed PBO and an amount; GiveShield generates an invoice bearing the PBO's banking details and a unique payment reference, valid for 7 days. The donor pays the PBO directly by EFT and uploads proof of payment. Once the payment is verified and the PBO confirms receipt of the funds, the donor's Section 18A receipt is issued.

Proof-of-payment documents may be assessed using automated tools and, where necessary, human review. Verification is not a guarantee that funds have cleared or that a payment is genuine; the PBO's confirmation of receipt is the operative confirmation for the donor certificate.

GiveShield charges the PBO a service fee of 5% of each verified donation. The fee is a cost to the PBO only and is invoiced separately by GiveShield, payable by EFT to GiveShield. The PBO's file copy of the Section 18A receipt is released once the fee is settled and confirmed. The service fee is not disclosed to donors and does not form part of any invoice or receipt issued to a donor.

You agree not to: (a) provide false, misleading, or fraudulent information or documents; (b) upload proof of payment for a payment that was not genuinely made; (c) attempt to access data or accounts that are not your own; (d) probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of the platform, or breach any security or authentication measure; (e) use the platform for money laundering, tax evasion, or any unlawful purpose. Breach may result in immediate suspension and referral to the relevant authorities.

GiveShield does not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. Whether a donation qualifies for a deduction under Section 18A, and the treatment of any receipt, is a matter between the donor, the PBO, and SARS. You are responsible for obtaining your own professional advice.

To the maximum extent permitted by law, GiveShield is not liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential loss, or for any loss arising from: donor funds paid to an incorrect or fraudulent account; a PBO's loss of Section 18A status; the rejection of a deduction by SARS; the accuracy of information supplied by a donor or PBO; or any failure, delay, or error of a third party (including banks and email providers). The platform is provided "as is" without warranties of any kind. Nothing in these Terms limits liability that cannot be limited by law.

You indemnify GiveShield against any claim, loss, or expense arising from your breach of these Terms, your provision of inaccurate information, or your unlawful use of the platform.

We may suspend or terminate access at any time for breach, suspected fraud, or legal requirement. You may close your account at any time; records we are required to retain (including issued receipts and their supporting data) will be retained as required by law.

Any dispute arising from these Terms or the Service Agreement will, failing amicable resolution, be referred to arbitration administered by the Arbitration Foundation of Southern Africa (AFSA) in accordance with its rules. These Terms are governed by the laws of the Republic of South Africa.

We may update these Terms; material changes will be notified. Continued use after a change constitutes acceptance. Questions: legal@giveshield.org.