LightEmUp, Inc. | Legal Terms

Effective Date: July 1, 2026

Who are we:

LightEmUp, Inc. (“LightEmUp” or “we”)

EIN: 47-3477646 Website: lightemup.org

Contact: info@lightemup.org

Mailing Address: 2 Seaview Blvd, Suite 300, Port Washington, NY 11050

Terms of Use

1. Acceptance of These Terms 

By accessing or using the Site or any feature we offer (including the newsletter, scholarship voting, quizzes, and any content submissions from you we receive or display), you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, you may not use this Site or any of its features.

2. Who the Site Is For (Age + Youth Safety)

The Site is intended for people age 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are under 13: do not submit any information to us (including email signups, mobile phone number signups, votes, quiz entries tied to contact info, or media). If you are 13-17: you may use the Site, but you should have permission from a parent/guardian and you must follow our safety rules. We may remove content or restrict access if we believe a user is under 13 or if content creates a safety risk.

3. Changes to the Site or Terms

We may update the Site and these Terms from time to time. When we do, we will update the Effective Date above. Your continued use after changes means you accept the updated Terms.

4. Our Mission + What We Are

Purpose: LightEmUp exists as an informational tool and platform to inspire and support youth-led kindness and humanitarian action. We share ideas, stories, and opportunities. We are not responsible for how any person executes a project idea or challenge. We do not supervise events, meetups, or projects that users choose to do and are not responsible for activities you or any other user may elect to engage in.
No professional advice: Content on the Site is informational only and is not medical, mental health, legal, or financial advice. If you choose to act on an idea, you are responsible for planning safely, getting required permissions, and following laws, school/venue rules, and platform rules.
Communications (Email and Text): If you choose to share your email address and/or mobile phone number and opt in, we may send you newsletters, updates, and other messages. Text messages may be sent using automated technology. Consent to receive texts is not a condition of donating, voting, applying, or using the Site. Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency varies. You can opt out of texts at any time by replying STOP (or email us at info@lightemup.org). For help, reply HELP or contact us. If you are 13-17, you represent you have permission from a parent/guardian to opt into texts.

5. Community Safety Rules

(Applies to Sparks, Votes, and Any Submissions). You agree you will not submit, post, or send any content that includes personal information that could identify or locate a minor (for example: last names, school names, physical addresses, exact locations, license plates, schedules). There is zero tolerance for bullying, hateful, sexually explicit, exploitative, threatening, or encouragement of self-harm, violence, sexual content involving minors. There is zero tolerance for content or rhetoric that infringes someone else’s rights (copyright, trademark, privacy, publicity) or includes content you do not have permission to share or is deceptive (fraud, impersonation, vote manipulation, botting, bribery, coercion). By using the Site, you agree to comply with our Community Guidelines in Part C of these Terms (as may be updated from time to time).

6. Sparks

A “Spark” is any content submitted by you to LightEmUp, including any story, link, post, media, or submission about a kindness or impact action. Sparks may appear on our Site and may also be evaluated for program ideas. We are not required to display or publish any Spark and can delete it at any time for any reason. If you submit a Spark, you understand and agree that we can make it public on our Site, community feed and social media platforms. Your email address and mobile phone number (if collected) are used for integrity, safety, and follow-up and are not displayed publicly. Sparks are treated as final once submitted, however, you can request removal (see Section 13). We are not responsible for copies that other people save or repost, or for third-party caches. 

7. Public vs Private Content

Because Spark content is intended to public by design and may be viewable by anyone who visits the Site or our channels. Please do not include sensitive information, especially about minors. Public content can be screenshot, reposted, or cached by third parties even if removed later. Please be cautious of using any social media handle in a Spark that can identify you. If you are under 18, you should not use a handle that includes your full name, school, or location.

8. License You Grant Us for Sparks

You can submit a Spark by uploading a file, sending us photos/videos, or otherwise providing  content to LightEmUp (including by email, direct message, file transfer, or any submission tool we offer). Upon submission, grant LightEmUp a non-exclusive, worldwide, perpetual, irrevocable, royalty-free, sublicensable license to use, reproduce, host, store, publish, translate, display, perform, distribute, edit, modify, create derivative works from, and otherwise exploit that content in the Spark, in whole or in part, in any media now known or later developed, for any lawful purpose. You represent and warrant that you have all rights and permissions needed to grant this license, including permissions from any people appearing in the Spark. If any person in the content is under 18, you have written permission from their parent/guardian (and you can provide it to us upon request). We may remove, crop, add captions, blur, edit, or adapt content for safety and format. To the extent allowed by law, you waive ‘moral rights’ or similar rights you may have in the Spark, and you agree not to assert them against us. If you do not want LightEmUp to have these rights, do not send or submit the Spark or any other content.

9. Social Media Hashtags, Tags, and Links

We may invite people to share Sparks by (a) providing a link to their own public social post, or (b) tagging/mentioning LightEmUp or using our campaign hashtags on social media. If you submit a Spark via a link, you represent that the linked content is public and that you have the right to share the link with us for review and potential use. If you tag us or use our campaign hashtag in connection with an impact post, you agree that we may repost and use that content consistent with the license in Section 7 and the rules of the platform where you posted it. We may ask for additional consent before featuring content in certain channels (press, paid ads, large campaigns).

10. Scholarship Voting – Advisory Only

If we offer public voting, it is intended as a community signal and is advisory only. Final scholarship or funding decisions may also consider eligibility, verification, safety, judging criteria, and other factors. We may use third-party tools to host voting. Voting requires an email address and a mobile phone number (collected by our voting provider, e.g., Outgrow) to reduce fraud and support vote integrity. Your email address and mobile phone number are not added to our newsletter or text list unless you separately opt in . Voting is limited to one vote per verified identity per voting period (one vote per unique email and mobile number combination). Voting periods are typically 7 days, but we may vary the window and will disclose the dates on the voting page. We can remove votes, disqualify entries, pause voting, or change the process if we suspect manipulation, harassment, or security issues. Scholarships and funding programs will have separate Official Rules that control when there is any conflict with these Terms.

11. Quizzes and Recommendations

Our quiz may ask about interests and skills to suggest project ideas. Quiz results are informational only. You are responsible for deciding what to do (or not do) with the suggestions. If we offer an “email my results” or “text my results” option, we may require you to provide both an email address and a mobile phone number to deliver results and to protect integrity. This is separate from newsletter sign-up.
No guarantee: We do not guarantee results, outcomes, scholarships, participation, safety, or impact.
No duty: We are not responsible for execution of any project idea or for third-party actions. We may update quiz logic at any time.

12. Donations (Embedded GoFundMe Pro)

Donations may be offered through an embedded GoFundMe Pro donation tool (a third-party platform) and its payment processors. Payment information is processed by GoFundMe Pro and its payment partners. LightEmUp does not store your full payment card number. If you donate, your donation is also subject to GoFundMe Pro’s terms and privacy practices. Donations are generally non-refundable except as required by law or as permitted by the third-party platform. Recurring gifts can be cancelled anytime using your GoFundMe Pro management link (if provided) or by contacting us at info@lightemup.org for help locating it. If required by the donation flow, you must confirm you are 18+ (or have parent/guardian permission) to make a donation. Your donation may be used to support our programming and mission, including, for example, to fund scholarships and seed funding , safety, moderation, and fraud prevention of our site,  and basic operating costs (technology, supplies, compliance, and administration).
New York disclosure (if you are donating from New York): A copy of our latest annual financial report may be obtained from LightEmUp, Inc., 2 Seaview Blvd, Suite 300, Port Washington, NY 11050, or from the New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau at charitiesnys.com or by calling (212) 416-8686.

13. Intellectual Property + DMCA

The Site and its original content (logos, text, designs, graphics, and software) are owned by LightEmUp or our licensors and are protected by intellectual property laws.
DMCA Notice: If you believe content on the Site infringes your copyright, please send a notice to: Email: info@lightemup.org with the Subject: DMCA Notice )Mail: LightEmUp, Inc., Attn: DMCA, 2 Seaview Blvd, Suite 300, Port Washington, NY 11050. If you believe your content was removed by mistake, you may submit a counter-notice as allowed by law. Your DMCA notice must include: (a) identification of the copyrighted work; (b) the URL or location of the allegedly infringing material; (c) your contact information; (d) a statement of good-faith belief that use is not authorized; (e) a statement under penalty of perjury that the information is accurate and you are authorized; and (f) your physical or electronic signature. We may remove content and, in appropriate cases, restrict repeat infringers.

14. Removal Requests (Sparks or Other Content)

To request removal of a Spark or any other content you submit that appears on our Site, email us with the subject line ‘Content Removal Request’ and include enough information for us to locate the content (link, screenshot, and your contact details). We will make reasonable efforts to honor removal requests. Removal may take time and copies may remain temporarily in backups, logs, or third-party caches. We are not responsible for copies saved or reposted by other users or third parties.

15. Shop, Amazon Store, Affiliate Links, and Third-Party Purchases

LightEmUp may feature curated products, sustainable brands, and social-impact projects through a shop page and/or an Amazon Storefront (the “Shop”). LightEmUp does not sell products directly and does not process payments. Any purchase is completed on a third-party platform and is governed by that third party’s terms and policies. Pricing, availability, taxes, shipping, returns, refunds, warranties, customer service, and payment processing are handled by the third-party platform or merchant. LightEmUp is not responsible for and disclaims liability relating to any purchase, product, delivery, or dispute.
Affiliate Disclosure. Some Shop links are affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link and make a purchase, LightEmUp may receive a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosures will be displayed where required, including the Amazon Associates disclosure below. Amazon Associates Disclosure. As an Amazon Associate, LightEmUp earns from qualifying purchases.
No Endorsement or Guarantee. We aim to curate mission-aligned options, but we do not guarantee third-party claims, certifications, sustainability or impact outcomes, quality, availability, or results. You are responsible for evaluating products and merchants before purchasing.

16. Partner Events and Third-Party Event Listings

LightEmUp may post or share event listings from partners, community groups, sponsors, or other third parties (“Partner Events”). Partner Events may be hosted, operated, supervised, or ticketed by third parties. Unless explicitly stated in writing, LightEmUp is not the organizer or operator of Partner Events and is not responsible for event operations, safety supervision, attendance, cancellations, refunds, venue conditions, accessibility, or third-party conduct. Your attendance or participation in any Partner Event is at your own risk. If you RSVP, register, donate, or purchase tickets through a third-party link, that transaction is between you and the third party and is governed by their terms and privacy practices. You understand that attending in-person events involves risks (including travel, crowds, weather, venue hazards, and third-party actions). You agree to use good judgment, follow host rules, comply with age requirements, and follow applicable law.

17. Prohibited Uses

You agree not to use the Site for unlawful purposes, attempt to disrupt, scrape, or reverse-engineer the Site, bypass security,  Submit malware or attempt unauthorized access, use automated means (bots) to vote, spam, or manipulate engagement.

18. Third-Party Links and Services

The Site may link to or embed third-party services (including GoFundMe Pro, social platforms, analytics, email tools, and voting providers). We do not control those services and are not responsible for their content, privacy practices, or availability.

19. Disclaimers: 

THE SITE IS PROVIDED ‘AS IS’ AND ‘AS AVAILABLE.’ TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, LIGHTEMUP DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. WE CAN CHANGE OR CEASE PROVIDING THE SITE AND/OR ANY FEATURE OF IT AT ANY TIME WITHOUT NOTICE TO YOU. USE OF THIS SITE OR ANY OF ITS FEATURES (INDLUDING ANY THIRD-PARTY LINKS) IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK. LIGHTEMUP DOES NOT PROMISE OR GUARANTEE ANY PARTICULLAR RESULTS OR OUTCOME FROM YOUR USE OF THE SITE OR ANY OF ITS FEATURE. USE OF SERVICE PROVIDER AND THIRD-PARTY PARTNER FEATURES ARE SUBJECT TO THE ADDITIONAL TERMS AND POLICIES OF SUCH SERVICE PROVIDER OR THIRD-PARTY PARTNER.

20. Limitation of Liability

TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW, LIGHTEMUP WILL NOT BE LIABLE FOR INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, OR ANY LOSS OF PROFITS, DATA, OR GOODWILL, ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO YOUR USE OF THE SITE OR ANY CONTENT OR SUBMISSIONS. IF LIGHTEMUP IS FOUND LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, OUR TOTAL LIABILITY WILL NOT EXCEED $100 USD.

21. Indemnification

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless LightEmUp and its directors, officers, employees, and agents from any claims, damages, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of your use of the Site, your Sparks or other submissions, or your violation of these Terms.

22. Governing Law and Venue

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of New York, without regard to conflict of laws rules. Any dispute will be brought in the state or federal courts located in New York County, New York, unless applicable law requires otherwise.

23. Contact

Questions about these Terms can be sent to info@lightemup.org.