STEWARD INSTITUTE WEBSITE TERMS, OFFICIAL SWEEPSTAKES RULES, AND PRIVACY POLICY

These policies apply to www.stewardinstitute.org, its related webpages, donation and checkout pages, sweepstakes pages, account features, forms, communications, and other online services operated by Steward Institute, Inc.

This page contains three separate sections:

1. Official Rules for the Vegas Experience Sweepstakes

2. Website Terms of Use

3. Privacy Policy

The Official Sweepstakes Rules govern participation in the Vegas Experience Sweepstakes. The Terms of Use govern use of the Steward Institute website and services. The Privacy Policy explains how Steward Institute collects, uses, stores, and discloses information.
 

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OFFICIAL RULES: VEGAS EXPERIENCE SWEEPSTAKES

IMPORTANT NOTICE

NO PURCHASE, PAYMENT, OR CONTRIBUTION IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN.
 

A purchase or contribution will not give any individual entry greater weight or a better chance of selection than an entry obtained through the free Alternate Method of Entry.
 

Eligible participants may obtain up to the maximum number of entries without making a purchase or contribution.
 

VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW.
 

1. Sponsor

The Vegas Experience Sweepstakes, referred to in these Official Rules as the “Sweepstakes,” is sponsored, organized, and administered by:
 

Steward Institute, Inc.
P.O. Box 662
Fremont, North Carolina 27830
stewardinstitute.team@gmail.com
(919) 222-8997
 

Steward Institute, Inc. is referred to as the “Sponsor.”
 

The Sweepstakes is intended to support public awareness of and engagement with the Sponsor’s charitable and educational mission. Participation does not create a membership, ownership, employment, agency, or beneficiary relationship with the Sponsor.
 

2. Eligibility

The Sweepstakes is open only to legal residents of the forty-eight contiguous United States who:

• Are at least eighteen years old at the time of entry;

• Have reached the age of legal majority in their state of residence;

• Maintain a valid residential address within an eligible state; and

• Comply fully with these Official Rules.
   

Residents of Alaska, Hawaii, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, United States territories, possessions, military installations outside the eligible states, and jurisdictions where the Sweepstakes is prohibited are not eligible.
 

Employees, officers, directors, board members, agents, representatives, and contractors of the Sponsor are not eligible. Employees and representatives of organizations directly involved in developing, advertising, administering, processing, judging, or fulfilling the Sweepstakes are also not eligible.
 

Immediate family members and household members of an ineligible person are not eligible. “Immediate family members” include spouses, parents, stepparents, children, stepchildren, siblings, stepsiblings, and their spouses, regardless of where they live. “Household members” include people who share the same residence for at least three months during a calendar year.
 

Eligibility is subject to verification. The Sponsor may require proof of identity, age, residency, and compliance before awarding the prize.
 

Participation constitutes the entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to these Official Rules and to the Sponsor’s reasonable decisions regarding administration of the Sweepstakes.
 

3. Sweepstakes Period

The Sweepstakes begins at: 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time on July 23, 2026
 

The Sweepstakes ends at: 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on September 20, 2026

The period between these dates is referred to as the “Sweepstakes Period.”
 

The Sponsor’s website, order records, entry database, and designated computer systems will serve as the official timekeeping systems.
 

Entries submitted or received outside the applicable deadlines are void.
 

4. Ways to Enter

Entrants may participate through an eligible transaction or through the free Alternate Method of Entry.
 

Regardless of the method used:

• Every valid entry has equal weight;

• The maximum entry limit applies;

• A purchase or contribution is not required;

• Free entrants may obtain the maximum number of entries;

• The number of entries held determines the entrant’s overall odds; and

• The method used to obtain an entry does not affect that entry’s chance of being selected.
   

A. Entry-Bearing Products and Support Contributions

During the Sweepstakes Period, eligible participants may receive entries through qualifying:

• Support contributions;

• Entry-bearing merchandise;

• Promotional products;

• Participation packages; or

• Other eligible items clearly identified on the official Sweepstakes website.
   

The number of entries associated with an eligible item or contribution will be displayed before checkout. The displayed entry amount becomes part of these Official Rules.
 

Only completed and successfully processed transactions qualify. Transactions that are declined, canceled, disputed, refunded, reversed, charged back, determined to be fraudulent, or otherwise not completed may not generate entries. Entries previously associated with such transactions may be removed.
 

Ordinary merchandise purchases are not charitable contributions. A support contribution connected with entries, merchandise, services, benefits, or other value may not be fully tax-deductible. The Sponsor does not provide personal tax advice. Participants should consult a qualified tax professional regarding deductibility.
 

The Sponsor will not retroactively reduce valid entries already awarded. The Sponsor may correct clerical, technical, programming, or display errors when reasonably necessary to protect the integrity of the Sweepstakes.
 

B. Free Alternate Method of Entry

Participants may enter without making a purchase, payment, or contribution through the Alternate Method of Entry, referred to as the “AMOE.”
 

To use the AMOE:

No Donation Alternate Method of Entry: To obtain 250 entries in an applicable Sweepstakes without making a donation, during the applicable Sweepstakes Entry Period: (a) go to the Site; (b) once you land on the Site, select the Sweepstakes that you would like to enter; (c) click on the link provided to enter without donating; (d) complete the registration information requested, including your name, valid email address, phone number, and address; (e) open email and follow instructions to print out physical copy of registration information; and (f) sign & mail copy in a stamped, hand-addressed postage pre-paid envelope to: Steward Institute, Inc.P.O. Box 662 Fremont, NC 27830, ATTN: [Insert title of applicable Sweepstakes]. Limit of one (1) entry request per separately mailed outer envelope. To be eligible, envelopes must be postmarked during the applicable Sweepstakes Entry Period and must be received by Sponsor within five (5) business days thereafter. Envelopes must be hand printed by the Entrant only and each request must be mailed individually. Any bulk shipments of entries will not be processed or entered into the Sweepstakes. Sponsor is not responsible for lost, late, misdirected, inaccurate, incomplete, or postage due entries.

Mail the envelope with sufficient postage to:

Vegas Experience Sweepstakes—AMOE
Steward Institute, Inc.
P.O. Box 662
Fremont, NC 27830

 

Entrants should mail AMOE submissions early enough to allow for postal delivery. The Sponsor is not responsible for mail that is late, lost, damaged, incomplete, postage-due, illegible, misdirected, or not received.
 

Photocopied signatures, duplicated forms, altered confirmation numbers, automated submissions, mechanically generated requests, bulk submissions, and submissions sent by commercial entry services are void.
 

Ordinary postage is the entrant’s responsibility.
 

A participant may submit multiple valid AMOE requests, subject to the overall entry limit. Because each valid AMOE request receives 250 entries, a participant may reach the 20,000-entry maximum through eighty valid AMOE requests.
 

5. Entry Limit

Each eligible participant may receive no more than: 20,000 total entries
 

This limit applies to all entry methods combined.

Once a participant reaches 20,000 valid entries, additional purchases, contributions, orders, carts, AMOE requests, or other activities will not generate additional entries.
 

Participants may not avoid the limit by using:

• Multiple names or identities;

• Aliases;

• Multiple accounts;

• Multiple mailing addresses;

• Multiple email addresses;

• Multiple telephone numbers;

• Another person’s information;

• Automated systems;

• Bots;

• Scripts;

• Entry services; or

• Fraudulent, misleading, or deceptive methods.
   

Entries reasonably determined to belong to the same person may be combined. The Sponsor may request additional information to verify identity and entry totals.
 

The Sponsor may void entries and disqualify a participant when it reasonably determines that the participant attempted to manipulate, abuse, or circumvent the rules or entry system.
 

6. Prize

One verified Grand Prize winner will receive a Las Vegas travel package for the winner and one guest.
 

The Grand Prize is expected to include:

• Round-trip economy airfare for two people to Las Vegas, Nevada, from a major commercial airport selected by the Sponsor near the winner’s residence;

• Three nights of standard hotel accommodations in one room, based on double occupancy;

• Two admission tickets to a Las Vegas attraction or experience selected by the Sponsor, anticipated to be Meow Wolf’s Omega Mart or a comparable attraction; and

• A cash stipend of $1,500.
   

Total Approximate Retail Value: $5,000
 

The actual value may vary depending on the winner’s location, travel dates, airfare, hotel rates, and attraction availability. The winner will not receive the difference if the actual value is below the stated approximate retail value.
 

The Sponsor will not require the winner to pay a fee to claim the prize.
 

7. Prize and Travel Conditions

The winner and guest must:

• Travel together on the same itinerary;

• Travel on dates approved by the Sponsor;

• Complete travel within twelve months after winner verification, unless the Sponsor approves another period;

• Provide requested booking information by the Sponsor’s deadlines;

• Possess valid government-issued identification;

• Meet all airline, hotel, venue, security, and transportation requirements; and

• Sign any reasonably required travel, eligibility, liability, or publicity documents.
   

The guest must be at least eighteen years old unless the guest is the winner’s minor child or legal dependent and the Sponsor approves the arrangement. When the guest is a minor, the winner must be the guest’s parent or legal guardian and must sign all required documents.
 

The winner may be required to provide at least forty-five days of advance notice for requested travel dates.
 

Travel is subject to:

• Availability;

• Airline schedules;

• Hotel availability;

• Attraction availability;

• Blackout dates;

• Weather;

• holidays;

• Peak travel restrictions;

• Venue closures;

• Governmental restrictions;

• Health and safety requirements; and

• Other conditions beyond the Sponsor’s reasonable control.
   

The Sponsor will determine the final airline, airport, hotel, room type, attraction, travel dates, vendors, and itinerary.
 

The prize does not include costs that are not expressly listed. The winner and guest are responsible for expenses such as:

• Ground transportation;

• Airport parking;

• Checked baggage fees;

• Seat upgrades;

• Meals and beverages;

• Resort fees not covered by the Sponsor;

• Hotel incidentals;

• Security deposits;

• Room service;

• Gratuities;

• Travel insurance;

• Medical expenses;

• Personal purchases;

• Attractions not included in the itinerary; and

• Federal, state, and local taxes.
   

A valid credit or debit card may be required by the hotel for incidentals.

The prize may not be sold, assigned, transferred, or redeemed for cash, except for the included cash stipend.
 

The Sponsor may substitute a prize component with a substantially similar component of equal or greater value if the original component becomes unavailable.
 

If the winner cannot travel during an available and approved period, fails to provide required information, fails to comply with travel requirements, or fails to complete travel within the required timeframe, the prize may be forfeited.
 

If an event, attraction, flight, hotel stay, or other component is delayed, canceled, or materially changed for reasons beyond the Sponsor’s control, the Sponsor may substitute or modify that component as reasonably necessary. No additional compensation is guaranteed.
 

8. Winner Selection

A potential winner is scheduled to be selected on: September 23, 2026
 

The potential winner will be selected in a random drawing from all eligible entries received and validated by the Sponsor.
 

The drawing may be conducted by the Sponsor or by a qualified independent administrator or technology provider acting on the Sponsor’s behalf.
 

Odds of winning depend on the total number of eligible entries received.
 

Holding the maximum number of entries does not guarantee that a participant will win.
 

9. Winner Notification and Verification

The Sponsor expects to contact the potential winner using the email address or telephone number provided with the selected entry.
 

The potential winner will be required to respond within seventy-two hours after the Sponsor’s first notification attempt.
 

The potential winner may also be required to complete, sign, notarize, and return documents such as:

• An affidavit or declaration of eligibility;

• A liability release;

• A publicity release;

• A guest release;

• A travel release;

• IRS Form W-9;

• Proof of identity;

• Proof of age;

• Proof of eligible residency; and

• Other documents reasonably required for prize administration.
   

Unless another deadline is provided, requested documents must be returned within five calendar days.
 

The potential winner is not the official winner until eligibility has been verified and all required documents have been accepted by the Sponsor.
 

The Sponsor may disqualify a potential winner and select an alternate if the potential winner:

• Cannot be contacted;

• Does not respond by the stated deadline;

• Provides false or incomplete information;

• Is not eligible;

• Refuses the prize;

• Does not return required documents;

• Cannot comply with travel requirements;

• Violates these Official Rules; or

• Is otherwise unable to accept the prize.
   

The Sponsor may attempt to select one or more alternate winners from the remaining eligible entries.
 

The Sponsor anticipates publicly announcing the winner on or after September 23, 2026. The announcement may be delayed until verification is completed.
 

10. Taxes

The winner is solely responsible for federal, state, local, and other taxes related to the prize.
 

The Sponsor may report the prize to the Internal Revenue Service and other tax authorities and may issue an IRS Form 1099 or other required tax document.
 

The potential winner may be required to provide a valid taxpayer identification number through a secure verification method before the prize is awarded.
 

The Sponsor does not provide tax, financial, or legal advice.
 

11. Publicity

Except where prohibited by law, acceptance of the prize gives the Sponsor permission to use the winner’s:

• Name;

• Likeness;

• Photograph;

• Voice;

• Statements;

• City and state;

• Biographical information; and

• Images or recordings relating to the prize experience for reasonable advertising, promotional, educational, fundraising, and publicity purposes in any media, worldwide, without additional compensation.
   

This permission does not require the winner to provide an endorsement or make a false or misleading statement.
 

The Sponsor may request a separate written publicity release where appropriate.
 

12. General Conditions

The Sponsor may disqualify a person who:

• Violates these Official Rules;

• Tampers with the entry or drawing process;

• Interferes with the website or entry database;

• Engages in fraud, manipulation, harassment, threats, or disruptive conduct;

• Provides false information;

• Attempts to obtain entries through unauthorized methods;

• Uses automated or deceptive systems;

• Attempts to damage the Sponsor’s website or systems; or

• Acts in a way that threatens the integrity or lawful operation of the Sweepstakes.
   

The Sponsor may investigate suspected violations and may preserve or disclose relevant records as permitted by law.
 

The Sponsor may suspend, modify, postpone, or terminate the Sweepstakes if fraud, malware, unauthorized intervention, technical failure, natural disaster, governmental action, public emergency, force majeure, or another event beyond the Sponsor’s reasonable control materially affects the integrity, security, fairness, or operation of the Sweepstakes.
 

If the Sweepstakes is terminated early, the Sponsor may select a winner from eligible entries received before the affected date, provided doing so is lawful, fair, and practical.
 

The Sponsor will not change the rules in a way that retroactively removes valid entries or unfairly disadvantages entrants.
 

13. Release and Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent allowed by law, each entrant agrees to release and hold harmless the Sponsor and its directors, officers, board members, employees, agents, contractors, representatives, affiliates, successors, prize suppliers, travel providers, advertising providers, technology providers, and administrators from claims arising from:

• Participation in the Sweepstakes;

• Submission or processing of an entry;

• Acceptance, possession, use, or misuse of the prize;

• Travel connected with the prize;

• Personal injury;

• Property loss or damage;

• Delay or cancellation;

• Lost or misdirected entries;

• Technical or communications failures;

• Website interruptions;

• Unauthorized intervention;

• Printing or programming errors; or

• Acts or omissions of independent third-party travel and service providers.
   

Nothing in these Official Rules excludes liability that cannot legally be excluded or waived.

If an error causes more prize claims than the stated number of prizes, the Sponsor may conduct a random drawing among all eligible claimants to award the stated prize.
 

14. Technical Failures

The Sponsor is not responsible for:

• Lost, late, incomplete, inaccurate, corrupted, delayed, or misdirected entries;

• Email delivery failures;

• Postal delays;

• Internet outages;

• Website downtime;

• Checkout failures;

• Payment-processing failures;

• Database errors;

• Network or telecommunications failures;

• Device incompatibility;

• Spam filtering;

• Incorrect contact information supplied by an entrant;

• Unauthorized human intervention;

• Malware, bots, or cyberattacks; or

• Events outside the Sponsor’s reasonable control.
   

The Sponsor will make reasonable efforts to correct verified errors that materially affect valid participation.
 

15. Disputes and Governing Law

The Sweepstakes and these Official Rules are governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina, without regard to conflict-of-law rules.
 

Before filing a legal claim, an entrant must send the Sponsor a written description of the dispute and allow thirty days for the parties to attempt an informal resolution.
 

Unless prohibited by law, disputes arising from the Sweepstakes must be brought individually and not as part of a purported class, collective, consolidated, or representative action.
 

Any legal proceeding must be filed in an appropriate North Carolina state court serving the county in which the Sponsor maintains its principal office, or in the federal court serving that location.
 

Nothing in this section prevents either party from seeking temporary or emergency injunctive relief when necessary to prevent immediate harm.
 

16. Privacy

Information collected through the Sweepstakes will be handled according to the Privacy Policy contained in Part III of this page.
 

Information may be used to:

• Process and validate entries;

• Detect fraud and duplicate participation;

• Contact potential winners;

• Confirm eligibility;

• Fulfill and document the prize;

• Meet tax and legal obligations;

• Respond to inquiries;

• Maintain Sweepstakes records; and

• Send marketing communications when the entrant separately consents or when otherwise permitted by law.
   

Entrants should not submit Social Security numbers, financial account credentials, passport information, or other sensitive documents through a general entry form. The Sponsor will request sensitive winner-verification information only after contacting a potential winner through official channels.
 

17. Social Media Disclaimer

The Sweepstakes may be advertised through Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, X, or other social platforms.
 

Unless expressly stated otherwise, the Sweepstakes is not sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with any social media platform.
 

Entrants release applicable social media platforms from claims arising directly from administration of the Sweepstakes, to the extent permitted by law.
 

Questions, comments, and complaints about the Sweepstakes should be directed to Steward Institute rather than a social media platform.
 

18. Winner Information

After the winner has been verified, the Sponsor may publish the winner’s first name, last initial, city, and state on the Sponsor’s website or social media channels.
 

A person may request available winner information by contacting:

stewardinstitute.team@gmail.com

Requests must be received within sixty days after the winner is verified.
 

19. Sponsor Contact

Questions about the Sweepstakes may be directed to:

Steward Institute, Inc.
P.O. Box 662
Fremont, North Carolina 27830
stewardinstitute.team@gmail.com
(919) 222-8997
 

WEBSITE TERMS OF USE

1. Acceptance of the Terms

These Terms of Use are a legal agreement between you and Steward Institute, Inc., referred to as “Steward Institute,” “Sponsor,” “we,” “our,” or “us.”
 

They govern your access to and use of:

• www.stewardinstitute.org;

• Related webpages and subdomains;

• Donation and checkout pages;

• Online forms;

• Account features;

• Sweepstakes pages;

• Educational materials;

• Research and initiative pages;

• Volunteer and community-engagement features;

• Merchandise and other products;

• Email and text-message programs; and

• Other services controlled by Steward Institute.
   

These features are collectively called the “Website.”
 

By accessing or using the Website, creating an account, submitting information, making a donation or purchase, entering a sweepstakes, or clicking an acceptance box, you agree to these Terms.
 

Do not use the Website if you do not agree.
 

2. Eligibility and Minors

You must be at least thirteen years old to use the Website independently.
 

People under eighteen should use the Website only with the involvement and permission of a parent or legal guardian.
 

Sweepstakes, purchases, donations, volunteer activities, events, and other features may have higher age requirements. The applicable rules or forms will control.
 

The Website is not directed toward children under thirteen. We do not knowingly request personal information directly from children under thirteen.
 

3. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms when our services, technology, operations, or legal obligations change.
 

The updated version will be posted with a revised “Last Updated” date.
 

Changes will apply prospectively unless applicable law permits another result. Changes to these general Terms will not retroactively alter valid entries in an active sweepstakes.
 

Your continued use of the Website after updated Terms become effective constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.
 

4. Steward Institute’s Mission and Information

Steward Institute is a nonprofit organization that supports charitable, educational, scientific, cultural, environmental, civic, and community-centered work.
 

Website materials may discuss subjects such as:

• Education;

• Research;

• Human health;

• Mycology;

• Ecosystem restoration;

• Conservation;

• Military and veteran affairs;

• Charitable assistance;

• Civic systems;

• Community development; and

• Creative and cultural initiatives.
   

Website information is provided for general educational and informational purposes. It is not a substitute for professional legal, medical, mental-health, scientific, financial, tax, engineering, environmental, or safety advice.
 

You should consult an appropriately qualified professional before acting on information when professional guidance is needed.
 

We do not guarantee that research, pilot projects, environmental work, educational programs, or supported initiatives will achieve a particular result.
 

5. Accounts

Some features may allow or require you to create an account.
 

You agree to:

• Provide accurate and current information;

• Update information when it changes;

• Protect your password and login credentials;

• Use only your own account;

• Notify us if you suspect unauthorized access; and

• Accept responsibility for activity occurring through your account.
   

You may not sell, transfer, share, or provide your account credentials to another person.
 

We may suspend, restrict, or terminate an account when we reasonably believe that:

• Information is false or incomplete;

• The account is being misused;

• Security is threatened;

• Fraud has occurred;

• The account violates these Terms; or

• Suspension is necessary to protect the Website, users, or Steward Institute.
   

We are not required to preserve information associated with a terminated account except where required by law.
 

6. Donations and Contributions

Donations and support contributions help fund Steward Institute’s mission and programs.
 

Unless otherwise stated:

• Donations are voluntary;

• Donations are generally final and nonrefundable;

• Designations or preferences expressed by a donor are not legally binding unless we expressly agree in writing;

• We retain discretion to use unrestricted donations where they are most needed to advance our charitable mission; and

• Donations may be processed by third-party payment providers.
   

If a stated project becomes impractical, completed, overfunded, discontinued, or materially changed, we may redirect unrestricted funds and, where legally permitted, restricted funds to a substantially similar charitable purpose.
 

We do not guarantee that every donation is tax-deductible. Tax deductibility depends on the organization’s tax status, the donor’s circumstances, applicable law, and whether the donor receives goods, services, entries, benefits, or other value.
 

We may provide an acknowledgment or disclosure when required. Donors remain responsible for maintaining records and seeking tax advice.
 

A payment made for merchandise is not a charitable contribution.
 

A payment associated with sweepstakes entries should not automatically be treated as fully tax-deductible.
 

7. Purchases and Merchandise

The Website may offer merchandise, event access, educational products, or other items.

Product descriptions, prices, estimated delivery information, entry values, and availability may change before purchase.
 

We may:

• Limit quantities;

• Reject or cancel fraudulent orders;

• Correct pricing or description errors;

• Substitute packaging where reasonable;

• Discontinue products; and

• Contact you regarding fulfillment issues.
   

Any return, refund, cancellation, shipping, or fulfillment terms displayed on the applicable product or checkout page are incorporated into these Terms.
 

Shipping and delivery dates are estimates unless expressly guaranteed.
 

Title and risk of loss for physical products may pass to the purchaser when the item is transferred to the shipping carrier, to the extent permitted by law.
 

You are responsible for providing a complete and accurate shipping address. Additional shipping charges may apply when an order must be resent because incorrect information was provided.
 

8. Payments

Payments may be handled through Wix or other third-party payment processors.
 

By submitting payment information, you represent that:

• You are authorized to use the selected payment method;

• The information is accurate;

• The payment is not fraudulent; and

• You authorize the stated charge.
   

Third-party payment providers may impose separate terms and privacy practices.
 

We generally do not receive or store complete payment-card numbers when a transaction is processed directly by a payment provider.
 

You agree to contact us first when you believe a transaction was processed incorrectly. This does not limit any legal rights you may have with your financial institution.
 

Fraudulent payments, unauthorized chargebacks, and misuse of payment systems may result in cancellation, account restrictions, removal of sweepstakes entries, collection activity, or legal action.
 

9. Sweepstakes and Promotions

Sweepstakes, giveaways, contests, and promotions are governed by their applicable Official Rules.

The Vegas Experience Sweepstakes is governed by Part I of this page.
 

When promotion-specific rules conflict with these general Terms, the promotion-specific Official Rules control matters relating to that promotion.
 

No purchase, payment, or contribution is required to participate in a sweepstakes unless the activity is legally structured as something other than a sweepstakes and is clearly described as such.
 

10. Events, Travel, Volunteering, and Field Activities

Steward Institute may organize, support, promote, document, or participate in:

• Events;

• Educational programs;

• Research activities;

• Environmental restoration;

• Volunteer activities;

• Community projects;

• Trips;

• Workshops;

• Demonstrations;

• Installations; and

• Field activities.
   

These activities may involve risks that are different from ordinary Website use.
 

Participants may be required to sign separate:

• Releases;

• Assumption-of-risk forms;

• Medical authorizations;

• Photography releases;

• Volunteer agreements;

• Safety acknowledgments; or

• Event-specific terms.
   

Those documents will supplement these Terms.
 

Users must follow all reasonable safety instructions and applicable laws. Participation may be denied or ended when a person creates a safety risk, disrupts an activity, or violates applicable requirements.
 

11. User Submissions

The Website may allow you to submit information, comments, images, videos, testimonials, stories, applications, messages, ideas, or other content.
 

You retain ownership of content you lawfully own.
 

By voluntarily submitting content for publication, promotion, program participation, or community sharing, you grant Steward Institute a nonexclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to store, reproduce, format, display, publish, distribute, and use the content for the purpose for which it was submitted and for related organizational communications.
 

This license does not give us ownership of your content.
 

You represent that:

• You own or control the necessary rights;

• The submission is accurate;

• The submission does not violate another person’s rights;

• Required permissions have been obtained;

• The submission is not unlawful, threatening, defamatory, fraudulent, or harmful; and

• The submission does not contain malicious code.
   

Do not submit confidential, privileged, medical, financial, or highly sensitive information unless we specifically request it through an appropriate process.
 

We may remove or decline to publish a submission for any lawful reason.
 

12. Acceptable Use

You may use the Website only for lawful purposes.

You may not:

• Violate a law, regulation, court order, or third-party right;

• Impersonate another person or organization;

• Misrepresent your identity or affiliation;

• Commit fraud;

• Submit false sweepstakes entries;

• Access another user’s account;

• Harass, threaten, stalk, exploit, or harm another person;

• Upload malware, viruses, worms, spyware, or destructive code;

• Interfere with Website security or operation;

• Attempt to gain unauthorized access to systems or data;

• Circumvent entry limits or technical controls;

• Scrape or collect substantial Website content without permission;

• Use bots or automated systems to submit forms or entries;

• Reverse engineer Website software except where the law expressly permits it;

• Copy, reproduce, or commercially exploit Website content without permission;

• Use Website content to train an artificial-intelligence model without written permission;

• Falsely imply that Steward Institute endorses a product, person, campaign, or organization;

• Use the Website to distribute unlawful, defamatory, infringing, obscene, or deceptive material; or

• Help another person engage in prohibited conduct.
   

We may investigate suspected violations and cooperate with lawful requests from courts, regulators, and law-enforcement agencies.
 

13. Intellectual Property

The Website and its original materials, including text, graphics, photographs, videos, logos, designs, educational materials, software, data arrangements, trademarks, and other content, are owned by or licensed to Steward Institute.
 

They are protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual-property laws.
 

We grant you a limited, revocable, nonexclusive, nontransferable license to access and use publicly available Website materials for personal and noncommercial purposes.
 

You may not, without written permission:

• Reproduce substantial portions of the Website;

• Sell or commercially distribute Website materials;

• Remove ownership notices;

• Create misleading derivative materials;

• Frame or mirror the Website;

• Use our names or logos in a way that suggests endorsement;

• Register confusingly similar domain names or social-media accounts; or

• Use Website content for artificial-intelligence training, dataset creation, or commercial model development.
   

Reasonable sharing of direct Website links and brief quotations for commentary, education, or news reporting may be permitted by applicable law.
 

14. Third-Party Links and Services

The Website may link to third-party websites, payment providers, social platforms, research sources, travel providers, charities, vendors, or other services.
 

We do not control third-party services and are not responsible for their:

• Content;

• Availability;

• Security;

• Privacy practices;

• Products;

• Statements;

• Pricing; or

• Conduct.
   

A link does not necessarily mean that Steward Institute endorses the third party.

Use of a third-party service is governed by that party’s own terms and policies.
 

15. Email and Electronic Communications

By providing an email address, you agree that we may send communications related to:

• Your account;

• Donations;

• Orders;

• Sweepstakes entries;

• Winner notifications;

• Volunteer inquiries;

• Program participation;

• Security;

• Policy changes; and

• Other transactions you request.
   

We may send newsletters, fundraising communications, educational updates, and promotional messages when you consent or when otherwise permitted by law.
 

You may unsubscribe from marketing emails through the unsubscribe link. You may still receive nonmarketing messages required to administer a transaction, entry, account, donation, or legal obligation.
 

16. Text-Message Terms

When you voluntarily provide a mobile number and opt in to receive text messages, you agree to receive recurring SMS or MMS messages from Steward Institute.
 

Messages may include:

• Entry confirmations;

• Winner communications;

• Donation or order updates;

• Event information;

• Account notices;

• Educational updates;

• Fundraising messages; and

• Promotional communications.
   

Consent to receive marketing messages is not a condition of purchase, donation, or sweepstakes participation.
 

Message frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply.
 

You may opt out by replying STOP. You may request assistance by replying HELP or contacting stewardinstitute.team@gmail.com.
 

After opting out, you may receive one confirmation message.
 

Wireless carriers are not responsible for delayed or undelivered messages.
 

You are responsible for providing an accurate mobile number and notifying us if the number changes or is reassigned.
 

We may change the number, short code, or sender identification used for the program when permitted by law.
 

17. Website Availability

We may modify, suspend, discontinue, restrict, or replace Website features.
 

We do not guarantee that the Website will always be available, secure, error-free, or compatible with every device.
 

Maintenance, hosting failures, cyberattacks, power outages, software errors, third-party failures, and events outside our control may interrupt availability.
 

18. Disclaimer of Warranties

To the fullest extent allowed by law, the Website is provided “as is” and “as available.”

Steward Institute disclaims express and implied warranties, including warranties of:

• Merchantability;

• Fitness for a particular purpose;

• Accuracy;

• Completeness;

• Noninfringement;

• Security;

• Availability;

• Reliability; and

• Uninterrupted operation.
   

We do not promise that Website materials are free from errors, malware, harmful code, or omissions.
 

Nothing in these Terms limits warranties or rights that cannot legally be disclaimed.
 

19. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent allowed by law, Steward Institute and its directors, officers, employees, board members, agents, contractors, volunteers, affiliates, and service providers will not be liable for indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, punitive, or consequential damages arising from Website use.
 

This includes lost profits, lost data, lost opportunities, business interruption, reputational harm, or damage caused by third-party conduct.
 

To the fullest extent permitted by law, our total liability arising from Website use will not exceed the greater of:

• The amount you paid directly to Steward Institute for the specific transaction giving rise to the claim during the six months before the claim; or

• One hundred dollars.
   

This limitation does not apply to liability that cannot legally be limited, including liability resulting from conduct for which a waiver is prohibited by law.
 

Separate prize limitations are addressed in the Official Sweepstakes Rules.
 

20. Indemnification

To the fullest extent permitted by law, you agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Steward Institute and its directors, officers, employees, board members, agents, contractors, volunteers, affiliates, successors, and service providers from claims, losses, liabilities, penalties, expenses, and reasonable legal fees resulting from:

• Your unlawful use of the Website;

• Your violation of these Terms;

• Your fraud or willful misconduct;

• Your infringement of another person’s rights;

• Content you submit; or

• Activity conducted through your account.
   

We may control the defense of a covered claim and select counsel. You agree to reasonably cooperate.
 

21. Suspension and Termination

We may suspend or terminate Website access when reasonably necessary to:

• Enforce these Terms;

• Prevent fraud;

• Protect users;

• Protect Website systems;

• Respond to legal requirements;

• Address harmful conduct; or

• Maintain program integrity.
   

Sections that should reasonably survive termination—including intellectual property, disclaimers, liability limitations, indemnification, dispute provisions, and privacy obligations—will remain effective.
 

22. Governing Law and Disputes

These Terms are governed by North Carolina law, without regard to conflict-of-law rules.

Before filing a legal claim, you agree to provide written notice describing the dispute and allow thirty days for informal resolution.
 

Unless prohibited by law, claims must be brought individually rather than through a purported class, collective, consolidated, or representative proceeding.
 

Legal proceedings must be filed in an appropriate North Carolina court serving the location of Steward Institute’s principal office or the federal court serving that location.
 

Nothing prevents a party from seeking temporary injunctive relief when necessary to prevent immediate harm.
 

23. General Provisions

Entire Agreement
 

These Terms, the applicable Official Rules, the Privacy Policy, checkout terms, and any written activity-specific agreement form the agreement governing your use of the relevant service.
 

Order of Control

For Sweepstakes matters, the Official Rules control. For personal-information practices, the Privacy Policy controls. For general Website use, these Terms control.
 

Severability

If one provision is found invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to the fullest extent possible.
 

No Waiver

Failure to enforce a provision does not waive the right to enforce it later.
 

Assignment

You may not transfer your rights or obligations without written permission.
 

Steward Institute may assign these Terms as part of a lawful merger, reorganization, transfer of operations, or similar transaction.
 

Force Majeure

We are not responsible for delays or failures caused by events beyond our reasonable control, including severe weather, natural disasters, public emergencies, governmental actions, labor disruptions, utility failures, cyberattacks, epidemics, transportation interruptions, or third-party service failures.
 

Electronic Agreement

Clicking an acceptance box, submitting a form, creating an account, completing checkout, or otherwise indicating consent may have the same legal effect as a handwritten signature.
 

Headings

Headings are provided for convenience and do not alter the meaning of a provision.
 

Contact

Questions about these Terms may be sent to:

Steward Institute, Inc.
P.O. Box 662
Fremont, North Carolina 27830
stewardinstitute.team@gmail.com
(919) 222-8997
 

PRIVACY POLICY

1. Scope

This Privacy Policy explains how Steward Institute collects, uses, discloses, and protects personal information through:

• The Website;

• Donation and checkout pages;

• Sweepstakes;

• Account features;

• Online forms;

• Email and text-message programs;

• Volunteer and program applications;

• Events;

• Surveys;

• Social-media interactions; and

• Other services that link to this Policy.
   

This Policy does not control independent third-party websites or services.
 

2. Information We Collect

The information we collect depends on how you interact with us.
 

A. Information You Provide

We may collect:

• Name;

• Email address;

• Telephone number;

• Mailing address;

• Shipping address;

• Billing address;

• Date of birth or age confirmation;

• Account username and password;

• Donation information;

• Order history;

• Sweepstakes entry information;

• AMOE confirmation information;

• Volunteer interests;

• Event registrations;

• Program applications;

• Survey responses;

• Messages and inquiries;

• Photographs, videos, testimonials, and stories;

• Communication preferences; and

• Other information you voluntarily provide.
   

B. Payment Information

Payments are generally processed through Wix or another third-party payment provider.

The payment provider may collect:

• Payment-card details;

• Bank information;

• Billing information;

• Fraud-prevention information; and

• Transaction authentication data.
   

Steward Institute generally receives transaction records and limited payment information rather than complete payment-card numbers.
 

C. Sweepstakes Winner Information

If you are selected as a potential winner, we may collect additional information needed to verify eligibility and fulfill the prize, including:

• Government-issued identification;

• Proof of residence;

• Signed affidavits and releases;

• Taxpayer information;

• Travel preferences;

• Guest information; and

• Other legally required documentation.
   

Sensitive winner information should be provided only through the method specifically identified by Steward Institute after official winner contact.
 

D. Information Collected Automatically

When you use the Website, we or our service providers may automatically collect:

• IP address;

• Browser type;

• Device type;

• Operating system;

• Approximate location derived from IP address;

• Referring website;

• Pages viewed;

• Links clicked;

• Date and time of access;

• Session information;

• Cookie identifiers;

• Advertising identifiers;

• Checkout activity;

• Website interactions; and

• Error and diagnostic data.
   

E. Information From Other Sources

We may receive information from:

• Wix;

• Payment processors;

• Shipping and fulfillment providers;

• Email and SMS providers;

• Social-media platforms;

• Analytics providers;

• Advertising partners;

• Sweepstakes administrators;

• Fraud-prevention providers;

• Event partners;

• Public records; and

• People authorized to provide information on your behalf.
   

3. How We Use Information

We may use personal information to:

• Operate and improve the Website;

• Create and manage accounts;

• Process donations;

• Process and ship orders;

• Administer sweepstakes;

• Calculate and validate entries;

• Enforce entry limits;

• Detect duplicate or fraudulent participation;

• Contact potential winners;

• Verify eligibility;

• Arrange travel and prize fulfillment;

• Meet tax and reporting obligations;

• Respond to questions;

• Process volunteer and program applications;

• Organize events and activities;

• Provide educational information;

• Communicate about our mission and initiatives;

• Send newsletters and fundraising communications;

• Send marketing messages when permitted;

• Measure Website engagement;

• Understand supporter interests;

• Maintain security;

• Prevent fraud and abuse;

• Enforce our policies;

• Comply with legal obligations; and

• Establish, exercise, or defend legal claims.
   

4. How We Disclose Information

We may disclose information to the following categories of recipients.
 

A. Service Providers

We may use providers that assist with:

• Website hosting;

• Wix functionality;

• Payment processing;

• Email delivery;

• SMS messaging;

• Database management;

• Cloud storage;

• Customer support;

• Shipping;

• Order fulfillment;

• Analytics;

• Advertising;

• Fraud prevention;

• Sweepstakes administration;

• Winner verification;

• Tax reporting;

• Travel booking;

• Event management; and

• Professional services.
   

These providers receive information needed to perform services for us.
 

B. Prize and Travel Providers

Winner information may be disclosed to airlines, hotels, attractions, travel agencies, insurers, tax professionals, or other providers involved in fulfilling the prize.
 

C. Legal and Safety Disclosures

We may disclose information when reasonably necessary to:

• Comply with a law, subpoena, court order, or governmental request;

• Investigate fraud;

• Protect the Website;

• Enforce our agreements;

• Protect the rights, safety, or property of Steward Institute or others;

• Respond to an emergency; or

• Establish or defend a legal claim.
   

D. Organizational Transactions

Information may be transferred as part of a lawful merger, restructuring, reorganization, asset transfer, partnership transition, or similar organizational event.
 

E. With Your Direction or Consent

We may disclose information when you request or authorize the disclosure.
 

5. Selling and Sharing Personal Information

Steward Institute does not sell personal information in exchange for monetary payment.
 

We may use analytics, social-media, or advertising tools that disclose limited online identifiers and Website activity to third parties.
 

Some state laws may define certain targeted-advertising or cross-context advertising disclosures as a “sale” or “sharing,” even when no money is exchanged.
 

Where applicable, you may request to opt out by contacting us or using available cookie controls.

We do not knowingly sell or share the personal information of children under sixteen for targeted advertising.
 

6. Cookies and Similar Technologies

The Website may use cookies, pixels, tags, local storage, and similar technologies.

These technologies may be used to:

• Keep the Website functioning;

• Remember preferences;

• Maintain sessions;

• Process checkout;

• Prevent fraud;

• Measure traffic;

• Understand Website use;

• Improve performance; and

• Support communications or advertising.
   

Some cookies are necessary for Website operation. Others may be controlled through a cookie banner, browser settings, or similar tools when available.
 

Blocking cookies may affect Website functionality.
 

The Website may not respond to every browser “Do Not Track” signal because no single industry standard applies to all such signals.
 

7. Analytics and Advertising

We may use Wix analytics and other analytics or advertising services.
 

Depending on Website configuration, these services may collect device identifiers, IP addresses, browsing activity, referral information, and interactions with advertisements or pages.
 

We may use this information to understand Website performance, measure campaign effectiveness, and reach people who may be interested in our mission.
 

Third-party platforms process information according to their own privacy policies.
 

8. Email Choices

You may unsubscribe from marketing emails by using the unsubscribe link included in the message.
 

Unsubscribing from marketing does not prevent us from sending:

• Receipts;

• Order information;

• Entry confirmations;

• Winner communications;

• Security notices;

• Account messages;

• Responses to your requests; or

• Other nonmarketing communications.
   

9. Text-Message Choices

You may opt out of marketing text messages by replying STOP.
 

For assistance, reply HELP or contact stewardinstitute.team@gmail.com.
 

Message and data rates may apply. Message frequency may vary.
 

Consent to marketing text messages is not required to make a purchase, make a donation, or participate in a sweepstakes.
 

10. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to:

• Provide requested services;

• Maintain donation and transaction records;

• Administer sweepstakes;

• Resolve disputes;

• Detect fraud;

• Maintain security;

• Enforce agreements;

• Meet tax, accounting, reporting, and legal obligations; and

• Advance legitimate nonprofit operations.

Different categories of information may be retained for different periods.

We may retain deidentified or aggregated information that no longer reasonably identifies an individual.
 

11. Information Security

We use reasonable administrative, organizational, and technical measures intended to protect personal information.
 

However, no website, database, transmission method, or storage system is completely secure.
 

You are responsible for:

• Using a strong password;

• Protecting account credentials;

• Avoiding unsecure networks;

• Confirming that communications are actually from Steward Institute; and

• Not sending sensitive information through ordinary email unless specifically instructed.
   

We will never require a winner to pay a fee or provide payment-card credentials to claim a Sweepstakes prize.
 

12. Children’s Privacy

The Website is not directed toward children under thirteen.

We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under thirteen without legally required parental consent.
 

If we learn that we collected such information improperly, we may delete it.
 

A parent or guardian who believes a child provided personal information may contact us at stewardinstitute.team@gmail.com.
 

13. Your Privacy Choices and Rights

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have the right to request that we:

• Confirm whether we process your personal information;

• Provide access to certain information;

• Correct inaccurate information;

• Delete certain information;

• Provide a portable copy of certain information;

• Restrict certain processing;

• Opt you out of targeted advertising;

• Withdraw consent; or

• Review a decision regarding a privacy request.
   

These rights may be subject to exceptions. For example, we may retain information needed to comply with tax laws, maintain transaction records, prevent fraud, administer a completed Sweepstakes, or defend legal claims.
 

To submit a request, contact:

stewardinstitute.team@gmail.com
 

Include enough information for us to understand and verify the request. We may ask for additional verification.
 

An authorized agent may submit a request where permitted by law, but we may require proof of authorization and identity.
 

We will not unlawfully discriminate against you for exercising an applicable privacy right.
 

14. Correcting Sweepstakes Information

Entrants are responsible for providing accurate information.
 

A request to correct contact information will not permit:

• Transfer of entries to another person;

• Creation of a new identity;

• Circumvention of entry limits;

• Retroactive creation of entries; or

• Correction of fraudulent participation.
   

Contact us promptly if legitimate contact information changes.
 

15. Public Information

Information you voluntarily publish on public pages, public comments, social-media posts, event pages, or other public areas may be viewed and used by others.
 

Do not publicly share information that you wish to keep private.
 

Winner information may be published as described in the Official Sweepstakes Rules.
 

16. External Links and Social Media

Our Website may link to external websites and social-media platforms.
 

Information collected by those third parties is governed by their own policies.
 

We are not responsible for the privacy, security, or content practices of independent third parties.
 

17. United States Operations

The Website is operated from the United States.
 

Information may be processed and stored in the United States or other locations where our service providers operate.
 

People accessing the Website from outside the United States understand that privacy laws may differ from those in their location.
 

Sweepstakes eligibility remains limited as stated in the applicable Official Rules.
 

18. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in law, technology, services, or information practices.
 

We will post the revised version with an updated date.
 

When required, we may provide additional notice or request consent.
 

19. Contact Information

Questions, concerns, or privacy requests may be directed to:

Steward Institute, Inc.
P.O. Box 662
Fremont, North Carolina 27830
stewardinstitute.team@gmail.com
(919) 222-8997