iHumane Humanitarian Projects, Official Rules

 

1. CONTEST PERIOD:

The Said agencies Small Business Gift/ grant Contest (the "Contest") begins on June 20, 2018 at 12:00:00 AM Eastern Time (ET) and ends with the announcement of winners on December 24, 2018. The Contest consists of three (3) periods as set forth in the chart below:

Submission Period: 6/20/18 - 12/10/18         

Voting Period: 11/30/18 - 12/12/18       

Judging Period: 10/01/18 - 12/23/18

 

*The top 100 finalists will be announced on the contest website on December 12, 2018. Sponsor will announce the winners on December 24, 2018.

 

2. ELIGIBILITY:

The Contest is open to only legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who at the time of entry are independent owners/operators of a for-profit small business that is domiciled in the fifty (50) United States or District of Columbia which has been in continuous operation selling a product or service for not less than six (6) months at the start of the contest. In order to be considered an eligible "small business" for purposes of this Contest, the business must meet all of the following criteria:

Entrant/owner must be at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of Submission;

The business must be currently active, lawful, have all necessary and required licenses and registrations;;

Entrant/owner must be an authorized agent of the registered business;

The business/ business concept must utilize between 1-99 volunteers/ employees on a weekly basis, at 20 hours per individual

Sponsor shall determine, in its sole discretion, whether an entry meets the eligibility criteria to participate in the Contest. Sponsor’s decisions regarding eligibility and all other aspects of the Contest are final and binding

 

Sponsor, its parent and affiliated companies, and each of their respective, officers, directors, employees, agents and persons engaged in the development, production or distribution of materials for this Contest (collectively, the "Contest Parties") and the immediate family members (i.e., parent, child, sibling, and spouse) of each and/or persons living in the same household of such individuals (whether related or not) are not eligible to participate in the Contest. This contest is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations, and is void in all geographic locations where prohibited by law.

 

3. GIFT/ GRANTS:

There will be a total of twenty-nine (29) Winners: one (1) Grand Prize Winner will receive a U.S. $14,000 Gift/ grant; five (5) Silver Level Winners will receive a U.S. $10,000 Gift/ grant; eight (8) Bronze Level Winners will each receive a U.S. $5,000 Gift/ grant; 15 honorable mentions will receive a $2,500 Gift/ grant. Total value of all Gift/ grants and Prizes: $141,500.

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4. HOW TO ENTER:

To enter the Contest, entrants ("Entrants") are required to visit the Contest website and submit an entry (the "Entry") between June 20th, 2018 and December 10th, 2018. Each entrant will be required to submit the following information:

Name of Business/ Idea

Name of Business Owner / Authorized Agent

Vision Statement

Mission Statement

Purpose Statement

Budget in amount of gift/ grant amount

Phone Number

Applicant’s Position/Title at Business

Email Address

Street Address

City

State

Zip Code

Country name

High-resolution Digital copy of Company Logo or optimal photo best representing the business

Social media site links for the project/ idea/ business

3 Letters of recommendation with names, email addresses, and phone numbers for easy verification of existence of project and character of project manager

10- minute video describing your project/ idea/ business

 

All entries are subject to approval by Sponsor, in Sponsor’s sole discretion. Once submitted, all approved entries will be posted in a Contest Gallery with the ability to vote for a business on the dedicated Contest Site. In addition, approved Entrants will be able to access a html voting badge on their contest profile for placement on their website and use the sharing functionality for social media and are encouraged to share this link with customers, friends and family to vote for their small business during the Voting Period as described below. Entrants will receive a confirmation email of their submission upon full completion of the entry form. Entries are subject to disqualification at any time including after approval and posting to the Contest Gallery.

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Except where prohibited, entry in the Contest constitutes each Entrant’s consent to the publication of her/his/its name, organizational information and completed Entry, including the Digital Image, (to the extent applicable) in any media for any commercial or promotional purpose (including, without limitation, the Internet), without further compensation.

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By entering the Contest and providing an email address, each Entrant gift/ grants Sponsor express permission to send Entrant emails related to the Contest, including, but not limited to notification of Finalists, Winners and a follow-up email in order to gather feedback regarding the Contest to be used in the planning and design of future Contests.

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Limit: one (1) entry per idea/ project/ business. 

 

5. DIGITAL IMAGERY AND VIDEO CRITERIA:

Digital images and company logo must be in one of the following formats: .jpg, .png or .gif. Each digital image (including company logo) may not exceed 7MB. The optional video should not exceed 90 seconds in length and must be uploaded to YouTube as a public video and the link to the video provided in the submittal form.

 

If any digital image or the video contains any material or elements that are not owned by the Entrant and/or are subject to the rights of third parties, and/or if any persons appear in the video or image, the Entrant is responsible for obtaining, prior to submission of the photograph or video, any and all releases and consents necessary to permit the exhibition and use of the image or video in the manner set forth in these Official Rules. If any person appearing in any photograph or video is under the age of majority in their state/province/territory of residence the signature of a parent or legal guardian is required on each release.

 

If a professional image or video is submitted, Entrant is responsible for securing usage rights from the photographer or videographer to reproduce, distribute, display, and create derivative works of the image by Sponsor in connection with the Contest and promotion of the Contest, in any media now or hereafter known.

 

Upon Sponsor's request, each Entrant must be prepared to provide (within seven (7) calendar days of receipt of Sponsor's request) such signed release from all third parties who (a) appear in the photograph or video submitted or (b) whose owned content appear in the photograph or video submitted, authorizing use by Sponsor and its licensees ("Authorized Parties") in accordance with these Official Rules. Failure to provide such releases upon request may result in disqualification at any time during the Contest.

 

6. VOTING PERIOD:

During the Voting Period, all persons who are eighteen (18) years or older and have a valid email address and properly answer the Captcha question will be eligible to vote for the small business of their choice. Limit: One (1) vote per person per 24 hour period during the Voting Period. Votes received from any person using the same multiple email addresses in excess of the stated number will be void and will not be counted.

 

Entrants are prohibited from obtaining votes by any fraudulent or inappropriate means. Fraudulent or inappropriate means include, but are not limited to the following: (a) Using a customer email list, (b) Buying or knowingly receiving purchased votes in any manner from anyone, (c) Paying for and using an email address list, (d) Offering prizes or other inducements for votes to members of the public. However, Entrants are allowed to run ads/sponsored posts or promotions related to the Gift/ grant Contest that do not require the winner of the Entrant’s promotion to have voted. (e) The use of any automated, robotic, repetitive, programmed or similar registration or voting methods. (f) Any questionable activity that increases votes for an entry, including without limitation any attempts to artificially increase vote totals or trade votes. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any Entrant who is suspected of violating these terms or otherwise tampering with the entry, voting or selection process.

 

All eligible votes will be tallied by Sponsor at the conclusion of the Voting Period. The seven hundred (700) Entrants who receive the most votes during the Voting Period will be eligible for consideration for the Top 100 Finalists as described below. Should there be a tie for the final spot, all Entrants receiving that number of votes will be eligible for consideration for the Top 100 Finalists.

 

7. JUDGING PERIOD:

During the Judging Period, the 700 highest vote getters will be judged by Sponsor or its designated representatives and narrowed down to 100 finalists (the "Top 100"). Sponsor will use the following criteria in determining the Top 100:

Clear, compelling and engaging essay answers and video

Use of social media to develop Entrant’s brand voice, including use of visuals, cohesiveness, humor, engagement and uniqueness

Website ease of navigation, ease of ordering services or products (if applicable), product availability (in stock or not, if applicable)

How well the Entrant’s brand aligns with the Said agencies brand

Whether the Small Business Owner is prepared to be a Small Business Ambassador or mentor to other small businesses

Review of social media sites, including all posts and/or images

 

The Top 100 will be notified via email with instructions for completing and submitting a second submission which consists of creating a video, not to exceed 5 minutes in length, answering the following question: "What is your passion as an individual and business owner and how is that passion reflected in your business?" Video must be submitted as a YouTube link and be publicly available (not set to private viewing). (the "Second Submission)

 

Second Submissions must be received by Sponsor no later than 11pm EST on August 16, 2018. If Entrant does not provide the Second Submission by the deadline, the Entrant will be automatically disqualified and not eligible for further consideration.

 

Sponsor or its designated agents will evaluate the Entries along with the Second Submission Video of each of the Top 100 to determine the winners. One of the eight Bronze Level Winners will be selected by the Said agencies Entrepreneur Advisory Board which consists of past gift/ grant winners and finalists as the Alumni Choice Award.

 

The Winners will be announced on December 24, 2018. Each Winner will be notified by email or phone call prior to the announcement. In addition, Winners may be featured on the Said agencies Small Business Center, in Said agencies social channels and Said agencies press release. Winners may not issue their own press release without prior approval by Said agencies.

 

8. GIFT/ GRANT ACCEPTANCE AND TAX LIABILITY:

Gift/ grants are non-transferable. Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if advertised prize becomes unavailable. All details of any prize not specified herein shall be determined solely by Sponsor. By accepting a Gift/ grant, each Winner acknowledges compliance with these Official Rules. All federal, state, local or other tax liabilities arising from this Contest are the sole responsibility of each Winner, respectively. Limit of one Gift/ grant per Entrant. All other expenses relating to acceptance of a Gift/ grant, including but not limited to taxes and any other expenses not specified herein are the sole responsibility of each Winner. Gift/ grant conditions may be added or modified by Sponsor, in its sole discretion. Acceptance of a Gift/ grant constitutes permission for the Sponsor and its designees to use each Winner’s name, photographs, entry material, other likenesses and biographical information for advertising, promotional or trade purposes, including but not limited to online announcements, in commerce and in all media worldwide without limitation or additional compensation, except where prohibited by law.

 

A Winner may waive its right to receive the Gift/ grant. The Gift/ grant is non-assignable and non-transferable. No substitutions may be made by the Winner. Sponsor shall withhold taxes from any award as is required by law. Prior to receiving the Gift/ grant, Winners must execute a W-9 tax form verifying their tax identification number. Winners may be required, as instructed by Sponsor, to complete and sign (i) an affidavit of eligibility/liability certifying that such Winner has complied with the Official Rules of the Contest, and (ii) a liability and publicity release (except where prohibited by law). Failure to sign and return any of these documents or to comply with any term or condition of these Official Rules may result in an Winner’s disqualification, the forfeiture of its interest in the Gift/ grant, and, at Sponsor’s discretion, the presentation of the Gift/ grant to a substitute recipient. A Gift/ grant not won and/or claimed by a Winner and not awarded to a substitute recipient by Sponsor in accordance with these Official Rules will remain the property of Sponsor.  Payment of Federal, State and Local taxes and fees due, if any, are the sole responsibility of the Winner.

 

9. DISQUALIFICATION:

Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to disqualify any Entrant at any time that it finds to be tampering with the entry process, voting process or the Contest; to be acting in violation of these Official Rules; or to be acting in an inappropriate or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person.

 

Submitted Entries must be consistent with the Said agencies Mission, Strategy and Values and Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to reject and/or disqualify any entries at any time that Sponsor deems to be hateful, slanderous, libelous, violent, obscene, defamatory, discriminatory (based on age, race, gender, religion, natural origin, physical disability, sexual orientation or political affiliation), profane, offensive, lewd, sexually explicit, pornographic, false, misleading, deceptive, self-mutilating (e.g. relating to murder, the sales of weapons, cruelty, abuse, etc.), illegal (computer hacking, underage drinking, etc.), threatening, harassing, or otherwise inconsistent with its editorial standards, audience expectations, or reputational interests or that contain images, words or symbols widely considered offensive to individuals of a certain race, gender, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation or socioeconomic group, or that Sponsor believes may violate any applicable law or regulation or the rights of any third party or may subject the contest, Sponsor, or Sponsor's advertisers, clients, or customers to controversy, negative publicity, scorn, or ridicule. For purposes of this paragraph, Submitted Entries include content on the Entrant’s website and social media sites.

 

Should Sponsor determine, in its sole discretion, that any announced Winner has violated any of the prohibitions contained in these Official Rules or should be disqualified for any other reason, Sponsor shall have no obligation to award a Gift/ grant to such Entrant.

 

As a condition of entry, Sponsor reserves the right to conduct a background check on any potential finalist and/or winner and reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any entrant based on such background check if in its sole discretion, the Sponsor determines that awarding the prize to such Entrant might reflect negatively on the Sponsor’s image and/or reputation.

 

10. GENERAL RELEASE/LIMITATION OF LIABILITY:

By participating in the Contest, each Entrant releases and holds Sponsor, its parent and affiliate companies and each of their directors, officers, employees, representatives, and agents harmless from and against any claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the Contest or with the acceptance, possession, use of or defect in any Gift/ grant (including, without limitation, claims, costs, injuries, losses or damages related to personal injuries, death, damage to, loss or destruction of property, rights of publicity or privacy, defamation or portrayal in a false light). Sponsor is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information, whether caused by technical or human error or otherwise which may occur in the processing of entries or voting in this Contest or in the running of this Contest. Sponsor will not be responsible for typographical, printing or other errors in these Official Rules or in other materials relating to the Contest.

 

If for any reason, the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including but not limited to by reason of fraud, computer virus, worms, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, technical limitations or failures, human error, mistake or any other cause that in the sole opinion of Sponsor could compromise, undermine, corrupt or otherwise affect the security, integrity, fairness, administration, or proper conduct of this Contest, Sponsor reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest at any time and without notice.

 

Notwithstanding anything set forth above, to the extent that the preceding release is determined by a tribunal of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, unenforceable or void for any reason, each Entrant agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted by law (i) any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or in connection with the Contest, or any awards awarded shall be resolved individually without resort to any form of class action; (ii) any claims, judgments and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred by such Entrant, but in no event attorney's fees and no greater than $1,000; and (iii) under no circumstances will any Entrant be permitted to obtain any award for, and Entrant hereby waives all rights to claim, incidental, punitive or consequential damages.

 

11. CONSTRUCTION, WAIVER AND DISPUTE RESOLUTION:

The construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, and all issues and questions relating thereto, along with the rights and obligations of all Entrants and of Sponsor, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules or provisions. In the event that any provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, such determination shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision, and these Official Rules shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or unenforceable provision was not contained therein.

 

Any specific waiver of any obligation hereunder by Sponsor does not constitute a general waiver of that obligation nor of any other obligation of Entrant.

 

Any dispute concerning this Contest shall be submitted to binding arbitration in Tennessee within one (1) year from the date that the cause of action arose (or, if multiple cause of actions are involved, from the date that the first cause of action arose), with such arbitration conducted pursuant to the then prevailing rules of the American Arbitration Association. To the fullest extent permitted by law, no arbitration brought pursuant to these Official Rules shall be joined to any other arbitration initiated pursuant to these Official Rules.

 

12. COPYRIGHT:

By participating in the Submission Process for this Contest, Entrant gift/ grants to Sponsor, its parent and affiliated companies an exclusive, assignable, royalty-free and irrevocable right and license to edit or otherwise use all materials submitted by Entrant in connection with the Contest, in whole or in part, for any purpose and in any manner or media (including, without limitation, the Internet) now known or hereafter devised, throughout the world in perpetuity, and to license others to do so, without notice and without compensation, royalty, accounting, liability or obligation of any kind to any Entrant. Each Entrant further agrees that it will use its best efforts to have its employees, consultants, volunteers, officers and directors sign any additional licenses or releases that Sponsor may require.

 

BY SUBMITTING SUBMISSION MATERIALS, ENTRANTS EACH ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THE SUBMISSION MATERIALS, AND ANY OTHER MATERIALS SUBMITTED IN CONNECTION WITH THIS PROGRAM, MAY BE POSTED ON THE SPONSOR’S WEBSITE(S), IN SPONSOR'S SOLE DISCRETION. Sponsor reserves the right to edit the Submission Materials and other materials prior to posting them to the website in its sole discretion.

 

13. SPONSOR/ADMINISTRATOR:

Sponsor: Said agencies Services, Inc.; 3616 Flat Road Greenwood, Florida 32443. Attention: Small Business Gift/ Grant Contest / Customer Engagement Marketing