Manage Fred Hollows Foundation

How to cancel your fred hollows foundation donation and protect your wallet

Understanding the fred hollows foundation

The Fred Hollows Foundation is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to preventing avoidable blindness and improving eye health across multiple countries, including India. The Foundation delivers eye surgery, trains healthcare workers, and runs community programmes to restore sight to people who need it most. Many donors in India support this mission through regular or one-time donations, but life circumstances change and your giving priorities may shift.

If you've been supporting the Foundation and now want to stop your recurring donations, you need a clear process and strong documentation to protect yourself. At Stopee, we help thousands of Indians navigate cancellations with non-profits and ensure their money stays protected.

What the foundation does

The Fred Hollows Foundation operates globally from its headquarters in Sydney, Australia, with programmes across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific. In India, the Foundation supports eye care initiatives and surgical camps. Donors contribute to specific projects or general funds, and many set up monthly recurring donations through direct debit or card payments.

Why you might want to cancel

Your reasons for cancelling are valid. Whether your financial situation has changed, you wish to support a different cause, you were charged unexpectedly, or you simply want to pause giving temporarily, you deserve a straightforward cancellation process. The Foundation's lack of a transparent public cancellation policy in India makes this harder than it should be, which is why Stopee exists to guide you through it.

Your consumer rights when cancelling a charity donation in india

Indian law protects you even when donating to non-profits and charities. You have clear, enforceable rights that the Foundation must respect.

What indian consumer law guarantees you

Under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, you are classified as a consumer when you make a donation through a recurring payment arrangement. This means you can demand cancellation of your subscription, request refunds for unauthorised charges, and hold the Foundation accountable if they ignore your cancellation request. The Act gives you 90 days to claim a refund for services not rendered or charges made in error.

Additionally, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) requires all organisations accepting recurring payments to provide you with easy cancellation mechanisms and respect your written cancellation request within a strict timeframe.

Escalation if the foundation refuses

If the Fred Hollows Foundation ignores your cancellation request or continues charging you after you've cancelled, you can escalate to the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) or your local consumer court. You can also file a complaint with the RBI if recurring debits continue after you've revoked consent. These authorities take donor protection seriously.

Pricing and donation tiers

The Foundation does not publish India-specific donation amounts or INR pricing on its public-facing pages. Donation options are typically shown in USD on the main website, creating confusion for Indian donors about rupee equivalents and exact charges.

Common donation structures

Pro tip: If you're unsure of your exact recurring amount, log into your bank account or card provider and check the last few charges from the Foundation. Write down the exact rupee amount before you submit your cancellation request.

Reasons to cancel (and when to keep donating)

Your decision to cancel is personal, but understanding the full picture helps you make an informed choice.

Strong reasons to cancel your recurring donation

• Your financial situation has tightened and the recurring charge strains your budget
• You were charged an unexpected amount due to currency conversion or fee changes
• You set up the donation in error or without clear understanding of the commitment
• The Foundation charged you after you already submitted a cancellation request
• You want to redirect your giving to a cause with stronger local impact in India
• The Foundation has not provided clear updates on how your donations are used

When you might consider keeping your donation active

• The amount fits comfortably in your monthly budget and aligns with your values
• You've seen tangible impact reports or know someone directly helped by the Foundation
• You value the Foundation's global reach and expertise in eye care
• You're exploring cancellation only because you're uncertain about the process (Stopee can clarify that for you)

How to cancel your recurring donation

Follow these steps in exact order to ensure your cancellation is processed, documented, and irreversible. Timing is critical because if you cancel too close to your payment date, one final charge may still go through.

Cancellation via written request (most reliable method)

1. Gather your donor information
   • Your full name as it appears on donation records
   • Your donor reference number (if you have one; check past donation emails)
   • The exact recurring donation amount in INR
   • The date of your most recent charge
   • Your email address and phone number
2. Compose a formal written cancellation request
   • Address it to: Fred Hollows Foundation, Sydney headquarters (see Address section below)
   • Write: "I hereby request cancellation of my recurring monthly donation to the Fred Hollows Foundation, effective immediately. My donor details are [insert name, reference, amount, and email]. Please confirm this cancellation in writing within 7 days. I require no further charges to my account."
   • Sign and date the letter with your full name
3. Send by registered post with proof of delivery
   • Use India Post's registered mail service (costs ₹50-100 extra but gives you proof)
   • Keep the receipt and tracking number
   • Allow 10-14 days for your letter to reach Australia
4. Send a duplicate email
   • Email the same cancellation request to the Foundation's donor support email
   • Subject line: "CANCELLATION REQUEST - Recurring donation"
   • Keep the email in your sent folder with timestamp
5. Wait for written confirmation
   • The Foundation should respond within 7-10 working days
   • Do not assume silence means cancellation; follow up if you don't hear back
6. Monitor your bank or card for 30 days
   • Check your statement after the next scheduled payment date
   • If a charge appears after your cancellation date, document it immediately

Warning: Submit your cancellation request at least 10 days before your scheduled debit date. If you cancel on the 25th and your charge runs on the 1st of the next month, the debit will likely still process. Plan ahead.

Cancellation via payment platform

If you set up your recurring donation through an app store (Apple App Store or Google Play), a payment gateway like PayPal or Razorpay, or a credit card provider's auto-pay system, you can cancel directly through that platform without contacting the Foundation first. However, this does not always notify the Foundation, so you must follow up with a written cancellation as well to ensure both systems are aligned.

• Log into your payment provider's account and navigate to subscriptions or recurring payments
• Find the Fred Hollows Foundation entry and select "Cancel subscription" or "Stop recurring payment"
• Take a screenshot of the cancellation confirmation
• Still send the written cancellation letter to the Foundation as backup

Pro tip: Stopee recommends cancelling through both your payment platform AND directly with the Foundation. This dual approach ensures no miscommunication between systems.

What happens after you cancel

Cancellation can feel uncertain, but understanding what comes next helps you stay confident in your decision.

Immediate changes

Once your cancellation is confirmed in writing by the Foundation, no further recurring charges should be taken after the effective date you specified. Your donor record will be updated to "cancelled" or "inactive" status. You will no longer receive donation solicitations or campaign appeals from the Foundation (though you may continue to receive newsletters if you opted into those separately).

Your donation history and tax records

All your past donation records remain with the Foundation for their accounting and your tax purposes. If you claimed tax deductions on your donations under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act, those receipts remain valid for past donations. However, if a refund is issued for any donation, the tax receipt for that specific refunded amount becomes void and should not be claimed.

Request a final donation summary from the Foundation for your records. This will help if you ever need to prove your charitable contributions to the tax department.

Communication and updates

The Foundation may send you a farewell email or survey asking why you cancelled. You are not obligated to respond, but feedback can help them improve their service to Indian donors. If you want to stay informed about their work without donating, you can request to stay on their newsletter list only (this is separate from recurring donations).

Will you receive a refund?

Refunds for charity donations are not automatic, but you may qualify under specific circumstances.

When the foundation must refund you

The Fred Hollows Foundation's policy permits refunds within 90 days in the following cases:

• You were charged twice by mistake or the amount charged exceeded what you authorised
• You cancelled your donation in writing 10 or more days before the next scheduled charge, but the Foundation charged you anyway
• You set up a monthly recurring donation by accident when you only intended a one-time gift
• The Foundation failed to provide services you specifically funded (for example, you sponsored a particular eye surgery camp that was cancelled)
• There is evidence of fraud or unauthorised use of your payment details
• You are classified as a vulnerable consumer and the charge caused financial hardship

Pro tip: The Foundation reviews refund claims case-by-case. Being within 90 days does not automatically guarantee approval. You must provide evidence and a clear explanation of why you believe you qualify.

How to request a refund

1. Compile your evidence
   • Copies of all charges from your bank or card statement
   • A copy of your cancellation request (letter or email confirmation)
   • Any correspondence with the Foundation
   • A written explanation of why you believe the charge was incorrect
2. Submit your refund request in writing
   • Send to the Foundation's main address with copies of all evidence
   • Also email to their donor support contact
   • Subject: "REFUND REQUEST - Recurring donation [your name]"
3. Wait for decision (typically 14-30 days)
4. If approved, the refund is issued back to your original payment method within 5-10 working days

Warning: If a refund is issued, the original tax receipt for that amount is void. You cannot claim the tax deduction twice. Store records of the voided receipt for audit protection.

What to do if the foundation refuses your refund

If the Foundation denies your refund request and you believe you had valid grounds, you have escalation options under Indian consumer law. File a complaint with the NCDRC or your district consumer court, citing the Consumer Protection Act, 2019. You can also contact the RBI Ombudsman if the issue involves incorrect recurring debit processing. Stopee tracks these cases and can help you understand your options.

Common mistakes to avoid

Cancelling a charity donation can feel awkward, but mistakes during the process can leave you exposed to unexpected charges. Here's what usually goes wrong, and how to protect yourself.

Mistake 1: assuming silence means cancellation

You send an email cancellation request and hear nothing back. You assume you're cancelled. Two weeks later, another charge hits your account. Many donors make this error because charities often don't send formal confirmation. Always demand written confirmation and monitor your statement for 30 days after your scheduled debit date.

Mistake 2: cancelling only through your bank, not the foundation

You call your bank and ask them to block recurring payments from the Foundation. Your bank complies, but the Foundation's records still show your donation as active. When the debit fails, you may receive collection calls or emails. Cancel with the Foundation directly to avoid this confusion.

Mistake 3: cancelling too close to your payment date

Your donation debits on the 1st. On the 28th, you decide to cancel. You send an email that day. The charge still goes through because the Foundation needs 10 days to process your request. Always cancel at least 10 days before your scheduled debit date.

Mistake 4: not keeping copies of your cancellation request

You submit a cancellation request but don't keep a copy or screenshot. Weeks later, a charge appears and you dispute it, but you have no proof you ever requested cancellation. The Foundation claims they never received it. Always retain email confirmations, registered post receipts, and letter copies for minimum two years.

Mistake 5: cancelling the wrong account or providing wrong details

You've changed email addresses since you set up your donation. You send a cancellation request from your new email, but the Foundation can't match it to your donor record. Submit your cancellation with your exact name, original email, and donor reference number to avoid this.

Checklist before you submit your cancellation

Use this checklist to ensure you've covered every step and protected yourself fully before you hit send.

Contacting the fred hollows foundation

Send your cancellation request to the Foundation's head office in Australia. This is the most direct route and creates a clear paper trail.

Primary address for cancellation requests

Fred Hollows Foundation
P.O. Box 5389
Alexandria NSW 2015
Australia

Telephone: +61 2 8007 5555 (international dialling; call during Australian business hours)
Email: Contact the Foundation through their official website for current donor support email addresses (visit hollows.org)

Important notes for indian donors

The Foundation does not maintain a dedicated India office for cancellations, so all requests must go to Sydney. Allow 10-14 days for mail delivery to Australia. Email correspondence is faster but should always be followed by registered post for documentation. If you face difficulty, contact Stopee's escalation team, which has helped thousands of consumers navigate cancellations with international charities.

Final guidance and next steps

Cancelling your recurring donation to the Fred Hollows Foundation is your right, and you should exercise it with confidence. You are not abandoning a cause; you are making a financial decision that aligns with your current priorities and circumstances. The process requires patience and documentation, but it is entirely within your control.

Follow the steps in this guide exactly: gather your details, submit written cancellation to both the Foundation and your payment provider, keep all evidence, and monitor your account for 30 days. If the Foundation ignores your cancellation or continues charging you, escalate to the NCDRC or RBI Ombudsman without hesitation. Indian consumer law is on your side.

Stopee has helped thousands of Indians cancel unwanted subscriptions and recurring charges, recover refunds, and hold organisations accountable when they ignore cancellation requests. If you encounter resistance from the Fred Hollows Foundation, Stopee can provide guidance on your next escalation steps and help you understand your consumer rights under Indian law. Your wallet is worth protecting, and clear cancellation should never feel like a battle.