Terms of Use

1. Agreement to Terms

Welcome to the official website of Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization ("CACAO," "we," "us," or "our"). By accessing or using our website (cacaoonline.org), submitting forms, registering for events, or making donations, you agree to be bound by these Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.

2. Nonprofit Purpose & Educational Mission

CACAO is an Alabama-registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization established in 2011. Our mission is to promote Caribbean cultural awareness, foster community unity in Central Alabama, and raise scholarship funds for Caribbean American students pursuing higher education.

3. Scholarship Program Terms

Regarding the Pauline Ford Caesar Scholarship program:

• Eligibility & Review: Scholarship guidelines, eligibility criteria, and deadlines are published annually on our website and application materials. Applications are reviewed independently by the CACAO Scholarship Committee.
• No Guarantee: Submitting an application does not guarantee selection or financial award. Awards are subject to annual fundraising availability and committee discretion.
• Accuracy of Information: Applicants certify that all information submitted in scholarship applications is accurate, truthful, and complete.

4. Community Events & Parade Participation

When you register for or attend CACAO events (including the Marvel City Caribbean Food & Music Festival, Caribbean Street Parade, and Annual Gala):

• Voluntary Participation: Attendance and participation are entirely voluntary. Attendees and parade participants agree to follow all posted event safety rules, staff directions, and municipal guidelines.
• Code of Conduct: CACAO is a family-friendly community organization. We celebrate diversity and require respectful behavior toward all guests, volunteers, performers, and vendors. Harassment or disruptive conduct will not be tolerated.
• Photography & Media Notice: Our public community festivals are recorded through photography and video for cultural preservation, historical documentation, and community promotion. By entering our public event venues, you acknowledge that your likeness may appear in our event gallery or promotional materials. If you see a photo of yourself in our gallery that you would like removed, please contact us at cacaoonline@gmail.com and we will gladly accommodate your request.

5. Donations & Sponsorships

All donations made to CACAO are tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law under IRS Section 501(c)(3). Donors are provided receipts through our payment processor (PayPal / Venmo) or via formal acknowledgement letter. Membership dues and sponsorships directly support our student scholarships and community programming.

6. Intellectual Property

All content on this website — including text, custom graphics, event photos, and the official CACAO logo (created by artist Michael Talbot) — is the property of Central Alabama Caribbean American Organization or used with permission. You may share content for non-commercial, personal, or journalistic purposes with appropriate credit to CACAO. You may not use CACAO's branding for commercial promotion without prior written consent.

7. External Links & Third Parties

Our website contains links to third-party services (e.g. PayPal, Venmo, Google Forms, Facebook, Instagram). CACAO does not control and is not responsible for the content, security, or availability of third-party websites.

8. Disclaimer of Warranties & Limitation of Liability

This website and its content are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis without warranties of any kind, whether express or implied. While we strive to maintain accurate, up-to-date event schedules and scholarship information, CACAO does not warrant that the website will be uninterrupted, error-free, or free of technical bugs.

To the maximum extent permitted under Alabama law, CACAO, its directors, officers, volunteers, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from the use or inability to use this website.

9. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Alabama, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

10. Contact Information

If you have any questions regarding these Terms of Use, please contact our leadership team: