In these Official Rules, Mountain Rose, Inc., dba Mountain Rose Herbs shall be referred to as “Grantor.”

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY AND NO FEE OR PROOF OF PURCHASE IS NECESSARY TO APPLY FOR A GRANT. Purchase will not improve chances of grant award.

ELIGIBILITY

Grants are open to legal residents of the United States of America, who are 18 years of age or older at time of application, and who have a valid social security number or employer identification number.

Current officers, directors, and employees of Mountain Rose Herbs are NOT eligible to participate.

SUBMISSION PERIOD

July 21, 2023 - September 21, 2023, at 11:59 pm (PST).

HOW TO ENTER

  1. Read and agree to the Official Rules stated herein.
  2. Create a video that is three minutes or less in length that describes your project.
  3. Share your video on either Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube with the hashtag #grants4plants.
  4. Complete and sign the Mountain Rose Herbs Grant Application (this form).

Each grant application must meet the following Application Requirements: (i) the Application must be the applicant’s original idea and not include any material owned or controlled by third parties (including without limitation, third-party copyrighted material); (ii) the applicant must provide upon request all appropriate clearances, permissions and releases for the Application (in the event an applicant cannot provide all required releases, Grantor reserves the right, in Grantor’s sole discretion, to disqualify the applicable Application, or seek to secure the releases and clearances for Grantor’s benefit, or allow the applicable Application to remain in the Promotion); and (iii) the Application must not include any content that is obscene, pornographic, libelous or otherwise objectionable. Any Application that, in Grantor's sole discretion, violates the Application Requirements may be disqualified. Applications must be received by the end of the Submission Period. All application information becomes the property of Grantor and will not be acknowledged or returned. Except as otherwise disclosed in these Official Rules, and to the extent applicants may otherwise elect at the time of entry, any information collected through the Promotion shall be used only in a manner consistent with the consent given by the applicants at the time of entry, with these Official Rules. Any communication or information transmitted to Grantor by electronic mail or otherwise is and will be treated as non-confidential and non-proprietary.

Applicant agrees that if awarded the grant, they will participate in a follow-up video or Zoom interview approximately six (6) months after receiving the funds to demonstrate how the funds are being used. Grantor will request this information via email, phone call, or any communication means provided in the application and will provide notice no less than one (1) month before its due date.

Applications that do not comply with these Official Rules, as determined in Grantor’s sole discretion, will be disqualified. Decisions of the Grantor are final and binding.

NOTE: By applying, all applicants agree to give Grantor permission to use his/her name and likeness in accordance with the “Publicity Release” section below. Any applicant who incorporates any intellectual property owned by a third party into his or her Application does so at his or her own risk. If Grantor is duly notified that any element of an applicant’s Application infringes upon the rights of another person or receives a valid request to disqualify the affected Application because of infringement, the Application may be disqualified, as Grantor may determine in its sole discretion. Further, no applicant will be eligible to receive a grant unless Grantor determines, in its sole and absolute discretion, whether the applicant’s Application has been or can be sufficiently cleared for legal purposes. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to notify the Grantor in writing if the applicant changes his/her email or postal address during the Submission Period. Proof of mailing of Application does not constitute proof of delivery. Grantor shall have no liability for any Application that is lost, intercepted, or not received by Grantor. Grantor shall not be responsible for incorrect or inaccurate application information whether caused by Internet or other network users or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in the Promotion or by any technical or human error, which may occur in the processing of Applications. Grantor assumes no responsibility or liability for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, theft or destruction, or unauthorized access to, or alteration of Applications.

JUDGING AND VOTING

Grantees will be selected based on the following criteria (the "Judging Criteria"): All applications that meet the minimum qualifications and requirements will be judged fairly based on merit. The members of the Mountain Rose Herbs Marketing Team will choose ten finalists using the scoring categories below. The ten finalists’ applications will be reviewed by a second team of at least three Mountain Rose Herbs staff members; judged independently using the categories below; and given a score of 0-5 (Inadequate – Exceptional) in each category. 

Scoring categories

Score 0-5

Originality, creativity

 

Clear, measurable objectives

 

Potential to collaborate with others

 

Realistic timeline and deadlines

 

Budget outline

 

Lasting impact and value

 

Size of community served

 


Score descriptions:

0

Inadequate

No information provided, completely unrelated

1

Weak

Lacking sufficient information, vaguely related

2

Marginal

Partially developed, requiring additional information/clarification, somewhat related

3

Good

Clear, thoughtful, convincing concepts, related to topic

4

Strong

Thoroughly developed, very convincing concept, some potential for positive impact

5

Exceptional

Extremely detailed, great potential for positive impact

The Judging Criteria are to be applied at the sole discretion of Grantor; each applicant agrees to be bound by and not challenge the final decisions of Grantor.

Applications awarded the highest scores based on the Judging Criteria will be awarded grants.

All results of the selections are final and binding, subject to these Official Rules. In the event a winning entry is discovered to be invalid for any reason whatsoever or the person who submitted the winning entry fails to comply with these Official Rules prior to delivery of the prize, the prize may be forfeited and awarded to an alternate.

NOTIFICATION

Grantor will notify successful grantees by October 20, 2023.

Grantees are subject to eligibility verification and compliance with these Official Rules. Each grantee may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility, a liability release, and a publicity release (collectively, "Grant Documents") in order to receive grant funds.  The decisions of the Grantor are final and binding in all matters relating to this granting process, including the interpretation and application of these Official Rules.

If a grantee cannot be contacted, fails to claim the grant, is disqualified, fails to timely execute and return any required Grant Documents, the grant will be forfeited.  In that event, an alternate grantee will be selected from all remaining eligible applications.

GRANTS

Four (4) grants of $4,000 each will be made, to be paid in a lump sum.  Payments will be issued within thirty (30) days of grantee’s notification and the validation of grantee’s W9. Grants are non-transferable.  ALL FEDERAL, STATE, OR OTHER TAX LIABILITIES ARISING FROM A GRANT ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE GRANTEE; GRANTOR IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR AND WILL NOT PAY ANY SUCH TAXES.  AN IRS FORM 1099 WILL BE ISSUED TO EACH GRANTEE AS REQUIRED BY LAW.

CONDUCT

By applying for a grant, applicants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Grantor, which are final and binding in all respects. These Official Rules are accessible throughout the Submission Period.

Failure to comply with these Official Rules may result in disqualification. This granting process is subject to the laws of the United States. Grantor reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify any individual suspected of tampering with the application process or the operation thereof; or to be acting in any manner deemed by Grantor to be in violation of the Official Rules; or to be acting in any manner deemed by Grantor to be unsportsmanlike or disruptive, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass any other person. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY A USER OR APPLICANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE GRANTING PROCESS IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, GRANTOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES AND COSTS (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, ATTORNEYS’ FEES) FROM ANY SUCH PERSON TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES; INDEMNIFICATION

Each person who applies for a grant represents and warrants as follows: (i) the Application is the applicant’s own original work; (ii) the Application does not contain any computer virus (as applicable), is otherwise uncorrupted, and as of the date of Application, is not the subject of any actual or threatened litigation or claim; (iii) the Application does not and will not violate or infringe upon the intellectual property rights or other rights of any third party; and (iv) the Application does not and will not violate any applicable laws, and is not and will not be defamatory or libelous. By applying, each applicant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Grantor from any and all third party claims, actions, proceedings or damages of any kind (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from, or relating to, the breach of the representations, warranties or agreements herein.

PUBLICITY RELEASE

By applying for a grant, each applicant irrevocably grants the Grantor and their respective successors, assigns, and licensees, the right to use the applicant's name, likeness, image, and biographical information in any and all media for any business purpose, including, without limitation, advertising and publicity purposes, and applicant hereby releases the Grantor from any liability with respect thereto and as more fully set forth below.

Adult Model Release: If Application contains images of people with recognizable features, applicant agrees that he or she has the permission of those models to use their images in association with the application. Applicant does hereby release and discharge Grantor from any and all claims and demands arising out of or in connection with the use of the images and content including without limitation any and all claims for libel or violation of any right of publicity or privacy. Applicant agrees that any adult model does hereby:

  1. grant Grantor the unrestricted right and permission to copyright and use, re-use, publish, and republish photographic portraits or pictures of the model or in which applicant may be included intact or in part, without restriction as to changes or transformations in conjunction with model’s own or a fictitious name, made through any and all media now or hereafter known for illustration, art, promotion, advertising, trade, or any other purpose
  2. permit the use of any printed material
  3. relinquish any right that model may have to examine or approve the completed product or products or the advertising copy or printed matter that may be used in conjunction therewith
  4. release, discharge, and agree to hold harmless Grantor and Grantee, from any liability by virtue of any blurring, distortion, alteration, optical illusion, or use in composite form whether intentional or otherwise, that may occur or be produced in the taking of said picture or in any subsequent processing thereof, as well as any publication thereof, including without limitation any claims for libel or invasion of privacy
  5. affirm that model is over the age of majority and has the right to contract in his or her own capacity

Applicant has read the above authorization, release and agreement, prior to its execution; fully understands the contents thereof. This release agreement shall be binding upon applicant and applicant’s heirs, legal representatives and assigns.

Minor Model Release: If an Application contains images of minors (children who are less than 18 years old or the age of majority in their state of residence by the date of Application), applicant agrees that applicant is the parent or legal guardian of the minor at the time Application is uploaded for consideration, or else has that applicant has obtained the written consent of the minor’s parent or legal guardian for the use of the image in the Application, and the agreement of the parent or legal guardian to the following terms of use:

  1. Grantor shall have the unrestricted right and permission to copyright and use, re-use, publish, and republish photographic portraits or pictures of the minor in which they may be included;
  2. Grantor is released from any obligation to allow the parent or legal guardian of the minor to examine or approve the completed product or products or the advertising copy or printed matter that may be used in conjunction therewith or the use to which it may be applied;
  3. Grantor is released, discharged, and indemnified from any liability by virtue of any blurring, distortion, alteration, optical illusion, or use in composite form whether intentional or otherwise, that may occur or be produced in the taking of said picture or in any subsequent processing thereof, as well as any publication thereof, including without limitation any claims for libel or invasion of privacy.

NATURE OF RELATIONSHIP/WAIVER OF EQUITABLE RELIEF

Each applicant hereby acknowledges and agrees that the relationship between the applicant and the Grantor is not a confidential, fiduciary, or other special relationship, and that the applicant’s decision to provide the applicant’s Application to Grantor does not place the Grantor in a position that is any different from the position held by members of the general public with regard to elements of the applicant’s Application. Each applicant acknowledges and agrees that the Grantor does not now and shall not have in the future any duty or liability, direct or indirect, vicarious, contributory, or otherwise, with respect to the infringement or protection of the copyright in and to the Application.

LIMITATIONS OF LIABILITY

The Grantor assume no responsibility or liability for (a) any incorrect or inaccurate Application information, or for any faulty, failed, garbled or jumbled electronic data transmissions; (b) any unauthorized access to, or theft, destruction or alteration of Applications at any point in the operation of the process or for miscommunications or for the incorrect or inaccurate capture of information, or the failure to capture any information; (c) any technical malfunction, failure, error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or communications line failure, regardless of cause, with regard to any equipment, systems, networks, lines, satellites, servers, computers or providers; inaccessibility or unavailability of the Internet or any combination thereof; or any injury or damage to the applicant’s or to any other person’s computer which may be related to or resulting from any attempt to participate in the Application process. Grantor reserves the right to modify, extend, suspend, or terminate the granting process if it determines, in its sole discretion, that the process is technically impaired or corrupted or that fraud or technical problems, failures, or malfunctions or other causes beyond Grantor’s control have destroyed or severely undermined or to any degree impaired the integrity, administration, security or feasibility of the process. In the event an insufficient number of eligible Applications are received, or Grantor is prevented from awarding grants or continuing with the granting process as contemplated by any event beyond its control, including but not limited to fire, flood, natural or man- made epidemic of health or other means, earthquake, explosion, labor dispute or strike, act of God or public enemy, satellite or equipment failure, riot or civil disturbance, terrorist threat or activity, war (declared or undeclared) or any federal state or local government law, order, or regulation, public health crisis, order of any court or jurisdiction, or other cause not reasonably within Grantor’s control (each a “Force Majeure” event or occurrence), then Grantor shall have the right to modify, suspend, extend, or terminate the granting process. If the granting process is terminated before the end of the Submission Period, Grantor will (if possible) select one or more grantees from all eligible, non-suspect Applications received as of the date of the event that causes the termination.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION

GOVERNING LAW/JURISDICTION: ALL ISSUES AND QUESTIONS CONCERNING THE CONSTRUCTION, VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEABILITY OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES OR THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF APPLICANTS OR GRANTOR IN CONNECTION WITH THE GRANTING PROCESS SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF OREGON AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO ANY CHOICE OF LAW OR CONFLICT OF LAW RULES OR PROVISIONS THAT WOULD CAUSE THE APPLICATION OF ANY OTHER STATE’S LAWS. FOR THE PURPOSES OF ANY DISPUTES HEREUNDER, BY ENTERING THIS PROMOTION, EACH APPLICANT AGREES THAT ANY AND ALL DISPUTES, CLAIMS, AND CAUSES OF ACTION ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY RELATED TO THIS PROMOTION SHALL BE RESOLVED INDIVIDUALLY, WITHOUT RESORT TO ANY FORM OF CLASS ACTION AND CONSENTS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION AND VENUE OF THE APPROPRIATE STATE OR FEDERAL COURT SITUATED IN THE STATE OF OREGON, U.S.A.

ARBITRATION PROVISION: By participating in this Promotion, each applicant agrees that: (i) any and all disputes the applicant may have with, or claims applicant may have against, the Grantor relating to, arising out of or connected in any way with (a) the granting process; or (b) the determination of the scope or applicability of this agreement to arbitrate, will be resolved exclusively by final and binding arbitration administered by Arbitration Service of Portland ("ASP") and conducted before a sole arbitrator in accordance with the rules of ASP; (ii) this arbitration agreement is made pursuant to a transaction involving interstate commerce, and shall be governed by the U.S. Federal Arbitration Act (“FAA”), 9 U.S.C. §§ 1-16; (iii) the arbitration shall be held in Oregon, U.S.A.; (iv) the arbitrator’s decision shall be controlled by the terms and conditions of these Official Rules and any of the other agreements or documents the applicant signed in connection with the granting process; (v) the arbitrator shall apply Oregon law and United States law consistent with the FAA and applicable statutes of limitations, and shall honor claims of privilege recognized at law; (vi) there shall be no authority for any claims to be arbitrated on a class or representative basis; (vii) arbitration may decide only applicant’s and Grantor’s individual claims; (viii) the arbitrator may not consolidate or join the claims of other persons or parties who may be similarly situated; (ix) the arbitrator shall not have the power to award punitive damages against the applicant or Grantor; (x) in the event that the administrative fees and deposits that must be paid to initiate arbitration against Grantor exceed $500 USD, and applicant is unable (or not required under the rules of ASP) to pay any fees and deposits that exceed this amount, Grantor agrees to pay them or advance them on applicant’s behalf, subject to ultimate allocation by the arbitrator; (xi) if the applicant is able to demonstrate that the costs of arbitration will be prohibitive as compared to the costs of litigation, Grantor will pay as much of applicant’s filing and hearing fees in connection with the arbitration as the arbitrator deems necessary to prevent the arbitration from being cost-prohibitive; and (xii) with the exception of subpart (vi) above, if any part of this arbitration provision is deemed to be invalid, unenforceable or illegal, or otherwise conflicts with the rules of ASP, then the balance of this arbitration provision shall remain in effect and shall be construed in accordance with its terms as if the invalid, unenforceable, illegal or conflicting provision were not contained herein. If, however, subpart (vi) is found to be invalid, unenforceable or illegal, then the entirety of this arbitration provision shall be null and void, and neither applicant nor Grantor shall be entitled to arbitrate their dispute. For more information on ASP and/or the rules of ASP, visit their website at http://www.arbserve.com.

GRANTOR

Mountain Rose Herbs, PO Box 50220, Eugene, OR 97405