Our Commitment to Transparency
At TownHallOS, we believe civic engagement should be nonpartisan, accessible, and trustworthy. That's why we're committed to full transparency — from how we're funded to how we ensure neutrality in everything we build.
TownHallOS is 100% bootstrapped — and proudly so.
From the start, we've been self-funded by a small, mission-driven team, without outside investors or political interests.
We accept donations from individuals and aligned organizations to help sustain and grow our work.
TownHallOS is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization, so contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
All donations are used exclusively to support our mission, including:
- Maintaining and improving the platform
- Developing new civic engagement tools
- Producing educational content and community resources
- Supporting operational costs essential to collaboration, strategy, and growth
- Ensuring TownHallOS remains free and accessible to everyone
We do not accept funding that compromises our independence. Contributions will never influence what we build, who we serve, or how we present data.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we are bound by a strict prohibition against personal gain or private inurement to any member of our team.
We'll publish regular funding and impact reports so you can see exactly how support is being used.
TownHallOS is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Virginia residents: TownHallOS is registered with the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Office of Charitable and Regulatory Programs. A financial statement is available from that office on request.
TownHallOS does not take sides. Our mission is to empower civic participation without pushing any political agenda.
We maintain neutrality through:
- Equal access to features for all users
- Objective presentation of government data
- No endorsements of political parties, policies, or candidates
- Regular reviews to identify and correct bias
- Transparent, nonpartisan moderation guidelines
TownHallOS is built to be a space for learning, not persuasion. We exist to help everyone understand — and participate in — the systems that affect their lives.
We understand that bias isn't always obvious. That's why we're intentional about building with balance, accuracy, and care.
Here's how we do it:
- We rely on official and verifiable government data
- We clearly distinguish facts from context or interpretation
- We audit our tools, language, and user experiences for unintended bias
- We maintain public documentation of changes and updates
- We encourage community feedback to improve and self-correct
If you ever notice anything that seems inaccurate, incomplete, or biased, we want to hear from you: community@townhallos.org
Our work is grounded in transparency and accountability. If you have questions, ideas, or want to support our mission:
Reach out to us at community@townhallos.org
We're excited to build something that belongs to all of us.