Terms and Conditions

Last updated: March 7, 2026

1. About IBAM and Our Services

International Business as Mission, INC ("IBAM," "we," "us," or "our") is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization incorporated in the State of Michigan. These Terms and Conditions ("Terms") govern your use of all IBAM websites and programs, including:

  • ibam.org — Our primary website for information, resources, donations, podcasts, blog content, and events.
  • Third Fish Academy (thirdfish.org) — A free, faith-driven business training program operated by IBAM.
  • Any related subdomains, applications, or digital services operated by IBAM.

By accessing or using any of our websites or services, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, please do not use our services.

2. Eligibility

Our websites and services are intended for individuals aged 13 and older. By using our services, you represent that you are at least 13 years of age. If you are under 18, you represent that you have the consent of a parent or legal guardian.

3. Third Fish Academy

Free Access

Third Fish Academy is offered entirely at no cost. All 22 sessions, resources, tools, and community features are available to every registered participant. IBAM is a donor-supported ministry, and the Academy is funded by generous contributions from individuals and partner churches.

Account Registration

To access Third Fish Academy, you must create an account by providing your name, email address, and optionally your phone number (for SMS notifications). You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials and for all activity that occurs under your account.

Participation Invitations

As you progress through the Academy, you may receive stories and updates about IBAM's global work, and occasional invitations to participate in the mission through prayer or financial partnership. Participation is always voluntary. Your access to the full Academy — all 22 sessions and all resources — is the same whether or not you choose to participate financially. No donation is ever required, expected, or implied as a condition of enrollment, progress, or completion.

Church Partner Cohorts

If you enroll in Third Fish Academy through a church partner, your experience may include church-branded communications and cohort-specific features. Your individual progress data is not shared with your church leadership unless you explicitly choose to share it.

4. Donations

Tax-Deductible Giving

IBAM is recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Donations to IBAM are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. You will receive a donation receipt for your records.

Payment Processing

Donations are processed through third-party payment processors (currently Stripe and Authorize.net). By making a donation, you agree to the terms and privacy policies of the applicable payment processor. IBAM does not store your full credit card number or bank account number.

Recurring Donations

If you set up a recurring monthly donation, you authorize IBAM and its payment processors to charge your selected payment method on a recurring basis until you cancel. You may cancel a recurring donation at any time by contacting us at hello@ibam.org.

Refund Policy

Donations are generally non-refundable. If you believe a donation was made in error, please contact us at hello@ibam.org within 30 days and we will work with you to resolve the issue.

Use of Funds

IBAM uses donations to support its programs and operations, including Third Fish Academy, international entrepreneur training, and organizational expenses. Donations designated for a specific purpose will be used for that purpose to the extent possible. If a designated purpose is overfunded or no longer feasible, IBAM reserves the right to redirect those funds to similar programs consistent with its mission.

5. Email and SMS Communications

Email

By creating an account, making a donation, or signing up for our email list, you consent to receive email communications from IBAM as described in our Privacy Policy, including training-related emails, ministry updates, participation invitations, and donation acknowledgments. You may unsubscribe from non-essential emails at any time using the unsubscribe link in any email.

SMS (Third Fish Academy)

If you opt in to receive text messages during Third Fish Academy registration, you consent to receive automated SMS messages including course reminders, progress nudges, milestone celebrations, and re-engagement notifications. By opting in, you confirm that you are the owner or authorized user of the mobile number provided, and that you consent to receive automated text messages from Third Fish Academy at that number.

  • Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply.
  • To opt out: Reply STOP to any message.
  • For help: Reply HELP or contact hello@ibam.org.
  • No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes.
  • Opting out of SMS does not affect your access to Third Fish Academy or any IBAM program.

6. Intellectual Property

IBAM Content

All content on ibam.org and thirdfish.org — including text, graphics, logos, images, video, audio, curriculum materials, and software — is the property of IBAM or its licensors and is protected by copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

Your Use

You may access and use our content for personal, non-commercial purposes. You may not reproduce, distribute, modify, create derivative works from, or publicly display any IBAM content without our prior written consent, except as necessary for your personal participation in Third Fish Academy or other IBAM programs.

Third Fish Academy Curriculum

The Third Fish Academy curriculum is provided for your personal educational use. You may apply what you learn in your own life and business. You may not redistribute, resell, or repackage the curriculum materials without IBAM's written permission.

User Content

If you submit content to our platforms (such as quiz responses, contact form messages, or testimonials), you grant IBAM a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to use that content in connection with our mission and programs. You retain ownership of your original content.

7. Acceptable Use

When using our services, you agree not to:

  • Use our services for any unlawful purpose
  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to our systems or accounts
  • Interfere with or disrupt our services
  • Upload malicious code or content
  • Impersonate any person or entity
  • Use automated tools to scrape or extract content from our websites without permission
  • Use our services to send unsolicited commercial communications

8. Third-Party Links and Services

Our websites may contain links to third-party websites and services (including social media platforms, payment processors, and partner organizations). These links are provided for your convenience. IBAM does not control and is not responsible for the content, privacy practices, or terms of any third-party websites. We encourage you to review the terms and privacy policies of any third-party services you access through our websites.

9. Disclaimers

Training Content

Third Fish Academy provides general business education for informational and motivational purposes. The curriculum is not a substitute for professional business, legal, financial, or tax advice. IBAM does not guarantee any specific business outcomes from participation in the Academy.

Website Availability

We strive to keep our websites available and functioning properly, but we do not guarantee uninterrupted or error-free access. We may modify, suspend, or discontinue any part of our services at any time without prior notice.

"As Is" Basis

Our services are provided "as is" and "as available" without warranties of any kind, either express or implied, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

10. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, IBAM and its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, and contractors shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of our services, including but not limited to lost profits, business interruption, or loss of data.

11. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless IBAM, its directors, officers, employees, volunteers, and contractors from any claims, damages, losses, or expenses (including reasonable legal fees) arising from your use of our services, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any rights of a third party.

12. Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without regard to its conflict of laws provisions. Any disputes arising under these Terms shall be resolved in the state or federal courts located in Virginia.

13. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of this page. Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

14. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be unenforceable or invalid, that provision will be limited or eliminated to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will remain in full force and effect.

15. Contact Us

If you have questions about these Terms, please contact us:

Email: hello@ibam.org

Phone: +1 (703) 652-4226

Mail: PO Box 4323, Wheaton, IL 60189, USA

International Business as Mission, INC is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization incorporated in the State of Michigan. EIN: 47-2125341