Last updated: March 1, 2026
Union News is conducting a fundraising campaign with a target of $150,000 to support the development, launch, and scaling of the Union News civic-tech platform. This campaign is operated by UnionNews LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, with its principal place of business in Pittsburgh, PA. Every dollar raised through this campaign goes directly toward building a platform where public opinion on news is visible, measurable, and free from hidden bias.
The fundraising campaign is structured around the sale of fifteen (15) unique Founder's Edition merchandise items, each limited to fifty (50) numbered editions, priced at $200 per unit. The total potential revenue from merchandise sales is $150,000 (15 items x 50 editions x $200), which constitutes the full fundraising target.
UnionNews LLC commits to full transparency regarding the allocation of fundraising proceeds. Funds raised through merchandise sales and any additional contributions will be allocated across the following categories:
Each of the fifteen (15) Founder's Edition merchandise items is strictly limited to fifty (50) numbered editions, designated #1 through #50. This limitation is a core promise of the Union News fundraising campaign and is non-negotiable. Under no circumstances will UnionNews LLC produce, authorize, or sell additional units of any Founder's Edition item beyond the fifty (50) editions per product. Once all fifty editions of an item are sold, that item is permanently retired from the store.
Edition numbers are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis at the time of purchase. Customers may select their preferred available edition number during checkout. Edition numbers cannot be reserved, held, or pre-allocated outside of a completed purchase transaction. Once an edition number is purchased, it is permanently marked as sold and cannot be re-sold through the Union News platform.
Every Founder's Edition merchandise item ships with an official Certificate of Authenticity issued by UnionNews LLC. Each certificate includes the following information:
Certificates of Authenticity are printed on premium card stock and are included inside the merchandise packaging. Digital copies of the certificate are available upon request by contacting jesse.croasmun@gmail.com. Replacement certificates for lost or damaged originals may be issued at the discretion of UnionNews LLC for a nominal processing fee.
The Union News merchandise store displays a real-time availability grid for each Founder's Edition product. The grid shows all fifty (50) edition numbers with a clear visual indicator of their status: green indicates the edition is available for purchase, and red indicates the edition has been sold. This grid is updated automatically upon each successful purchase to ensure accuracy.
Customers are encouraged to check the availability grid before selecting an edition number. UnionNews LLC is not responsible for situations where an edition becomes unavailable between the time a customer views the grid and completes their purchase. In the event of a conflict, the first completed transaction takes priority.
UnionNews LLC is committed to transparency throughout the fundraising campaign. The merchandise store page displays a fundraising progress bar showing the total amount raised relative to the $150,000 target. This progress indicator is updated in real time as purchases are completed. Additionally, UnionNews LLC will publish periodic updates on the use of funds through the Union News blog, email newsletters, and social media channels.
Supporters may request a summary of fund allocation at any time by contacting jesse.croasmun@gmail.com. While UnionNews LLC will provide reasonable transparency into spending categories, we reserve the right to withhold specific vendor names, contract terms, or proprietary business information.
Founder's Edition merchandise is designed as collectible items that represent early support for the Union News mission. Due to the strict edition limits, these items may appreciate in value over time as the platform grows and gains recognition. However, UnionNews LLC makes no guarantees regarding the future resale value, collectibility, or investment potential of any merchandise item. Purchases should be made to support the Union News mission, not as financial investments.
Purchasers are free to resell, gift, or transfer their Founder's Edition merchandise on secondary markets. UnionNews LLC does not facilitate secondary market sales and bears no responsibility for transactions conducted outside the official Union News platform.
UnionNews LLC is committed to delivering high-quality merchandise that meets or exceeds the product descriptions provided on the store. All product images, materials, sizing, and specifications listed on the store are accurate to the best of our ability. Minor variations in color, texture, or appearance may occur due to differences in screen displays, manufacturing processes, and material batches. Such variations do not constitute defects and are not grounds for a refund or exchange.
If you receive a product that is materially different from its description or that contains a manufacturing defect, please contact our team within thirty (30) days of delivery. See our Merch Shipping & Refunds policy for detailed procedures.
The Union News fundraising campaign is expected to run from the website launch date until all merchandise editions are sold or until UnionNews LLC determines that the campaign has concluded. There is no fixed end date for the campaign. UnionNews LLC reserves the right to extend, pause, or conclude the campaign at any time based on business needs, fundraising progress, or market conditions. Any unsold merchandise at the time of campaign conclusion will be handled at the discretion of UnionNews LLC.
UnionNews LLC reserves the right to update or modify this Fundraising & Merch Promise at any time. Changes will be posted to this page with an updated "Last updated" date. Material changes to edition limits, authenticity commitments, or fund allocation categories will be communicated to existing purchasers via email. Your continued participation in the fundraising campaign after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.
If you have any questions about our fundraising campaign, merchandise editions, or this policy, please contact us at:
