Terms of Service

1. Who you are dealing with

"Proof of Change" is not a registered company. It is the name under which Maria Pignatelli, an independent consultant based between Lisbon and Barcelona, offers her services. When these terms say "we", "us" or "Proof of Change", they mean Maria Pignatelli personally, together with any collaborators she brings into a project.

Contracts for our services are made with Maria Pignatelli as an individual, and invoices are issued in her name. You can reach us at [email protected].

2. What we do

We offer consulting to mission-driven organizations: diagnosis, strategy and business planning, capacity building, process optimization and AI governance, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning, certification readiness, impact communication and report writing. We work as a project, in a fractional role, as a facilitator or as a mentor, remotely or in person.

3. How an engagement works

• Every engagement starts with a diagnosis, scaled to the size of the job.
• The scope, deliverables, timeline, fees and expenses are set out in a written proposal. If the proposal conflicts with these terms, the proposal wins.
• An engagement begins when you accept the proposal in writing (an email is enough) and, if requested, pay the agreed deposit.
• Changes to scope are agreed in writing before the extra work starts.
• We may involve trusted collaborators. We stay responsible to you for the work and for keeping your information confidential.

4. Fees and payment

Fees depend on scope and complexity and are quoted in the proposal. Unless the proposal says otherwise, invoices are payable within 30 days. Late payment can lead to work being paused. Taxes such as VAT are added where they apply.

5. Your responsibilities

To do the work well we need timely access to people, information and decisions. You confirm that the information you give us is accurate and that you have the right to share it. Delays on your side can move the timeline.

6. No guaranteed outcomes

We bring professional judgment and care, but we cannot promise particular results. That includes funding decisions, certification or rating outcomes (for example B Corp or EcoVadis), regulatory approvals and specific impact figures, which depend on things outside our control.

7. Confidentiality

We keep the non-public information you share with us confidential and use it only to deliver the work. This does not cover information that is already public, that you have made public, or that we must disclose by law. We name you as a client, or show your logo, only with your prior consent.

8. Intellectual property

Deliverables created specifically for you belong to you once they are paid in full. We keep our pre-existing methods, templates, tools and know-how, and give you a non-exclusive licence to use them as part of the deliverables. The content of this website (text, design, brand and logo) may not be copied without permission.

9. Using the website

Please do not misuse the website, try to disrupt it or gain unauthorized access, or use it for unlawful purposes. The content is general information, not professional, legal or financial advice for your situation.

10. Testimonials and third-party logos

Testimonials and logos of organizations we have worked with are shown with the permission of the people and organizations involved. Third-party names and logos belong to their owners and do not imply endorsement.

11. Liability

Because Proof of Change is not a separate legal entity, responsibility for the services rests with Maria Pignatelli personally. To the extent the law allows, our total liability for any claim connected to an engagement is limited to the fees you paid for that engagement, and we are not liable for indirect or consequential loss such as lost funding or lost opportunities. Nothing in these terms limits liability that the law does not allow to be limited, including liability for fraud or intentional wrongdoing.

12. Ending an engagement

Either of us can end an engagement with 14 days' written notice. You pay for the work done and expenses incurred up to the end date. Terms that by nature should continue (confidentiality, intellectual property, liability) continue afterwards.

13. Data protection

We handle personal data as described in our Privacy Policy. When we process personal data on your behalf during an engagement, we will agree a data processing agreement with you where the law requires one.

14. Governing law and disputes

These terms are governed by the law of [Portugal or Spain, to be confirmed], without affecting any mandatory consumer rights you have. We will always try to settle a disagreement directly and in good faith first. If that fails, the competent courts of that country can decide. If you are a consumer in the EU, you can also use the online dispute resolution platform at ec.europa.eu/consumers/odr.

15. Changes to these terms

We may update these terms. The version on this page, with its date, is the current one. Engagements already agreed continue under the terms in force when they started.

16. Contact

Questions about these terms: [email protected].