CharityFinders Privacy and Security Policy
CharityFinders and the Member Nonprofits that create and maintain their websites through CharityFinders understand your concerns about privacy on the Internet and take them very seriously. All online transactions, including donations, are strictly permission-based: The Donor/Volunteer controls the use of his name, personal information, and donation or other transaction. The Member Nonprofit controls the use of its name, organizational information, and donations and other transactions
Key aspects of our privacy policy include:
- We never sell, share, trade, or disclose any personal information about a Donor/Volunteer or organizational information about a Member Nonprofit.
- When a Donor/Volunteer performs a transaction with a Member Nonprofit through CharityFinders, we require the entry of only enough information about you to process your transaction.
- Our credit card partners are not authorized to retain, share, store, or use your personal information.
Internet User Privacy
CharityFinders respects privacy of Internet Users and does not collect personally identifying information without the Internet User's permission.
This policy applies to the web sites owned or operated by CharityFinders, Inc., a California corporation ("CharityFinders").
You may contact us regarding this Privacy Policy by e-mail, or by mail at our headquarters address:
CharityFinders, 641 21st St., Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
Some terms used in this Policy are:
"Donor/Volunteer" - a person or organization that has entered into a CharityFinders Donor/Volunteer Service Agreement with CharityFinders.
"Member Nonprofit" - a 501(c)(3) organization that has entered into a CharityFinders Nonprofit Service Agreement and may dynamically generate their own website, which is hosted and maintained by CharityFinders.
"Cookies" - which are small pieces of information that are stored by an Internet User's browser on the Internet User's hard drive.
Collection of Data
CharityFinders does not collect Internet User identity or contact information from Internet Users' visits to CharityFinders websites. For each visitor to a CharityFinders website, the visitor's computer reaches us via a particular IP, (Internet Protocol), address. CharityFinders’ servers automatically collect this IP address.
An Internet User's browser sets Cookies (when enabled) that contain small amounts of data on the Internet User's computer after a visit to any web site. Cookies assist CharityFinders in tracking Internet Users' activities to facilitate easier navigation, data entry and retrieval, and preference tracking. By setting a cookie on our website, users would not have to log in a password more than once, thereby saving time while on our site. If users reject the cookie, they may still use our website.
No information is obtained from the Internet User or Internet User's computer to generate the unique identifying number of the Internet User. CharityFinders’ servers automatically generate the unique number. None of CharityFinders’ Cookies are used to perform "User Profiling".
CharityFinders does receive and record e-mail addresses of Internet Users, only in circumstances where the Internet User has voluntarily provided its identity and contact information through CharityFinders' website or a Nonprofit's website.
Disabled and Non-functioning Cookies
CharityFinders does not employ any technology or means of preventing an Internet User from disabling the acceptance of a Cookie. Most Web browsers automatically accept cookies, but an Internet User's browser may be set by the Internet User to disable this function. Some Web browsers or similar Internet navigating technology may not support (or consistently support) Cookie technology. If Cookies are disabled or the Internet User is utilizing technology that does not adequately support Cookie technology, CharityFinders shall not be able to record the Internet User's activity.
Log Files
Like most standard websites we use log files. This includes internet protocol (IP) addresses, browser type, internet service provider (ISP), referring/exit pages, platform type, date/time stamp, and number of clicks to analyze trends, administer the site, track user’s movement in the aggregate, and gather broad demographic information for aggregate use. IP addresses, etc. are not linked to personally identifiable information.
Use and Disclosure of Data
CharityFinders does not sell or rent personally identifying information. CharityFinders does not disclose personally identifying information to anyone that CharityFinders is not authorized to do so. CharityFinders uses anonymous user data to create and report the browsing and/or form completion activities of anonymous users.
When a Donor/Volunteer performs a CharityFinders transaction that requires him to be identified to a Member Nonprofit (e.g., donation, volunteering, event registration, membership dues, etc.), that nonprofit, CharityFinders, and if the transaction involves a cash payment, our credit card processor Electronic Processing Exchange are the only parties granted access to that Donor/Volunteer’s personal information.
CharityFinders will send an e-mail receipt for all cash transactions made by a Donor/Volunteer or Member Nonprofit. These may be printed for tax receipts.
CharityFinders reserves the right to release information on Internet Users if compelled to do so by proper judicial or governmental authorities. Disclosure shall be limited to only to those that CharityFinders is compelled to disclose to. At present, all information processing on live, production data occurs in the United States.
Security Measures
CharityFinders has implemented technology and security features and strict policy guidelines to safeguard the privacy of customer identifiable information from unauthorized access or improper use, and we will continue to enhance our security procedures as new technology becomes available. Access to CharityFinders customer data is accessible via password protection through the Donor/Volunteer and Member Nonprofit Accounts created by each Donor/Volunteer and Member Nonprofit respectively, and to designated CharityFinders employees who require system level access in order to perform their jobs. Access to Internet User data that identifies the Internet User's name and/or e-mail addresses is limited to designated CharityFinders employees who require such access in order to perform their jobs and to a Donor/Volunteer or Nonprofit that provided such information. Each Donor/Volunteer and Member Nonprofit is responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of its own password used for accessing its accounts on the CharityFinders Network.
CharityFinders and EPX (Electronic Processing Exchange - our online credit card processor) use TDES - Triple Data Encryption Standard. This is considered a "very strong" encryption method, and uses 168-bit security. It is one of the most secure methods available for online credit card processing. It is also used by Federal Government organizations to protect sensitive data. For more information, please see the Federal Information Processing Standard Publication 46-3, Data Encryption Standard (DES)
CharityFinders backs up all of its data and its Member Nonprofits’ data every day. Multiple copies of the data are maintained and stored in secure locations and are tested on backup equipment. In addition CharityFinders’ systems are housed in a secure hosting environment with redundant connections to the Internet and redundant hardware. All of this simply means that you are fully protected against any computer failure or catastrophic data loss.
Nonprofit and Donor/Volunteer Privacy
CharityFinders does not share personally identifiable information about a Donor/Volunteer with anyone other than a Member Nonprofit with which he has performed a transaction. Such transactions include, but are not limited to, cash donations, non-cash donations, volunteering, planned giving, offering or purchasing items in an online thrift shop, membership setup or renewal, event registration, mailing list signup, and thon registration. Such exchange is limited to a party's e-mail address and basic Account detail. All personally identifiable information of Donors/Volunteers and Member Nonprofits that is provided by them during the sign-up process is retained and used by CharityFinders in order to serve the Member Nonprofit and the Donor/Volunteer in performing functions on the CharityFinders website. Member Nonprofits have agreed with CharityFinders not to engage in spamming, unsolicited e-mail and indiscriminate advertising. Each Donor/Volunteer and Nonprofit may view or modify the information that it provided during sign-up.
Donor/Volunteer and Nonprofit websites and Nonprofit Subscription E-mails
Although CharityFinders requires Member Nonprofits to adhere to Good Business Practices as a condition of Membership in the CharityFinders Network, CharityFinders is not responsible for the information practices of Member Nonprofits. Member Nonprofits may collect information from or about Internet Users, including personal information. The collection, use, and disclosure of information by and Nonprofits are subject to their respective privacy policies, which may differ from CharityFinders’ Privacy Policy. CharityFinders strongly encourages its Member Nonprofits to adhere to CharityFinders’ Privacy Policy.
Spam
CharityFinders does not intentionally send unsolicited e-mail messages that could legitimately be construed as spam. CharityFinders’ Nonprofits are held to the same standards.
Collection of Usage Data: CharityFinders servers automatically gather information about which pages are visited within a CharityFinders Web Site. The company does not use that information except in the aggregate.
E-mail Contents: The company will not read or disclose to third parties private e-mail communications that are transmitted using CharityFinders services except as required to operate the service or as otherwise authorized by law.
Improper Conduct: CharityFinders may also use customer identifiable information to investigate and help prevent potentially unlawful activity or activity that threatens the network or otherwise violates the customer agreement for that service.
Account Information: CharityFinders honors requests from customers for account information, for example, name, address, or billing information, and will correct any such information which may be inaccurate. Customers may verify that appropriate corrections have been made.
Customer Concerns: If you are a consumer with concerns about the CharityFinders online privacy policy or its implementation you may contact us at support@CharityFinders.com.
E-Mail List
If a user wishes to subscribe to CharityFinders’ e-mail list or a Member Nonprofit’s e-mail list, we ask for contact information such as name and email address. Members of a mailing list may receive periodic newsletters and Urgent Action Alerts. Out of respect for our users’ privacy we provide a way to opt-out of these communications
COPPA
Since you may not become a member of CharityFinders’ Network if you are under the age of 13, CharityFinders complies with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998. Nonprofits are also obligated to comply with COPPA.
If you inform CharityFinders that CharityFinders has collected or received information from a child under 13, CharityFinders will delete such information immediately from its databases. No CharityFinders website is specifically directed to children under 13. CharityFinders shall not knowingly distribute to third parties any personally identifiable information erroneously collected from children under 13.
Deactivating or deleting from databases by Nonprofits and Donors/Volunteers
Please e-mail us if you no longer wish to maintain an account with CharityFinders, or are unable to access your account. If CharityFinders has such information, CharityFinders shall not retain your name and/or e-mail address any longer than is necessary to perform the services that you requested from CharityFinders.
Policies and Disclaimers for CharityFinders Users
Your access to and continued use of the CharityFinders website constitutes your acceptance, without limitation, of these policies and disclaimers.
Any resale of this information or use for commercial gain is prohibited, except in accordance with a CharityFinders licensing agreement.
Copyright Protection
All materials appearing on www.CharityFinders.com are the property of CharityFinders, Inc. unless otherwise indicated, and are protected by United States copyright laws. Any reproduction or distribution, except for personal, informational use, is a violation of our copyright. If you would like to make copies and/or distribute the report, please contact us.
You may link to CharityFinders' home page or the home page of any CharityFinders Member Nonprofit. You must e-mail CharityFinders if you wish to link to any page other than the home page of CharityFinders or one of its Member Nonprofits.
Trademark Protection
CharityFinders is a registered service/trademark of CharityFinders, Inc. All other trademarks referred to on this website are service/trademarks of their respective owners.
Accuracy Disclaimer
CharityFinders does not warrant or guarantee the accuracy, quality, completeness, currency, or validity of any information on its website, the websites of any Member Nonprofits, or websites linked to or from CharityFinders or its Member Nonprofits. All information contained on this website has been obtained from sources believed by CharityFinders to be accurate and reliable. All information about a Member Nonprofit was supplied by the nonprofit itself. CharityFinders is not responsible for the accuracy of information provided by a Member Nonprofit.
Neither CharityFinders nor any Member Nonprofits are responsible for any errors or omissions. All information is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. Neither CharityFinders its Member Nonprofits make any representations as to the accuracy or integrity of the information. They disclaim all express, implied, and statutory warranties of any kind, including warranties as to accuracy, timeliness, completeness, merchantability, or fitness for any particular purpose. Neither CharityFinders nor its Member Nonprofits will be liable for any damages of any kind incurred as a result of the information posted on this site.
Endorsement Disclaimer
CharityFinders does not endorse, support, sanction, or verify the information or material that is provided on this site or linked to this site. Unless otherwise specifically indicated, CharityFinders has no affiliation with any Member Nonprofit, or any of the other organizations mentioned or described on the web site, and it makes no representations or warranties with regard to those organizations. Nor does CharityFinders endorse or affiliate itself with any of the organizations which are linked to or from this website.
Disclaimer Regarding Financial and Legal Advice
The information on this site, including but not limited to reports, newsletters, articles, and opinions is provided for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to provide legal, accounting, or tax advice and should not be relied on in that respect. We suggest that you hire an attorney, accountant, and/or financial advisor to answer any financial or legal questions.
General Disclaimer
CharityFinders is not responsible for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or any other damages arising out of or in connection with the use of this website or in reliance on the information available on the site. This includes any personal injury, business interruption, loss of use, lost data, lost profits, or any other pecuniary loss, whether in an action of contract, negligence, or other tortious action, even if CharityFinders has been informed of the possibility.
Response to Comments Disclaimer
CharityFinders appreciates hearing from you. All efforts will be made to respond to your comments, but CharityFinders cannot guarantee it will do so. Any response will be for informational or educational purposes only and will not constitute legal or financial advice. CharityFinders makes no warranties, express or implied, about the information in these responses.
Policy Changes
