Privacy Policy

Introduction

Bridge Forward Foundation ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy and personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website, make a donation, volunteer with us, or otherwise interact with our organization.

Organization Details:
Bridge Forward Foundation
EIN: 39-4811181
501(c)(3) Nonprofit Organization
Email: bridgeforwardfoundation@gmail.com

Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

We may collect the following personal information when you:

• Make a donation: Name, email address, phone number, billing address, payment information
• Contact us: Name, email address, phone number, message content, inquiry type
• Volunteer or get involved: Name, email address, phone number, availability, experience, interests, references, emergency contact information
• Subscribe to communications: Email address, communication preferences
• Apply for scholarships: Name, contact information, program interest, qualifications

Information Automatically Collected

• IP address and location information
• Browser type and version
• Device information
• Website usage data and analytics
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for the following purposes:

Donor Information

• Process donations and send tax-deductible receipts
• Communicate about your donations and their impact
• Send updates about our programs and mission (based on your preferences)
• Solicit future donations (only if you have opted in to receive such communications)
• Comply with legal and tax reporting requirements

Volunteer and Contact Information

• Respond to your inquiries and provide requested information
• Coordinate volunteer activities and opportunities
• Communicate about programs, events, and volunteer opportunities
• Conduct background checks for volunteer positions (with your consent)
• Maintain emergency contact information for safety purposes

General Purposes

• Improve our website and services
• Analyze website usage and performance
• Ensure security and prevent fraud
• Comply with legal obligations

How We Share Your Information

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

Nonprofit Partners

We may share your contact information with trusted nonprofit partner organizations whose programs and collaboration support our mission of enriching lives through sports and music education. These partners may contact you about relevant programs, volunteer opportunities, or events that align with your expressed interests.

Service Providers

We share information with third-party service providers who help us operate our organization:

• Payment processors (such as Stripe) to process donations
• Email service providers to send communications
• Website analytics providers to understand website usage
• Background check services for volunteer screening (with your consent)

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law or to:

• Comply with legal processes or government requests
• Protect our rights, property, or safety
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of others
• Investigate fraud or security issues

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information:

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest
• Secure payment processing through PCI DSS compliant providers
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Employee training on data protection practices

While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.

Your Rights and Choices

Communication Preferences

You have the right to:

• Opt out of fundraising communications at any time
• Update your communication preferences
• Unsubscribe from email lists using the link in our emails
• Request to be removed from partner organization sharing

Data Rights (CCPA/GDPR)

Depending on your location, you may have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we have about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate personal information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal requirements)
• Portability: Request your data in a portable format
• Restriction: Request limitation of processing of your personal information

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience on our website:

• Essential cookies: Required for website functionality
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our site
• Preference cookies: Remember your settings and preferences

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to:

• Fulfill the purposes outlined in this privacy policy
• Comply with legal, tax, and accounting requirements
• Resolve disputes and enforce our agreements

Typical retention periods:

• Donor records: 7 years (IRS requirement)
• Volunteer information: 3 years after last activity
• Contact inquiries: 2 years
• Website analytics: 26 months

Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed to children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13, we will delete that information promptly.

For program participants under 18, we require parental consent before collecting any personal information.

International Users

If you are accessing our website from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States where our servers are located and our central database is operated.

By using our website or providing us with your information, you consent to this transfer, processing, and storage of your information in the United States.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website
• Updating the "Last Updated" date at the top of this policy
• Sending email notification for significant changes (if you have provided your email)

Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us: