1. Information We Collect
We may collect the following information when you use our website or interact with us online:
- Personal Information You Provide: When you fill out forms on our website (e.g., donate, sign up for newsletters, or submit a contact form), you may be asked to provide personal details such as your name, email address, phone number, and mailing address.
- Donation Information: When you make a financial or in-kind contribution, we collect necessary information to process your gift, including contact details and donation amount. Online donations are processed through a secure third-party payment processor (see Section 6).
- Automatically Collected Information: We may collect technical information through cookies or analytics tools, such as your IP address, browser type, operating system, and browsing activity. This helps us improve website performance and user experience.
- Account Information: If you create a login for our client or staff portal, we collect the information necessary to manage your account and secure access to resources.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use your information to:
- Process donations and issue tax receipts
- Communicate with you about our programs, events, and updates
- Respond to inquiries or requests submitted through our contact forms
- Improve website content and functionality through analytics
- Provide secure access to the client and staff portal
- Fulfill any other purpose disclosed when the information was collected
3. Donor Privacy and Communications
We are deeply committed to protecting the privacy of our donors. My Sister’s Place does not sell, rent, trade, or share donor information with other organizations or send mailings on behalf of other organizations.
Donor information is shared only with staff, board members, volunteers, and consultants on a confidential, need-to-know basis. We retain donation data as required by law and to understand giving trends.
You may choose to opt out of communications (e.g., mailings, newsletters, event invitations) at any time by contacting us at comms@mysistersplacedc.org or clicking the “unsubscribe” link in emails.
4. How We Protect Your Information
We use industry-standard physical, technical, and administrative safeguards to protect personal data. All donor information is securely stored in DonorPerfect. Online donations are processed using SafeSave Payment Services, which is PCI-DSS Level 1 certified.
5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies
Our website may use cookies and third-party tools (such as Google Analytics) to collect usage data. Cookies help us understand website performance and user interests.
If you log in to our client or staff portal, session cookies may be used to maintain your login and security. These cookies do not store personal data and expire when you close your browser or log out.
You may disable cookies through your browser settings, but some website features may not function properly.
6. Embedded Content
Some pages on our site may include embedded content (e.g., videos, maps, or social media feeds). Embedded content from other websites behaves in the same way as if you visited that website directly. These external sites may collect data about you, use cookies, or track your interaction.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these external websites.
7. Third-Party Services
Any third-party service providers (e.g., payment processors, CRM platforms) only receive the information necessary to perform their functions and are obligated to maintain its confidentiality.
8. Children’s Privacy
Our website is not intended for individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal data from children.
9. Donor Bill of Rights
My Sister’s Place subscribes to the Donor Bill of Rights, which was created by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the Giving Institute: Leading Consultants to Non-Profits.
Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the nonprofit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:
I. To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
II. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
III. To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.
IV. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
V. To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.
VI. To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
VII. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
VIII. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
IX. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
X. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.
10. Compliance and Your Rights
If you are a resident of California or the European Union, you may have additional rights under privacy laws such as the CCPA or GDPR. These may include the right to access, correct, or delete your personal information, and to opt out of certain uses.
You may also request an exported file of the personal data we hold about you or request deletion, subject to legal and contractual requirements.
11. Data Retention
We retain donation and transaction records for as long as required by law. Account information for portal users is retained while the account is active or until you request deletion, subject to legal requirements. Other personal information (e.g., newsletter sign-ups) is retained until you unsubscribe or request removal.
12. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Effective Date” at the top of the policy. We encourage you to review this page periodically for any changes.
13. Contact Us
For questions about this Privacy Policy or your personal information, please contact:
My Sister’s Place
PO BOX 21463
Washington, DC 20009
Website: www.mysistersplacedc.org
Email: comms@mysistersplacedc.org
Phone: 202-935-3734