Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy – Sanders Dickinson Foundation

Privacy Policy

Your privacy is important to us. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information.

Effective Date: January 1, 2026 | Last Updated: January 15, 2026
Our Commitment: The Sanders Dickinson Foundation is committed to protecting your privacy and handling your information with care and transparency. We will never sell your personal information to third parties.

1. Introduction

The Sanders Dickinson Foundation (“we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal data. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website or interact with our organization.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By using our website or providing us with your information, you consent to the data practices described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

We collect several types of information from and about users of our website. This includes:

2.1 Personal Information You Provide

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

  • Make a donation: Name, email address, mailing address, phone number, payment information
  • Contact us: Name, email address, phone number, message content
  • Subscribe to our newsletter: Name and email address
  • Request information: Name, email address, organization (if applicable), inquiry details

2.2 Donation and Financial Information

When you make a donation, we collect:

  • Payment card information (processed securely through third-party payment processors)
  • Donation amount and frequency (one-time or recurring)
  • Dedication information (if you choose to dedicate your gift)
  • Tax receipt information for your records

Note: We do not store complete credit card numbers or security codes on our servers. All payment processing is handled by PCI-compliant third-party processors.

2.3 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

  • Device information: Browser type, operating system, device type
  • Usage data: Pages visited, time spent, referring website
  • Location data: General geographic location (IP address)
  • Cookies and tracking technologies: See Section 6 for details

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

3.1 To Process Donations

  • Process and acknowledge your donation
  • Provide tax receipts and year-end giving summaries
  • Manage recurring donation schedules
  • Send donation confirmations and updates

3.2 To Communicate With You

  • Respond to your inquiries and requests
  • Send newsletters and updates (with your consent)
  • Provide information about our mission and impact
  • Send important administrative notices

3.3 To Improve Our Services

  • Analyze website usage and improve user experience
  • Identify trends and optimize our content
  • Ensure website security and functionality

3.4 Legal and Compliance

  • Comply with legal obligations and regulatory requirements
  • Protect our rights, property, and safety
  • Prevent fraud and unauthorized access

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

4.1 Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website and conducting our business, such as:

  • Payment processors (for donation processing)
  • Email service providers (for newsletters and communications)
  • Web hosting and analytics providers

These service providers are contractually obligated to use your information only for the purposes we specify and to protect your data.

4.2 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required by law, subpoena, court order, or other legal process, or if we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.

4.3 Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of all or a portion of our assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity. We will notify you of any such change and any choices you may have regarding your information.

4.4 With Your Consent

We may share your information with third parties when you give us explicit consent to do so.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

  • Encryption of data in transit (SSL/TLS)
  • Secure storage of data at rest
  • Regular security assessments and updates
  • Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
  • Employee training on data protection practices

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to track activity on our website and hold certain information.

6.1 What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help the website remember your preferences and provide a better user experience.

6.2 Types of Cookies We Use

  • Essential Cookies: Required for the website to function properly (e.g., session management)
  • Analytics Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our website (e.g., Google Analytics)
  • Functionality Cookies: Remember your preferences (e.g., language, region)

6.3 Managing Cookies

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

  • View what cookies you have and delete them on an individual basis
  • Block third-party cookies
  • Block all cookies
  • Delete all cookies when you close your browser

Please note that blocking some cookies may impact your user experience or prevent certain features from working properly.

7. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

7.1 Access and Correction

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and to request correction of any inaccurate or incomplete information.

7.2 Deletion

You may request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., legal requirements, tax records).

7.3 Opt-Out of Communications

You can opt out of receiving marketing emails from us by:

  • Clicking the “unsubscribe” link in any email
  • Contacting us directly at info@sandersdickinson.org

Please note that even if you opt out of marketing communications, we may still send you administrative emails about your account, donations, or our services.

7.4 California Residents

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including the right to know what personal information we collect, the right to delete your information, and the right to non-discrimination for exercising your rights.

7.5 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at:

  • Email: misspaulinebogan.org@gmail.com
  • Mail: Sanders Dickinson Foundation, Saratoga, CA 95070

We will respond to your request within 30 days.

8. Children’s Privacy

Our website is not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us, and we will take steps to delete such information.

9. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. This Privacy Policy does not apply to those websites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

10. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including:

  • Donation records: Retained for 7 years for tax and legal compliance
  • Contact inquiries: Retained for 3 years after last communication
  • Newsletter subscriptions: Retained until you unsubscribe
  • Website analytics: Retained for 2 years

After these periods, we will securely delete or anonymize your information.

11. 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. By using our website, you consent to such transfers.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the “Last Updated” date at the top.

You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page.

13. Contact Us

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

  • Mail: Sanders Dickinson Foundation
    Saratoga, CA 95070
Thank you for trusting the Sanders Dickinson Foundation with your information. We are committed to protecting your privacy and using your information responsibly to advance our mission of supporting Bay Area communities.