Your Privacy Matters

Privacy Policy

We are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your data.

Last updated: January 24, 2025

The Education Foundation ("we," "our," or "us") operates the website and platform that connects donors with students in need of educational support. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you use our services.

By using our platform, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our services.

1. Information We Collect

We collect several types of information from and about users of our platform:

Personal Information

  • Name, email address, and phone number
  • Billing address and payment information
  • Account credentials (username and password)
  • Profile information (photo, bio, preferences)

Student Information (for case submissions)

  • Student name, age, and educational details
  • School information and academic records
  • Family background and financial situation
  • Photographs and supporting documents

Automatically Collected Information

  • Device information (browser type, operating system)
  • IP address and approximate location
  • Usage data (pages visited, time spent, interactions)
  • Cookies and similar tracking technologies

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

Provide Services

Process donations, connect donors with students, and manage your account

Communication

Send donation receipts, updates about supported students, and important notices

Verification

Verify student cases and ensure the authenticity of submissions

Improvement

Analyze usage patterns to improve our platform and user experience

Legal Compliance

Comply with legal obligations, including tax reporting requirements

Security

Detect and prevent fraud, abuse, and security incidents

3. Information Sharing

We do not sell your personal information. We may share your information in the following circumstances:

  • With Service Providers: We share data with trusted third parties who assist us in operating our platform, such as payment processors (Stripe), email services, and cloud hosting providers.
  • For Legal Reasons: We may disclose information when required by law, court order, or government regulation, or to protect our rights and safety.
  • With Your Consent: We may share your information with third parties when you explicitly consent to such sharing.
  • Donor-Student Connection: If you choose to donate to a specific student, we may share limited information (first name, donation amount) with the student or their guardian unless you choose to remain anonymous.

4. Data Security

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

Our Security Measures Include:

  • SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit
  • Encrypted storage for sensitive data
  • Regular security audits and testing
  • Access controls and authentication
  • Secure payment processing via Stripe
  • Regular data backups

While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission over the Internet is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security but are committed to maintaining industry-standard protections.

5. Cookies & Tracking

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our platform.

Essential Cookies

Required for the platform to function properly (e.g., authentication, security)

Required

Analytics Cookies

Help us understand how visitors interact with our platform

Optional

Preference Cookies

Remember your settings and preferences

Optional

You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. Note that disabling certain cookies may affect the functionality of our platform.

6. Your Rights

You have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Access

Request a copy of your personal data

Correction

Update or correct inaccurate information

Deletion

Request deletion of your account and data

Portability

Receive your data in a portable format

Opt-out

Unsubscribe from marketing communications

Withdraw Consent

Withdraw previously given consent

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@educationfoundation.org. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

7. Children's Privacy

Our platform is not intended for children under 13 years of age. 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 immediately.

Regarding Student Data

When student cases are submitted, the information is provided by authorized adults (teachers, parents, guardians, or NGO workers) with appropriate consent. Student information is handled with extra care and is only displayed with proper authorization.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. When we make significant changes, we will:

  • Update the "Last updated" date at the top of this policy
  • Notify registered users via email about significant changes
  • Display a prominent notice on our platform

We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information.

9. Contact Us

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

The Education Foundation

Data Protection Officer

Email: privacy@educationfoundation.org

Address: 123 Education Street, Andheri West, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400053, India

Phone: +91 98765 43210

We take all privacy concerns seriously and will respond to your inquiry within 30 days.