Privacy Policy
The Homestretch privacy policy is specific to donor information and is applicable to both online and offline donors.
Homestretch values your support and is committed to protecting your privacy. The purpose of this statement is to share with you our policy concerning your privacy. Homestretch agents, employees, and contractors who have access to personal information are required to protect this information in a manner that is consistent with this statement.
Information is provided voluntarily.
Providing any information to Homestretch is voluntary. Submitting voluntary information constitutes your consent for Homestretch to use the information for the stated purpose and in accordance with this statement.
What information is collected and how it is used.
When you visit our website, we collect some non-identifying basic information. This may include such information as the Internet domain and IP address for the computer you use when visiting our Web site, the type of Web browser and computer operating system to access our site, the date and time you visit the site, and the pages you visit. Such information is captured and used to provide better online services to you and for website management and statistical purposes.
When you make a donation online, we require certain information to process your donation(s), to verify credit card or electronic check data, and to send you an electronic acknowledgement. Credit card and electronic check information is used by our credit card processing service to process your online donation. We use your mailing address to send your tax-deductible receipt(s) and we may use it and your email address to keep you informed about Homestretch activities and to ask for additional support.
When you donate via postal mail, telephone, or in person we use the information provided to process your donation(s), to verify credit card or check data, and to send you an acknowledgement. Credit card information is used by our credit card processing service to process your donation. Checks and cash are deposited into a local bank. We use your mailing address to send your tax-deductible receipt(s) and we may use it and your email address to keep you informed about Homestretch activities and to ask for additional support.
When you send us email we may retain the information not only to respond to your request, but also as a record of correspondence. If you use our website forms to contact us, you grant consent for us to use the information provided when you click the “Submit” button. We use the information you provide via our online forms to respond to your comments, requests, and inquiries. This information may be maintained for future communications.
When you send us written correspondence by postal mail we may retain the information not only to respond to your request, but also as a record of correspondence.
We retain online and offline donor information in an electronic donor database. This information includes donor personal information (name, address, email, phone, etc.) and the amount of gift. Credit card information and check information is not retained in this database. Credit card and electronic check information is retained by our donation processing service only for donors who opt to make their donations recurring. Once the recurring donation period ends, such information is no longer retained.
Our web pages may place a small file on your computer, commonly called a “cookie”. We may use session cookies which will disappear from your machine (expire) after your session ends. We may also use a cookie so that Google Analytics can recognize your computer if you visit our website in the future. This cookie does not collect personal identifying information. Please review the Google Analytics privacy policy for additional information. You can rest assured that Homestretch does not maintain a database of cookies, nor does it use any other method to profile visitors.
We do not knowingly collect any personal information from a child without the consent of the child’s parent(s). Children under the age of 13 should obtain parental consent before ordering material from our site.
We do not share your information.
It is Homestretch policy to not give, sell, trade, or rent your personal information to anyone without your permission. We may disclose to third parties aggregate statistics regarding donations, but these statistics do not include any personally identifying information. The type of information given in such cases includes total number of donors, total amount of donations for specific periods of time, and referring websites. Aggregate information of this kind is used to encourage fundraising partnerships.
Our site may employ, from time to time, public forums such as message boards and blogs. The information posted on any such Homestretch forums may be used in our marketing efforts. Any information posted in these areas becomes public information that may be used by outside parties who do not need our consent. You should exercise caution when deciding to disclose personal information in such venues.
We use third-party financial institutions to process our credit card and electronic check transactions, and cash and paper check donations. Such institutions receive the credit card number or bank account numbers, and other personal information of our donors where it is used to verify the numbers and to process transactions in a secure environment. As noted earlier, this information is not retained except for recurring donations, and then only for as long as the designated period.
Various third-party organizations may receive online donations designated for Homestretch, such as United Way or Community Foundations, GoFundMe, PayPal, etc. These organizations are independent of Homestretch and we have no authority over their payment processing and donor privacy policies. These organizations may deduct administrative fees from the donation you give, passing only the net amount through to Homestretch. They may also share your contact information with other nonprofits or with advertising interests. Please verify the legitimacy and the policies of any third-party organization before making your donation to Homestretch through them.
We provide a secure environment for all donations.
Our online donation processing system allows you to make safe and secure donations through our website. When you select our donation link, you are taken to our electronic payment service provider’s donation portal. Homestretch certifies that this provider is complaint with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) requirements for security management, policies, procedures, network architecture, software design and other critical protective measures. In addition, Homestretch annually validates our own PCI compliance with respect to internal procedures and policies for the security and control of payment card information. Our PCI compliance along with that of our electronic payment service provider insures your sensitive and confidential information is secure. You can learn more about PCI compliance standards at the PCI Security Standards Council website: https://www.pcisecuritystandards.org/security_standards/index.php
We use the same third-party service for processing credit card donations and electronic check donation authorizations received through the mail, telephone or in person. Check and cash donations we receive are deposited into our bank accounts. Credit card information is physically safeguarded in accordance with nonprofit best practices at all times, and once transactions are completed account information is obliterated.
Disclaimers
This Privacy Policy is provided for informational purposes only. It is not meant to be a contract of any type.
Through the Homestretch website you may be able to link to other websites which are not under the control of Homestretch. We have no control over the nature, content and availability of those third party websites. The inclusion of any links on our website does not imply a recommendation or endorsement of the views expressed within them. Also, Homestretch is not responsible for, nor can we ensure, the privacy practices or content of such other sites.
Homestretch takes every reasonable precaution in accordance with nonprofit best practices to prevent the unauthorized disclosure of personal information. However, even the best security measures may not prevent all loss, misuse, or alteration of information. Homestretch is not responsible for any damages or liabilities relating to a breach of our security safeguards. There is always a risk that unauthorized third parties might access data and communications, including e-mail and other electronic communications, when it is communicated over the Internet.
Opting Out
Homestretch will discontinue contacting a person upon that person’s oral or written request.
Modification of Privacy Policy
Homestretch may change this Privacy Policy at any time by posting the changed or amended Privacy Policy on our website. Your continued viewing of or use of this site, following the posting of any changes to this Privacy Policy, will signify your assent to any such changes or amendments.