The Veterans Education Tuition Fund (VETF) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information that you provide to us. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website (www.veteranstuitionfund.org), make donations, apply for scholarships, or interact with us in other ways. By using our website, you agree to the practices outlined in this Privacy Policy.
1. Information We Collect
We collect various types of information to enhance your experience on our website and to fulfill our mission of supporting the educational needs of children of veterans. The information we collect includes:
1.1 Personal Information
Personal information is information that can identify you personally. We collect personal information when you:
- Make a donation: We collect your name, email address, phone number, and payment information (processed through secure third-party payment processors).
- Apply for scholarships or other programs: We may collect your name, contact information, academic history, financial need information, and other details necessary for processing your application.
- Sign up for newsletters: We collect your email address when you subscribe to our newsletter or other communications.
- Register for events: We may collect details such as your name, contact information, and any other necessary details to register you for events, fundraisers, or other activities hosted by VETF.
1.2 Non-Personal Information
Non-personal information refers to data that does not directly identify you. We collect non-personal information to improve our website and services. This may include:
- Cookies and Tracking Technologies: We use cookies and other tracking technologies to monitor user activity on our website, analyze trends, and improve the user experience. For more information on how we use cookies, see our Cookie Policy (if applicable).
- Device and Browser Information: We may collect information about your device, such as your IP address, browser type, and operating system, to help improve our website’s functionality and troubleshoot technical issues.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect for various purposes, including but not limited to:
- Providing Services: To process your donations, scholarship applications, event registrations, and any other services you request.
- Communication: To send you information related to your donations, applications, or registrations, as well as updates about our programs, events, and newsletters. You can opt out of receiving marketing communications at any time.
- Improving Our Website and Services: To monitor and improve the performance, functionality, and security of our website, and to customize your user experience.
- Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, or legal processes, or to respond to lawful requests from public authorities.
3. How We Share Your Information
We value your privacy and will not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your information in the following circumstances:
3.1 Service Providers
We may share your personal information with trusted third-party service providers who help us carry out the functions of our website or services. These providers may include:
- Payment processors (for donations)
- Event management platforms
- Email service providers (for newsletters and communications)
- Website hosting and analytics services
These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it solely for the purposes of providing services on our behalf.
3.2 Legal Requirements
We may disclose your personal information if required to do so by law or in response to valid legal requests, such as a subpoena or government inquiry, or when we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, comply with a legal obligation, or investigate potential fraud.
3.3 Business Transfers
In the event of a merger, acquisition, or sale of assets, your personal information may be transferred to the new owner or entity. We will notify you of such a transfer if required by law.
4. How We Protect Your Information
We take the security of your personal information seriously and use commercially reasonable measures to protect it from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These measures include:
- Encryption: Sensitive information, such as payment details, is encrypted during transmission using secure protocols (e.g., SSL/TLS).
- Access Control: We restrict access to personal information to authorized personnel who need it to perform their job functions.
- Regular Security Audits: We perform regular security audits and updates to ensure our systems remain secure and up-to-date.
However, please be aware that no data transmission over the internet or method of electronic storage is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee the absolute security of your personal information.
5. Your Rights and Choices
We believe in empowering you with control over your personal information. You have the following rights and choices:
5.1 Access and Correction
You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and to request corrections or updates to that information. If you would like to review or update your personal information, please contact us using the information provided below.
5.2 Opting Out of Communications
You can opt out of receiving marketing or promotional communications from us at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions in our emails or by contacting us directly.
5.3 Data Retention
We will retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.
5.4 Cookies and Tracking Technologies
You can manage your cookie preferences through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may affect the functionality of certain parts of our website. For more information, please refer to our Cookie Policy (if applicable).
6. Children’s Privacy
We do not knowingly collect or solicit personal information from children under the age of 13. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete such information as soon as possible. If you are a parent or guardian and believe we have collected personal information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.
7. Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to third-party websites that are not operated or controlled by VETF. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites you visit.
8. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update or modify this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. When we make changes, we will update the “Effective Date” at the top of this page. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your information.
9. Contact Us
If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:
Veterans Education Tuition Fund (VETF)
7000 W Palmetto Park Rd, Ste 409
Boca Raton, FL 33486
Email: veteranstuitionfundorg@gmail.com
Conclusion
We are committed to safeguarding your privacy and ensuring that your experience on our website is secure and transparent. By using our website and services, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. We appreciate your trust and look forward to continuing to serve the children of veterans.
This Privacy Policy page is designed to provide transparency and clarity regarding how personal data is collected, used, and protected on the Veterans Education Tuition Fund (VETF) website. If you need further adjustments or have specific legal concerns, it’s recommended to consult with a privacy law professional. Let me know if you’d like any further additions or changes!