What information does the Foundation collect?

The website's registration, online surveys, contest and product order forms may ask users to provide personally identifiable information in one of three ways: through contact information (including, without limitation, name, address, phone number (home, work and/or cell), fax number and e-mail address), demographic information (including, without limitation, race, gender, ethnicity, and age) and, in some cases, financial information (including, without limitation, organizational income (when on behalf of an organization) and credit card number (when on behalf of an individual)). Some information will be required for you to avail yourself of that particular feature of the website. None of this personally identifiable information will be shared with third parties or used to market third party products or services; it will only be used as described below.

From time to time, we may use the standard "cookie" feature of major browser applications that allows us to store data about your visit. Cookies help us learn which areas of our site are useful and which areas need improvement. We do not set any personally identifiable information in cookies, nor do we employ any data capture mechanisms on our website other than cookies. You may configure your web browser to prevent cookies from being set on your computer.

The Foundation may also gather anonymous, or aggregate, information, which may be used by us or shared with third parties. This is information which does not personally identify you, but which may be helpful for marketing purposes or for improving the services we offer. Generally, this information is collected through "traffic data" and may entail the use of numeric codes used to identify a computer.

What does the Foundation do with collected information?

We use personally identifiable information from our online registration, survey, contest and order forms to send you information about the Foundation and its various projects and initiatives, or to communicate with you about a project in which you are participating. If you supply contact information, it may also be used to contact you for other purposes.

We may use cookies to save your password so you don't have to re-enter it each time you visit our site, and for other purposes.

The Foundation may use your IP address (the number assigned to your computer while it is on the Internet) to help diagnose problems with our server, and to administer our website. If you shop on the website, your IP address may be used to help identify your computer and your online "shopping cart" and to gather broad demographic information. If you submit financial information, it will be used to check your qualifications and to bill you for products and services you have ordered.

The Foundation may disclose personal information if required to do so by law or in the good-faith belief that such action is necessary to (a) conform to the edicts of the law or comply with legal process served on the Foundation or its subsidiaries or affiliates; (b) protect and defend the rights or property of the Foundation or the users of this website, and (c) act under exigent circumstances to protect the personal safety of the website's users.

What type of public forums are available through the website?

We may make various public forums (such as chat rooms) and functions available to you. During these activities, you will have the option to add additional personal information that is beyond the information gathered at registration. Any information you choose to share when using any of these forums or functions becomes public information. It is incumbent upon you to exercise caution in deciding whether todisclose such information.

Does the Foundation control the practices of sites to which it links?

This website contains links to other websites. We have no control over, and are not responsible for, the privacy policies, reliability or content of such sites.

How does the Foundation protect children's information?

The Foundation respects the sensitive nature of children's privacy online. We are a general audience site, and do not direct our content specifically at children under thirteen (13) years of age. If the Foundation learns that a user is under age 13, the Foundation will delete the child's information from our systems.

Can I opt out of allowing the Foundation to use my personally identifiable information?

The Foundation allows you to remove your information from our database in order to stop receiving future communications from the Foundation or by contacting us at privacy@pointsoflight.org.

What type of security does the website employ?

The website uses encrypted authentication technology when you login to the website in an effort to provide a secure environment that is protected from third party access, alteration, theft or misuse of the personal information gathered or confirmed at registration.

How can I update my information?

The Foundation gives you the opportunity to change or modify information you have previously provided by sending an e-mail to privacy@pointsoflight.org or calling (202) 729-8000.

How can I contact the Foundation?

If you have any questions about this privacy statement, the practices of this site, or your interaction with website, please feel free to contact us at privacy@pointsoflight.org.

Any of the policies or procedures above may be changed at any time without prior notice.