Donor Privacy Policy

1. What Donor Information We Collect

When you make a donation to Seed & Spoon NJ, we may collect the following information:

• Personal information: Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address
• Donation details: Donation amount, date, frequency (one-time or recurring), and designation (if specified)
• Payment information: Credit card or bank account details processed securely through our payment processor (we do not store full payment credentials)
• Communication preferences: Whether you wish to receive updates, newsletters, or acknowledgments
• Employer information: If you participate in employer matching gift programs
• Tribute or memorial information: If your donation is made in honor or memory of someone

Corporate and Organizational Donors

For businesses, foundations, and organizations, we may also collect:

• Organization name and contact person
• Business address and tax identification number
• Grant or partnership terms and reporting requirements

2. How We Use Donor Information

We use your information to:

• Process your donation: Complete your transaction and issue a receipt for tax purposes
• Send acknowledgments: Thank you for your contribution and confirm receipt
• Provide tax documentation: Generate year-end donation summaries and IRS-compliant receipts
• Share impact updates: Inform you about how your donation is being used and the difference it's making
• Send communications: Share newsletters, program updates, volunteer opportunities, and event invitations (only if you opt in)
• Ensure compliance: Maintain accurate financial records for tax and legal purposes
• Improve donor experience: Analyze donation trends to better understand donor preferences and improve our fundraising efforts

3. Public Recognition and Donor Lists

We respect your privacy and give you control over how your donation is recognized:

Options for Recognition

• Public acknowledgment: Your name may appear in donor lists on our website, annual reports, newsletters, or event materials
• Anonymous donation: You may request that your donation remain anonymous, and we will honor that request
• Partial anonymity: You may choose to be recognized privately (internal records only) but not publicly

You can update your recognition preferences at any time by contacting us at seedandspoonnj@gmail.com.

4. We Do Not Sell or Trade Donor Information

Seed & Spoon NJ will never sell, rent, trade, or share your personal information with third parties for their marketing purposes.

Your donor information is confidential and will only be used to support our mission and communicate with you as described in this policy.

5. Third-Party Payment Processors

We use secure third-party payment platforms, such as Stripe, to process donations. When you make a donation, your payment information is transmitted directly to the payment processor and is subject to their privacy policy and security standards.

Seed & Spoon NJ does not store full credit card numbers or bank account details on our servers. We only retain transaction confirmation data and donation amounts for record-keeping purposes.

Payment processors are bound by industry-standard security protocols, including PCI-DSS compliance, to protect your financial information.

6. Opt-Out and Communication Preferences

You have full control over the communications you receive from us:

• Email updates: You can unsubscribe from our mailing list at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any email or contacting us directly
• Phone calls: If you prefer not to receive phone calls, let us know and we will remove your number from our contact list
• Postal mail: You can opt out of receiving physical mail by contacting us
• Tax receipts: You will continue to receive donation receipts for tax purposes, even if you opt out of other communications

To update your preferences, email us at seedandspoonnj@gmail.com.

7. Data Retention

We retain donor records in accordance with legal and regulatory requirements:

• Donation records: Maintained for at least 7 years to comply with IRS and nonprofit accounting standards
• Communication history: Stored as long as you remain an active supporter or until you request deletion
• Inactive donor records: Periodically reviewed and archived or deleted in accordance with our data retention policies

If you request deletion of your information, we will remove it from active systems while retaining the minimum necessary for legal compliance.

8. Security Measures

We take the security of your information seriously and implement reasonable safeguards, including:

• Secure, encrypted connections (SSL/TLS) for all donation transactions
• Restricted access to donor information, limited to authorized staff and volunteers
• Regular security reviews and updates to our systems
• Secure storage of physical and digital records

While we strive to protect your information, no method of transmission or storage is 100% secure. We encourage you to use strong passwords and report any suspicious activity.

9. Access, Correction, and Deletion

As a donor, you have the right to:

• Request access: Ask for a copy of the personal and donation information we have on file
• Request correction: Update or correct inaccurate information (such as your mailing address or email)
• Request deletion: Ask us to remove your information from our active systems (subject to legal retention requirements)
• Cancel recurring donations: Stop automatic monthly or recurring donations at any time

To exercise any of these rights, contact us at seedandspoonnj@gmail.com. We will respond within 30 days.

10. Transparency and Accountability

We believe in transparency with our donors. If you have questions about:

• How your donation is being used
• Our financial statements or annual reports
• Our nonprofit status and tax-exempt documentation
• How we protect your privacy

Please don't hesitate to reach out. We are committed to building trust and maintaining open communication with our supporters.

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Donor Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or services. The "Last updated" date at the top will indicate when the policy was last revised.

If we make significant changes, we will notify donors via email or through a notice on our website.

12. Contact Us

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

Seed & Spoon NJ
Email: seedandspoonnj@gmail.com

Your trust and support are invaluable to us. Thank you for helping Seed & Spoon NJ fight hunger and build a more equitable food system.