SilverSource (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to protecting the privacy of everyone who visits our website at silversource.org (the “Site”). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, with whom we share it, and the choices you have. By using the Site, you agree to the collection and use of information as described in this Policy.
1. Information We Collect
We collect information in two ways: information you provide to us directly, and information collected automatically when you use the Site.
Information you provide directly.
- Contact and newsletter forms: Your name, email address, phone number, mailing address, and the contents of your message when you fill out a contact form, request services or information, or sign up for our newsletter.
- Donations and payments: Your name, billing address, email address, donation amount, and payment information when you make a donation or register for a fundraising event. Donations and event transactions may be processed through third-party fundraising and payment platforms. Payment card details are collected and processed directly by those platforms and are not stored on our servers.
- Event registration and text messaging: Your mobile phone number when you register for one of our fundraising events or otherwise opt in to receive text messages from us. See Section 5 (Text Messaging) for details.
- User accounts: Your name, email address, username, and password when you create an account on the Site. Passwords are stored in encrypted form.
- Client and service referrals: When you request services or refer someone for services through the Site, we collect the information provided in the referral, which may include the name, contact information, age, living situation, and description of needs of the person seeking services. This information may be sensitive, and we treat it confidentially and use it only to evaluate the referral and provide or coordinate services.
- Volunteers: Your name, contact information, availability, interests, and related information when you sign up to volunteer or support one of our events.
If you submit information about another person, such as when referring someone for services, please only do so if you have that person’s permission or are otherwise authorized to act on their behalf.
Information collected automatically.
- Usage data: When you visit the Site, we and our analytics providers automatically collect certain information, including your IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, referring web page, pages visited, and the dates and times of your visits.
- Cookies: We use cookies and similar technologies to operate the Site, remember your preferences, keep you signed in to your account, and understand how visitors use the Site. See Section 6 (Cookies and Analytics) for details.
2. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Provide, operate, and improve the Site and our programs and services;
- Respond to your inquiries, requests, and applications for services;
- Evaluate client referrals, determine eligibility for our programs, and provide or coordinate services for the person referred;
- Coordinate volunteer activities and communicate with volunteers about opportunities and events;
- Process donations and send donation receipts and acknowledgments;
- Create and manage your user account;
- Send newsletters, updates, event invitations, and fundraising communications you have requested or that we believe may interest you (you may opt out at any time);
- Analyze Site usage to improve content, design, and performance;
- Protect the security and integrity of the Site and prevent fraud; and
- Comply with legal obligations, including tax and charitable-reporting requirements.
3. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We share personal information only in the following limited circumstances:
- Service providers: We work with third parties that perform services on our behalf, such as payment processing, fundraising and event management, text message delivery, email delivery, website hosting, donor management, and analytics. These providers may access personal information only as needed to perform their services and are obligated to protect it.
- Service coordination: When needed to provide or coordinate services that you or the person you referred have requested, we may share relevant information with community partner organizations, government agencies, or other service providers involved in that person’s care or assistance.
- Legal requirements: We may disclose information if required to do so by law, subpoena, or other legal process, or when we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.
- Organizational changes: If SilverSource is involved in a merger, reorganization, or transfer of assets, personal information may be transferred as part of that transaction, subject to this Policy.
- Aggregated information: We may share aggregated or de-identified information that cannot reasonably be used to identify you, such as overall website traffic statistics or aggregate donor data in annual reports.
4. Donations and Payment Security
Online donations and event transactions made through the Site are processed by third-party fundraising and payment platforms. When you make a donation or purchase, your payment card information is transmitted directly to the platform over an encrypted connection and is subject to that platform’s own privacy policy and security practices. SilverSource does not store complete payment card numbers on its systems. We retain donation records (such as donor name, contact information, donation amount, and date) as required for receipting, accounting, and tax purposes.
If you make a donation in honor or in memory of someone and request that an acknowledgment be sent to another individual or family, we use that individual’s or family’s name and address for acknowledgment purposes only.
5. Text Messaging (SMS)
When you register for one of our fundraising events or otherwise opt in to receive text messages, we (or the fundraising platform acting on our behalf) may send you text messages related to that event, such as registration confirmations, bidding or donation updates, payment receipts, and event logistics, as well as occasional messages about SilverSource programs and fundraising activities.
- Consent: Your consent to receive text messages is not a condition of donating to SilverSource or attending our events.
- Frequency and rates: Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier and plan.
- Opting out: You may opt out of text messages at any time by replying STOP to any message. Reply HELP for assistance, or contact us using the information in Section 14.
- Sharing: We do not share your mobile phone number with third parties for their own marketing purposes.
6. Cookies and Analytics
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by a website. We use the following types of cookies:
- Essential cookies: Required for the Site to function, such as cookies that keep you logged in to your account or remember your session while filling out a form.
- Analytics cookies: Used to understand how visitors interact with the Site, such as which pages are most visited and how long visitors stay. We use third-party analytics services (such as Google Analytics) for this purpose. These services may set their own cookies and collect information about your use of the Site.
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings, including blocking or deleting cookies. Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of some parts of the Site, including your ability to stay logged in. Our Site does not currently respond to “Do Not Track” browser signals.
7. Your Choices
- Email communications: Every marketing or newsletter email we send includes an unsubscribe link. You may also opt out by contacting us using the information in Section 14. Note that we may still send transactional messages, such as donation receipts or responses to your inquiries.
- Text messages: You may opt out of text messages at any time by replying STOP, as described in Section 5.
- Account information: You may review and update your account information by logging in to your account, or request that we correct or delete your account by contacting us.
- Cookies: You may adjust your browser settings to limit or block cookies, as described in Section 6.
- Access, correction, and deletion: You may contact us at any time to request access to, correction of, or deletion of the personal information we hold about you. We will respond to verified requests within a reasonable time. Deletion requests are subject to applicable law and our record retention policy, which requires us to retain certain records, such as donation and financial records.
8. Data Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, use, alteration, or destruction. These measures include encrypted transmission of sensitive information (such as during the donation process), restricted access to personal information, and secure hosting. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
9. Data Retention
We retain personal information in accordance with our internal Record Retention & Destruction Policy and applicable law. Retention periods vary by record type: for example, donation and financial records are retained as required by applicable tax and charitable-solicitation laws and our retention schedule, client and referral records are retained in accordance with our program record requirements, and account information is retained while your account remains active.
10. Children’s Privacy
The Site is intended for a general audience and is not directed to anyone under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18 without verifiable parental or guardian consent. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a minor without such consent, we will delete it promptly. If you believe a minor has provided us with personal information, please contact us using the information in Section 14.
11. Links to Other Websites
The Site may contain links to websites operated by third parties, such as community resources, partner organizations, or social media platforms. This Privacy Policy applies only to silversource.org. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third-party websites, and we encourage you to review the privacy policies of any site you visit.
12. Users Outside the United States
The Site is operated in the United States and is intended for visitors located in the United States. Personal information submitted through the Site is stored on servers located in the United States and is governed by applicable U.S. federal and state law. SilverSource does not solicit donations from, or direct its services to, individuals outside the United States. If you access the Site from outside the United States, please be aware that your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States.
13. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we make changes, we will post the updated Policy on this page and revise the “Last Updated” date above. Material changes may also be announced by other means, such as a notice on our homepage. Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the updated Policy.
14. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, or if you would like to exercise any of the choices described above, please contact us:
SilverSource
1100 Summer Street, Suite 201
Stamford, CT 06905
Email: contact@silversource.org
Phone: 203 324-6584