Your privacy is important to us, and we appreciate the opportunity to share how we protect it. Thank you for supporting Freedom Waters Foundation and our mission to enhance the lives of those we serve. We are committed to using your information responsibly and making sure you feel confident in your interactions with us
Freedom Waters Foundation (“we,” “us,” or “our”) is a Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We are committed to protecting your privacy and keeping your personal information safe. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use and share it, and your rights regarding that information. We strive to follow applicable privacy laws in Florida and other U.S. states to respect the rights of our donors, participants, and website visitors. We also aim to use clear language so you can understand our practices.
By using our website or providing your information to us, you agree to the practices described in this Privacy Policy. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact us using the information in the Contact Us section at the bottom of this page.
Information We Collect
We collect only what you provide or what’s needed to run our site and services:
- Information you provide: Name, email, phone, mailing address, and any details you submit through forms (contact, programs, volunteering, donations) or messages.
- Donation information: Donor contact details and donation amount/date. Payments are processed by Stripe—we do not store full card numbers.
- Automatically collected information: IP address, browser/device type, pages visited, and general usage data collected through cookies and analytics.
- Photos/media (if provided): Testimonials, stories, or photos you choose to submit—used only with your permission if it identifies you.
- Children’s information: We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13 through the website. Child participant info is provided by a parent/guardian (see Children’s Privacy).
If you choose not to provide certain details, we may not be able to process a donation, register you, or respond to requests.
How We Use Your Information
We use the personal information you provide for the legitimate interests of running and improving Freedom Waters Foundation and to serve you. Specifically, we may use your information to:
- Provide and manage programs, outings, events, and volunteer activities
- Process donations and send receipts/confirmations
- Respond to inquiries and send updates/newsletters (you can opt out anytime)
- Maintain records and manage relationships (donors, volunteers, participants)
- Improve our website and services using analytics and feedback
- Protect our systems and prevent fraud or misuse
- Meet legal obligations and protect rights and safety
We do not use your information for unrelated purposes without your consent.
Cookies and Analytics
Like most websites, we use “cookies” and similar technologies to improve functionality and analyze how people use our site. Cookies are small text files placed on your device by websites you visit. Here’s how we use them and your options:
- Essential cookies: Needed for core site functions (WordPress features, form functionality).
Analytics cookies (Google Analytics): Helps us understand how visitors use our website so we can improve it. Data is generally reported in aggregate but may include identifiers such as IP address/device identifiers.
- Your options to control Google Analytics: To control Google Analytics: Google provides an opt-out browser add-on if you wish to prevent your data from being used by Google Analytics. You can also disable or delete cookies in your browser settings to block analytics cookies. (Note: Our site will remain accessible if you choose to use these opt-outs.)
- No targeted advertising tracking: We do not use third-party ad tracking to target you across other websites.
- Do Not Track / Global Privacy Control: Since we do not sell/share data for targeted ads, these signals generally do not change site behavior.
Your choices: Most web browsers automatically accept cookies, but you can usually modify your browser setting to decline cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent. Please note that if you disable cookies entirely, some features of our site (like form submissions) may not function properly. However, disabling non-essential cookies (such as analytics cookies) should not affect basic site operations. By continuing to use our site without disabling cookies, you consent to our use of cookies as described here.
Third-Party Services and Data Sharing
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We share it only when needed to operate our services, including with:
- Stripe (payments): Processes donations securely. We receive only limited transaction details needed for records/receipts.
- Microsoft Dynamics 365 (CRM): Stores donor/volunteer/participant records. Access is limited to authorized staff/approved volunteers.
- Email/communications providers (MailChimp): Used to send newsletters and announcements. Messages include an unsubscribe option.
- Google Analytics: Processes website usage data for analytics as described above.
Website hosting/IT support: May process technical data to host and maintain our site and systems.
- Legal requirements: We may share information to comply with lawful requests or protect rights and safety.
- Event partners/co-hosts: If sharing attendee info is necessary, we’ll disclose this at sign-up and seek consent where required.
Other than the situations above, we do not share your personal information with third parties.
Your Privacy Rights & Choices
We want you to have control over your personal information. Depending on where you live you may have legal rights to manage the personal data we have about you. But even if not required by law, we extend many of these core privacy rights to all of our supporters and website users to build trust and goodwill. These rights include the following:
- Access: Request a copy of the information we have about you
- Correction: Ask us to fix inaccurate information
- Deletion: Request deletion, subject to legal/recordkeeping needs
- Opt out of marketing: Unsubscribe via email links or contact us directly (transactional emails may still be sent)
- Portability: Request a copy in a commonly used format where applicable
- Non-discrimination: We won’t treat you unfairly for exercising your rights
To make a request, contact us using the details below. We may verify your identity before completing certain requests. We aim to respond within a reasonable timeframe and as required by law.
Data Security
We use reasonable safeguards designed to protect personal information, including:
- HTTPS encryption for data submitted through the website
- Secure third-party payment processing (Stripe)
- Restricted access to systems containing personal information
- Routine updates and monitoring to reduce security risk
No system is completely secure. If a breach occurs that affects your information, we will follow applicable notification laws.
Data Retention
We keep information only as long as needed for the purposes above and as required by law:
- Donor/volunteer/participant records may be retained for relationship management and operations
- Certain donation/tax/legal records must be retained for required periods
- Email subscriptions are retained until you unsubscribe (we may keep a suppression record to ensure you remain unsubscribed)
- Analytics data is retained according to our Google Analytics settings and/or Google’s retention controls
When information is no longer needed, we take steps to delete or securely dispose of it. Backups may persist briefly until overwritten in normal operations.
Children’s Privacy
- We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13 through our website.
- Parents/guardians submit information for child participants as needed for program safety and logistics.
- We do not market to children or knowingly send fundraising messages to minors.
- If we learn we received information directly from a child under 13 without parental consent, we will delete it.
Links to Other Websites
Our website may link to third-party sites (social media, videos, partner sites). This Policy applies only to Freedom Waters Foundation websites and services. We are not responsible for third-party privacy practices, and we encourage you to review their policies.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Policy occasionally. We will update the “Last Updated” date when changes are made. If changes are material, we may provide additional notice where appropriate. Continued use of the website after updates means you accept the revised Policy unless applicable law requires additional steps.
Contact Us
For questions, concerns, or privacy requests:
Freedom Waters Foundation
Attn: Privacy Officer (or Executive Director)
895 10th Street South, Suite 302-F
Naples, Florida 34102, USA
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 239-263-2377 (Main Office)
(Alternate office: 2860 W State Road 84, Suite 109, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33312 — email or phone is usually fastest.)