Privacy Policy & Terms of Service

Last updated: 10/22/2025

Welcome to The Gitel Foundation (“we,” “us,” or “our”). We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in California, USA (EIN: 99-2732052).

Your privacy and trust are important to us. This document explains how we collect, use, and protect your information, as well as the terms governing your use of our website. By accessing or using our site, you agree to both the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service outlined below.

1. Privacy Policy

1.1 Information We Collect

We collect only the information necessary to fulfill our nonprofit mission and communicate effectively with our community. Information collected includes:

Contact Form: Full name, email address, phone number, and message content.
Donations via Stripe: When you click “Donate,” you are redirected to Stripe Checkout (hosted on stripe.com), where Stripe collects your payment details, billing address, donation amount, and recurring donation preferences. We do not store or have access to your full credit card number or payment credentials.
Automatic Data: Basic session data such as IP address, browser type, and usage analytics that help us understand traffic and improve our website.

We do not knowingly collect or request information from children under 13.

1.2 How We Use Information

We use your information to:

Respond to messages submitted through our contact form
Process and acknowledge donations
Maintain accurate donor, supporter, and correspondence records
Communicate updates about our work, programs, or initiatives
Improve website functionality and security
Comply with applicable legal, accounting, and reporting obligations

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information to third parties.

1.3 Third-Party Processors

We rely on trusted third-party service providers to operate our website securely:

Stripe: Processes online donations. Please review Stripe’s Privacy Policy and Stripe’s Terms of Service.
Namecheap: Provides web hosting and basic analytics. See Namecheap’s Privacy Policy.

These providers are required to maintain appropriate data-protection practices.

1.4 Data Retention

We retain donor, communication, and operational records for as long as reasonably necessary to support our mission, maintain contact with our community, comply with financial and tax regulations, and preserve an accurate organizational history.

If you wish to update, correct, or request limited removal of your personal information, please contact us at family@thegitelfoundation.com. Certain data may be retained as required by law or for legitimate recordkeeping purposes.

1.5 Cookies and Analytics

Our website uses minimal cookies for security and functionality. Some anonymous analytics cookies may measure site traffic or performance. You can adjust your browser settings to block cookies, though this may affect functionality.

1.6 Your Rights Under California Law

If you reside in California, you have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and CalOPPA to:

Know what personal data we collect and how it’s used
Request access, correction, or deletion of your information (subject to legal obligations)
Opt out of the sale of personal data (we do not sell data)

To exercise these rights, email us at family@thegitelfoundation.com with the subject line “Privacy Request.” We may verify your identity before fulfilling such requests.

1.7 Data Security

We implement reasonable technical and administrative safeguards to protect your information from unauthorized access, loss, or misuse. However, no online system can be guaranteed 100% secure.

1.8 International Donors

If you donate or contact us from outside the United States, your information will be transferred to and processed in the United States, where privacy laws may differ from your country of residence.

2. Terms of Service

2.1 Acceptance of Terms

By using this website, you agree to these Terms. If you do not agree, please discontinue use immediately.

2.2 Permitted Use

This site is provided for informational, educational, and charitable purposes only. You agree to use it responsibly and not to:

Engage in unlawful, harmful, or disruptive behavior
Attempt to access restricted areas or interfere with website operation
Upload malicious code or spam

2.3 Intellectual Property

All text, graphics, images, and other content on this site are the property of The Gitel Foundation or its content partners and are protected by copyright and trademark law. You may not reproduce, modify, or distribute our content without prior written permission, except for personal, non-commercial use with proper attribution.

2.4 Third-Party Links

Our website may include links to third-party websites (such as Stripe). These are provided for convenience and informational purposes only. We are not responsible for the content, privacy, or security practices of those external sites.

2.5 Disclaimer of Warranties

Our website is provided “as is” and “as available.” We make no warranties, express or implied, regarding accuracy, reliability, or availability.

2.6 Limitation of Liability

The Gitel Foundation, its officers, employees, and affiliates are not liable for any damages arising from your use or inability to use this site or from third-party services linked through it, to the fullest extent permitted by law.

2.7 Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless The Gitel Foundation from any claims, damages, or expenses resulting from your misuse of this site or violation of these terms.

2.8 Governing Law

These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of California, USA, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Any disputes shall be resolved in the appropriate courts located within California.

3. Updates and Contact Information

We may update this combined Privacy Policy and Terms of Service periodically. Updates will be reflected by the “Last updated” date above. Continued use of our site after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised terms.

If you have questions about this policy or our practices, please contact us at:

Email: family@thegitelfoundation.com
Address: The Gitel Foundation, California, USA

This combined Privacy Policy and Terms of Service is intended to maintain transparency, comply with California and U.S. nonprofit standards, and protect both our organization and our supporters.