Privacy Policy & Terms of Use

WORDS ALIVE PRIVACY POLICY

1. Purpose of this privacy policy

  • This privacy policy aims to give you information on how Words Alive collects and processes your personal data through your use of this website, including any data you may provide through this website when you fill out forms or contact us directly.

2. The data we collect about you

  • We may collect, use, and store different kinds of personal data about you which we have grouped together as follows:

    • Identity Data includes [first name, last name, or similar identifier].

    • Contact Data includes [billing address, delivery address, email address, and telephone numbers].

  • However, interactions may vary and the data collected could also apply to general interests, basic demographics, organizational size, funding and donation requests, photographs, and similar information.

3. How is your personal data collected?

  • We use different methods to collect data from and about you including through:

    • Direct interactions. You may give us your identity and contact by filling in forms on our website or by corresponding with us by mail, phone, email, or otherwise. This includes personal data you provide when you fill out the contact, volunteer, or donation forms on our website.

4. How we use your personal data

·       We will only use your personal data when the law allows us to. Most commonly, we will use your personal data in the following circumstances:

o   Where we need to perform the contract we are about to enter into or have entered into with you.

o   Where it is necessary for our legitimate interests and your interests and fundamental rights do not override those interests.

o   Where we need to comply with a legal obligation.

·       Program Updates, Donor Communications, and Fundraising Appeals ("Marketing")

o   We use your Identity and Contact Data to share information we think may be relevant or of interest to you which may include newsletters, event invitations, updates on our programs and impact, volunteer opportunities, and donation appeals. Privacy law refers to these communications collectively as "marketing," even though they may not feel like traditional advertising.

o   You will receive these communications from us if you have requested information from us, participated in our programs, volunteered, or supported us as a donor, and you have not opted out.

  • If you are a donor, Section 10 below describes additional, more specific options for controlling the frequency and type of communications you receive from us.

  • Words Alive will not sell your personal information. There are, however, certain circumstances in which we may share it:

    • Service Providers: Third-party vendors or service providers who perform services on Words Alive's behalf.

    • Legal Proceedings: To comply with the law, court orders, subpoenas, or other legal obligations.

    • Promoting Words Alive's Activities: We may share aggregated, non-identifiable information with third parties to market, advertise, or promote our services, activities, and mission.

  • Unsubscribe Instructions

    • You can ask us to stop sending marketing communications at any time by following the opt-out link on any message, or by contacting us directly.

    • Opting out of marketing communications does not apply to personal data we need to retain for program participation, service delivery, or similar transactions (e.g., registration confirmations, safety notices, or required program communications).

 

5. Data Security

  • We have put in place appropriate security measures to prevent your personal data from being accidentally lost, used, or accessed in an unauthorized way, altered, or disclosed.

6. Data Retention

  • We will only retain your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes we collected it for, including for the purposes of satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.

  • We do not permanently store sensitive information, such as social security or credit card numbers (except in the case of recurring donors whose credit cards are charged on a monthly basis in the amount authorized by the donor).

7. Your Legal Rights

  • Under certain circumstances, you have rights under data protection laws concerning your personal data, such as the right to request access to your personal data, request correction of your personal data, request erasure of your personal data, object to processing of your personal data, request restriction of processing your personal data, request transfer of your personal data, right to withdraw consent.

8. SMS Consent

  • If you provide your phone number for SMS communication, your consent will not be shared with third parties for marketing purposes. Any phone numbers collected for SMS consent will solely be used for the intended communication and will not be disclosed to other companies.

9. Changes to the Privacy Policy and Your Duty to Inform Us of Changes

  • This version was last updated on August 12, 2026 and historic versions can be obtained by contacting us.

  • Please keep us informed if your personal data changes during your relationship with us.

10. Additional Protection of Donor Information

·       Thank you for your support of Words Alive. We value the trust you have placed in us by contributing financially to our mission. Words Alive understands that a donor's or prospective donor's (referred to herein collectively as "Donor") personal information collected through the fundraising process is particularly sensitive. Words Alive personnel who have access to "Donor Information" (as defined below) are required to sign an internal confidentiality policy and to acknowledge the ethical policies of the Donor Bill of Rights.

·       The following practices guide Words Alive’s recordkeeping on donors:

o   Access to information in Words Alive’s donor database and paper files containing personal information of donors or prospective donors ("Donor Information") is limited to personnel in the Development Department as well as other select Words Alive personnel and board members.

o   Electronic and paper documents maintained by Words Alive and relating primarily to Donor Information will be disposed of when no longer needed.

o   Words Alive notifies its vendors, consultants, and other third parties of Words Alive’s confidentiality policies before such third parties gain access to Donor Information for purposes of carrying out fundraising activities for Words Alive.

o   Donors may have reasonably prompt access to their own Donor Information upon written request but may not view any other records of any Donors, or Words Alive’s internal records.

o   All Donor Information is the property of Words Alive.

·       Specific Solicitation Practices Regarding Donors

o   It is Words Alive’s standard practice to include all donors in our regular solicitation schedule. Donors and prospective donors may call 858-274-9673 to speak with the Head of Development or email the development staff to advise how often they wish to be solicited, to advise that they do not wish to receive solicitations, do not receive any physical mail at all from Words Alive, do not wish to receive email from Words Alive, or that their contact information not be shared with other organizations.

o   Words Alive defines these options as follows:

§  One solicitation per year: A donor or prospective donor will receive a solicitation as part of Words Alive’s annual direct mail appeal. Additionally, donors and prospective donors may also receive email communications from Words Alive if they have provided an email address.

§  Do not solicit: A donor or prospective donor will not receive any solicitations from Words Alive. A donor will still receive standard acknowledgments when they make a gift, and an annual tax receipt.

§  Do not mail: The only mail these donors will receive are acknowledgments from Words Alive when they make a gift. These donors may, however, continue to receive emails. Donors must also request that their record be marked "Do not email " if they do not wish to receive electronic communications.

§  Do not email: For all gifts made online, Words Alive requires donors to submit their email address. Donors will still receive an automatic electronic acknowledgment for their gift shortly after it is made.

§  Do not share: Although Words Alive does not sell its mailing or email lists, we may exchange lists with other nonprofit organizations through a recognized list brokerage firm. Any donor may request that their name not be shared with other organizations.

·       In addition, any donor may request to give anonymously. Anonymity means that the donor will be excluded from any annual report or general donation listings. In addition, that individual's record will automatically be marked "Do not share" to ensure that their name is excluded should Words Alive share any of its lists.

·       Please note that Words Alive reserves the right to contact a donor by whatever means necessary should a problem arise with a gift.

·       Donor requests:
Please contact us at the following street address or email address with any Donor requests or for information
Via U.S. Mail:
Words Alive
Attn: Development Department

770 Park Boulevard

San Diego, California, 92101
750 First St. NE, Suite 920
Via Telephone: 858.274.9673
Via email: [email protected]

11. Contact Details

  • For further information on this privacy policy, to request access to, correction or deletion of your personal data, or to exercise any other of your statutory rights, you can contact us via the contact form.

WORDS ALIVE TERMS OF SERVICE

1. Acceptance of the Terms and Conditions

  • By accessing and using the Words Alive website located at www.wordsalive.org   (“the Website”), you accept and agree to be bound by these Terms and Conditions (“Terms”). If you do not agree to these Terms, please do not use the Website.

2. Changes to the Terms and Conditions

  • Words Alive may modify these Terms at any time, and such modification will be effective immediately upon posting on the Website. Your continued use of the Website following the posting of any changes to the Terms indicates your acceptance of those changes.

3. Privacy Policy

  • Please refer to our Privacy Policy above for information on how we collect, use, and disclose your personal information.

4. Accessibility and ADA Compliance

Words Alive is committed to ensuring the Website is accessible to people with disabilities. We are continuously working on improving and updating the Website to make it as accessible as possible and compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Despite our ongoing efforts, there may be some content, features, or functionalities that are not fully accessible. If you encounter any difficulty accessing or using the Website, please contact us, and we will make reasonable efforts to address the issue promptly.

5. Disclaimer

  • All information provided on the Website is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice or a substitute for professional counsel. Words Alive disclaims all liability for actions taken or not taken based on any content on this site.

6. Limitation of Liability

  • Words Alive will not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages resulting from your access to or use of, or inability to access or use, the Website, or from any actions we take or fail to take as a result of email messages you send us.

7. Governing Law and Jurisdiction

  • These Terms are governed by the laws of the state of California, in which Words Alive is located, without regard to its conflict of law provisions.

8. Contact Information

  • For any questions about these Terms, please contact us via the contact details available on our Website.

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