PRIVACY POLICY

Last Updated: July 28, 2026

Our HBCUs Matter Foundation, Inc. (“Foundation,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring a secure online experience. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard personal information when you visit our website (ourhbcusmatter.org), apply for scholarships or educational programs, make a donation, register for events, or engage with our non-profit initiatives.

Our programs serve K-12 students, college students, educators, and community members. We take special precautions to protect the privacy of younger students who engage with our organization.

1. Information We Collect

We collect several types of information from and about applicants, donors, volunteers, event attendees, and website visitors:

A. Personal Identifiable Information (PII)

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Apply for K-12 & Collegiate Programs or Scholarships: Student name, contact details, parent/guardian contact information (for minors), grade level, school name, academic transcripts, GPA, essays, and letters of recommendation.

• Make Donations or Grants: Name, organization/company name, email address, billing address, and gift/pledge details.

• Register for Events or Workshops: Name, contact details, organization or school affiliation, and dietary/accessibility requests.

• Subscribe or Inquire: Email address and details submitted via contact or inquiry forms.

B. Payment & Financial Data

When you make a non-profit donation or payment, financial data (such as credit/debit card numbers or bank details) is processed directly by secure third-party payment gateways (e.g., Stripe, PayPal). We do not store sensitive payment credentials or credit card numbers on our servers.

C. Automated Technical Data

When you browse our website, we may automatically collect technical data using cookies, server logs, and web analytics tools:

• IP address, browser type, operating system, and device details.

• Page views, duration of visit, referring website addresses, and site navigation patterns.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect solely to advance our educational mission and organizational operations, including:

• Program & Scholarship Administration: Processing applications, evaluating candidates, awarding scholarships, and administering educational programs (e.g., K-12 youth academies, college prep workshops, mentorship, and leadership seminars).

• Donation & Grant Management: Processing contributions, issuing tax-deductible receipts, and managing donor stewardship.

• Event Planning & Execution: Managing event registrations, check-ins, and participant logistics for conferences, youth summits, advocacy days, and workshops.

• Communication & Advocacy: Sending updates, scholarship announcements, advocacy notices, and organizational newsletters.

• Reporting & Evaluation: Preparing aggregated, non-identifiable statistics for grant applications, impact reports, and organizational oversight.

• Website Security & Optimization: Monitoring site performance, preventing unauthorized access, and improving user experience.

3. Youth & Children’s Privacy (K-12 Protections)

Because we serve K-12 students, protecting youth privacy is paramount:

• Students Under 13 (COPPA Compliance): We do not knowingly collect personal information online directly from children under the age of 13 without verified parental or legal guardian consent. For K-12 youth programs involving younger children, applications or registration forms must be completed by or with the explicit consent of a parent, legal guardian, or authorized school representative.

• K-12 Student Data Protection: Information gathered for K-12 educational workshops, college readiness programs, or youth summit participation is strictly used for program delivery and safety. We never sell, rent, or trade student data to third-party advertisers or commercial entities.

4. Parties to Whom Information Is Disclosed

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We disclose information only under the following conditions:

• Trusted Service Providers: We share necessary data with third-party vendors who assist with website hosting, payment processing, donor databases, and email distribution. These vendors are contractually bound to keep your data confidential.

• Scholarship Committees & Reviewers: Application materials are shared with authorized staff, board members, and designated selection committee members solely for evaluating candidates.

• Educational & Corporate Partners: With explicit participant/parental consent, select student contact details or academic achievements may be shared with educational partners, universities, or sponsors for mentorship, scholarship, or enrichment opportunities.

• Legal Requirements: We may disclose your information if required by law, court order, or government regulation, or to defend the safety, property, and legal rights of the Foundation and our community.

5. Method of Disclosure & Data Safeguards

We implement technical and organizational measures to keep your data secure:

• Encrypted Data Transfer: Information transmitted between your browser and our servers uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) / Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption.

• PCI-DSS Compliance: All electronic donations are handled by payment processors compliant with Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards.

• Restricted Access Control: Access to student records and donor data is strictly limited to authorized personnel on a need-to-know basis.

6. Your Rights & Choices

• Email Subscriptions: You can unsubscribe from non-profit updates at any time using the “Unsubscribe” link in our emails or by contacting us.

• Data Access & Updates: Parents, guardians, or adult participants may request to review, correct, or delete personal information on file by contacting the Foundation.

7. Contact Information

If you have questions regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at:

Our HBCUs Matter Foundation, Inc.

Email: info@ourhbcusmatter.org

Website: ourhbcusmatter.org