Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

The Abele Family Foundation ("Foundation," "we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of personal information collected through our website (abelefamilyfoundation.org), grant application processes, and other interactions with our organization. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use and protect it, and your rights regarding your personal data. We encourage you to read this policy carefully. By using our website or submitting information to us, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this policy.

2. Information We Collect

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us through our website forms, email communications, and grant application submissions. This may include your name, email address, phone number, mailing address, organizational affiliation, job title, and any other information you provide in inquiry forms, grant applications, or correspondence. We do not collect sensitive personal information such as Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, or health information through our website. Grant applications may request organizational financial information (budgets, audit reports) for the purpose of evaluating grant eligibility; this information is treated as confidential business information.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes: to respond to inquiries and correspondence; to evaluate grant eligibility and process grant applications; to communicate with current and prospective grantees about programs, deadlines, and reporting requirements; to send occasional Foundation newsletters or announcements (with your consent); to maintain internal records of our grantmaking activities; to produce aggregate, non-identifying statistical reports about our programs and impact; and to improve our website and services. We do not use personal information for commercial purposes, marketing by third parties, or any purpose unrelated to the Foundation's charitable mission.

4. Information Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell, rent, trade, or otherwise disclose your personal information to third parties for commercial purposes. We may share information in the following limited circumstances: with Foundation Board members and Grant Review Committee members for the purpose of evaluating grant applications; with professional service providers (accountants, auditors, legal counsel) who are bound by confidentiality obligations and assist in our operations; with other funders or partner organizations, but only with your prior written consent (for example, when coordinating co-funded grants); when required by law, court order, or governmental regulation; and in aggregate, de-identified form for research, evaluation, or public reporting purposes.

5. Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and physical security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, use, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. These measures include encrypted data transmission (SSL/TLS) on our website, access controls limiting staff access to personal information on a need-to-know basis, secure storage of physical records in locked filing systems, regular review of security practices, and secure disposal of records containing personal information when no longer needed. While we strive to protect your information, no method of data transmission or storage is 100 percent secure. We cannot guarantee the absolute security of your data but will promptly notify affected individuals in the event of a data breach as required by applicable law.

6. Cookies & Website Analytics

Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to improve your browsing experience and to collect aggregate usage data. Cookies are small text files placed on your device that help us understand how visitors use our website. We use only essential and analytics cookies; we do not use advertising or tracking cookies. You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. Disabling cookies may limit certain features of our website but will not prevent you from accessing our content or submitting forms. We do not track individual browsing behavior across third-party websites.

7. Your Rights (CCPA & GDPR Compliance)

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information: the right to know what personal information we have collected about you; the right to request a copy of your personal information; the right to request correction of inaccurate information; the right to request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements; the right to opt out of non-essential communications; and the right to withdraw consent for data processing where consent is the legal basis. To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided below. We will respond to verified requests within 30 days (or within the timeframe required by applicable law). We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, comply with legal and regulatory requirements, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Grant application records are retained for a minimum of seven years following the end of the grant period, consistent with IRS record-keeping requirements for private foundations. Inquiry form submissions are retained for two years. You may request earlier deletion of your data, and we will comply where legally permissible, though some records may need to be retained for audit and compliance purposes.

9. Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed at children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Youth Civic Leaders Fellowship applications are submitted by high school students who are at least 16 years of age, and we encourage applicants under 18 to review this policy with a parent or guardian before submitting personal information. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, we will promptly delete that information.

10. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit. This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected through abelefamilyfoundation.org and through direct communications with the Abele Family Foundation.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or operational procedures. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page indicates when the most recent revision was published. We encourage you to review this page periodically. Material changes will be communicated through a notice on our website. Your continued use of our website after any changes constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your privacy rights, or have concerns about how your information is handled, please contact us at:

Abele Family Foundation
Attn: Privacy Inquiries
1700 Market Street, Suite 2840
Philadelphia, PA 19103
Phone: (215) 555-0147
Email: [email protected]