Privacy Policy

Privacy Policy for Mow It Forward, a 501(c)(3) non-profit public benefit organization

Effective Date: January 1, 2025

Mow It Forward, a nonprofit organization (“we,” “us,” or “our”), is committed to protecting the privacy of our website visitors, donors, volunteers, and other users. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, protect, and share personal information through our website, https://www.mowitforward.net (the “Site”), and your rights regarding your personal information. This policy applies to all users of our Site and complies with applicable California laws, including the California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA) and, where applicable, the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).

1. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information when you interact with our Site:

  • Personal Information: Information that identifies or can be used to identify you, such as:
    • Name
    • Email address
    • Postal address
    • Payment information (e.g., credit card details for donations, processed through secure third-party payment processors)
    • Any other information you voluntarily provide (e.g., through contact forms, volunteer sign-ups, or surveys)
  • Non-Personal Information: Information that does not directly identify you, such as:
    • IP address
    • Browser type
    • Device information
    • Website usage data (e.g., pages visited, time spent on the Site) collected via cookies or analytics tools like Google Analytics
  • Information from Minors: If our Site targets or collects information from children under 13, we comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). We will obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting personal information from children under 13.

2. How We Collect Information

We collect information in the following ways:

  • Directly from You: When you submit information through forms (e.g., donation forms, volunteer sign-ups, newsletter subscriptions).
  • Automatically: Through cookies, web beacons, or analytics tools that track your interaction with our Site. For example, we use Google Analytics to collect anonymized data about Site usage.
  • From Third Parties: We may receive information from third-party service providers, such as donation platforms or email marketing services, when you interact with them on our behalf.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

  • Process donations and send receipts.
  • Respond to inquiries or provide support.
  • Send newsletters, updates, or event invitations (with an option to opt out).
  • Improve our Site’s functionality and user experience.
  • Analyze Site usage through anonymized data (e.g., via Google Analytics).
  • Comply with legal obligations or protect our legal rights.

We do not use your personal information for marketing purposes unless you explicitly consent, and we do not sell your personal information.

4. How We Share Your Information

We may share your personal information in the following circumstances:

  • Service Providers: We use trusted third-party service providers (e.g., payment processors, email marketing platforms) to perform functions like processing donations or sending communications. These providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the services they provide.
  • Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, such as in response to a court order, or to comply with legal processes.
  • Organizational Purposes: We may share anonymized or aggregated data for reporting or fundraising purposes, but this data will not identify you.

We do not share your personal information with third parties for their marketing purposes unless you provide explicit consent.

5. Your California Privacy Rights

As a California resident, you have specific rights under California law:

  • CalOPPA: We disclose the categories of personal information we collect and the third parties with whom we share it (see Sections 1 and 4). We also respect “Do Not Track” (DNT) signals. If your browser has DNT enabled, we will not track your browsing behavior across third-party websites.
  • CCPA (if applicable): Although nonprofits are generally exempt from the CCPA, if we process personal information in a way that makes the CCPA applicable (e.g., as a data processor for a for-profit entity), you have the following rights:
    • Right to Know: You may request details about the personal information we collect, use, or disclose.
    • Right to Delete: You may request the deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions.
    • Right to Opt-Out: If we were to sell or share your personal information (which we do not), you could opt out.
    • Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.
    • To exercise these rights, contact us at info@mowitforward.net or use our designated request form at [Insert URL or describe process, e.g., a web form]. We will respond within 45 days, as required by law.
  • Shine the Light Law: If we share personal information with third parties for their direct marketing purposes (which we do not), you may request information about such sharing by contacting us at info@mowitforward.net.
  • Eraser Law: If our Site targets minors under 18 in California, they may request the deletion of content they have posted. Contact us at info@mowitforward.net for such requests.

6. Data Storage and Security

We store your personal information securely using industry-standard measures, such as encryption and secure servers. However, no method of transmission over the internet is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. We retain your information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar technologies to enhance your experience and analyze Site usage. You can manage cookie preferences through your browser settings or our cookie consent tool (if applicable). For example, Google Analytics cookies help us understand how visitors use our Site, but they do not collect personally identifiable information unless you provide it. You can learn more about Google Analytics’ privacy practices at https://policies.google.com/technologies/partner-sites.

8. Third-Party Links

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites (e.g., donation platforms or social media). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these sites. Please review their privacy policies before providing personal information.

9. Updates to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will notify you of significant changes by posting the updated policy on our Site and updating the effective date. Minor changes take effect immediately. Please review this policy periodically.

10. Contact Us

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

Mow It Forward
1515 S. Melrose Drive #167, Vista, CA  92081
Email: info@mowitforward.net