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Privacy Policy

 

Vertical Lift Outreach, referred to as “VLO,” “we,” or “us,” respects your privacy and is committed to protecting it. This Privacy Policy explains the types of information we may collect from you, or that you choose to provide, when visiting www.vlocares.org. It also describes how we collect, use, store, protect, and share that information responsibly. This policy applies to information collected through the Website, email, text messages, and other electronic communications between you and VLO. It also covers information collected through mobile and desktop applications downloaded from the Website, as well as interactions with our advertising, content, or applications on third-party websites or services that link to this Privacy Policy.

This Privacy Policy does not apply to information collected offline or through other means, including on websites operated by Vertical Lift Outreach or by any third party, including affiliates and subsidiaries. It also does not apply to information collected by third parties through applications, content, or advertising that may link to or be accessible from the Website. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy carefully so you understand our practices and how we handle your information. If you do not agree with the terms described in this policy, your choice is not to use our Website.

USE OF THIS WEBSITE CONFIRMS YOUR AGREEMENT TO THIS PRIVACY POLICY. THIS POLICY MAY BE UPDATED FROM TIME TO TIME. CONTINUED USE OF THE WEBSITE AFTER CHANGES ARE MADE CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF THOSE UPDATES, SO PLEASE REVIEW THE PRIVACY POLICY PERIODICALLY.


1. Children Under the Age of 18

This Website is not intended for use by individuals under 18 years of age. We do not knowingly collect, use, or maintain personal information from anyone under 18. Individuals under 18 are not permitted to provide personal information through the Website.

If you are under 18, please do not use this Website or submit any information through its features. This includes registering an account, making purchases, posting comments, or providing personal details such as your name, address, phone number, email address, or username.

If we become aware that personal information has been collected from an individual under 18 without verified parental consent, we will promptly delete that information. If you believe we may have collected information from or about a child under 18, please contact us at info@vlocares.org.


2. What Information Do We Collect?

a. Personal Information You Disclose to Us

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide when you register on the Website, express interest in our organization or services, submit a form, make a donation, or contact us in any way. The information collected depends on how you interact with us, the choices you make, and the services or features you use.

When you donate or use VLO services, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information required to fulfill your request. Consent may be expressed or implied, depending on purpose and sensitivity of the information. You are responsible for ensuring the accuracy, completeness, and currency of your information and for notifying us of any changes.

  • Name and Contact Data: We may collect your name, email address, mailing address, and phone number. With implied or express consent, VLO may send promotional emails related to our services. You may unsubscribe at any time using the opt-out link included in each promotional message.
  • Credentials: We may collect passwords, password hints, or similar security information used to authenticate users and manage secure account access. This information helps protect your account and ensures authorized use of our Website and services.
  • Payment Data: We collect payment information necessary to process donations or purchases, such as payment method numbers and security codes. All payment data is handled and stored by our third-party payment processors in accordance with their privacy policies.


b. Information Automatically Collected

We automatically collect certain information when you visit, use, or navigate the Website. This information does not directly identify you, such as your name or contact details, but may include device and usage data. Examples include your IP address, browser type, device characteristics, operating system, language preferences, referring URLs, device name, country or general location, and details about how and when you interact with the Website.

This information is used to maintain the security and functionality of our services, as well as to support internal analytics and reporting. Like many organizations, we also collect information through cookies and similar tracking technologies. The technologies used for this automatic data collection may include:

  • Cookies (or browser cookies). Small data files are stored on your computer’s hard drive when you visit our Website. You may disable cookies through your browser settings, but this may restrict access to certain Website features. Unless cookies are disabled, our system will place them automatically during your visit.


Examples of Cookies We Use

  • Session Cookies: Used to operate and maintain the Website during your visit. These cookies are removed when you close your browser.
  • Preference Cookies: Help remember your settings and choices, such as language or display preferences, to provide a consistent experience.
  • Security Cookies: Support Website security by helping prevent unauthorized access and protecting user information.
  • Flash Cookies: Used by certain Website features to store information about your preferences and activity. These are managed separately from standard browser cookies.
  • Web Beacons: Small electronic files used on Website pages and emails to track page visits, email opens, and overall Website performance.
  • Do Not Track Signals: Browser settings that express tracking preferences. Our Website does not currently respond to Do Not Track signals.


c. Information Collected From Other Sources

We may receive information about you from external sources, including public databases, joint marketing partners, and other third parties. This may include personal information you provide in connection with a fundraiser, sweepstakes, or paid service inquiry, as well as social media profile details. We may also receive marketing leads, search results, and links, including paid or sponsored listings.


3. Disclosure of Information

We do not use or share your personal information for purposes beyond those for which it was collected, unless you provide consent or disclosure is required by law. However, we may disclose personal information that we collect or that you provide, as outlined in this Privacy Policy, for the following purposes:

Compliance With Laws

We may disclose your information when required to comply with applicable laws and regulations. This includes responding to lawful requests from government agencies, courts, or regulators, as well as subpoenas, court orders, or other legal processes. Where permitted, we limit disclosures to information that is relevant and necessary to fulfill the request.

Vital Interests and Legal Rights

We may disclose your information when we believe it is necessary, and only to the extent needed, to protect safety, prevent harm, or address unlawful activity. This may include investigating suspected fraud, policy violations, or security incidents, supporting legal claims, and enforcing our Terms of Use and related agreements, including billing and collection matters.

Vendors, Consultants, and Service Providers

We may share your information with trusted third parties that provide services for us or on our behalf, locally and internationally. These parties must keep information confidential and use it only as authorized. Services may include payment processing, analytics, email delivery, hosting, customer support, fundraising, and marketing. Some service providers may process or store data outside the United States or Canada.

In some cases, service providers may be required to disclose information to government authorities, regulators, courts, or law enforcement agencies in their jurisdictions. We may also permit selected third parties to use tracking technologies on our Website to collect usage data over time to analyze activity, understand engagement, and improve content. We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information for third-party promotional purposes.

Business Transfers

We may share or transfer your information in connection with a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, or sale of assets, including during related negotiations. Any disclosure will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Where required, we will take steps to ensure appropriate protections apply to your information throughout the transition.

Third-Party Advertisers

We may use third-party advertising partners to display ads when you visit the Website. These partners may use cookies and similar tracking technologies to collect information about your visits to our Website and other websites. This information helps tailor advertisements to your interests and improve advertising performance over time.

Affiliates

We may share your information with our affiliates, including our parent company, subsidiaries, joint ventures, and other entities under common control. When we do, we require affiliates to comply with this Privacy Policy and to protect your information using appropriate safeguards. We share information only as needed to support legitimate operational purposes.

With Your Consent

We may disclose your personal information for purposes not described in this Privacy Policy when you give us your consent. You may have the right to withdraw your consent at any time, depending on the situation and applicable law. If you withdraw consent, it will not affect disclosures already made.

Other Users

If you share personal information in public areas of the Website, that information may be visible to other users and may be shared publicly outside the Website, potentially without time limits. If you interact with other users or register through a social network, your name, profile photo, and activity details may be visible to your contacts and other users.


4. Accessing and Correcting Your Information

If you have provided personal information or created a user account, you may review and update your details by logging into the Website and accessing your account profile page. You may also contact us at info@vlocares.org to request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information. Please note that deleting personal information requires deletion of the associated user account.

We may deny requests to change information if the requested update would violate legal requirements or result in inaccurate records. If you remove User Contributions from the Website, copies may remain visible in cached or archived pages or may have been stored by other Website users. All access to and use of information, including User Contributions, is governed by our Terms of Use.

We retain personal information only as long as needed to fulfill the purposes in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer period is required or permitted by law. When information is no longer needed, we delete, anonymize, or securely store it until it can be deleted. Information from paid service inquiries is generally kept no longer than sixty (60) days, unless law requires otherwise.


5. Third-Party Use of Cookies and Other Tracking Technologies

Some content or features on the Website, including advertisements, may be provided by third parties such as advertisers, ad networks, content providers, or application partners. These third parties may use cookies, web beacons, or similar tracking technologies to collect information about your activity while using the Website. The data collected may be linked to your personal information or used to understand your online behavior across different websites and services over time.

This information is commonly used to deliver interest-based advertising or other customized content that may be more relevant to you. We do not control how third parties use their tracking technologies or manage the information they collect. If you have questions about specific advertisements or targeted content, we recommend contacting the relevant third-party provider directly.


6. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your personal information from accidental loss and unauthorized access, use, alteration, or disclosure. Information you provide is stored on secure servers protected by firewalls, and sensitive data, including payment information, is encrypted using SSL technology. While we work to maintain strong security measures, no system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Your role matters in keeping information safe. If you use a password to access parts of the Website, you are responsible for keeping it confidential and not sharing it. Use caution when posting in public areas, as shared content may be visible to others. While we protect data, internet transmissions are not secure, and information is shared at your risk.


7. Changes to Our Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted on this page, and we will place a notice on the Website home page indicating that the Privacy Policy has been updated. The date of the most recent revision will always appear at the top of this page for your reference.

If we make material changes to how we handle personal information, we will notify you by email using the primary address associated with your account and/or by a notice on the Website home page. You are responsible for keeping your email address current and for reviewing this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed of any updates.


8. Opt-Out and Your Rights

You may review, update, or correct the personally identifiable information we have collected from you online, or opt out of VLO’s marketing communications, by contacting us using the details below. Requests may be submitted by email to info@vlocares.org or by certified mail to Vertical Lift Outreach, 123 Cedar Ridge Road, Mocksville, NC 27028.

To protect your privacy and security, we take reasonable steps to verify your identity before processing requests. Opting out of marketing communications does not stop essential, non-promotional service messages. To opt out of service-related communications, submit a written request to the address above. All rights related to personal information remain subject to applicable law.


9. Your California Privacy Rights

California Civil Code Section 1798.83, commonly known as the Shine the Light law, allows California residents to request certain information once per year and at no cost. This includes details about any categories of personal information disclosed to third parties for direct marketing purposes, along with the names and addresses of those third parties, during the prior calendar year. Requests must be submitted in writing using the contact information provided below.

If you are under 18 years of age, reside in California, and have a registered Website account, you may request the removal of content or information you have publicly posted. To submit a request, please contact us in writing and include the email address associated with your account along with a statement confirming California residency. While we will remove the content from public display, complete removal from all systems may not be possible.


10. EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The GDPR grants individuals in the European Union specific rights regarding how their personal information is collected, used, and stored by websites and organizations. These protections are intended to give individuals greater control over their personal data and to promote transparency in data-handling practices.

If you are an EU citizen, you have additional rights over your personal data, subject to applicable legal and operational obligations. These rights include the right to be informed about data processing activities, to access and correct your personal data, to request deletion when data is no longer necessary, to restrict or object to processing, and to receive your data in a portable format.

If you live in the European Union or European Economic Area and wish to exercise these rights, please submit a written request to the “GDPR Data Controller” using the contact details above and indicate EU or EEA residency upon initial contact. If you believe your data is processed unlawfully, you may lodge a complaint with the appropriate supervisory authority.