Privacy Policy

Introduction

Welcome to Lucey Dugan Watkins Charity ("we," "our," or "us"). We are committed to protecting your personal information and your right to privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website watkinscharity.com and use our services.

By accessing or using our website and services, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our services.

Information We Collect

We collect several types of information from and about users of our website and services, including:

Personal Information You Provide

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

• Register for our services or create an account
• Submit grant applications or funding requests
• Contact us through our contact forms or email
• Subscribe to our newsletter or communications
• Participate in surveys, events, or programs
• Make donations or financial contributions
• Apply for employment or volunteer positions

The personal information we collect may include:

• Full name and contact information (email address, phone number, mailing address)
• Demographic information (age, gender, location)
• Financial information (for donations and grant applications)
• Employment and educational background
• Social security number or tax identification number (when required for grants)
• Bank account or payment information
• Any other information you choose to provide

Information Automatically Collected

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing actions, including:

• IP address and geographic location
• Browser type and version
• Operating system and device information
• Pages visited and time spent on pages
• Referring website addresses
• Click patterns and navigation paths
• Cookies and similar tracking technologies

Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third-party sources, such as:

• Public databases and records
• Social media platforms (when you interact with our content)
• Partner organizations and referral sources
• Background check providers (for employment or grant verification)
• Payment processors and financial institutions

How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for various purposes, including:

Service Delivery and Administration

• Processing and managing grant applications and funding requests
• Administering emergency assistance programs
• Communicating with you about our services and programs
• Providing customer support and responding to inquiries
• Managing donations and financial transactions
• Verifying your identity and eligibility for services

Improvement and Development

• Analyzing website usage and user behavior
• Improving our website functionality and user experience
• Developing new programs and services
• Conducting research and statistical analysis
• Testing new features and technologies

Communication and Marketing

• Sending newsletters, updates, and promotional materials
• Notifying you about events, programs, and opportunities
• Conducting surveys and gathering feedback
• Sharing success stories and impact reports
• Building and maintaining relationships with donors and supporters

Legal and Compliance

• Complying with legal obligations and regulations
• Protecting our rights and property
• Preventing fraud and security threats
• Enforcing our terms and conditions
• Responding to legal requests and court orders

How We Share Your Information

We may share your information in the following circumstances:

Service Providers and Partners

We may share your information with third-party service providers who perform services on our behalf, including:

• Payment processors and financial institutions
• Email and communication service providers
• Website hosting and cloud storage providers
• Data analytics and research firms
• Background check and verification services
• Legal and professional advisors

Partner Organizations

We may share information with partner organizations and community groups when:

• Coordinating emergency assistance programs
• Collaborating on community development projects
• Referring individuals to appropriate services
• Conducting joint fundraising or awareness campaigns

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information when required by law or in response to:

• Court orders, subpoenas, or legal processes
• Government or regulatory requests
• Law enforcement investigations
• Protection of our legal rights and property
• Prevention of fraud or illegal activities

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the acquiring entity.

Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Our security measures include:

Technical Safeguards

• Encryption of data in transit and at rest using industry-standard protocols (SSL/TLS)
• Secure server infrastructure with regular security updates
• Firewall protection and intrusion detection systems
• Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments
• Multi-factor authentication for administrative access
• Secure backup and disaster recovery procedures

Organizational Safeguards

• Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Employee training on data protection and privacy practices
• Confidentiality agreements with staff and contractors
• Regular review and update of security policies
• Incident response and breach notification procedures

While we strive to protect your personal information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security, but we continuously work to maintain the highest standards of data protection.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

Retention Periods

When we no longer need your personal information, we will securely delete or anonymize it in accordance with our data retention and disposal policies.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location and applicable laws, you may have the following rights regarding your personal information:

Access and Portability

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Receive a copy of your personal information in a structured, commonly used format
• Request transfer of your information to another organization

Correction and Update

• Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Update your contact information and preferences
• Modify your communication settings

Deletion and Restriction

• Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal obligations)
• Request restriction of processing in certain circumstances
• Object to processing based on legitimate interests

Consent Withdrawal

• Withdraw consent for marketing communications at any time
• Opt-out of non-essential data collection
• Unsubscribe from newsletters and promotional emails

How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided at the end of this policy. We will respond to your request within 30 days and may require verification of your identity before processing your request.

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website and collect information about your browsing activities.

Types of Cookies We Use

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality and security
• Performance Cookies: Help us understand how visitors use our website
• Functional Cookies: Remember your preferences and settings
• Marketing Cookies: Track your browsing to deliver relevant advertisements

Managing Cookies

You can control and manage cookies through your browser settings. Most browsers allow you to:

• View and delete cookies
• Block third-party cookies
• Block cookies from specific websites
• Block all cookies
• Delete all cookies when closing your browser

Please note that blocking or deleting cookies may impact your experience on our website and limit certain functionality.

Third-Party Links and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, applications, and services that are not operated by us. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit. This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected by Lucey Dugan Watkins Charity.

Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to individuals under the age of 18. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately.

If we become aware that we have collected personal information from a child without parental consent, we will take steps to delete that information from our systems.

International Data Transfers

Your information may be transferred to and processed in countries other than your country of residence. These countries may have data protection laws that differ from those in your country.

When we transfer your information internationally, we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to protect your data, including:

• Standard contractual clauses approved by regulatory authorities
• Adequacy decisions recognizing equivalent data protection
• Binding corporate rules for intra-organizational transfers
• Consent for specific transfers when required

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website with a new "Last Updated" date
• Sending an email notification to registered users
• Displaying a prominent notice on our website

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information. Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold
• Right to delete personal information held by businesses
• Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising CCPA rights

We do not sell personal information to third parties. To exercise your CCPA rights, please contact us using the information below.

European Privacy Rights (GDPR)

If you are located in the European Economic Area (EEA), you have rights under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), including:

• Right to access your personal data
• Right to rectification of inaccurate data
• Right to erasure ("right to be forgotten")
• Right to restrict processing
• Right to data portability
• Right to object to processing
• Right to withdraw consent
• Right to lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority

Consent and Acknowledgment

By using our website and services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our practices, please do not use our services.

For specific activities that require explicit consent (such as marketing communications), we will obtain your consent separately through clear opt-in mechanisms.