Privacy Policy

Last Updated: December 20, 2025

Help for America (“HFA,” “we,” “us” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and safeguard information when you interact with our services, including our website (helpforamerica.org) and when you receive SMS messages from us.

By providing your personal information or by opting in to receive SMS communications from us, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with these practices, please do not use our services or provide your contact information.

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal information that you provide directly to us and information that we collect automatically:

• Contact Information: We collect names, email addresses, phone numbers, mailing addresses, and other contact details when you sign up for our services, submit forms on our website, communicate with us via email or text, or subscribe to our SMS updates.
• Transactional Information: If you make a donation or purchase from us, we collect payment information (such as credit card details) necessary to process your payment.
• Usage Data: We collect information about how you use our website and services, including IP addresses, browser types, device identifiers, pages visited, and referring URLs. This data may be collected through cookies and similar tracking technologies.
• Communication Data: When you send messages to us (by email, SMS, or otherwise), we collect the content of your communications, including message history and associated metadata (such as the date and time messages were sent).

We collect this information through online forms, website analytics, cookies, and direct communications. Our use of cookies enables us to remember your preferences, understand how you interact with our site, and improve our services. You may modify your browser settings to refuse cookies; however, this may affect the functionality of the site.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use your personal information for legitimate purposes, including:

• Provision of Services: To provide, maintain, and improve our services, process transactions, send donation receipts, and communicate with you about your engagement with us.
• SMS Communications: To send you text messages you have consented to receive, including informational updates, donation confirmations, and promotional messages about our programs. You can expect to receive up to five SMS messages per week. Message and data rates may apply.
• Customer Support: To respond to your inquiries, questions, and concerns, and to provide technical support.
• Marketing and Outreach: To personalize your experience and inform you about campaigns, events, volunteer opportunities, fundraising initiatives, and other news related to our mission. We only send promotional messages if you opt in, and you may opt out at any time.
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws and regulations, protect our rights, and cooperate with law enforcement or regulatory authorities where required.
• Website Analytics: To analyze usage patterns on our website, monitor traffic, and improve user experience and performance.

3. Data Sharing and Non‑Sharing Policy

We do not sell, rent, distribute, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes without your explicit consent. Your data may be shared in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website, processing payments, delivering SMS messages, conducting analytics, or performing other business functions. These providers are bound by contractual obligations to keep your information confidential and to use it only for the purposes for which we disclose it.
• Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if we believe that disclosure is reasonably necessary to comply with a law, regulation, court order, or legal process; to protect the safety, rights, or property of our organization, our supporters, or others; or to detect, prevent, or otherwise address fraud, security, or technical issues.

Except as described above, we will not share your personal information with third parties without your consent.

4. Your Choices and Opt‑Out Rights

4.1 Consent for SMS Communications

We obtain your explicit consent before sending any text messages, whether informational or promotional. You can opt in through online forms, written agreements, event registrations, or other consent mechanisms. By opting in, you acknowledge that you understand the nature of the messages you will receive and agree to our Terms of Service and this Privacy Policy.

4.2 Opt‑Out Instructions

You may opt out of promotional or informational SMS communications at any time. To stop receiving text messages from us, reply to any of our text messages with the word "STOP" or "UNSUBSCRIBE." Upon receipt of your request, we will promptly remove your number from our messaging list. Please note that opting out of promotional messages does not affect your ability to receive necessary service-related communications, such as donation receipts or important updates regarding your involvement with us.

4.3 Other Choices

• Marketing Emails: If you receive marketing emails, you can unsubscribe by clicking the unsubscribe link in the email.
• Cookies: You can disable cookies through your browser settings, although certain features of our website may not function properly without them.

5. Data Protection and Security Measures

We take the security of your personal information seriously. To protect your data from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction, we implement industry-standard security measures such as encryption, secure servers, firewalls, and strict access controls. We limit access to personal information to employees and service providers who need it to perform their duties and require them to respect confidentiality.

While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your personal data, no data transmission over the Internet or mobile networks can be guaranteed to be 100% secure. Therefore, you acknowledge and accept that you provide your information at your own risk. If we become aware of a data breach, we will promptly investigate and notify affected individuals and relevant authorities as required by applicable law.

6. Data Retention and Rights

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected or as required by law. Once it is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize the data.

You have the right to:

• Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
• Correct: Request that we correct any inaccurate or incomplete information.
• Delete: Request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions (for example, when we are legally required to keep the information).
• Withdraw Consent: Withdraw any consent you have given for the use of your personal information, including for SMS communications.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the contact information provided below. We will respond to your request in accordance with applicable laws and within a reasonable timeframe.

7. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we discover that a child under 13 has provided us with personal data without parental consent, we will delete such information from our records. If you believe that we might have any information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately.

8. Third‑Party Websites and Services

Our website or SMS messages may contain links to third-party websites, products, or services. This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected by Help for America. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of any third-party websites or services, and we encourage you to review their policies before providing any personal information.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or for other operational reasons. When we make changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date at the top of the policy. If material changes are made, we will provide a more prominent notice — such as an email notification or a notice on our website — to inform you of the updates. Your continued use of our services after the changes take effect signifies your acceptance of the revised policy. We encourage you to periodically review this Privacy Policy to stay informed about how we handle your information.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy, wish to exercise your data protection rights, or would like further information about our 10DLC compliance practices, please contact us:

Mailing Address: Help for America, 6 Main St Ext #3853, Plymouth, MA 02361, United States
Email: help@helpforamerica.org

We take your privacy seriously and will respond to inquiries in a timely manner.

11. Acceptance of This Policy

By using our website, providing your contact information, or opting in to receive SMS communications from Help for America, you agree to the terms of this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with the terms of this policy, please do not provide personal information or consent to receive SMS messages.

Thank you for supporting Help for America.