Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

The Melissa Relief Fund ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website www.melissarelieffund.com and make donations.

Please read this Privacy Policy carefully. By using our Website, you consent to the collection and use of your information as described in this policy.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Information You Provide

When you make a donation, we collect:

• Name: Your full name (optional for anonymous donations)
• Email Address: For donation receipts and, if applicable, managing recurring donations
• Donation Amount: The amount you choose to donate
• Optional Message: Any message you choose to include with your donation
• Parish Selection: If you choose to support a specific parish in Jamaica
• Payment Information: Credit card details (processed and stored by Stripe, not by us)

2.2 Help Request Information

If you submit a help request form, we collect:

• Name and contact information
• Parish/location in Jamaica
• Description of your situation and needs
• Household size and urgent needs
• Preferred contact method

2.3 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our Website, we automatically collect:

• Log Data: IP address, browser type, operating system, pages visited, time spent
• Device Information: Device type, screen resolution, language preferences
• Usage Data: How you interact with our Website

2.4 Cookies and Tracking

We use minimal cookies and tracking technologies:

• Essential Cookies: Required for website functionality and payment processing
• Stripe Cookies: Used by Stripe for secure payment processing
• No Advertising Cookies: We do not use third-party advertising or tracking cookies

3. How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Process Donations: Complete your donation transaction securely
• Send Receipts: Email you confirmation and receipts for your donations
• Manage Subscriptions: Handle monthly recurring donations and allow you to manage them
• Display Donor Feed: Show your donation on our public donor feed (unless you choose anonymous)
• Respond to Help Requests: Review and respond to requests for assistance from Jamaica
• Improve Our Website: Analyze usage to enhance user experience
• Communicate Updates: Send occasional updates about our relief efforts (you can opt-out)
• Prevent Fraud: Detect and prevent fraudulent transactions
• Comply with Law: Meet legal and regulatory requirements

4. How We Share Your Information

4.1 Third-Party Service Providers

We share information with trusted service providers who help us operate:

4.2 Public Display

Donor Feed: Unless you select "Give anonymously," your name, donation amount, optional message, and parish tag will be displayed on our public donor feed. Your email address and payment information are never displayed publicly.

4.3 Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to:

• Comply with legal obligations or court orders
• Enforce our Terms of Service
• Protect our rights, property, or safety
• Investigate fraud or illegal activity
• Respond to government requests

4.4 What We DON'T Do

We will NEVER:

• ❌ Sell your information to third parties
• ❌ Rent or lease your email list
• ❌ Share your data with advertisers or marketers
• ❌ Use your information for purposes other than stated here

5. Data Security

5.1 Security Measures

We implement industry-standard security measures:

• Encryption: All data transmitted over HTTPS with SSL/TLS encryption
• Payment Security: We never store credit card information - handled entirely by Stripe
• Secure Storage: Data encrypted at rest in secure databases
• Access Controls: Limited access to personal data on a need-to-know basis
• Regular Updates: Security patches and updates applied promptly

5.2 No Absolute Security

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

6. Your Privacy Rights

6.1 Right to Access

You can request a copy of the personal information we hold about you. Email us at donate@melissarelieffund.com.

6.2 Right to Correction

If your information is inaccurate or incomplete, you can request that we correct or update it.

6.3 Right to Deletion

You can request deletion of your personal information, subject to:

• Legal requirements to retain certain data (e.g., tax records, fraud prevention)
• Active recurring donations (cancel first, then request deletion)
• Ongoing disputes or investigations

6.4 Right to Opt-Out

You can opt-out of:

• Marketing Emails: Unsubscribe link in every email
• Donor Feed Display: Select "Give anonymously" when donating
• Data Collection: Stop using our Website

6.5 Recurring Donation Management

You can manage or cancel recurring donations at any time through the Stripe Customer Portal, accessible from our website.

6.6 How to Exercise Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, email us at: donate@melissarelieffund.com

Include:

• Your full name
• Email address used for donation
• Specific request (access, correction, deletion, etc.)
• Verification information (to confirm identity)

We will respond within 30 days.

7. Data Retention

7.1 How Long We Keep Data

• Donation Records: Retained for at least 7 years for accounting and legal purposes
• Help Requests: Retained until resolved, then archived for 3 years
• Website Logs: Retained for 90 days, then deleted
• Email Communications: Retained until you unsubscribe or request deletion

7.2 Deletion Process

When data is no longer needed:

• Personal identifiers are anonymized
• Sensitive data is securely deleted
• Aggregated, non-personal data may be retained for statistical purposes

8. Children's Privacy

Our Website is not intended for children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you are a parent or guardian and believe your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at donate@melissarelieffund.com, and we will delete it promptly.

9. International Users

Our Website is operated from the United States and Jamaica. If you are accessing our Website from outside these countries, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States or Jamaica where our servers are located.

By using our Website, you consent to the transfer of your information to our facilities and those of the third parties with whom we share it as described in this Privacy Policy.

10. 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
• Right to know if personal information is sold or disclosed
• Right to opt-out of sale (we do not sell your information)
• Right to deletion
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising these rights

To exercise these rights, contact us at donate@melissarelieffund.com.

11. Changes to Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. For material changes, we will:

• Update the "Last Updated" date
• Notify you via email (for donors who have provided email)
• Display a prominent notice on our Website

Continued use of our Website after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

12. Data Breach Notification

In the unlikely event of a data breach that affects your personal information, we will:

• Investigate and contain the breach immediately
• Notify affected individuals within 72 hours
• Notify relevant authorities as required by law
• Provide guidance on protective measures you can take
• Take steps to prevent future breaches

13. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, please contact us: