Privacy Policy

INFORMATION WE COLLECT
Information You Provide Directly
We may collect the following information when you interact with AFA:
•    Name, mailing address, email address, and phone number
•    Donation amounts, payment information, and transaction history
•    Volunteer application information and availability
•    Program participation information (for service recipients, collected only as necessary to deliver services)
•    Communications you send to AFA via email, contact forms, or social media
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:
•    IP address and browser type
•    Pages visited and time spent on our website
•    Referring website or search terms
•    Device type and operating system
This information is used solely to improve website performance and user experience. It is not linked to personally identifiable information without your consent.

HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION
AFA uses collected information exclusively for the following purposes:
•    Processing donations and issuing tax receipts
•    Communicating with donors, volunteers, and partners about AFA programs and activities
•    Coordinating volunteer scheduling and program participation
•    Delivering direct services to program participants
•    Fulfilling legal and regulatory reporting obligations
•    Improving the AFA website and organizational communications
AFA will not use your information for any purpose not listed above without your explicit consent.

INFORMATION SHARING & DISCLOSURE
AFA does not sell, rent, trade, or share personal information with third parties except in the following limited circumstances:
•    Service Providers: AFA may share information with trusted third-party service providers (such as payment processors) who assist in operating our website and processing transactions. These providers are contractually obligated to maintain the confidentiality of your information.
•    Legal Compliance: AFA may disclose information when required by law, court order, or governmental authority.
•    Organizational Protection: AFA may disclose information to protect the rights, property, or safety of the organization, its staff, volunteers, or the public.
In all cases, AFA shares only the minimum information necessary for the stated purpose.

DATA SECURITY
AFA employs industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. All online financial transactions are processed through encrypted, secure payment systems.
While we take all reasonable precautions to safeguard your information, no method of electronic transmission or storage is 100% secure. AFA cannot guarantee absolute security of data transmitted over the internet.

PROGRAM PARTICIPANT PRIVACY
AFA takes extraordinary care to protect the privacy of individuals who receive our direct services. Personal information shared by program participants is used solely to coordinate and deliver services. AFA will not photograph, record, or share the identity of program participants without explicit informed consent.
Community impact stories and testimonials shared publicly by AFA are used only with the express written or verbal consent of the individual involved. Individuals may withdraw consent at any time.

CHILDREN'S PRIVACY
AFA's website is not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent. If you believe we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, please contact us immediately at poetcardea@amongstfriendsassociation.org so that we may delete such information.
For AFA's youth programs (Sound & Soul and Youth Arts Initiative), information about minors is collected only with parental or guardian consent and is used exclusively for program delivery purposes.

YOUR RIGHTS
You have the right to:
•    Request access to the personal information AFA holds about you
•    Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
•    Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal retention requirements
•    Opt out of non-essential communications from AFA at any time
•    Withdraw consent for use of your image, story, or testimonial
To exercise any of these rights, contact: poetcardea@amongstfriendsassociation.org or call 310-810-6748.

CALIFORNIA PRIVACY RIGHTS
California residents have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Online Privacy Protection Act (CalOPPA), including the right to know what personal information is collected, the right to deletion, and the right to non-discrimination for exercising privacy rights.

AFA does not sell personal information as defined under the CCPA. California residents may submit privacy requests to: support@amongstfriendsassociation.org.