Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 7/2/2025

Chicago Emerging Stars ("we", "us", or "our") is committed to protecting and respecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, and safeguard your personal information when you visit our website, donate, volunteer, participate in our programs, or engage in other activities with us. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Chicago, Illinois, and we adhere to both federal and Illinois privacy laws to protect your personal information.

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal information in various ways, including when you donate, sign up to volunteer, participate in events, or communicate with us. The types of personal information we may collect include:

Contact Information: Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address.
Payment Information: Credit/debit card information, billing address, and donation details (used only for processing donations).
Event and Program Participation Information: Details related to your participation in our programs, community events, or volunteering efforts.
Volunteer-Specific Information: For volunteers, we collect personal details such as name, date of birth, contact information, emergency contact information, medical conditions, allergies, and any other information needed for participation in volunteer activities.
Communication Preferences: Information regarding your preferences for receiving communications from us (e.g., email newsletters, updates).
Children's Data: For minors (under 18), we collect personal information only with the consent of their parents or guardian. This includes details such as the minor’s name, date of birth, contact information, and emergency contact information, which are required to ensure their safety during volunteer activities.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to provide services and support for our programs, to communicate with you, and to comply with legal requirements. Specifically, we use your information for the following purposes:

To Process Donations: To process and acknowledge your financial contributions to our nonprofit.
To Communicate with You: To send updates about our programs, events, and other opportunities to get involved.
To Facilitate Volunteer and Event Participation: To manage volunteer sign-ups and event logistics, and communicate event details and follow-ups.
To Improve Our Services: To enhance your experience with Chicago Emerging Stars by tailoring our communications and services to better suit your preferences.
To Meet Legal Requirements: To comply with record-keeping and tax laws for donations (as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit) and other regulatory requirements.
For Minors: To confirm parental consent for minor volunteers and ensure compliance with age-related requirements. We also use this data to manage the participation of minors in our programs and to ensure their safety.

3. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. However, we may share your information with third-party service providers who assist us with activities like donation processing, event planning, or email marketing. These service providers are contractually obligated to safeguard your data and use it only for the purposes we specify.

We may also share information if required by law or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or the rights, property, or safety of others.

4. Security of Your Information

We use industry-standard security measures to protect your personal information, including secure servers, encryption technologies, and firewalls. While we take reasonable precautions to safeguard your data, please understand that no method of data transmission over the internet is completely secure. We encourage you to take steps to protect your personal information, such as using strong passwords and keeping your login details confidential.

5. Donor Privacy Statement

At Chicago Emerging Stars, we respect and value the privacy of our donors. The personal information you provide when making a donation is used exclusively to process your gift, send receipts, and communicate about our impact. We will never sell, trade, or lease your personal information to third parties. We may share your information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in processing donations, but they are obligated to use your information solely for those services.

We will also use your information to send you periodic updates about our mission, campaigns, and events. However, you may opt out of these communications at any time by contacting us directly or clicking the “unsubscribe” link in our emails.

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, all donations are tax-deductible. We will retain your donation information in accordance with our record-keeping obligations but will only keep your personal data for as long as necessary to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected.

6. Participant Privacy Statement

Chicago Emerging Stars is committed to safeguarding the personal information of all individuals who participate in our programs, events, and activities. Whether you are a volunteer, event attendee, or program participant, we collect personal information to facilitate your involvement and communicate effectively about upcoming opportunities.

Your personal data may be used to:

Confirm participation in programs or events.
Communicate with you about event details, reminders, and follow-up information.
Provide you with relevant educational or program-related resources.
Offer you opportunities to further engage in our initiatives.

We will not sell, rent, or share your personal information for commercial purposes. We may share your information with third-party service providers who assist us in running our programs and events. These third parties are contractually required to protect your privacy and use your data only for the purposes for which it was collected.

You have the right to access, update, or delete your personal information by contacting us. You can also choose to stop receiving communications from us at any time.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We may use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to collect information about your interaction with our website. This helps us analyze website traffic, personalize content, and improve your user experience. You can control your cookie preferences through your browser settings. However, please note that disabling cookies may affect your ability to use certain features of our website.

8. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal data:

Access: You can request to access the personal information we hold about you.
Correction: You can request corrections to your personal information if it is inaccurate or incomplete.
Deletion: You can request the deletion of your personal information, subject to any legal requirements to retain the information.
Opt-out: You can opt out of receiving communications from us by using the "unsubscribe" link in emails or contacting us directly.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at future@chicagoemergingstars.org.

9. Children’s Privacy

Our services may be directed at individuals under the age of 18. We collect personal information from minors only with the consent of a parent or guardian. If you are the parent or legal guardian of a minor, you must provide explicit consent for your child to participate in our volunteer programs. This includes providing the child’s personal information, including their name, age, contact information, and emergency contacts.

We will not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verification of parental consent. If we learn that we have collected personal information from a child under 13 without such consent, we will delete that information as soon as possible.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will post the revised version on this page and update the "Effective Date" at the top of the policy. We encourage you to review this policy periodically to stay informed about how we are protecting your personal information.

11. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us at: future@chicagoemergingstars.org

12. Acknowledgment

By using our services, volunteering, donating, or interacting with Chicago Emerging Stars, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Privacy Policy and consent to the collection and use of your personal information as outlined herein.