Privacy Policy- Website Terms and Conditions

Effective Date: 11/03/2020
Greenville First Steps (“we,” “us,” or “our”) values your privacy and is committed to handling your personal information responsibly. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect information obtained through our website, donation tools, communications, and text messaging programs.

Questions?

For any concerns or to make a privacy request, please contact us:

• 864-248-4757
• info@greenvillefirststeps.org

1. Information We May Collect

We may collect the following types of personal information:

• Name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Mailing address
• IP address
• Employer and occupation (for donations, as required by law)
• Publicly available voter registration data
• Your responses to surveys, petitions, or sign-up forms
• Your interaction with our emails, website, or text messages
• Device and browser type
• Referral links, cookies, and analytics identifiers

We do not collect sensitive financial or health data unless explicitly required and with your direct consent.

2. How We Use Your Information

We may use your information for the following purposes:

• To communicate with you about events, issues, or opportunities
• To process donations
• To respond to your inquiries or requests
• To improve our website, emails, and engagement strategy
• To send communications (emails, texts, or calls)
• To protect against fraud and ensure security
• To comply with legal obligations

3. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share it only in limited circumstances:

• With trusted service providers (e.g., donation processors, email/SMS platforms, website hosts)
• As required by law (e.g., FEC reporting requirements)
• In compliance with court orders or government investigations

SMS Carrier Compliance: Your phone number will never be shared or sold to third parties or affiliates for their own marketing purposes.

4. SMS and Text Messaging Policy

If you provide your phone number, you consent to receive automated calls and text messages from the entity.  We want to be clear about your rights and the terms:

• Message frequency may vary
• Message and data rates may apply
• Reply STOP to cancel
• Reply HELP for help
• Your opt-in status, opt-outs, and replies are logged for compliance
• Opt-out requests are honored immediately
• You may receive messages about events, voting reminders, or donation opportunities
• Carriers are not liable for delayed or undelivered messages.

5. Use of Cookies and Tracking

Our websites may use cookies and similar technologies:

• To remember your preferences
• To track site usage and improve performance
• To serve relevant ads and measure results
• You can adjust cookie settings in your browser
• Some features may not function properly without essential cookies

6. How Long We Keep Your Data

We retain your personal information:

• For as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes listed above
• For as long as required by law
• Once no longer needed, your data may be securely deleted or anonymized

7. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights:

• Access: You may request a copy of the data we have about you
• Correction: You may request corrections to inaccurate data
• Deletion: You may request that we delete your personal information, subject to legal limits
• Opt-Out: You may unsubscribe from emails or reply STOP to text messages at any time

To exercise these rights, please use the contact information listed at the top of this policy.

8. Data Security

We implement safeguards to protect your data, including:

• Encryption in transit and at rest where applicable
• Access controls and audit logs
• Staff training and policy enforcement

No method is 100% secure, so we cannot guarantee absolute protection.

9. Children’s Privacy

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has submitted data to us, please contact us so we can delete it.

10. Changes to This Policy

• This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically
• If material changes are made, we will update the effective date
• Continued use of our website or services after changes implies consent to the revised policy

Terms & Conditions

• Legal Entity Name: South Carolina First Steps to School Readiness board of Trustees: Greenville County
• Effective Date: June 1999
• Contact Email: info@greenvillefirststeps.org
• Contact Phone: 864-248-4757
• Mailing Address: 700 N Pleasantburg Drive, Greenville SC 29607
• Governing State: South Carolina
• Website: www.GreenvilleFirstSteps.org

By using the website, SMS programs, donation pages, or other digital services operated by the above-mentioned entity (“we,” “us,” or “our”), you agree to the following Terms & Conditions.

1. Acceptance of Terms

• By accessing or using our website or services, you agree to be legally bound by these Terms & Conditions.
• If you do not agree, do not use our services.
• These Terms apply to all visitors, supporters, donors, and volunteers who interact with our digital content or services.

2. Eligibility

• You must be at least 18 years old, or have permission from a parent or legal guardian, to use our services.
• Contributions must be made by U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents using personal funds.

3. Scope of Services

• Our services include:
  • Access to content and resources
  • Email and SMS communications
  • Donation processing and receipts
  • Event signups and volunteer forms
  • Informational blog posts, media, and video content
• We operate in accordance with applicable federal election law and state regulations.

4. SMS / Text Messaging Terms

• Consent to Text: By submitting your mobile number, you authorize us to send recurring automated calls and texts.
• Message Types: Event invitations, updates, donation appeals, volunteer alerts, voting reminders.
• Frequency: Message frequency varies by phase and user interaction.
• Charges: Message and data rates may apply per your mobile carrier.
• Opt-Out: Reply STOP to cancel anytime.
• Help: Reply HELP for assistance.
• Recordkeeping: We log consent, opt-outs, and responses for compliance.
• No Sale of Numbers: We do not share or sell your number for third-party marketing.

5. Refund Policy

• Contributions are considered final.
• If a donation was made in error or fraudulently, contact us within 15 days using the contact info above to request a refund.

We reserve the right to decline refund requests made outside of this time window.

6. Prohibited Conduct

You agree not to:

• Violate any applicable laws while using our services
• Attempt to hack, disable, or disrupt our website or SMS platforms
• Post unlawful, threatening, defamatory, or abusive content
• Impersonate staff, donors, or volunteers
• Use bots, scrapers, or automation to mine or misuse our data
• Upload viruses, malware, or harmful code

7. Third-Party Links

• Our website may link to third-party websites, tools, or services.
• We are not responsible for their content, privacy practices, or terms of use.
• Visiting third-party sites is at your own risk.

8. Accessibility Statement

• We strive to make our digital services accessible and usable in accordance with WCAG 2.1 and ADA guidelines.
• If you encounter accessibility barriers, please contact us using the details listed above.

9. Intellectual Property

• All content, including text, images, logos, and videos, is owned by or licensed to the organization.
• You may not copy, modify, or distribute any content without written permission.

10. DMCA / Copyright Complaints

If you believe content on our website violates your copyright, notify us with the following:

• A description of the copyrighted work
• The URL or location of the infringing content
• Your contact info and a sworn statement under penalty of perjury

11. Termination

We reserve the right to restrict or terminate your access to our services at any time for violation of these Terms.

12. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless the organization from any claims or damages resulting from your use of the website, services, or content.

13. Limitation of Liability

• We are not liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, punitive, or consequential damages arising from your use—or inability to use—our services.
• All services are provided “as is” without warranties of any kind.

14. Force Majeure

We are not responsible for delays or failures caused by events beyond our control, including natural disasters, internet outages, or acts of government.

15. Severability

If any part of these Terms is found invalid, the remaining terms remain in full effect.

16. Waiver

Our failure to enforce any provision does not constitute a waiver of our rights.

17. Entire Agreement

These Terms represent the entire agreement between you and us regarding your use of our digital services.

18. Governing Law and Venue

• These Terms are governed by the laws of the state in which the entity is filed
• Any legal disputes shall be resolved in the appropriate courts of that state.

19. Updates to Terms

• We may revise these Terms from time to time.
• Updates take effect immediately upon posting. Continued use of our services constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

20. Contact Us

For questions about these Terms, refunds, donation changes, or accessibility: Use the contact info provided at the top of this page.