Privacy Policy

1. Introduction

Spark Bio ("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.sparkbio.org, make a donation, volunteer, or otherwise interact with our organization.

Please read this privacy policy carefully. If you do not agree with the terms of this privacy policy, please do not access the site or use our services.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Personal Information

We may collect personally identifiable information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Make a donation through our website
• Register to volunteer
• Subscribe to our newsletter
• Contact us via email or contact forms
• Participate in surveys or questionnaires
• Attend our events

This information may include:

• Name and contact information (email address, phone number, mailing address)
• Payment information (credit card numbers, billing address)
• Demographic information (age, gender, location)
• Professional information (for volunteers)
• Any other information you choose to provide

2.2 Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain information about your device and how you interact with our site, including:

• IP address and location data
• Browser type and version
• Operating system
• Pages visited and time spent on pages
• Referring website addresses
• Date and time of visits

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

• Processing Donations: To process and acknowledge your donations, issue tax receipts, and maintain donation records
• Volunteer Management: To coordinate volunteer activities, communicate opportunities, and manage volunteer programs
• Communications: To send you newsletters, updates about our programs, fundraising appeals, and other information you've requested
• Website Improvement: To analyze how visitors use our site and improve user experience
• Legal Compliance: To comply with applicable laws, regulations, and legal processes
• Fraud Prevention: To detect, prevent, and address fraud and security issues
• Program Evaluation: To measure the impact of our programs and improve our services

4. Information Sharing and Disclosure

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties. We may share your information in the following limited circumstances:

• Service Providers: With third-party vendors who assist us in operating our website, processing donations, or conducting our operations (e.g., payment processors, email service providers). These parties are contractually obligated to keep your information confidential.
• Legal Requirements: When required by law, subpoena, or other legal process, or when we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.
• Business Transfers: In connection with any merger, sale of assets, financing, or acquisition of all or a portion of our organization to another entity.
• With Your Consent: When you explicitly consent to sharing your information.

We will never share donor information with other nonprofits or organizations for marketing purposes.

5. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures to protect your personal information against unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption for data transmission
• Secure servers and firewalls
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Limited access to personal information on a need-to-know basis
• Staff training on data protection

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

6. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience. Cookies are small data files stored on your device. We use cookies for:

• Session management and authentication
• Remembering your preferences
• Analytics and understanding how visitors use our site
• Marketing and measuring the effectiveness of our campaigns

You can control cookie preferences through your browser settings. However, disabling cookies may limit your ability to use certain features of our website. For more information, see our Cookie Policy.

7. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of these external sites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

8. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

• Access: Request access to the personal information we hold about you
• Correction: Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete information
• Deletion: Request deletion of your personal information (subject to legal obligations)
• Opt-Out: Unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time
• Data Portability: Request a copy of your data in a portable format
• Object: Object to processing of your information for certain purposes

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at privacy@SparkBio.org. We will respond to your request within 30 days.

9. Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to children under 13 years of age. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have collected information from a child under 13, we will delete that information immediately. If you believe we have collected information from a child under 13, please contact us.

10. International Data Transfers

Spark Bio is based in the United States. If you are accessing our website from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States where our servers are located. By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States.

11. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Donation records are retained for at least seven years for tax and legal compliance purposes.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal, operational, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by posting the new Privacy Policy on this page and updating the "Last Updated" date. Your continued use of our services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

Spark Bio
4365 Executive Drive Suite 1100
San Diego, CA 92121, United States
Email: privacy@SparkBio.org
Phone: Contact via email for privacy inquiries

14. Donor Privacy Rights

As a nonprofit organization, we adhere to the Donor Bill of Rights. We are committed to:

• Keeping your contact information confidential
• Never selling or sharing your information with other organizations
• Honoring your requests to remain anonymous
• Respecting your communication preferences
• Providing clear information about how donations are used