Privacy Policy

Introduction

Syrian Forum USA (SFUSA) respects the privacy of our donors, website visitors, and partners.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect your personal information. It also outlines your rights under applicable laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA).
By using our website, donating, or interacting with SFUSA, you agree to the terms outlined in this Privacy Policy.

Information We Collect

SFUSA collects the following types of information:

Personal Information You Provide
- Name, email address, postal address, and phone number.
- Donation details, including amounts and payment methods.
- Information provided when subscribing to newsletters, filling out forms, or contacting us.
Automatically Collected Information
- IP address, browser type, device information, and operating system.
- Website usage data, including pages visited and links clicked.
- Information gathered through cookies, web beacons, and other tracking technologies.
Payment Information
- Credit/debit card details or bank account information, processed securely through thirdparty payment processors.
Sensitive Information
- Any sensitive details you voluntarily share, such as comments or personal insights in messages.

How We Use Your Information

SFUSA uses the information collected for the following purposes:

To Process Donations: Ensuring secure and accurate processing and providing donation receipts.
To Communicate with You: Sending newsletters, updates, donor impact reports, and responses to inquiries.
To Improve Our Services: Enhancing website functionality and user experience through analytics and feedback.
To Comply with Legal Requirements: Meeting financial reporting and other regulatory obligations.
For Fundraising and Outreach: Sharing information about campaigns or events relevant to your interests.

Sharing Your Information

SFUSA is committed to safeguarding your information. We only share your data under the following circumstances:

With Service Providers: Trusted third parties who assist with payment processing, website hosting, email marketing, and analytics. All providers are contractually obligated to protect your data.
As Required by Law: To comply with legal obligations, such as responding to subpoenas or regulatory inquiries.
With Your Consent: When you provide explicit permission for us to share your information.

SFUSA does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information.

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this policy or as required by law. Examples include:

Donation Records: Retained for seven years to meet tax and financial reporting obligations.
Website Analytics Data: Retained for two years to improve user experience and services.

Security Measures

SFUSA takes the protection of your data seriously. Measures include:

Encryption of data during transmission (e.g., SSL encryption).
Restricting access to personal data to authorized personnel only.
Regular security audits and system updates to protect against breaches.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

Access and Portability: Request access to your data and receive it in a portable format.
Correction: Update or correct inaccurate information.
Deletion: Request the deletion of your data, subject to legal requirements.
Restriction of Processing: Limit the use of your data under specific circumstances.
Object to Processing: Opt-out of certain uses, including direct marketing.
Non-Discrimination: Exercise your rights without being denied services.

California residents may also request:

Information about data collected, sold, or disclosed in the past 12 months.
Opt-out options for data sharing.

To exercise your rights, contact us at: halkurdi@syrianforumusa.org

Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience and improve functionality. Types of cookies include:

Essential Cookies: Necessary for website operation (e.g., donation forms).
Analytics Cookies: To gather data about site usage and performance.
Marketing Cookies: For personalized fundraising campaigns.

Managing Cookies

Use our cookie consent tool to customize preferences.
Disable cookies via your browser settings, though this may affect functionality.

Protecting Children's Privacy

SFUSA does not knowingly collect information from children under 13. If you believe your child has provided personal data, please contact us immediately to remove it.

International Data Transfers

For donors outside the U.S., your data may be transferred to and processed in the United States. We implement safeguards, such as:

Standard Contractual Clauses approved by the European Commission.
Data Processing Agreements with service providers to ensure compliance.

Policy Updates

This Privacy Policy may be updated periodically. Updates will be communicated through our website or via email. The effective date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revisions.

Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or how your data is handled, contact us at:

Syrian Forum USA (SFUSA)

Email: halkurdi@syrianforumusa.org
Phone: +1 (202) 550 6128