Privacy Policy

1. Information We Collect

We collect only the information reasonably necessary to operate the SPARKED fundraising platform.

Information You Provide

Depending on how you use the platform, we may collect:

• Name
• Email address
• Phone number (optional)
• Mailing address (when required)
• School or organization name
• Student's first name and last initial
• Grade level (if applicable)
• Teacher or coach name (if applicable)
• Profile photographs uploaded by parents or organizers
• Donation amounts
• Messages submitted with donations
• Information submitted through contact forms

Payment Information

All payment transactions are securely processed through Stripe or other approved payment processors. SPARKED does not store full credit card numbers, CVV codes, or complete payment credentials on our servers. Payment information is governed by the privacy policies of our payment processor.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect:

• IP address
• Browser type
• Device type
• Operating system
• Pages visited
• Time spent on pages
• Referring website
• General geographic location
• Cookies and similar technologies

This information helps us improve website performance and user experience.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use information to:

• Create fundraising pages
• Process donations
• Provide donation receipts
• Communicate with users
• Provide customer support
• Verify accounts
• Prevent fraud
• Improve our platform
• Monitor website performance
• Comply with legal obligations
• Send campaign updates and administrative notifications

Where permitted by law, we may also send marketing communications. You may unsubscribe at any time.

3. Student Privacy

Protecting student information is one of our highest priorities. SPARKED is designed to minimize the collection of student information.

Generally, fundraising pages display only:

• Student first name
• Last initial
• School or organization
• Parent-approved profile photo (optional)

Parents or legal guardians are responsible for creating fundraising pages on behalf of minors. SPARKED does not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under the age of 13 without appropriate parental involvement.

Where applicable, SPARKED is designed to support compliance with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Schools and organizations remain responsible for their own compliance with these laws.

4. Sharing Your Information

SPARKED does not sell your personal information. We may share information only with:

• Payment processors (such as Stripe)
• Website hosting providers
• Cloud storage providers
• Email service providers
• SMS providers (where applicable)
• Analytics providers
• Service providers assisting with platform operations
• Government authorities when required by law

All service providers are expected to protect your information appropriately.

5. Fundraising Pages

Information displayed on fundraising pages is intentionally limited to support fundraising while protecting student privacy. Public fundraising pages may display:

• Student first name and last initial
• Organization or school
• Fundraising progress
• Parent-approved profile image
• Campaign description

No sensitive personal information is displayed publicly.

6. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

SPARKED uses cookies and similar technologies to:

• Maintain login sessions
• Improve website functionality
• Analyze website traffic
• Remember user preferences
• Measure campaign performance
• Improve security

You may disable cookies through your browser settings; however, some website features may not function properly.

7. Data Security

SPARKED uses commercially reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information. These measures include:

• Secure encrypted connections (SSL/TLS)
• Secure cloud hosting
• Restricted administrative access
• Password protection
• Payment processor security
• Ongoing security monitoring

While we take reasonable precautions, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to:

• Operate the platform
• Complete fundraising campaigns
• Maintain financial records
• Resolve disputes
• Comply with legal obligations

Information may be securely deleted when no longer required.

9. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have the right to:

• Access your personal information
• Correct inaccurate information
• Request deletion of your information
• Withdraw consent where applicable
• Opt out of marketing communications
• Request a copy of your information

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information below.

10. Third-Party Services

SPARKED may link to or integrate with third-party services, including payment processors and social media platforms.

We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites or services. We encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing personal information.

11. Children's Privacy

SPARKED is intended for use by parents, legal guardians, schools, coaches, teachers, and authorized organizers. Children under 13 should not independently create accounts or submit personal information through the platform.

If we become aware that personal information has been collected from a child without appropriate authorization, we will take reasonable steps to delete such information.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The revised version will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date. Continued use of the platform after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.