Privacy Policy for United Way of Merced County

Last Updated: October 22, 2026
Effective Date: October 22, 2026

At United Way of Merced County ("we," "us," or "our"), we are committed to protecting your privacy and ensuring the security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy (“Policy”) explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal data when you visit our website (https://www.unitedwaymerced.org/), donate, volunteer, or interact with our community services.

We operate primarily in the State of California, United States, and comply with applicable federal and state laws, including the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA).

By accessing our website or using our services, you agree to the collection and use of your information in accordance with this Policy.

1. Introduction and Scope

This Policy applies to all personal data collected by United Way of Merced County through our website, online donation platforms, volunteer sign-up forms, and digital communication channels.

Contact Information

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

2. Information We Collect

We collect information necessary to process donations, facilitate volunteer opportunities, administer community programs, and improve our website experience.

2.1. Personal Data You Provide Voluntarily

We collect personal information that you directly provide to us, including:

  • Identifiers: Full name, email address, postal address, phone number.
  • Financial Information: Payment details, billing address, and credit card or bank details provided for donations or event registrations. (Note: Payment details are securely processed by third-party payment processors; we do not store full payment card numbers).
  • Donor & Contribution History: Records of contributions made, campaign involvement, or events attended.
  • Volunteer & Program Application Information: Background details, employment information, or skills submitted during volunteer or program registration.
  • Communications: Messages, inquiries, or feedback submitted through contact forms or email.

2.2. Information Collected Automatically (Usage Data)

When you browse our website, we may automatically collect certain technical data, including:

  • Device & Network Information: IP address, browser type, browser version, operating system, and device identifiers.
  • Usage Patterns: Pages visited, duration of visit, referring website addresses, and clickstream patterns.
  • Cookies & Tracking Technologies: Data gathered through cookies, web beacons, and analytical tools to enhance your site navigation and improve our online platform.

2.3. Sensitive Personal Information

United Way of Merced County does not sell or share sensitive personal information. We only collect sensitive information (such as precise location or necessary tax identification numbers for donor receipts/grants) when required by law or explicitly provided with your consent to fulfill a requested service or community program.

2.4. Tracking Technologies & Analytics

We may use third-party tools such as Google Analytics to understand website usage and performance. You may adjust your browser settings to decline or limit cookies, though certain site features may not function as intended without them.

3. How We Use Your Information

We process your personal information for legitimate organizational and operational purposes, including:

  • Processing Donations & Receipts: Executing transactions, issuing tax receipts, and managing donor records.
  • Community Outreach & Engagement: Communicating program updates, newsletter alerts, event invitations, and volunteer opportunities.
  • Customer & Community Support: Responding to inquiries, feedback, or requests for community assistance (such as 211 service queries).
  • Website Optimization: Analyzing traffic patterns to improve site functionality, user experience, and accessibility.
  • Legal Compliance & Security: Maintaining audit logs, preventing fraudulent activity, and fulfilling federal and state regulatory requirements.

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties.

We only share your information under the following limited circumstances:

  • Service Providers & Processors: We share data with trusted third-party providers who assist in operating our website, managing payment processing, or conducting email campaigns. These providers are strictly prohibited from using your data for any other purpose.
  • Legal Obligations: We may disclose personal data if required by law, court order, subpoena, or government regulation, or when necessary to protect the safety, rights, or property of United Way of Merced County, our staff, or the public.
  • With Your Explicit Consent: We may share information for specific purposes when you have given us express authorization (e.g., highlighting a featured community volunteer or partner program).

5. Data Security and Retention

5.1. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational security measures—including SSL encryption for data in transit, firewalls, and restricted administrative access—to safeguard your personal data from unauthorized access, loss, or alteration. However, no internet transmission or electronic storage method can be guaranteed to be 100% secure.

5.2. Data Retention

We retain your personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the operational purposes for which it was collected, or to satisfy legal, tax, accounting, or regulatory requirements.

6. Your California Privacy Rights (CCPA/CPRA)

If you are a California resident, you have specific rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) and California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA):

  1. Right to Know / Access: You have the right to request information about the categories and specific pieces of personal information we have collected about you over the past 12 months.
  2. Right to Deletion: You have the right to request the deletion of personal information we have collected from you, subject to certain legal exceptions (e.g., maintaining legal financial records).
  3. Right to Correct: You have the right to request the correction of inaccurate personal information.
  4. Right to Opt-Out of Sale or Sharing: We do not sell your personal information or share it for cross-context behavioral advertising.
  5. Right to Non-Discrimination: We will not discriminate against you (e.g., deny services or offer a lower quality of service) for exercising any of your privacy rights.

How to Exercise Your Rights

To submit a privacy request, please contact us via email at info@unitedwaymerced.org or by calling (209) 383-4242. We will verify your identity before fulfilling your request as required by California law.

7. Children's Privacy

Our website and online services are directed to a general audience and are not intended for children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent. If we become aware that a child under 13 has provided personal data, we will take prompt steps to delete that information.

8. Third-Party Web Links

Our website may contain links to partner organizations, community resources, or third-party platforms (e.g., social media pages, partner agency services). We do not control or take responsibility for the content, privacy policies, or practices of external websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any third-party site you visit.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our legal obligations or operational practices. Any updates will be posted on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date at the top. We encourage you to review this page regularly to stay informed about how we protect your information.

10. Contact Us

If you have questions, comments, or complaints about our Privacy Policy or data handling practices, please contact us:

United Way of Merced County
531 W. 19th Street
Merced, CA 95340
Email: info@unitedwaymerced.org
Phone: (209) 383-4242
Website: https://www.unitedwaymerced.org/