Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
HelpAge USA (“HelpAge”) is committed to protecting the privacy of visitors to its website at https://helpageusa.org/ (“Site”).
Notice and Scope of Our Privacy Policy
HelpAge provides donors, volunteers, and other visitors to its website (collectively, “Users”) with clear, prominent, and accessible information regarding its privacy policy. This Privacy Policy applies to Personal Information we collect through our website or third party tools and services that we use to obtain Personal Information from you. By using the Site or sharing your Personal Information with us, you are accepting and consenting to the provisions laid out in this Privacy Policy.
This Privacy Policy applies to Users located in the United States. If you are not located within the United States and if you do not consent to the terms of this Privacy Policy, you are not authorized to use the Site.
Our Pledge of Accountability
HelpAge instructs its employees and third-party services to manage your Personal Information properly and maintain your trust. We are accountable for complying with this Privacy Policy and take reasonable and timely steps to ensure compliance.
This Privacy Policy describes:
- How we use your information
- How information is collected
- Information we share
- Communication preferences
- Information retention
- How we secure your information
- Changes to HelpAge’s Privacy Policy
- How to contact us
For purposes of this Privacy Policy, “Personal Information” means information that identifies, relates to, describes, is capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked to, directly or indirectly, a particular individual including their full name, mailing address, e-mail address, credit card, or financial information but excludes Excluded Information.
Excluded Information means:
- Publicly available information from federal, state, or local government records.
- Deidentified information, which is information that cannot reasonably be used to infer information about, or otherwise be linked to, identify, relate to, describe, or be capable of being associated with a particular individual or a device linked to such individual and for which we have taken reasonable measures, consistent with applicable law, to prevent re-identification of such data.
- Aggregate information, which is information that relates to a group or category of individuals, from which individual identifiers have been removed, that is not linked or reasonably linkable to any individual or household, including via a device.
How We Use Your Information
HelpAge uses your information to support its core mission. This includes processing of Users’ information for donations, marketing, and grant applications or reports. Some examples include:
- To complete transactions to collect donations from Users.
- To maintain ongoing communications with Users.
- To provide Users with updates via e-mails and other communications.
- To connect with volunteers for Friendship Bench DC and other HelpAge programs and projects.
- To interact with third party sites using dual integration for the purpose of storing Personal Information.
How Information is Collected
We collect Personal Information using lawful and fair methods. We collect Personal Information only in furtherance of our legitimate business purposes. We use this information for the purposes described below and disclose the information to third parties who provide services to us in furtherance of our business purposes such as e-mail communication and donations. We collect individual identifiers, which include email, phone number, e-mail address, mailing address, and financial information including credit card or banking information. We collect this information from you through the Site when you make donations, voluntarily sign up for communications, or interact with one of our third-party providers. This Personal Information is used for legitimate business purposes such as marketing, charitable fundraising, and collecting donations.
Information We Share
We share some of the Personal Information listed above with third parties for the purpose of streamlining communications and processing donations regarding charitable fundraising. We do not share your Personal Information with third parties for their own personal marketing purposes.
How We Share Information Outside of HelpAge
HelpAge does not sell your Personal Information to third parties. We may share your Personal Information under the following limited circumstances to trusted third parties that we enter into agreements with:
Grant Information
We may disclose Personal Information to government agencies for the purpose of obtaining grant funds. Under no circumstances do we disclose Personal Information to a government agency so that they can directly contact you.
Research Partners
We may disclose information about you to our research partners, who use the information to enhance and support our business purpose. Such research partners may analyze the information and inform us of ways to improve our services. Such research partners are prohibited from using or sharing your information for any purpose other than to conduct research that supports our business operations, to support our business purpose, or as legally required. We may also provide your first name and e-mail address to a third-party research partner if you participate in the Friendship Bench DC program by visiting a bench. This research firm may contact you to speak about your experience with the Friendship Bench DC program. However, you are under no duty to reply to them and engage in conversation.
All research institutions are prohibited from using or sharing your Personal Information for any purpose other than to conduct research that supports our business operations or purpose.
Links to Third Party Sites
The Site provides links to third party websites for purposes such as processing donations, storing Personal Information, connecting with us through different social media platforms or providing information that may be of interest to those who visit the Site. Some of these third-party websites have their own privacy policies, and we encourage you to review those policies before using such third-party websites.
Aggregate or De-identified Information
We may use and share aggregate or de-identified information that does not identify you personally. We may do this to provide reports to public sector funders, research universities or organizations, or governmental authorities. We may also share aggregated data for research purposes, for instance to describe our Services to prospective partners and donors and for other lawful purposes.
Business Transfers
If HelpAge merges with another organization or if another party acquires substantially all of our assets or the assets related to any particular service offering, your Personal Information may be one of the transferred assets. We may disclose or transfer your Personal Information to a third party in connection with any merger, acquisition, dissolution, or other transaction that involves the sale, transfer, divestiture or disclosure of all or a portion of HelpAge or its assets. Any recipient of such Personal Information will be bound by the terms of this Privacy Policy.
Service Providers
We work with third party vendors that we engage to perform our operations. Examples include Mailchimp, Kindful, Benevity, credit card processors and companies that improve our ability to communicate effectively with our Users. We require these service providers to keep the information secure.
Information Retention
We retain your Personal Information for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in the Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by applicable law. Where there may be technical or other operational reasons why we are unable to fully delete your Personal Information, we will take reasonable measures to prevent further processing of your information.
Communication Preferences
By providing HelpAge with your e-mail address, you are giving us permission to send you electronic communications. You may opt out of these communications by following the unsubscribe instructions at the bottom of the correspondence we send.
How We Secure Your Information
Securing your information is an organization priority. HelpAge has implemented reasonable physical and digital security measures to prevent unauthorized access to transmitted and stored information. The Site has security measures in place to protect the loss, misuse and alteration of the information under our control. We follow generally accepted standards to protect the Personal Information submitted to us, both during transmission and once we receive it. However, no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage, is 100% secure. Therefore, while we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your Personal Information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security. When you make a donation online, these transactions are handled by our third-party servicer to which we link and HelpAge does not take possession of your credit card information. Therefore, HelpAge disclaims any responsibility for such credit card information and other information handled by our third party servicers. We may change our hosting, storage and security procedures at any time without notice to you.
Personal Information that is maintained in our physical office is subject to physical, administrative, and technical controls as well. Hard copies of Personal Information are maintained in locked locations or cabinets with similar restrictions for electronic storage of Personal Information. When disposed of, the information is shredded, destroyed, erased, or otherwise made unreadable.
Changes to Privacy Policy
HelpAge reserves the right to change our Privacy Policy for the Site at any time. If we decide to change our Privacy Policy for the Site, we will post the revised Privacy Policy here so that you will always know what information we gather, how we might use that information and whether we will disclose it to anyone. Please check the Site periodically to keep informed of any changes. If HelpAge materially changes this Policy, the new terms will apply only to (i) Personal Information provided under a prior version of this Policy by Users who affirmatively consent to the new terms and (ii) Personal Information provided after this Policy has been amended. In other words, your continued use of the Site after we have posted the revised Policy constitutes your agreement to be bound by the revised Policy on a prospective basis, but we will honor the terms that were in effect when we gathered data from you.
If you are contacting us to exercise any of your privacy rights or have any questions about this policy or the way your information is handled, please contact us at info@helpageusa.org.
Updated and Effective September 12, 2024
Terms of Use
Use of the website accessible at https://helpageusa.org (this “Site”) is governed by these terms and conditions (the “Terms of Use”). By accessing or using this Site, you as the user (“you” or “your”) agree to be bound and abide by these Terms of Use. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ANY OF THESE TERMS, YOU MAY NOT USE THIS SITE.
CONTACT INFORMATION
If you have questions or concerns regarding these Terms of Use, please contact HelpAge USA, Inc. (“HelpAge”, “we” or “our”) by emailing us at info@helpageusa.com.
GENERAL
You may not use this Site for any purpose that is unlawful or prohibited by these Terms of Use, or to solicit the performance of any illegal activity or other activity which infringes the rights of HelpAge or others. Without limiting the foregoing, you may not interfere with the proper working of this Site or attempt to gain unauthorized access to any portion of this Site or any other systems or networks connected to this Site by hacking or any other illegitimate means.
Additional terms and conditions may apply to specific portions of this Site, and such terms and conditions are made a part of these Terms of Use by reference. You agree to abide by such other terms and conditions. If there is a conflict between these Terms of Use and the terms posted for or applicable to a specific portion of this Site, the latter terms shall control with respect to your use of that portion of this Site.
TERMS MAY CHANGE
HelpAge reserves the right to change these Terms of Use for this Site at any time. If HelpAge decides to change the Terms of Use for this Site, HelpAge will post the revised Terms of Use here. Please check this Site periodically to keep informed of any changes. HelpAge will post the date of the latest update at the bottom of the Terms of Use. All such changes to these Terms of Use are effective immediately when they are posted to this Site.
ELIGIBILITY
In using and navigating your way around this Site, you certify that you are at least 18 years of age. HelpAge does not knowingly collect or solicit personal information about children under the age of 13 without prior parental consent. Children under the age of 13 may not use this site for anything other than for browsing.
THIRD-PARTY SITES
References made on this Site to any names, trademarks, products, or services of third parties or third-party information—or hypertext links to such third-party content—are provided solely as a convenience to you. The inclusion of such references and links does not imply endorsement, sponsorship, or recommendation of the third party, its information, products, or services by HelpAge or any association with its operators.
These references and links to third parties are not under the control of HelpAge, and you acknowledge that HelpAge is not responsible for the accuracy, copyright compliance, legality, decency, or any other aspect of the content of such sites.We accept no responsibility for their content or for any loss or damage that may arise from your use of such websites. If you decide to access any of the third-party websites linked to this Site, you do so entirely at your own risk and subject to the terms and conditions of use for such websites.
PROPRIETARY RIGHTS
HelpAge is the owner of all intellectual property rights, including, without limitation, all copyrights and trademarks, associated with this Site, with all rights reserved, exclusive of content submitted, transmitted, posted, or otherwise provided by third parties, which is owned by the licensors of such content. You acknowledge and agree that the content and materials available on this Site, including without limitation all text, graphics, user interfaces, visual interfaces, photographs, trademarks, logos, taglines, video media, artwork, design, structure, selection, coordination, expression, “look and feel” and the arrangement thereof, are protected by copyrights, trademarks, service marks or other proprietary rights and laws.
HelpAge grants you a limited, non-exclusive license to download, print and make a reasonable number of copies of the content and materials available on this Site solely for your personal, non-commercial use or for educational purposes, provided you keep intact all copyright and other proprietary notices and do not copy or post the content and materials on any network computer or publicly display or distribute the content and materials in any media. Except as set forth in the preceding sentence or as separately authorized in writing by HelpAge, you agree not to sell, license, rent, modify, distribute, copy, reproduce, transmit, publicly display, publicly perform, publish, adapt, edit, or create derivative works from such content or materials in any manner. Any use of the content or materials available on this Site not expressly permitted by these Terms of Use is a breach of these Terms of Use and may violate copyright, trademark, and other laws. You acknowledge and agree that such unauthorized use may cause irreparable harm to HelpAge or its licensors. In the event of such unauthorized use, HelpAge or its licensors shall be entitled to injunctive relief in addition to any other remedies available at law or in equity.
HelpAge cautions you that some documents, photos, and other content may have been published on this Site with the permission of the relevant copyright owners (who are not controlled by HelpAge). All rights in such documents, photos, and other content are reserved to their owners, and permission to copy or otherwise exploit them must be requested and obtained directly from the copyright owners.
If you have any questions about the limited, non-exclusive license granted herein or if you would like to request additional rights, please contact us using the information provided in the Contact Information section of these Terms of Use.
LINKING TO THIS SITE
You may link to our homepage, provided you do so in a way that is fair and legal and does not damage our reputation or take advantage of it, but you must not establish a link in such a way as to suggest any form of association, approval, or endorsement on our part without our express written consent. You may not frame this Site or incorporate pieces of it into a different website or product. Further, you may not link to this Site if you create or post any illegal, obscene or offensive content.
SITE SECURITY
You are prohibited from violating or attempting to violate the security of this Site. This includes, without limitation, (a) accessing data not intended for such user or logging onto a server or an account to which the user has not been provided authorized access; (b) attempting to probe, scan, or test the vulnerability of a system or network or to breach security or authentication measures without proper authorization; (c) attempting to interfere with service to any user, host, or network, including, without limitation, via means of submitting a virus to this Site, overloading, “flooding,” “mail bombing,” or “crashing;” (d) sending unsolicited e-mail, including promotions and/or advertising of products or services; or (e) forging any TCP/IP packet header or any part of the header information in any e-mail or newsgroup posting.
Violations of system or network security may result in civil or criminal liability. HelpAge will investigate occurrences that may involve such violations and may involve and cooperate with law enforcement authorities in prosecuting users who are involved in such violations.
In using this Site, you agree not to use any device, software, logic, or routine to interfere with-or attempt to interfere with-the proper working of this Site or any activity being conducted in relation to this Site. You agree, further, not to use or attempt to use any engine, software, tool, agent, or other device or mechanism (including without limitation to browsers, spiders, robots, avatars, or intelligent agents) to navigate or search this Site in ways other than those search engine and search agents made available by HelpAge on this Site or via other generally available third-party Web browsers (e.g., Chrome, Safari, Edge, etc.).
USERNAMES AND PASSWORDS
If you have a username and password in connection with your use of this Site and the third-party platforms linked on the Site, it is your responsibility to maintain the confidentiality of such username and password. You are fully responsible for all activities that occur under your username, and HelpAge does not assume any liability or responsibility for such use.
RELIANCE ON INFORMATION POSTED
The information presented on or through this Site is made available solely for general information purposes. If you are a mental health professional, you should remember that the content on this Site is not meant to serve as a substitute for your own clinical judgment, and we encourage you to confirm the information contained on this Site with other sources before undertaking any treatment or action based on it. If you are an individual who chooses to use the information on this Site, you should not rely on that information as professional mental health advice or use it to replace any relationship with your licensed mental health professional or other qualified mental health professional. For mental health concerns, including decisions about treatments, you should always consult your licensed mental health professional or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel. You are specifically cautioned to seek professional mental health advice before beginning any sort of treatment. We do not warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of this information. ANY RELIANCE YOU PLACE ON SUCH INFORMATION IS STRICTLY AT YOUR OWN RISK. We disclaim all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on such materials by you or any other visitor to this Site, or by anyone who may be informed of any of its contents.
This Site includes content provided by third parties, which may include materials provided by other users, bloggers, third-party licensors, syndicators, aggregators, and/or reporting services. All statements and/or opinions expressed in these materials, other than the content provided by HelpAge, are solely the opinions and the responsibility of the person or entity providing those materials. These materials do not necessarily reflect the opinion of HelpAge. We are not responsible, or liable to you or any third party, for the content or accuracy of any materials provided by any third parties.
This Site includes content provided by third parties, which may include materials provided by bloggers and/or reporting services. All statements and/or opinions expressed in these materials, other than the content provided by HelpAge, are solely the opinions and the responsibility of the person or entity providing those materials. These materials do not necessarily reflect the opinion of HelpAge. We are not responsible, or liable to you or any third party, for the content or accuracy of any materials provided by any third parties.
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES
We include a lot of information on this Site, including articles, reports, references, and streaming video. While we hope you find the information helpful, it is your responsibility to evaluate the information we provide. THIS SITE DOES NOT OFFER MENTAL HEALTH ADVICE OR RECOMMENDATIONS, AND YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON THE INFORMATION POSTED ON THIS SITE AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR CONSULTATIONS WITH QUALIFIED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH A PARTICULAR INDIVIDUAL’S MENTAL HEALTH CONDITIONS AND NEEDS (INCLUDING YOURS). SITE USERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO CONSULT WITH THEIR MENTAL HEALTH PHYSICIAN OR OTHER QUALIFIED MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE INDIVIDUAL’S SPECIFIC MENTAL HEALTH SITUATION.
HelpAge does not offer you any warranty or guarantee related to this Site or the information available on this Site. ALL MATERIALS, INFORMATION AND SERVICES INCLUDED IN OR AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS SITE (THE “CONTENT”) ARE PROVIDED “AS IS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” FOR YOUR USE. THE CONTENT IS PROVIDED WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR NONINFRINGEMENT. HELPAGE DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE CONTENT IS ACCURATE, RELIABLE OR CORRECT; THAT THIS SITE WILL BE AVAILABLE AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME OR LOCATION; THAT ANY EFFECTS OR ERRORS WILL BE CORRECTED; OR THAT THE CONTENT IS FREE OF VIRUSES OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS. YOUR USE OF THIS SITE IS SOLELY AT YOUR RISK. BECAUSE SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT PERMIT THE EXCLUSION OF CERTAIN WARRANTIES, THESE EXCLUSIONS MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL HELPAGE BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES THAT RESULT FROM THE USE OF, OR INABILITY TO USE, THIS SITE OR THE CONTENT AVAILABLE ON THIS SITE. THIS LIMITATION APPLIES WHETHER THE ALLEGED LIABILITY IS BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR ANY OTHER BASIS, EVEN IF HELPAGE HAS BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. BECAUSE SOME JURISDICTIONS DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF CERTAIN KINDS OF DAMAGES, HELPAGE’S LIABILITY IN SUCH JURISDICTIONS SHALL BE LIMITED TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
INDEMNIFICATION
You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless HelpAge, and its employees, contractors, officers and directors from all liabilities, claims and expenses, including attorney’s fees, that arise from your use or misuse of this Site. HelpAge reserves the right, at its own expense, to assume the exclusive defense and control of any matter otherwise subject to indemnification by you, in which event you will cooperate with HelpAge in asserting any available defenses.
INTERNATIONAL USE
HelpAge makes no representation that materials on this Site are appropriate or available for use in locations outside the United States, and accessing them is prohibited in territories where viewing or downloading their content is in violation of local law. Those who choose to access this Site from other locations do so on their own initiative and are responsible for compliance with local laws.
PROCEDURE FOR MAKING CLAIMS OF COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT
HelpAge will promptly process and investigate notices of alleged copyright infringement concerning content available on this Site and will take appropriate actions under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, Title 17, United States Code, Section 512(c)(2) (the “DMCA”), where applicable. If you believe that your work has been copied and is accessible on this Site in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, please provide the following information to HelpAge:
- An electronic or physical signature of the person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the copyright interest;
- A description of the copyrighted work claimed to have been infringed;
- A description of where the material that is claimed to be infringing is located on this Site;
- Information reasonably sufficient to permit HelpAge to contact the complaining party, such as an address, telephone number, and, if available, an electronic mail address at which the complaining party may be contacted;
- A statement that the complaining party has a good faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright owner, its agent, or the law; and
- A statement that the information in the notification is accurate, and under penalty of perjury, that the complaining party is authorized to act on behalf of the owner of an exclusive right that is allegedly infringed.
Please send such notice to HelpAge using the information provided in the Contact Information section of these Terms of Use.
Upon receipt of a valid notification of alleged copyright infringement by a third party, HelpAge will remove or disable access to the infringing content, subject to the procedures outlined in the DMCA, including the procedures for counter-notices.
CHOICE OF LAW AND FORUM
These Terms of Use shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the District of Columbia, USA, excluding its conflicts of law rules. You expressly agree that the exclusive jurisdiction for any claim or action arising out of or relating to these Terms of Use or your use of this Site will be the state or federal courts located in the District of Columbia, USA, and you further agree and submit to the exercise of personal jurisdiction of such courts for the purpose of litigating any such claim or action.
SEVERABILITY AND INTEGRATION
Unless otherwise specified herein, these Terms of Use, together with the Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and HelpAge with respect to this Site and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous communications and proposals (whether oral, written, or electronic) between you and HelpAge with respect to this Site. If any part of these Terms of Use is held invalid or unenforceable, that portion shall be construed in a manner consistent with applicable law to reflect, as nearly as possible, the original intentions of the parties, and the remaining portions shall remain in full force and effect.
TERMINATION
HelpAge reserves the right, in its sole discretion at any time, to terminate your access to all or part of this Site and/or to remove any content and materials from this Site, with or without notice. You agree that HelpAge will not be liable to your or any third party for any termination of your access to this Site or for removal of information from this Site.
Last Updated and Effective: September 12, 2024
