1. Scope

This Privacy Policy explains how LightEmUp collects, uses, discloses, and protects information when you use the Site. Some features are provided through embedded or linked third-party tools (for example, Outgrow for quizzes/voting and GoFundMe Pro for donations). Those providers may collect information directly from you under their own terms and privacy policies, and we may receive limited information from them depending on the feature.

2. Who We Serve (Kids and Teens)

The Site is intended for people 13 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we collected personal information from a child under 13, we will delete it. Parents/guardians can contact us at the email above to request deletion. New York Child Data Protection Act (NYCDPA): If our Site or a portion of it is considered primarily directed to minors, or if we have actual knowledge that a user is a minor, we will process personal data consistent with the NYCDPA, including obtaining consent where required and limiting processing to what is strictly necessary for the requested features.

3. Information We Collect

A. If you sign up of our Newsletter, we collect your email address and mobile phone number, first name, last name, state, and optional social media handle. If you opt into text messages, we may also collect your opt-in consent record . If you participate in our Voting feature,  we collect your email address and mobile phone number (required by the voting tool), your vote selections, and (if requested) your state. We may also collect an optional social media handle. We may use technical integrity signals to prevent botting or manipulation. If you participate in a Quiz, we collect your  answers you provide and, if you choose to receive results by email or text, your email address and mobile phone number. We may also collect optional state and social media handle fields. If you submit a Spark, we collect the Spark text and related information you submit as part of the Spark, required contact information (email address and mobile phone number), required state, optional social media handle(s), and any links to social posts you provide. The Spark content may be made public,  but your contact information will not be displayed publicly. Other media submissions (including photos/videos you send us via email, DM, upload links, or other means. B. Information collected automatically.

Device and usage data: IP address, browser type, device identifiers, pages viewed, timestamps, and referring URLs. We use cookies and similar technologies for basic site operation, security, fraud prevention, and analytics (as enabled). We also use technical indicators for anti-fraud signals for voting and safety and to help detect botting, manipulation, or abuse.

Donations.  Donations are processed through GoFundMe Pro (a third-party donation platform) and its payment processing partners. When you donate, GoFundMe Pro may collect information such as your name, email address, donation amount, donation date, billing ZIP/state, and other details needed to process the donation, provide a receipt, prevent fraud, and maintain required financial records. LightEmUp does not store your full payment card number; payment information is processed by GoFundMe Pro and its payment processors. We may receive limited donation information (such as donor name, email, cellphone, amount, date, location and message) depending on your settings and GoFundMe Pro configuration. We use donation information to (1) process donations and send acknowledgments/receipts, (2) manage recurring donations at your request, (3) respond to donor questions, (4) prevent fraud and secure our systems, and (5) comply with legal, accounting, and audit obligations. We retain donation records as long as necessary for these purposes and as required by law. If you would like to update donor contact information or request deletion where applicable, contact info@lightemup.org; note we may need to retain certain donation records for compliance even after a deletion request. For more information about how GoFundMe Pro handles your information, review GoFundMe Pro’s privacy practices.

4. How We Use Information

We use information to operate the Site and provide requested features (newsletter, voting, quiz results, reviewing Sparks), including using state information for eligibility, reporting, and aggregated impact insights where applicable. Protect youth safety and Site integrity (moderation, fraud prevention, abuse prevention). Communicate with you using the contact method you provide (email and/or text) (newsletters and texts only if you opt in; transactional messages when needed). Improve and understand how the Site is used (analytics and aggregated insights). Comply with law and enforce our Terms.

5. How We Share Information

We do not sell personal information. We may share information as follows: with service providers and  vendors who help run the Site (for example: Mailchimp for newsletter delivery; SMS/messaging providers (if you opt in to texts); Outgrow for quizzes and voting; GoFundMe Pro for donation processing; Scholarship America for scholarship application administration; hosting and security providers; and analytics/measurement providers such as Google Analytics). If enabled, we may also use advertising measurement tools like the Meta Pixel or TikTok Pixel and anti-spam tools like Google reCAPTCHA. Vendors may process information only to provide services to LightEmUp and as otherwise permitted by their own policies.

Scholarship reviewers: if you apply for a program that requires review or verification, we may share necessary information with reviewers. We may share your information if required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, safety, and security of users or the public. If LightEmUp is involved in a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or asset transfer, information may be transferred as part of that transaction.

6. Public vs Private Content

We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary to operate the Site, keep it secure, comply with law, and resolve disputes. Newsletter email and mobile number: until you unsubscribe/opt out, or we delete it for operational or legal reasons. Sparks and submissions: until removed, or as needed for safety, legal, or program recordkeeping. Security and anti-fraud logs: typically up to 12 months, unless needed longer for security investigations or legal obligations.

9. Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect information (for example, access controls and encryption in transit). No system is 100% secure.

10. U.S. State Privacy Rights (Including California)

Depending on where you live and whether legal thresholds apply, you may have rights to access, delete, or correct certain personal information, and to opt out of certain processing. If we use advertising cookies or pixels, some laws (including California’s CCPA/CPRA) may treat certain disclosures as “sharing” for cross-context behavioral advertising, and you may have the right to opt out. To make a request, email us at the contact above with “Privacy Request” in the subject line.

11. Shop, Amazon Store, Affiliate Links, and Third-Party Purchases

If you click a Shop link (including an Amazon Storefront link), you will be redirected to a third-party site to complete your purchase. LightEmUp does not process payments for Shop purchases and does not store full payment card numbers for Shop transactions. Third-Party Data Collection. The third-party site may collect information from you, including device information, cookies, purchase details, and payment information, under its own privacy practices. LightEmUp may receive limited reporting from affiliate programs (for example, aggregated analytics or commission reports) but not your full payment details. Affiliate Tracking. Some Shop links may use affiliate tracking technologies (including cookies or similar tools) to attribute a purchase to LightEmUp. Disclosures will be provided where required.  For details about how a third party handles your information, review the third party’s privacy policy where you complete the purchase.

12. Partner Events and Third-Party Event Links

LightEmUp may post Partner Events and link to third-party registration, RSVP, ticketing, or donation pages. If you click these links, the third party may collect information from you under its own privacy practices. LightEmUp is not responsible for third-party privacy practices. If LightEmUp collects your contact information directly for event updates or verification, we use it as described elsewhere in this Privacy Policy (including communications choices and retention).

13. International Visitors

We are based in the United States. If you access the Site from outside the U.S., you understand that information may be processed in the U.S.

14. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will update the Effective Date at the top when we do.

15. Contact

Questions about privacy can be sent to info@lightemup.org.