Privacy Policy
Rise to Wellness ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy of all users of our website (www.risetowellness.ngo) and participants in our mental health curriculum programs. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard personal information in compliance with global data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA). By using our services, you consent to the practices described herein.
Information We Collect
1. Personal Information
We collect the following categories of data to deliver our programs, process donations, and conduct research:
Identifiers: Names, email addresses, phone numbers, and mailing addresses of donors, educators, and institutional partners.
Demographic Data: Age, gender, and school/community affiliations of program participants (collected only with parental/guardian consent for minors under 13).
Financial Information: Donation amounts, payment card details (processed via PCI-compliant third parties), and billing addresses.
Research Data: Anonymized psychometric assessment results from curriculum participants, including pre- and post-intervention evaluations.
2. Automatically Collected Data
Technical Information: IP addresses, browser types, device identifiers, and geolocation data (used to analyze website traffic and improve user experience).
Usage Patterns: Pages visited, time spent on the site, and interactions with educational resources (tracked via cookies).
3. Data from Third Parties
Schools/Partners: Student enrollment data (e.g., class rosters) shared under strict data processing agreements.
Payment Processors: Confirmation of donation transactions and donor contact details.
How We Use Your Information
1. Program Delivery
To train teachers, administer the "World Mental Health Curriculum," and conduct role-play activities in schools.
To facilitate group/pair exercises and track participant progress through anonymized assessments.
2. Research & Development
To analyze curriculum effectiveness using standardized psychometric tools and publish peer-reviewed studies.
To refine modules like "Controlling Your Own Emotions" and "Building Relationships" based on field data.
3. Communication
To send program updates, fundraising appeals, and impact reports to donors and partners (opt-out available).
To respond to inquiries from educators, parents, and government agencies.
4. Legal Compliance
To meet obligations under child protection laws (e.g., COPPA), tax regulations, and anti-fraud statutes.
Data Sharing & Disclosure
We disclose personal information only under the following circumstances:
With Schools/Communities: Student participation records shared exclusively with authorized staff under confidentiality agreements.
With Service Providers: Payment processors, cloud storage vendors, and research analysts bound by data processing agreements.
For Legal Reasons: To comply with court orders, protect rights/safety, or investigate fraud.
We do not sell or rent personal data to third parties for marketing purposes.
International Data Transfers
Data may be transferred outside the European Economic Area (EEA) to countries with adequacy decisions or using GDPR-approved safeguards (e.g., Standard Contractual Clauses). For example:
Curriculum assessment data stored on U.S. servers with encryption.
Data Security
We implement industry-standard measures to protect against unauthorized access, alteration, or destruction of data:
Encryption: SSL/TLS for data in transit; AES-256 for stored data.
Access Controls: Role-based permissions limit staff access to sensitive information.
Regular Audits
Data Retention
We retain personal information only as long as necessary:
Donor Records: 7 years for tax compliance.
Research Data: Anonymized after 10 years; raw data deleted post-study.
Website Analytics: Aggregated after 2 years.
Your Rights
Under GDPR and other laws, you may:
Access/Correct Data: Request a copy of your information or update inaccuracies.
Request Deletion: Ask us to erase data no longer necessary for our operations.
Withdraw Consent: Opt out of communications or revoke research participation.
To exercise these rights, contact us at info@risetowellness.ngo.
Children’s Privacy
COPPA Compliance: We obtain verifiable parental consent before collecting any data from children under 13.
School Partnerships: Student data shared by schools is used solely for curriculum delivery and anonymized research.
Donor Privacy
Confidentiality: Donor names and gift amounts are never disclosed publicly without explicit consent.
Tax Deductibility: Contributions may be tax-deductible under IRS Section 501(c)(3).
Changes to This Policy
We will notify users of material changes via email or website banners. Continued use after updates constitutes acceptance.
Contact Us
For privacy-related questions or complaints:
Email: info@risetowellness.ngo
Address: Rise to Wellness, 218 Adams Street, Unit 220437, Boston, MA, USA 02122
This policy applies globally but respects local laws. Non-EEA users acknowledge data transfer to the U.S.
Last Updated: June 1, 2025