Privacy Policy

This privacy policy describes how your information is collected, used, shared, and protected when you visit or use the website. We are committed to respecting the privacy of everyone whose personal information we have collected. 

1 Collection and Use of Personal information 

1.1 What personal information we collect 

We may request personal Information such as: 

  • Full name 
  • Email address 
  • Business name 
  • Mailing address 
  • Phone number 

Additional personal information or media may be collected depending upon the nature or purpose of the request. For example, we may request your credit card for donations, or we may request your income and employment history in a homeownership application. 

1.2 Why we collect your personal information  

We will only collect personal information related to a specified purpose and only what is needed to address that purpose. We collect, use, or disclose personal information to: 

  • Help us in our fundraising activities 
  • Process and receive donations 
  • Provide information about our activities, such as newsletters  
  • Process housing applications 
  • Keep records of volunteers 
  • Respond to requests for information 
  • Conduct research to improve our website and services 
  • Screen for potential risk and/or fraud 

1.3 How we collect your personal information  

We do not automatically gather any specific personal information from you. The only way for us to collect this information is if you consent to give it to us, for example, via an online form as found on our contact page.  

Third party service providers may also be used to collect personal information via outgoing links and embedded content (forms, maps, videos, etc.). Embedded content from other websites behaves the same way as if the visitor has accessed the other website.  

When you visit the website, we do automatically collect certain information about your device. This information on its own is not personally identifiable, but in certain circumstances could be used to identify an individual. We collect device information using the following technologies: 

  • Cookies are small files that are placed on your device and often include an anonymous identifier 
  • Log files record actions on the website and collect data such as your IP address, browser type, internet service provider, and time stamps 
  • Analytics collect information about the pages that you view, the websites or search terms that referred you to the website, and information about how you interact with the website 

2 Sharing of Personal information 

2.1 How we share your personal information 

We do not sell your personal information. Third party service providers may be engaged to perform a variety of functions, including the collection and processing of personal information for newsletters, donations, orders, volunteer applications, and home ownership applications. We also use third party service providers to provide technical and administrative services. These third-party service providers may have access to your personal information to perform the functions for which they are retained.  

When you submit personal information via a third-party service provider, your information is governed by their privacy policies. We encourage you to carefully read the privacy policy of all websites that you use or visit. 

2.2 Where we send your personal information 

Some third-party service providers have systems or are located outside of Canada and may be subject to the laws of the foreign jurisdiction in which they are located. In all cases, when personal information is shared with third party service providers, actions will be taken to protect your information. 

3 Security of Personal Information  

3.1 How we protect your personal information 

The security of your personal information is important to us. We follow accepted industry 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 storage, is 100% secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee its absolute security. 

Most information is not encrypted when stored in our databases, but we do secure your data at rest using: 

  • Technological tools such as multi-factor authentication, SSL encryption, patches, and firewalls 
  • Organizational controls such as limiting employee access and training 
  • Physical measures such as restricted access and locked cabinets 

3.2 How long we keep your personal information 

We will keep personal information only as long as necessary to satisfy the purposes for which it is obtained, or as required by law. When we destroy personal information, we will use safeguards to prevent unauthorized parties from gaining access to that information during or after the process. 

3.3 What rights you have over your personal information 

Upon request, we will inform you of the existence, use and disclosure of your personal information and will give you access to that information, subject to applicable legal restrictions. You will also be able to challenge the accuracy and completeness of the information and have it amended, as necessary. We may require you to verify your identity before we provide an account of the existence, use and disclosure of your personal information, provide access to it, or make corrections.  

You may choose to stop receiving our newsletter or marketing emails by following the unsubscribe link included in those emails. 

4 Changes to Privacy Policy 

We may update this privacy policy to reflect changes to our data collection practices. We encourage you to periodically review this page for the latest information. 

5 Contact Information 

For more information, questions, or complaints regarding our privacy practices, please contact us at:  

Phillis Chang
Privacy Officer 
Habitat for Humanity Guelph Wellington 
100B – 104 Dawson Rd. 
Guelph, ON N1H 1A6 
519-767-9752  ext. 25
phillis@habitatgw.ca