Privacy Policy

Last Updated: May 13, 2026.

PRIVACY POLICY

This privacy policy (“Policy”) explains how the Houston Education Foundation, Inc., a Texas nonprofit corporation (“Ministry,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), collects, uses, shares, and protects your personal information when you interact with our website(s) services and content (“Services”). “Personal information” means any information that identifies, relates to, or could reasonably be linked with a particular individual or household, including what is commonly called Personally Identifiable Information (“PII”) under U.S. privacy laws. Examples include names, email addresses, or IP addresses. 

Please read this Policy carefully. By using our Services, you consent to the practices described here. If you do not agree, please do not use our Services. We may update this Policy; changes will be posted here with the effective date.

1. What personal information do we collect? We collect personal information only as needed to provide and improve our Services and comply with legal obligations. Sources include:  

   • Personal information provided by you, such as: Name, email address, address, phone number, date of birth, Social Security Number, financial information, salary information, employment information, educational history, references, other expenses, tax returns, and all other information provided on the application voluntarily by applicants. Such information may be used to evaluate applications, verify identity, conduct background or credit checks where authorized, communicate with applicants, comply with legal obligations, and administer Ministry programs

   • Automatically collected data: Website usage data via cookies, analytics tools, and tracking pixels, pages visited, time spent on site, and browsing behavior. 

   • Through communications: Information received through customer services inquiries and messages/comments submitted. 

We do not intentionally collect sensitive personal information except where voluntarily provided by applicants or otherwise authorized by law. We maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect personal information and restrict access to authorized individuals subject to confidentiality obligations.

2. How do we use your information? We use personal information to:  

   • Review and process applications submitted through the online application process;

   • Provide relevant information or follow-ups based on your responses;

   • Communicate with you, including responding to inquiries;

   • Improve the Site and application functionality;

   • Monitor and protect the security and integrity of the Site; and

   • Comply with legal and regulatory requirements. 

We will not use your information for purposes incompatible with this without your consent. 

3. How do we protect your information? We prioritize your privacy and security. Measures include:

   • We use Google Workspace Cloud services for our website, email, and application process. All emails and applications are stored securely using Google Workspace. 

   • Secured networks with access limited to authorized personnel under confidentiality agreements;

   • Encryption of sensitive data (e.g., via SSL/TLS) during transmission; and

   • Use of third-party service providers bound by confidentiality and security obligations.

Despite these efforts, no system is fully secure; we cannot guarantee absolute protection. We also use third-party service providers that process data on our behalf under written agreements requiring confidentiality and security consistent with this Policy.

4. Do we use cookies and similar technologies? Yes, we use cookies, web beacons, and similar technologies to enhance functionality and analyze trends/usage. These small files compile anonymized traffic data. Uses include: 

   • Analyzing site performance; and

   • Compiling aggregate data for improvements. 

We may share anonymized data with trusted third parties for these purposes. You can manage cookies via browser settings. However, disabling them may limit site features.

5. Third-Party Disclosure. We do not sell, trade, or otherwise transfer your personal information to outside parties for their own marketing purposes. However, we may share information with trusted service providers who assist in operating the Site or providing services on our behalf, and with legal authorities when required by law, court order, or legal process. Any sharing is limited to information reasonably necessary for those purposes.

6. Third-Party Links. Our site may include links to third-party sites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices; review their policies. 

7. Your Privacy Rights. If you are a Texas resident, the Texas Data Privacy and Security Act (TDPSA) gives you certain rights regarding your personal data. The rights are below:

   • Right to Confirm and Access: You may request the categories of personal data collected, the purposes for which it is used, the sources of the data, third parties the data is shared, and the data we hold.

   • Right to Correct: You may request that we correct any inaccurate or outdated personal information we obtain about you.

   • Right to Delete: You may request that we delete personal data we have collected from or about you. Some information must be retained by law, or where there is a legitimate business reason to keep.

   • Right to Data Portability: You may request a copy of your personal data in a portable and readily usable format when feasible.

   • Right to Opt Out: You have the right to opt out of certain types of data processing, including: Sale of personal data, targeted advertising, profiling used to make decisions. 

   • Right to Sensitive Date Processing: You may consent or withdraw consent for the processing of sensitive personal data

8. Exercising Your Privacy Rights. You can submit a request through email at: [email protected]. We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling the request to ensure data is protected. Once request is received and verified, we will respond within forty-five (45) days. In some cases, if more time is needed, we may extend this period by an additional forty-five (45) days. If request cannot be fulfilled, the reason will be explained, which is likely to fall under a legal exception. If not satisfied with our response, you have the right to appeal, and an appeal can be submitted using the same contact as above. The appeal will be reviewed and responded to within sixty (60) days. If your appeal is denied, we will provide instructions on how to contact the Texas Attorney General to submit a complaint. 

9. COPPA (Children Online Privacy Protection Act). We do not knowingly collect, use, or disclose personal information from children under the age of 13. Our website, products, and services are not directed to children under 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take prompt steps to delete such information from our records. If you are a parent or legal guardian and believe that your child has provided personal information to us, please contact us at [email protected], and we will promptly investigate and delete the information as required.

10. Data Retention. We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including providing our products, processing transactions, maintaining business and financial records, and complying with legal, tax, and accounting obligations. Certain information, such as transaction records, may be retained for a minimum of seven (7) years to comply with applicable laws and accounting standards. When personal information is no longer required, we will securely delete, anonymize, or de-identify it in accordance with applicable laws and our internal data retention policies.

11. CAN-SPAM Act. The CAN-SPAM Act governs commercial email communications. While many of our communications are transactional or service-related, to the extent we send promotional or marketing emails, we comply with applicable requirements by:

    • Collecting email addresses for legitimate business purposes (such as order processing, customer service, newsletters, and promotional communications).

    • Not using false or misleading header information, “from” names, or subject lines.

    • Clearly identifying promotional messages as advertisements where required by law.

    • Including our valid physical mailing address in all applicable communications.

    • Providing a clear and conspicuous way to opt out of future marketing emails (such as an unsubscribe link).

    • Honoring opt-out requests within ten (10) business days, as required by law.

    • Monitoring and ensuring that any third-party email marketing service providers comply with applicable laws.
      
      To unsubscribe, use links in emails or contact us. 

12. Our contact information is below:
    Houston Education Foundation, Inc.
    1321 Upland Drive Suite 10903
    Houston, TX 77043
    [email protected]

13. Questions or Concerns. If you have questions about this Policy or your data, contact us with the above contact information.

Thank you for trusting the Houston Education Foundation, Inc. with your information.