PRIVACY POLICY
PRIVACY POLICY ecoLatinos
Last Updated: February 9, 2026
INTRODUCTION
ecoLatinos (“we”, “us”, or “the Organization”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website https://ecolatinos.org/ (the “Site”). By using our Site, you consent to the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
INFORMATION WE COLLECT
2.1 Personal Information You Provide
We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:
Subscribe to our newsletter
• Complete our contact form
• Participate in our programs or events
• Complete our surveys
• Provide your phone number for SMS communications
• Make donations to our organization
• Communicate with us
Personal information may include:
Full name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Message or inquiry
• Survey responses and opinions
• Demographic data (age, location, if voluntarily provided)
• Preferences and interests related to environmental programs
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our Site, we automatically collect:
IP address
• Browser type
• Operating system
• Pages visited
• Cookie information
2.3 Cookies and Tracking Technologies
We use cookies to improve your experience. You can configure your browser to reject cookies.
Types of cookies:
Essential cookies: Necessary for functionality
• Performance cookies: Help us understand usage
• Functionality cookies: Personalization
• Advertising cookies: Used by advertising partners
2.4 Surveys and Email Capture
ecoLatinos conducts periodic surveys to:
Better understand the needs of the Latino community
• Evaluate the effectiveness of our programs
• Identify interests for new initiatives
• Measure the impact of our environmental justice efforts
Email capture:
Emails are voluntary and optional in all surveys
• We use emails to contact participants about results or future opportunities
• We never share email lists with third parties without your consent
• You can unsubscribe at any time
Survey responses may be:
Anonymous (without collection of personal data)
• Confidential (personal data protected and not shared publicly)
• Aggregated for statistical analysis without personal identification
2.5 Text Message Communications (SMS/Texting)
ecoLatinos may use text messages (SMS) to communicate with participants, volunteers, and community members.
SMS OPT-IN AND CONSENT DISCLOSURE:
“By clicking SUBMIT or opting into SMS communications, you consent to receiving SMS messages from ecoLatinos. Messages and Data rates may apply. Message frequency will vary depending on your program participation and ecoLatinos communications needs. Standard message and data rates from your mobile carrier may apply to all SMS communications. ecoLatinos is not responsible for charges from your phone carrier. To Opt-out of messages Reply ‘Stop.’ To request help or customer care information, Reply ‘Help’ or contact ecoLatinos at info@ecolatinos.org or (240) 564-1256. I have read and acknowledged the Privacy Policy (https://ecolatinos.org/privacy-policy/).”
PRIVACY AND SECURITY OF MOBILE INFORMATION:
This section addresses the specific protection of your mobile phone information for SMS communications:
Your phone number WILL NOT be shared with third parties without your explicit consent
• We only use your phone number for ecoLatinos-related communications
• We do not sell or rent phone numbers to any third parties
• We do not share or sell your mobile phone information for marketing purposes
• Text messaging originator opt-in data and consent information will NOT be shared with any third parties for any purpose
• All text messages are subject to the same privacy policies as this Privacy Policy statement
TYPES OF MESSAGES:
We may send SMS messages for:
Event and program reminders
• Registration confirmations
• Important activity updates
• Volunteer opportunity alerts
• Brief surveys or feedback requests
• Relevant environmental justice information
FREQUENCY:
Message frequency varies depending on your program participation. You may receive from 1-2 messages per month to 4-5 messages per week during active events. We do not send spam or excessive messages.
RATES AND CHARGES:
Text messages are FREE from our end
• However, standard message and data rates from your mobile carrier may apply
• ecoLatinos is not responsible for charges from your phone carrier
• Check with your service provider about your data plan
OPT-OUT / CANCELLATION:
You can CANCEL at any time:
Text “STOP” or “CANCEL” to ecoLatinos’ SMS number
• Send email to info@ecolatinos.org requesting removal
• Call (240) 564-1256 to be removed from the SMS list
• We will process your cancellation immediately
• You may receive a cancellation confirmation message
HELP:
For help with SMS communications:
Text “HELP” to ecoLatinos’ SMS number
• Contact info@ecolatinos.org
• Call (240) 564-1256
SERVICE PROVIDERS:
We may use third-party platforms to send text messages. These service providers:
Are contractually obligated to protect your information
• Have access only to information necessary to send messages
• Cannot use your information for any other purpose
• Must comply with all applicable privacy and SMS regulations
IMPORTANT NOTES:
Text messages should not be used for emergencies
• Responses may not be monitored 24/7
• For urgent matters, call directly at (240) 564-1256
HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION
We use the information to:
Respond to inquiries and requests
• Send newsletter (with your consent)
• Administer your participation in programs
• Process donations
• Improve our Site and services
• Conduct analysis
• Conduct surveys to improve our programs and services
• Analyze survey responses to understand community needs
• Create segmented email distribution lists
• Send invitations to events and programs relevant to your interests
• Send text messages (SMS) with reminders, updates, and important communications (with your explicit opt-in consent)
• Comply with legal obligations
• Communicate information about environmental and social justice
DISCLOSURE OF YOUR INFORMATION
4.1 We Do Not Sell Your Personal Information
ecoLatinos does NOT sell, rent, or commercialize your personal information to third parties. Specifically regarding mobile phone information and text messaging data: all categories of information collected exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent information. Text messaging data and mobile phone information WILL NOT be shared with any third parties for any purpose.
4.2 We Share Information With:
Service providers:
To operate our Site (email marketing, hosting, donation processing). Examples of providers include:
– Email marketing: Mailchimp, Constant Contact, or similar platforms
– Web hosting: secure web hosting providers
– Payment processing: PayPal, Stripe, or other PCI-DSS certified processors
– Analytics: Google Analytics, web metrics tools
– Forms and surveys: Google Forms, SurveyMonkey, Typeform, or other platforms
– SMS messaging: Certified text message sending platforms
All these providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and can only use it for the services they provide to us.
Partners and collaborators: Only with your explicit consent
• Legal authorities: When required by law
• Protection: To protect rights and security
DATA SECURITY
We implement security measures to protect your information:
SSL/TLS encryption
• Access restricted to authorized personnel
• Regular security updates
• Periodic security backups
No transmission over the Internet is 100% secure.
DATA RETENTION
We retain your information for the necessary time:
Newsletter subscribers: Until cancellation
• SMS subscribers: Until cancellation or removal request
• Donors: Minimum 7 years (IRS requirements)
• Inquiries: Up to 3 years after resolution
• Program participants: According to funder requirements
• Survey responses: Up to 5 years for analysis and program improvement
• Email lists: Until subscription cancellation or 2 years of inactivity
YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS
7.1 General Rights
Access: Request a copy of your personal information
• Correction: Correct inaccurate information
• Deletion: Request data deletion
• Opposition: Object to certain processing
• Portability: Request data in structured format
• Withdraw consent: At any time
7.2 Subscription Cancellation
Cancel by clicking “unsubscribe” in any email, texting “STOP” to our SMS number, or by contacting us directly at info@ecolatinos.org or (240) 564-1256.
7.3 California Residents (CCPA)
Additional rights:
Know what information we collect
• Request deletion
• Opt out of sale (note: we do not sell information)
• No discrimination for exercising rights
7.4 EU Residents (GDPR)
Rights under GDPR:
Access to personal data
• Rectification
• Erasure (“right to be forgotten”)
• Restriction of processing
• Portability
• Objection
• Complaint to supervisory authority
LINKS TO THIRD-PARTY SITES
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party sites. We recommend reading their policies.
8.1 USE OF IMAGES, VIDEOS AND VISUAL CONTENT
ecoLatinos uses images and visual content on our website, social media, and promotional materials. This includes photographs and videos.
Ownership of Images and Videos:
All photographs taken by ecoLatinos staff or during our events are property of ecoLatinos
• All videos recorded by ecoLatinos staff or during our events are property of ecoLatinos
• Images of program participants are taken only with prior consent
• We use proprietary images from community activities, youth programs, and environmental projects
• Some images may come from partner collaborators with explicit permission
Use of Your Images:
If you participate in our events or programs:
Consent will be requested before photographing or recording
• You may opt not to appear in photographs or videos
• Images may be used for: promotion of programs, educational materials, reports to funders and partners, social media and website, and publications
You may request removal of your images by contacting us directly.
Intellectual Property Rights:
All original ecoLatinos content (texts, logos, designs, photographs) is protected by copyright
• Commercial use of our images without written authorization is not permitted
• To request permission to use images, contact info@ecolatinos.org
• We respect third-party copyrights and only use images with appropriate permission
Specific Use of Videos:
ecoLatinos videos document our work in environmental justice
• Videos may include testimonials, documentation of community events, educational workshops, conservation projects, and youth program activities
• Videos are exclusive property of ecoLatinos with all rights reserved
• Videos may be published on YouTube, social media, our website, presentations to funders and partners, and communication media
• Downloading, reproducing, modifying, or distributing ecoLatinos videos without written authorization is not permitted
• All videos are protected by US and international copyright laws
Consent from Minors:
For participants under 18 years old, we require written consent from parents or guardians
• Images of minors are only used for educational purposes and promoting our youth programs
• We never share identifiable information about minors along with their images
Revocation of Consent:
You may withdraw your consent for the use of images at any time
• We will make reasonable efforts to remove images from our controlled platforms
• Note: Images already published by third parties or in communication media may be beyond our control
8.2 SOCIAL MEDIA AND THIRD-PARTY PLATFORMS
ecoLatinos uses social media links and may use tracking pixels and third-party analytics tools.
Social Media:
Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X/Twitter, YouTube
• These links redirect you to external sites with their own privacy policies
• ecoLatinos does not control nor is responsible for the content or privacy practices of these platforms
Tracking Pixels and Third-Party Cookies:
We may use Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, and similar tools to understand how visitors use our site, measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns, improve user experience, and segment audiences for relevant communications
• These services may collect information such as pages visited, time on site, device type, browser, and general location
Your Options:
You can configure your browser to block third-party cookies
• You can opt out of Google Analytics: https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout
• You can manage advertising preferences in social media settings
Social Plugins:
Our site may include “share” or “like” buttons from social media
• These plugins may allow social networks to track your visit even if you don’t interact with them
• Consult each social network’s privacy policies for more information
8.3 DONATIONS AND PAYMENT PROCESSING
ecoLatinos accepts donations through secure third-party payment processing platforms.
Payment Processors:
We use services like PayPal, Stripe, or similar certified platforms
• These processors are certified under PCI DSS standards
• ecoLatinos does NOT store nor has access to your complete credit card information
Information We Collect About Donations:
Donor name
• Email address
• Donation amount
• Transaction date
• Billing information (if voluntarily provided)
IMPORTANT NOTE: Complete credit card details are processed directly by the payment provider, not by ecoLatinos.
Use of Donor Information:
Send donation receipts and confirmations
• Comply with legal and tax requirements (IRS)
• Thank donors and share the impact of their support
• Send program updates (with your consent)
• Maintain financial records for at least 7 years according to IRS requirements
Donor Options:
You may request anonymity in public acknowledgments
• You may opt out of receiving future communications about donations
• You may request a copy of records of your donations
Security:
All transactions are conducted through SSL/TLS encrypted connections
• We do not sell or share donor information with third parties for commercial purposes
• We comply with Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) regulations
CHILDREN’S PRIVACY
We do not knowingly collect information from children under 13 years old. For youth programs, we collect information only with parental or guardian consent.
INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS
Your information may be transferred to servers outside your jurisdiction. We guarantee adequate protection.
CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
We may update this policy periodically. Substantial changes will be notified through notice on the Site or by email.
CONTACT
For questions about this policy:
ecoLatinos
7309 Baltimore Ave, Suite 215
College Park, MD 20740
Phone: (240) 564-1256
Email: info@ecolatinos.org
To exercise privacy rights: Send email to info@ecolatinos.org with subject “Privacy Request”.
CONSENT
By using our Site, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your information according to this Policy. If you do not agree with our privacy practices, please do not use our Site or subscribe to our SMS communications.