Effective Date: October 2026 | Last Updated: October 19, 2026
1. Who We Are
STEM In The Rockaways, Inc. (“STEM In The Rock,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 93-1515445) providing free, hands-on STEM programs for youth and families in the Rockaways, Queens, NY. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect from families, students, donors, volunteers, and website visitors, and how we use and protect it.
2. Information We Collect
a. Program enrollment (parents/guardians and students). When a parent or guardian enrolls a learner, we collect:
- The learner’s name, nickname, date of birth, gender, address, phone number, and email address (if provided)
- Parent/guardian names, addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses
- Emergency contact names, phone numbers, and relationship to the learner
- Health information needed for safety, such as allergies, asthma, and whether the learner carries medication
- Dismissal and pick-up information
- Signatures on program consent and media consent forms
b. Donations. Name, email address, phone number, mailing address, and donation details. Card payments are processed by our donation platform, Givebutter. We never see or store full card numbers on our website.
c. Volunteers. Contact details, employer, emergency contact, availability, languages spoken, and answers to safety-screening questions, including any prior convictions.
d. Newsletters and text messages. Name, email address, and phone number when you sign up.
e. Website visitors. IP address, browser type, pages visited, and approximate location, collected through cookies and similar technologies, including Google Analytics (to understand how our website is used) and Google Ads conversion tracking (to measure whether our ads bring visitors to pages such as our Donate page). Our website also loads fonts from Google Fonts and uses Cloudflare and WordPress.com/Jetpack services for security, performance, site features, and backups; these services may receive your IP address when you visit. You can manage or opt out of cookies on our Opt-out Preferences page, which lists the cookies we use.
3. How We Use Information
- To run programs safely, including enrollment, attendance, emergencies, dismissal, and health and allergy awareness
- To communicate with families about sessions, schedules, and updates
- To process donations and provide tax receipts
- To screen and coordinate volunteers
- To report program reach to funders, using only totals and summaries, never a child’s name or personal details
- To improve our website
- To comply with legal obligations
4. Children’s Privacy
- Our programs serve children, but enrollment information for anyone under 18 must be submitted by a parent or guardian. We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent.
- A child’s health information is used only for that child’s safety and is shared only with the staff and volunteers supervising the program.
- Parents and guardians may review, correct, or request deletion of their child’s information at any time by emailing [email protected].
- We do not use children’s information for advertising, and we never sell it.
5. Photos and Media
We may photograph or record program activities and use these images to share our work on our website, social media, newsletters, and printed materials. Families who do not want their child photographed or featured may notify us in writing before the program at [email protected], and we will honor that choice. We do not publish a child’s full name alongside their photo without parent or guardian permission.
6. How We Share Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information. We share information only:
- With service providers that help us operate: Jotform (enrollment and volunteer forms), Givebutter (donations), Constant Contact (email and SMS), Calendly (appointments), Google (website analytics through Google Analytics, ad measurement through Google Ads, and web fonts through Google Fonts), Cloudflare (website security and delivery), WordPress.com/Jetpack (website features and backups), and our website host
- With host sites where a program takes place (such as a school or community partner), strictly limited to what is needed to run that program safely, such as attendance and emergency contact information
- With emergency responders when a child’s safety requires it
- When required by law
7. Data Security and Retention
We use reasonable safeguards to protect personal information, including limiting access to authorized staff and volunteers and using password-protected accounts. We keep enrollment and health information for one year after the program ends, then delete it. Volunteer screening information is kept confidential. No system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.
8. Your Choices and Rights
You may ask to access, correct, or delete your information (or your child’s), unsubscribe from emails using the link in any message, stop text messages by replying STOP, and opt out of website cookies on our Opt-out Preferences page. Our website honors Global Privacy Control and Do Not Track browser signals. To make a request, email [email protected].
9. Affiliate links
Some product links on our site, such as on our STEM at Home page, are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them, STEM In The Rockaways may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Amazon’s own privacy policy applies once you’re on amazon.com.
10. Translation
Our Translate button uses GTranslate, powered by Google Translate. When you choose a language, the page text is sent to Google for translation, and a cookie remembers your choice.
11. Text Messages (SMS)
By opting in to SMS through a web form or other method, you agree to receive text messages from STEM In The Rockaways, Inc., including program updates and reminders. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. Reply HELP for help or STOP to opt out at any time.
12. Third-Party Links
Our website links to other websites, such as Givebutter, Calendly, and social media platforms. We are not responsible for their privacy practices or content.
13. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date.
14. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or want to make a privacy request, contact us:
Email: [email protected]
Mail: 421 Doughty Boulevard, Suite 126, Inwood, NY 11096
STEM In The Rockaways is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 93-1515445. Donations are tax-deductible.
