Your privacy and our mission
At Star Gospel Mission ("we," "us," or "our"), respecting your privacy is part of caring for our community. This policy explains how we handle personal information received through our website, contact and volunteer forms, program applications, communications, online donations, and related services (the "Services").
Using the Services means you acknowledge the information practices explained here. If you are not comfortable with these practices, please do not use the Services or submit personal information.
Information you share with us
The information we receive depends on how you connect with the Mission. It may include:
- Ways to reach you: your name, email, phone number, mailing address, and how you prefer to be contacted.
- Details about assistance or program participation: household information, supporting documents, descriptions of your needs, scheduling preferences, and requests for housing, recovery, or emergency support.
- Account details, including sign-in credentials and preferences, when an account is available.
- Giving and payment records, such as donation amounts, invoices, payment status, and limited billing information. Our payment processor may collect card information directly instead of the Mission storing it.
- Messages and requests you send us, including emails, completed forms, support inquiries, and records of consent to text messages.
- Website activity and device information, including your IP address, browser, device identifiers, pages visited, referring web addresses, approximate location, and interactions recorded through cookies or similar tools.
Where information comes from
- From you when you complete a form, register for an account, donate, get in touch, or opt in to text messages.
- From your use of the website, through cookies, pixels, activity logs, analytics, and comparable technologies.
- From organizations that support our work, such as payment and analytics providers, community agencies, and communication platforms you use to reach us.
- From public sources when reasonably needed to deliver or verify services you have requested.
How information supports our work
- Deliver programs and guest support, manage accounts and appointments, process gifts, and issue donation receipts.
- Answer your questions and keep you informed about requests, appointments, donations, or account activity.
- Share ministry news by email or text when allowed, obtaining any consent the law requires.
- Run, personalize, evaluate, protect, troubleshoot, and improve our website and services.
- Identify fraud, uphold our Terms, safeguard people's rights and safety, meet legal requirements, and bring or defend legal claims.
When information may be shared
We may share personal information in these situations:
- With providers that help host our website, manage accounts, process gifts, analyze activity, deliver messages, arrange services, assist guests, or protect our systems.
- With contractors, professional advisers, insurers, or ministry partners when necessary to run the Mission or provide services you request.
- With authorities or other parties when the law requires disclosure, or when reasonably needed to protect rights, safety, or security.
- As part of a merger, organizational restructuring, or a comparable transaction.
- When you authorize sharing or ask us to do so.
Your mobile number and text messages
If you choose to receive texts, we collect your mobile number, a record of your consent, and message activity to operate the messaging program. We do not sell, rent, or share your mobile number or SMS consent with third parties or affiliates for their own marketing or promotions. Messaging providers may receive this information only to deliver and support our messages.
To unsubscribe, reply STOP. For assistance, reply HELP. Opting out of marketing texts does not stop necessary non-marketing communications when those communications are permitted by law.
How long we keep information
We keep personal information for no longer than reasonably needed for the purposes in this policy. Those purposes include delivering services, maintaining records, settling disputes, enforcing agreements, and complying with legal duties. How long information is kept depends on what it is and the requirements that apply.
Safeguarding your information
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical measures intended to protect personal information. Even with safeguards, no website, data transmission, or storage system can be completely secure, and we cannot promise absolute security. Choose a strong password you do not use elsewhere, and let us know if you suspect your account or information has been compromised.
Your choices, your rights
You can stop marketing emails using the unsubscribe link in an email, or stop marketing texts by replying STOP. To request access to your personal information, a correction, deletion, or a copy—or to appeal a request we have denied—contact info@stargospelmission.org. We verify and handle requests in accordance with applicable law.
Your location may give you rights to learn about, access, correct, delete, or receive a portable copy of your personal information. You may also have the right to opt out of certain targeted advertising, sales, or profiling. Exercising a privacy right will not result in discrimination by the Mission.
Additional U.S. state privacy information
Under some state laws, disclosing information for analytics or advertising may count as a "sale" or "sharing," even without a payment. When those laws apply, contact us to request an opt-out. We do not knowingly sell personal information in exchange for money. Where required by law, we process requests from authorized agents and respond to recognized opt-out signals.
Protecting children's privacy
Our Services are not aimed at children younger than 13, and we do not knowingly collect their personal information. If you think a child under 13 has shared information with the Mission, please contact us so we can take appropriate steps.
Other websites and service providers
Our Services may link to other websites or rely on outside providers for payments, analytics, accounts, or communications. Those providers follow their own privacy policies. Please read their policies before sharing information with them.
Keeping this policy current
As our practices, technology, services, or legal responsibilities change, we may revise this policy. The revised policy will appear on this page. We will give additional notice or seek consent when required.
Contact us
Questions or requests may be directed to:
Star Gospel Mission
474 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29403, United States
Phone: 843.722.2473 · Email: info@stargospelmission.org