Privacy Policy

Introduction

Barge Foundation ("we," "our," or "us") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you visit our website https://Bargefound.com and utilize our grantmaking and philanthropic services.

As a tax-exempt organization dedicated to educational, religious, and charitable purposes, we handle sensitive information with the utmost care and in compliance with applicable privacy laws and regulations. Please read this Privacy Policy carefully to understand our practices regarding your personal data.

By accessing or using our services, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our website or services.

Information We Collect

Personal Information You Provide

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us when you:

• Submit grant applications or proposals
• Register for our programs or services
• Contact us through our website or email
• Subscribe to our newsletters or communications
• Participate in surveys, events, or volunteer activities
• Submit documentation for certification or verification purposes

This information may include:

• Full name and contact information (address, email, phone number)
• Organization name and tax identification number
• Financial information related to grant applications
• Professional credentials and background information
• Documentation related to inheritance matters, power of attorney, or real estate transactions
• Copies of certified documents requiring notary services
• Banking information for grant disbursements

Automatically Collected Information

When you visit our website, we automatically collect certain information about your device and browsing activities, including:

• IP address and geographic location
• Browser type and version
• Operating system and device information
• Pages visited and time spent on our website
• Referring website addresses
• Clickstream data and navigation patterns

Cookies and Tracking Technologies

We use cookies, web beacons, and similar tracking technologies to enhance your experience on our website. These technologies help us:

• Remember your preferences and settings
• Analyze website traffic and usage patterns
• Improve website functionality and user experience
• Deliver relevant content and communications

You can control cookie settings through your browser preferences. However, disabling cookies may limit certain features of our website.

How We Use Your Information

Barge Foundation uses the collected information for legitimate business purposes, including:

Grantmaking and Philanthropic Services

• Processing and evaluating grant applications
• Conducting due diligence and verification of applicant organizations
• Disbursing grants and tracking fund utilization
• Monitoring compliance with grant agreements and reporting requirements
• Evaluating the impact and effectiveness of funded programs

Document Certification and Notary Services

• Providing notary services and document certification
• Authenticating signatures and verifying identities
• Processing power of attorney documents
• Handling inheritance matters and estate documentation
• Facilitating real estate transactions and property transfers
• Creating certified copies of important documents
• Maintaining official records with appropriate seals and certification

Communication and Engagement

• Responding to inquiries and providing customer support
• Sending newsletters, updates, and educational materials
• Notifying you about changes to our services or policies
• Inviting you to participate in events, surveys, or volunteer opportunities
• Building relationships with donors, partners, and stakeholders

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

• Complying with tax-exempt organization requirements
• Maintaining records for IRS reporting and audits
• Fulfilling legal obligations under federal and state laws
• Preventing fraud, abuse, and unauthorized activities
• Protecting the rights and safety of our organization and stakeholders

Website Improvement and Analytics

• Analyzing website usage to improve functionality and content
• Conducting research and developing new programs
• Enhancing user experience and accessibility
• Testing new features and services

Information Sharing and Disclosure

Barge Foundation respects your privacy and does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties for marketing purposes. We may share your information only in the following circumstances:

Service Providers and Partners

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you, including:

• Payment processors and financial institutions
• IT service providers and website hosting companies
• Professional advisors (attorneys, accountants, auditors)
• Grant evaluation consultants and program assessors
• Document storage and management services

These service providers are contractually obligated to maintain the confidentiality and security of your information and may only use it for the specific purposes we authorize.

Legal Requirements and Protection

We may disclose your information when required by law or when we believe disclosure is necessary to:

• Comply with legal obligations, court orders, or government requests
• Enforce our terms of service and other agreements
• Protect the rights, property, or safety of Barge Foundation, our stakeholders, or the public
• Prevent or investigate fraud, security breaches, or illegal activities
• Respond to claims or legal proceedings

Public Disclosure

As a tax-exempt organization, certain information about our grantmaking activities may be publicly disclosed in accordance with IRS requirements, including:

• Names of grant recipients and award amounts
• Purpose and description of funded projects
• Annual reports and financial statements
• Form 990 and other required tax filings

Business Transfers

In the event of a merger, acquisition, reorganization, or sale of assets, your information may be transferred to the successor organization. We will notify you of any such change and provide you with choices regarding your information.

Data Security

We implement comprehensive security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Our security practices include:

Technical Safeguards

• Encryption of data in transit using SSL/TLS protocols
• Secure storage of sensitive information with encryption at rest
• Regular security assessments and vulnerability testing
• Firewall protection and intrusion detection systems
• Secure backup and disaster recovery procedures
• Multi-factor authentication for administrative access

Administrative Safeguards

• Access controls limiting information to authorized personnel only
• Employee training on data privacy and security practices
• Confidentiality agreements with staff and service providers
• Regular review and update of security policies
• Incident response and breach notification procedures

Physical Safeguards

• Secure facilities with controlled access at our Temple, TX office
• Locked storage for physical documents and records
• Secure disposal of sensitive materials (shredding, secure deletion)
• Visitor management and monitoring systems

Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law. Our retention practices consider:

• Grant Records: Maintained for a minimum of seven years after grant completion for IRS compliance and audit purposes
• Notarized Documents: Retained according to state law requirements for notary services, typically 5-10 years
• Financial Records: Kept for seven years in accordance with tax regulations
• Communication Records: Maintained for three years or as needed for ongoing relationships
• Website Analytics: Aggregated data retained indefinitely; individual user data retained for 26 months

When information is no longer needed, we securely delete or anonymize it in accordance with our data retention schedule and applicable legal requirements.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your location and applicable laws, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information:

Access and Portability

You have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you and, in some cases, receive a copy of that information in a portable format.

Correction and Update

You may request that we correct inaccurate or incomplete personal information. We will make reasonable efforts to update your information promptly.

Deletion

You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to certain exceptions such as legal retention requirements, ongoing grant obligations, or legitimate business needs.

Opt-Out of Communications

You may opt out of receiving promotional emails and newsletters by:

• Clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any promotional email
• Contacting us at Contact@bargefound.com
• Calling us at +1 737 396 2405

Please note that even if you opt out of promotional communications, we may still send you transactional or administrative messages related to your grant applications, services, or legal obligations.

Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided in the "Contact Us" section below. We will respond to your request within 30 days and may require verification of your identity before processing your request.

Children's Privacy

Our website and services are not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information as soon as possible.

If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has provided us with personal information, please contact us immediately at Contact@bargefound.com.

Third-Party Links and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, applications, or services that are not operated by Barge Foundation. This Privacy Policy applies only to our website and services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party sites.

We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit. When you click on a third-party link, you are leaving our website and are subject to the privacy and security policies of that external site.

We do not endorse or make any representations about third-party websites or their privacy practices.

International Data Transfers

Barge Foundation is based in the United States, and your information is processed and stored in the United States. If you are accessing our website or services from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored, and processed in the United States where our servers are located and our central database is operated.

The data protection laws in the United States may differ from those in your country of residence. By using our services, you consent to the transfer of your information to the United States and acknowledge that it will be subject to U.S. law.

We take appropriate safeguards to ensure that your personal information remains protected in accordance with this Privacy Policy, regardless of where it is processed.

California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):

• Right to know what personal information we collect, use, disclose, and sell
• Right to request deletion of your personal information
• Right to opt-out of the sale of personal information (we do not sell personal information)
• Right to non-discrimination for exercising your CCPA rights

To exercise these rights, please contact us at Contact@bargefound.com or call +1 737 396 2405. We will verify your identity before processing your request and respond within 45 days.

California "Shine the Light" Law: California residents may request information about our disclosure of personal information to third parties for their direct marketing purposes. We do not share personal information with third parties for their direct marketing purposes.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

Barge Foundation reserves the right to modify this Privacy Policy at any time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make changes, we will:

• Update the "Effective Date" at the top of this policy
• Post the revised policy on our website
• Notify you via email if the changes are material (if we have your email address)
• Provide notice on our homepage for significant changes

We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically to stay informed about how we protect your information. Your continued use of our website and services after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

If you do not agree with any changes, please discontinue use of our services and contact us to close your account or remove your information, subject to our legal retention obligations.

Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our privacy practices, please contact us:

We are committed to resolving any privacy concerns you may have and will respond to your inquiry within 10 business days.