Vandemataram Foundation ("VMF", "we", "us", or "our") respects the privacy of donors, volunteers, supporters, visitors, and other individuals who interact with our websites and online donation channels. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, retain, and protect personal data.
1. Scope
This Privacy Policy applies to vandemataram.foundation, its subdomains, online forms, donation pages, campaign pages, and payment pages operated by or linked on behalf of VMF (the "Platforms"). Where a donation is made to a VMF-affiliated entity identified on a particular checkout page or receipt, that entity will be the recipient of the donation and may also act as the organisation responsible for the related donor records.
2. Information We May Collect
- Identity and contact information — name, email, mobile number, postal address, city, state, country, and communication preferences.
- Donation and receipt information — amount, currency, selected program, transaction date, payment status, reference number, recurring preference, and anonymity choice.
- Tax and compliance information — PAN or another tax-identification detail, only where needed for a valid donation receipt, tax certificate, or regulatory reporting.
- Program-specific information voluntarily submitted by you — occasion, dedication, memorial details, message, or photograph for meal sponsorships or commemorative donations.
- Communications and support information — enquiries, complaints, refund requests, feedback, and correspondence.
- Technical and usage information — IP address, browser type, device type, operating system, referral source, pages visited, cookie identifiers, and security logs.
3. Payment Information
Online payments may be processed by third-party payment providers such as Razorpay, PayPal, banks, card networks, UPI providers, or other authorised payment service providers. VMF does not directly receive or store your complete card number, CVV, UPI PIN, net-banking password, or similar authentication credentials. Payment providers process such information under their own terms and privacy policies.
4. How We Use Personal Data
- To process, verify, reconcile, acknowledge, and record donations.
- To issue donation acknowledgements, receipts, certificates, and tax-related documents.
- To administer the program, sponsorship, dedication, meal date, or charitable purpose selected by the donor.
- To respond to enquiries and process eligible refunds or cancellations.
- To communicate transactional information and, where permitted, program updates and appeals.
- To prevent fraud, misuse, security incidents, money laundering, and other unlawful activity.
- To comply with applicable legal, tax, accounting, regulatory, and record-retention obligations.
5. Consent and Lawful Processing
We process personal data for lawful purposes connected with your donation or interaction with VMF, based on your consent where required, the steps necessary to process your requested transaction, VMF's legitimate charitable and operational needs, and applicable legal obligations. You may withdraw consent for optional communications at any time.
6. Photos, Dedications, and Messages
When you voluntarily upload a photograph, dedication, occasion, memorial detail, or message, VMF may use it to administer that request. VMF will seek separate or clear contextual permission before using such material publicly. By submitting content, you confirm you have the right and any necessary consent to provide it.
7. Sharing of Personal Data
We may share personal data only to the extent reasonably necessary with:
- Payment gateways, banks, payment networks, and transaction-service providers.
- Website hosting, cloud, email, CRM, analytics, cybersecurity, receipt-generation, accounting, and donor-support service providers acting for VMF.
- Authorised VMF personnel, auditors, professional advisers, and program implementation partners.
- Government authorities, regulators, courts, or law-enforcement agencies where required by law.
- A successor organisation in connection with a lawful restructuring, subject to appropriate safeguards.
VMF does not sell or rent personal data to advertisers or data brokers.
8. Cookies and Analytics
The Platforms may use essential cookies and similar technologies for security, session continuity, payment flow, preferences, and website operation. We may also use analytics technologies to understand aggregate usage. Where legally required, non-essential cookies will be used only after appropriate notice or consent.
9. Data Retention
VMF retains personal data only for as long as reasonably necessary. Donation, tax, accounting, anti-fraud, and compliance records may be retained for the period required under applicable law.
10. Security
VMF uses reasonable administrative, technical, and organisational safeguards to protect personal data against unauthorised access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure. Donors should never share OTPs, UPI PINs, card PINs, or passwords with VMF personnel.
11. Cross-Border Processing
Some service providers or affiliated donation channels may process information in countries other than the donor's country. VMF will use the information only for the purposes described in this Policy.
12. Your Choices and Rights
Subject to applicable law, you may request access to your personal data, correction of inaccurate data, deletion of data no longer required, withdrawal of consent, cessation of promotional communications, or grievance redressal. VMF may verify your identity before acting on a request.
13. Children's Data
The donation Platforms are intended for adults who are legally capable of making a donation. VMF does not knowingly seek payment information directly from children.
14. Third-Party Links
The Platforms may contain links to payment providers, social-media sites, partner sites, or other third-party services. Their privacy practices are governed by their own policies.
15. Changes to this Policy
VMF may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The revised version will be posted with an updated effective date.
16. Contact and Grievance Redressal
Privacy and Grievance Officer
Vandemataram Foundation
Nithin Bhavan, Thorrur, Mahabubabad – 506163, Telangana, India
Email: info@vandemataram.foundation
Phone: +91 98490 54339