Privacy policy
Alumni Abroad Foundation · www.alumniabroadfoundation.org
Effective Date: June 2026 · Last Updated: June 2026
This Privacy Policy describes how the Alumni Abroad Foundation ("AAF," "we," "our," or "us") collects, uses, stores, and discloses information from visitors to www.alumniabroadfoundation.org and individuals who interact with AAF's programs. By using this website or submitting information to AAF, you consent to the practices described in this Policy.
1. WHO WE ARE
The Alumni Abroad Foundation is a Delaware nonprofit corporation and 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization (EIN 41-3515112) with operations based in Los Angeles, California. AAF awards Global Experience Grants to undergraduate students to support international travel and facilitates optional peer connections through its Community Champion Program.
Contact: info@alumniabroad.org · www.alumniabroadfoundation.org
2. INFORMATION WE COLLECT
2.1 Information You Provide Directly
AAF collects personal information that you voluntarily provide when you:
• Submit a grant application (via Google Forms) — including your name, email address, phone number, university enrollment status, GPA, financial circumstances, travel plans, and personal statements;
• Apply to become a Community Champion (via Google Forms) — including your name, email address, professional background, travel history, and availability;
• Make a donation (via Zeffy) — including your name, email address, and payment information processed by Zeffy's platform;
• Contact AAF directly via email or the website contact form — including your name, email address, and message content;
• Subscribe to AAF communications or updates.
2.2 Information Collected Automatically
When you visit www.alumniabroadfoundation.org, certain information may be collected automatically by Squarespace (AAF's website platform) and third-party analytics services, including:
• IP address and approximate geographic location;
• Browser type, device type, and operating system;
• Pages visited, time spent, and referring URLs;
• Cookie and tracking data consistent with Squarespace's standard analytics.
AAF uses this information solely for website performance analysis and does not use it to identify individual visitors.
2.3 Information from Third-Party Platforms
AAF uses the following third-party platforms that may independently collect information subject to their own privacy policies:
• Google Forms — application and sign-up data (subject to Google's Privacy Policy);
• Zeffy — donation processing (subject to Zeffy's Privacy Policy);
• Google Drive — grant recipient document storage and arrival photo confirmation;
• Squarespace — website hosting and analytics (subject to Squarespace's Privacy Policy).
AAF encourages you to review the privacy policies of these third-party platforms. AAF is not responsible for the data practices of third-party services.
3. HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION
AAF uses the information it collects for the following purposes:
• To process and evaluate grant applications and make award decisions;
• To disburse grant funds to selected recipients;
• To facilitate optional introductions between grant recipients and Community Champions;
• To communicate with applicants, grant recipients, Champions, and donors about program updates, requirements, and activities;
• To process donations and issue tax receipts;
• To fulfill legal and compliance obligations, including IRS Form 990 reporting and California charitable trust registration requirements;
• To improve the website and program operations through aggregated, anonymized analytics;
• To share organizational updates, impact stories, and program news with individuals who have opted into AAF communications.
AAF does not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to any third party for commercial purposes.
4. HOW WE SHARE YOUR INFORMATION
AAF does not share your personal information except in the following limited circumstances:
• With Community Champions — AAF may share a grant recipient's first name, university, destination, and general program area with a prospective Community Champion for the purpose of facilitating an introduction, subject to the recipient's consent. Full contact information is shared only after both parties agree to connect.
• With service providers — AAF uses third-party platforms (Google, Zeffy, Squarespace) to operate its programs. These platforms receive information only to the extent necessary to provide their services.
• With board members and program reviewers — Grant applications are reviewed by AAF's board and designated co-reviewers solely for award evaluation purposes. All reviewers are bound by confidentiality obligations.
• As required by law — AAF may disclose information if required by applicable law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request.
• To protect rights and safety — AAF may disclose information where necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of AAF, its program participants, or the public.
AAF does not disclose grant applicants' financial circumstances, personal statements, or application contents to any third party except as described above.
5. DATA RETENTION
AAF retains personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Policy and to comply with legal obligations:
• Grant applications — retained for a minimum of three (3) years following the relevant grant cycle to support future cycle consideration (with applicant permission), comply with IRS record-keeping requirements, and respond to any legal claims;
• Grant recipient records — retained for a minimum of seven (7) years consistent with nonprofit financial record-keeping standards;
• Donor records — retained indefinitely for tax and compliance purposes;
• Community Champion records — retained for the duration of the Champion's active status plus three (3) years;
• Website analytics — subject to Squarespace's standard retention schedule.
6. YOUR PRIVACY RIGHTS
Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information. California residents have the following rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA):
• Right to Know — the right to request disclosure of the categories and specific pieces of personal information AAF has collected about you;
• Right to Delete — the right to request deletion of personal information AAF holds about you, subject to certain exceptions;
• Right to Correct — the right to request correction of inaccurate personal information;
• Right to Non-Discrimination — the right not to receive discriminatory treatment for exercising your privacy rights.
To exercise any of these rights, contact AAF at info@alumniabroad.org. AAF will respond to verifiable requests within 45 days as required by applicable law. We may need to verify your identity before processing your request.
Please note that certain information may be exempt from deletion requests where retention is required for legal compliance, to complete a transaction, or to detect and protect against security incidents.
7. COOKIES AND TRACKING
AAF's website is hosted on Squarespace, which uses cookies and similar tracking technologies for website functionality and analytics. By using the website, you consent to the use of cookies consistent with Squarespace's cookie policy. You may adjust cookie preferences through your browser settings, though doing so may affect website functionality.
AAF does not operate its own advertising cookies or sell data to advertising networks.
8. CHILDREN'S PRIVACY
AAF's programs are open to undergraduate students who are at least 18 years of age. AAF does not knowingly collect personal information from individuals under the age of 18 without verifiable parental consent. If AAF becomes aware that it has collected information from a person under 18 without appropriate consent, it will delete that information promptly. If you believe AAF has inadvertently collected information from a minor, please contact info@alumniabroad.org.
9. DATA SECURITY
AAF takes reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. These measures include access controls on program documents and the use of established third-party platforms with their own security frameworks (Google, Zeffy, Squarespace).
However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. AAF cannot guarantee absolute security and is not responsible for unauthorized access resulting from circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
10. THIRD-PARTY LINKS
AAF's website may contain links to third-party websites, including university study abroad offices, scholarship programs, and partner organizations. AAF is not responsible for the privacy practices or content of those websites and encourages you to review their privacy policies before submitting any personal information.
11. CHANGES TO THIS POLICY
AAF reserves the right to update this Privacy Policy at any time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated effective date. Your continued use of the website or participation in AAF programs following notice of changes constitutes your acceptance of the updated Policy. For material changes, AAF will make reasonable efforts to provide direct notice to individuals whose information is affected.
12. CONTACT
For questions, concerns, or requests related to this Privacy Policy, contact:
Alumni Abroad Foundation
www.alumniabroadfoundation.org
EIN: 41-3515112 · 501(c)(3) Nonprofit