Privacy Policy

Last Updated: Nov 3, 2020

The Avam-Astu Foundation, a 501(c)(3) Texas charitable organization (“Avam-Astu,” “we,” or “us”) takes your privacy seriously and understand the importance of protecting your personal information. We have created this Privacy Policy (this “Privacy Policy”) to be transparent with you and disclose information about our practices. This Privacy Policy is incorporated into the Terms and Conditions for the Platform, and you must read both this Privacy Policy and the Terms and Conditions in their entirety before using the Platform or accessing any products or services made available on or through the Platform. Capitalized terms that are not defined in this Privacy Policy shall have the meaning given to them in the Terms and Conditions.

 By visiting, accessing, or using the Platform, or by using the products or services made available through the Platform, you thereby agree to this Privacy Policy and to be bound to this Privacy Policy, as it may be amended from time to time. We may amend this Privacy Policy from time to time and at our sole discretion in order to reflect our practices, in which case we will indicate the date of amendment at the top of this page. By continuing to access the Platform, or by using the products or services made available through the Platform, you agree to be bound to any amendments we make to this Privacy Policy.

Please note that we will never sell your information to any third-party.

Children under 13

The Platform is not intended for or designed for any person under the age of 13. If you are under the age of 13, you may not access or use the Platform, or use any products or services made available through the Platform. As such, we do not knowingly collect any personal information from any individual under the age of 13. If you are a parent or legal guardian of a person under the age of 13, and you believe your child has accessed or used the Platform, you may request that we delete any personal information we may have collected as a result of your child accessing or using the Platform, if any. To make such a request, please contact us here: support@avamastu.org

Information We Collect

We only collect information that you provide to us voluntarily. By accessing or using the Platform, you acknowledge and agree that we may extract data from your device (information on this below) and that we may collect and store information that you provide, which is described in more detail below. “Personal information” is typically information you provide that can be used on its own or in conjunction with other information you provide to personally identify you.

The personal information we collect from you may include:

  • Your first and last name;
  • Your username and a password;
  • Your email address;
  • Your parent or legal guardian’s name, email address, address and other particulars;
  • The school you attend;
  • Your academic and extracurricular interests;
  • Your GPA, transcript, or test scores;
  • Your grade level;
  • The type of device you use to access the Platform;
  • Criminal background information;
  • Your socio-economic status;
  • The address, city and state in which you live;
  • Your experience and interests;
  • Your IP address; and/or
  • Any other personal information you voluntarily provide to us when using the Platform.

We collect information through the sources described below.

Information You Provide to Us:

We collect personal and non-personal information from you when you, for example:

  • Create an account;
  • Call us, email us, mail us, or use our contact form;
  • Make a donation;
  • Request or purchase products or services from us;
  • Post comments or messages on the Platform;
  • Submit comments, feedback, or complaints;
  • Complete any form we request or require; or
  • When you voluntarily provide us information by other means.

Information from Third Parties:

We may also collect personal and non-personal information about you from third-parties. We use a third-party service provider to conduct background checks of any user that applies to be a Mentor, and we collect the results of such background check from that third-party. Additionally, we use a third-party service provider to process donations made on our website. We do not directly collect or store billing or credit card information from such third-party service provider, but we may need certain information in order to thank you or send acknowledgment letters to you (which you will need to claim a tax deduction, if available to you).

Information Collected Automatically:

We collect information (such as your IP address, your browser type, the content of any undeleted cookies that your browser previously accepted from us, the referring website address (if any), and your device or operating system that you use to visit or use our Platform.

How We Use Information

We may use your personal information to:

  • Provide you with requested products or services;
  • Provide you with access to the Platform;
  • Connect you with Mentors, schools, or programs you may be interested in;
  • Process your donation;
  • Respond to your comments, complaints, or feedback;
  • Maintain our internal records and otherwise pursue our charitable activities;
  • Send you newsletters, requests for donations or support, and other information, including information about the products or services you utilize or future opportunities;
  • Request reviews, testimonials, or feedback;
  • Improve our products, services, and the Platform;
  • If you apply to be a Mentor, then conduct a background check;
  • Develop and display content on the Platform;
  • Perform research and analysis to improve the Platform and the user experience;
  • Detect, prevent, or investigate illegal activity or misuse of the Platform or our products or services, or monitor compliance with our list of prohibited uses and content standards; or
  • Perform functions or activities as described to you at the time of collection.

We may use non-personal information for any lawful purpose. We will not use any information you provide us to discriminate against you.

Third Parties to whom We Disclose Information

We share your information with third parties as described below. We will never sell your information to any third party.

We may disclose your information to third parties for the following purposes:

  • To a third party service provider to conduct background checks on an individual requesting to be a Mentor;
  • To schools, programs, or other third parties, if the user requests that we do so;
  • To a third party service provider that processes donations on our behalf;
  • If legally compelled or requested to do so, we may disclose your information to law enforcement or another government body;
  • As necessary or appropriate to enforce our legal rights;
  • To a successor in interest, or to another charitable organization that aids us in providing the charitable services you request; or
  • If you authorize us to make a disclosure to a third party.

Opting Out

You may elect not to receive promotional correspondence, such as newsletters or other offers, from us. You may request to opt out by unsubscribelink, or by contacting us at support@avamastu.org. Please indicate the specific services or correspondence for which you would like to opt-out whenever making such a request. Please understand that if you opt out of receiving certain correspondence from us, you may not receive the full benefit of using the Platform or our programs or services, and that we may still contact you for purposes other than those for which you did not opt out.

Access and Control Over your Information

You may request that we share with you the personal information that we collect from you. You may also send us a request stating that you wish for us to modify or delete all or a portion of your information. We believe that your information is your property, and we endeavor to provide services to you with that belief in mind. Please note, however, that we may need to retain certain information for archival or legal purposes, and that removal of certain information may impact your ability to use the Platform or our products or services in the future. We may ask you to verify your identify before we comply with your request to modify or delete all or a portion of your information, and, if you do not provide such verification, we may not be able to comply with your request.

Third Party Links

Please note that we or other users may post links to other websites on or through the Platform. We have no control over, do no monitor, and do not endorse any third party websites. Therefore, such third party websites are not subject to this Privacy Policy, and this Privacy Policy does not govern the privacy practices of any third party. We encourage you review the privacy policy of any third party website you visit or access.

Data Breaches

While we use security precautions customary to our industry and practices, in the event that we become aware that the Platform or your data has been breached for any reason, we will promptly notify you by: (i) sending you an email; and/or (ii) posting a notice on our homepage: https://avamastu.org/

California Residents

If you are a California resident, please note that you have certain legal rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act of 2018 (“CCPA”). This Privacy Policy is designed to and intended to meet the requirements under the CCPA. In particular, you have the right:

  • To know what personal information we collect, how we collect it, and how we use it;
  • To know which third parties we might disclose your personal information;
  • To request that we modify or delete your personal information;
  • To be notified of a data breach;
  • Not to be discriminated against based on the information you provide to us; and
  • To exercise any other right you may have as specifically described in the CCPA.

If you are a California resident and have any questions regarding our privacy practices and how they relate to the CCPA, or want to exercise your rights or make a request as permitted under the CCPA, please contact us at: support@avamastu.org

Users Outside of the United States

By providing personal information to us, you understand and consent to the collection, maintenance, processing, and transfer of such information in and to the United States in accordance with applicable law. We are a United States charitable organization and we do not operate in or market to individuals outside of the United States. We do, however, recognize the privacy rights of individuals located outside of the United States, and, therefore, users outside the United States may contact us at support@avamastu.org if they believe they have provided us with personal information or have questions about this Privacy Policy or our practices.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to exercise your rights as described above or as available under applicable law, please contact us.

Email: support@avamastu.org

Address: 700 Central Expressway South, Suite 400, Allen, TX 75013