Privacy Policy
Effective Date: September 20, 2026
Tower Lakes Community Foundation (“TLCF,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you provide when using our website at tower-lakes.org.
This Privacy Policy explains what information we may collect, how we use it, and the choices you have regarding your information.
Information We Collect
We may collect information that you voluntarily provide to us when you use our website, including when you:
- Make a donation
- Submit a contact form
- Apply for or inquire about a grant
- Communicate with TLCF
- Register for or participate in community activities or events
Information you provide may include:
- Name
- Email address
- Telephone number
- Mailing address
- Donation amount
- Donation frequency
- Memorial or tribute information
- Comments or messages submitted to TLCF
- Other information you choose to provide
Donations and Payment Information
When you submit a donation through the TLCF website, we may collect information necessary to maintain a record of your donation, including your name, contact information, donation amount, and related donation details.
Payment transactions are processed through a third-party payment processor.
TLCF does not store your complete credit card or debit card information on its website or in its WordPress database.
Payment information entered on the payment provider's website is subject to that provider's own privacy and security policies.
How We Use Your Information
Information collected through the website may be used to:
- Process and maintain records of donations
- Communicate with donors
- Respond to questions or requests
- Review grant inquiries or applications
- Provide information about TLCF activities, projects, programs, or events
- Maintain and improve the website
- Protect the security and integrity of our website
- Meet legal, financial, accounting, or recordkeeping requirements
We use personal information only for legitimate TLCF purposes.
Contact Forms
When you submit a contact form through our website, the information you enter is transmitted to TLCF so that we can respond to your request.
Our website may use third-party form-processing services, including services such as Cognito Forms, to collect and transmit form submissions. Information processed by a third-party service may also be subject to that provider's privacy policy.
Cookies and Website Technology
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to support normal website operation, security, performance, and functionality.
These technologies may collect information such as:
- Browser type
- Device type
- IP address
- Pages visited
- Date and time of visits
- Referring website
- General website activity
Some cookies are necessary for the website to function properly. Other cookies may be used by WordPress, security services, performance tools, embedded content, or third-party services.
You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect how some parts of the website function.
Server Logs
Like most websites, our hosting provider may automatically maintain server logs containing technical information about visits to the website.
This information may include IP addresses, browser information, requested pages, timestamps, and other technical data. Server logs may be used for security, troubleshooting, system administration, and website performance purposes.
Third-Party Services
TLCF may use third-party services to operate portions of the website or provide certain functionality.
These may include services for:
- Payment processing
- Online forms
- Website hosting
- Website security
- Email delivery
- Website performance
- Embedded content
- File or document services
When you interact with a third-party service, that service may collect information according to its own privacy policy.
TLCF is not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites or services.
Links to Other Websites
Our website may contain links to websites operated by other organizations.
Once you leave the TLCF website, this Privacy Policy no longer applies. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any third-party website you visit.
Sharing of Personal Information
TLCF does not sell or rent personal information collected through its website.
We may share information with service providers when reasonably necessary to operate our website, process transactions, communicate with users, maintain records, or provide requested services.
We may also disclose information when required by law or when reasonably necessary to protect TLCF, our website, our users, or others.
Donor Privacy
TLCF respects the privacy of its donors.
Donor information is used for purposes related to contributions, recordkeeping, communication, acknowledgments, and administration of TLCF activities.
If a donor requests that a donation remain anonymous, TLCF will make reasonable efforts to honor that request in public-facing recognition.
Data Security
TLCF takes reasonable administrative and technical measures intended to protect personal information from unauthorized access, loss, misuse, alteration, or disclosure.
However, no website, electronic transmission, or electronic storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.
Data Retention
We may retain information for as long as reasonably necessary to:
- Maintain financial and donation records
- Respond to inquiries
- Administer TLCF programs and activities
- Meet accounting or legal obligations
- Protect the security and integrity of our systems
Information that is no longer reasonably necessary may be deleted or anonymized when appropriate.
Children's Privacy
The TLCF website is intended for a general audience and is not designed specifically to collect personal information from children under the age of 13.
We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without appropriate consent.
If we become aware that such information has been collected improperly, we may take reasonable steps to delete it.
Your Choices
You may contact TLCF if you would like to:
- Ask what personal information you have provided to us
- Request that inaccurate information be corrected
- Request deletion of information, where appropriate
- Ask questions about how your information is used
- Request that TLCF stop sending nonessential communications
Certain information may need to be retained for financial, legal, security, or recordkeeping purposes.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
TLCF may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes to our website, services, technology, or practices.
When changes are made, the updated policy will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how information submitted through the TLCF website is handled, please contact the Tower Lakes Community Foundation through our website contact form.
Tower Lakes Community Foundation
Tower Lakes, Illinois
Website: tower-lakes.org
