(310)692-4577 | 
info@firststepindependence.org Privacy Policy
First Step Independence Inc.
Effective Date: October 9, 2026
Last Updated: October 9, 2026
1. Introduction
First Step Independence Inc. (“First Step Independence,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information.
Our organization provides charitable and educational services focused on education, training, and support with Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) for individuals with physical, developmental, or cognitive challenges, as well as individuals facing socioeconomic barriers to independent living.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information when you visit firststepindependence.org, make a donation, contact us, request services, or otherwise interact with our website.
By using our website, you acknowledge this Privacy Policy. Where required by applicable law, we will obtain your consent for specific data collection or processing activities.
2. Information We Collect
We may collect the following categories of personal information depending on how you interact with our website.
A. Donor Information
When you make a donation through our website, we may collect:
- First and last name
- Email address
- Donation amount
- Billing and transaction information, where applicable
- Donation authorization and confirmation details
- Transaction reference numbers and payment status
Our donation form allows donors to select available donation amounts and submit payment information.
B. Payment Information
Our website provides online credit card donation functionality and displays Stripe-branded donation options.
Payments may be processed by third-party payment service providers. Depending on the payment method and integration, these providers may collect and process payment card information securely.
We may receive limited transaction information necessary to confirm donations, maintain financial records, and address payment-related questions.
Please do not send credit card details, security codes, or banking credentials through ordinary email.
C. Contact and Service Request Information
If you contact us, submit an inquiry, or request services, we may collect your name, email address, telephone number, and the information you include in your message.
If you voluntarily provide information about accessibility needs or support requirements, we will handle it with appropriate care and in accordance with applicable privacy laws.
Please provide only the information necessary for your inquiry or request.
D. Technical Information
When you visit our website, certain technical information may be collected automatically, including:
- IP address
- Browser type and version
- Device and operating system information
- Pages visited and time spent on the website
- Referring website or source
- Basic website usage and diagnostic information
The information collected depends on the website technologies and services in use.
3. How We Use Your Information
First Step Independence Inc. may use your personal information to:
- Process and acknowledge donations.
- Confirm donation amounts and payment status.
- Respond to questions, contact requests, and service inquiries.
- Communicate information about our charitable and educational activities.
- Maintain accurate financial, accounting, and donation records.
- Operate, maintain, and improve our website.
- Protect against fraudulent transactions, unauthorized access, and misuse.
- Meet applicable legal, regulatory, and reporting obligations.
- Send organizational news or fundraising communications where permitted by law and, when required, with your consent.
We will use personal information for purposes consistent with this policy or as otherwise permitted or required by applicable law.
4. How We Process Donations
Donations submitted through our website may be processed by third-party payment service providers.
When making a donation, you may be redirected to, or interact with, payment processing technology provided by an external service provider.
Payment providers may process your information under their own privacy policies, terms, and security practices.
We recommend reviewing the applicable payment provider’s privacy policy before submitting payment information.
We may retain information about your donation, such as your name, email address, donation amount, transaction reference, and payment status, for donation administration, accounting, fraud prevention, and legal compliance.
We do not intend to store complete payment card details or card security codes on our own systems. Actual payment data handling depends on the payment integration used by our website.
5. How We Share Your Information
We do not sell your personal information.
We may share information when reasonably necessary with:
Payment service providers: To process donations, verify transactions, and help prevent payment fraud.
Website hosting and technology providers: To operate, maintain, and secure our website.
Communication providers: To manage inquiries, send donation confirmations, or deliver communications you request.
Professional advisers: Such as accountants, auditors, and legal advisers when necessary.
Government authorities and regulators: When disclosure is required by applicable law, legal process, or a valid lawful request.
Other authorized parties: Where you have provided consent or where disclosure is otherwise permitted or required by law.
We seek to limit information shared with service providers to what is reasonably necessary for the relevant purpose.
6. Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality, remember preferences, understand visitor activity, and improve website performance.
The types of cookies used may include:
- Essential cookies: Necessary for core website functionality.
- Preference cookies: Used to remember settings.
- Analytics cookies: Used to understand how visitors use the website.
- Third-party cookies: Potentially placed by embedded services or external providers, where applicable.
The actual cookies used depend on the website configuration.
You may manage cookies through your browser settings. Where required by applicable law, we will obtain consent before using non-essential cookies or tracking technologies.
7. Data Security
We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal information against unauthorized access, loss, alteration, misuse, or disclosure.
These measures may include restricted access to information, secure website connections, appropriate administrative controls, and the use of third-party payment providers.
However, no method of electronic transmission or data storage is completely secure. We cannot guarantee absolute security.
If a personal data breach occurs, we will take appropriate steps in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
8. Data Retention
We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including donation administration, responding to inquiries, maintaining financial records, resolving disputes, and meeting legal obligations.
Donation and transaction records may need to be retained for accounting, auditing, tax, or other lawful purposes.
When personal information is no longer required, we will take reasonable steps to delete, anonymize, or securely dispose of it, subject to applicable retention requirements.
9. Your Privacy Rights
Depending on your location and applicable law, you may have rights concerning your personal information, including the right to:
- Request access to personal information we hold about you.
- Request correction of inaccurate information.
- Request deletion of certain personal information.
- Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent.
- Object to or request restrictions on certain processing activities.
- Opt out of certain marketing communications.
- Lodge a complaint with the appropriate data protection authority.
To exercise an applicable privacy right, contact us using the details in the Contact Us section.
We may need to verify your identity before fulfilling certain requests. Some information may be retained when required by law or necessary for legitimate recordkeeping.
10. Email Communications
If you contact us, we may use your email address to respond to your inquiry or provide information you have requested.
If you subscribe to or consent to receive organizational updates, we may also send communications about our programs, charitable activities, and fundraising initiatives where permitted by law.
You may opt out of promotional emails at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions included in the message or contacting us directly.
Opting out of promotional communications will not prevent us from sending essential administrative messages, such as donation confirmations or responses to your requests.
11. Children’s Privacy
Our website is not intended to knowingly collect personal information from children in violation of applicable law.
We do not knowingly collect children’s personal information without any consent or authorization required by law.
If you believe that a child has provided personal information to us inappropriately, please contact us so that we can review the matter and take appropriate action.
12. Third-Party Websites and Services
Our website may contain links to third-party websites or use external services, including payment processing services.
We do not control the privacy practices, content, or security measures of independent third parties.
Your use of those services may be governed by their own privacy policies and terms. We encourage you to review those policies before sharing personal information with them.
13. Accessibility and Sensitive Information
First Step Independence Inc. supports individuals with physical, developmental, and cognitive challenges and people experiencing socioeconomic barriers.
If you request services and choose to share information about your circumstances or support needs, we will use that information only for appropriate organizational purposes, subject to applicable law.
Please avoid including unnecessary sensitive personal information in general contact forms or ordinary email messages.
14. International Visitors
Our website may be accessed by individuals in different countries. Depending on our hosting arrangements and service providers, personal information may be processed or stored in locations outside your country of residence.
Where applicable, we will take reasonable steps to comply with relevant requirements governing international data transfers and personal information protection.
15. Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our website, donation processes, organizational activities, service providers, or legal obligations.
The revised policy will be published on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date.
Where required by law, we will provide additional notice or obtain consent before implementing changes that require it.
We encourage visitors and donors to review this page periodically.
16. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, wish to make a privacy-related request, or have concerns about how your personal information is handled, please contact us:
First Step Independence Inc.
Website: https://firststepindependence.org/
Email: info@firststepindependence.org
Phone: (310) 692-4577
Please include sufficient details about your request so that we can understand and respond appropriately.
First Step Independence Inc.
Independence. Dignity. Community.