Privacy Policy

City Mission of Schenectady
Effective Date: 11/11/2026

City Mission of Schenectady (“City Mission,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to respecting and protecting the privacy of our donors, volunteers, program participants, and website visitors. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, safeguard, and disclose information when you visit our website (citymission.com), make a donation, subscribe to communications, sign up to volunteer, or participate in our programs.

1. Information We Collect

We collect information that you voluntarily provide to us as well as limited technical information when you use our website:

  • Contact Information: Your name, physical mailing address, email address, and telephone/mobile number when you submit a form, subscribe to updates, register for an event, or contact us.
  • Donor & Financial Information: Pledge amounts, donation history, employer details for matching gifts, tribute/memorial instructions, and payment details when you make a financial contribution online, in person, by mail, or by phone.
  • Volunteer & Event Information: Availability, skills, areas of interest, emergency contact details, signed waivers, and required background check authorizations when you apply to volunteer.
  • Program & Service Information: Information submitted through program applications (such as Schenectady Works or housing/support inquiries), which may include employment history, financial details, or other program-specific data.
  • Automated Website Data: Standard web analytics and technical data—such as your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and cookies—collected to maintain website security and improve user experience.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect strictly to support our mission and operations, including to:

  • Process donations, facilitate employer matching gifts, issue tax receipts, and acknowledge gifts.
  • Coordinate volunteer registrations, placements, shifts, and communications.
  • Evaluate and administer applications for community programs and services.
  • Send newsletters, ministry updates, event invitations, SMS alerts, and fundraising appeals (where permitted by your preferences).
  • Improve our website functionality and analyze aggregate visitor traffic.
  • Comply with applicable New York State and federal laws, financial audits, and IRS reporting requirements.

3. Our Donor Privacy Pledge

City Mission of Schenectady values the trust of our supporters. We will not sell, rent, trade, or share a donor’s personal information with anyone else, nor send donor mailings on behalf of other organizations. We will only share a donor’s personal information on rare occasions if the donor has given us specific, explicit permission to do so.

4. SMS & Text Messaging Privacy

If you opt in to receive SMS or text messages from City Mission of Schenectady (such as shift reminders, event updates, urgent volunteer needs, or ministry updates):

  • No Third-Party Marketing Sharing: No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. All the above categories exclude text messaging originator opt-in data and consent; this information will not be shared with any third parties, except with aggregators and providers of the text message services strictly to deliver the messages.
  • Message Frequency & Rates: Message frequency varies based on your interaction with us. Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier plan.
  • Opt-Out & Help: You may opt out of receiving text messages at any time by replying STOP to any message you receive from us.

5. Third-Party Service Providers

We partner with trusted, industry-standard third-party vendors to securely process donations, facilitate matching gifts, coordinate volunteers, and manage communications. We share only the minimum data required for them to perform their services:

  • Third-Party Credit Card (CC) Processors: Online, mobile, and in-person credit card, debit card, and ACH transactions are processed securely through vetted, PCI-DSS compliant third-party CC processors. City Mission does not store full credit card or bank account numbers on our servers. These processors collect and handle your financial credentials under their own strict encryption standards and privacy policies, sharing only your contact details, transaction confirmation, and gift amount with us so we can issue your receipt.
  • Matching Gift Services (Double the Donation): If you use our employer matching gift search tool or submit employer information during checkout, we share your name, email address, employer name, and donation details with Double the Donation to verify matching gift eligibility and send you instructions on how to submit your match request.
  • MailChimp: We use MailChimp (operated by Intuit) to manage our email subscriber lists and send newsletters, ministry updates, and event invitations. When you subscribe, your name, email address, and engagement metrics (such as email opens or link clicks) are stored on MailChimp’s secure servers.
  • Volunteer Management (VolunteerHub): We use VolunteerHub to manage volunteer registrations, shift scheduling, waivers, and hour tracking. When you create a volunteer account or register for an opportunity, your contact details, availability, emergency contacts, and shift history are securely stored on VolunteerHub’s platform in accordance with their privacy and security standards.

6. Other Disclosures

Outside of our strict Donor Privacy Pledge and the essential service providers listed above, we only disclose personal information when required to comply with federal, state, or local laws, subpoenas, or legal processes, or when necessary to protect the safety, rights, or property of City Mission, our guests, staff, or the public.

7. Data Security

We maintain physical, electronic, and procedural safeguards that comply with state and federal regulations to protect personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, or disclosure. These measures include SSL encryption for online forms, PCI-compliant payment gateways, secure internal donor databases, restricted staff access to sensitive financial records, and confidentiality training for our personnel.

8. Cookies & Website Analytics

Our website uses cookies and standard third-party tracking technologies (such as website analytics and social media advertising tools) to understand how visitors navigate our site, measure the effectiveness of our community outreach, and improve user experience.

  • What They Collect: These tools collect automated technical data such as your IP address, browser type, device information, and pages visited. We do not use cookies or tracking tools to sell or share your personal donor records, contact details, or donation amounts.
  • Managing Your Preferences: You can adjust your web browser settings to refuse or delete cookies at any time, though some site features may not function properly. You can also opt out of interest-based advertising through your social media account ad settings or the Network Advertising Initiative Opt-Out Page.
  • Third-Party Links: Our website may contain links to external sites (such as partner registries or social media platforms). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of third-party websites.

9. Your Choices & Opt-Out Rights

You have the right to review, update, or request the removal of your contact information from our mailing, email, and SMS lists at any time:

  • Email (MailChimp): Click the “Unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any newsletter or update email.
  • Volunteer Account (VolunteerHub): Log into your VolunteerHub profile to update your contact preferences, or contact our volunteer coordinator for assistance.
  • SMS / Text Messages: Reply STOP to any text message from us.
  • Mail or Phone: Contact our administrative office using the details below to update your records, request anonymous donor recognition, or opt out of physical mailings.

10. Children’s Privacy

Our website is not directed toward children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information online from children under 13 without verifiable parental or guardian consent.

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Any updates will be posted on this page with a revised Effective Date.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or wish to update your personal information, please contact us:

City Mission of Schenectady
425 Hamilton Street / P.O. Box 760
Schenectady, NY 12301
Phone: (518) 346-2275
Email: writeus@citymission.com