Effective date: [INSERT DATE]

Cultivate Lancaster is a nonprofit organization  that connects entrepreneurs and small businesses in Lancaster County with resources, mentors, funding information, and events. We respect the privacy of everyone who visits our website or connects with us. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect at cultivatelancaster.com (the “Site”), how we use it, and the choices you have.

1. Information We Collect

Information you give us directly. We collect information you choose to provide, including when you:

• Sign up for our newsletter or email updates (typically your name and email address).
• Contact us through the Site or by email. (connect@cultivatelancaster.com)
• Request a business mentor, which may include your name, contact details, and information about your business or business idea.
• Register for or ask about an event or training.
• Use the Site search to find resources.

Information collected automatically. When you visit the Site, we and our analytics and advertising partners automatically collect certain technical information, such as your IP address, browser type, device information, pages viewed, links clicked, and the dates and times of your visits. We collect this using cookies and similar technologies (see Section 3).

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect to:

• Connect you with resources, mentors, funding information, events, and trainings.
• Respond to your questions and requests, including mentor requests.
• Send newsletters and updates about resources, events, news and partner information  news (you can unsubscribe at any time).
• Understand how visitors use the Site so we can improve it.
• Promote our mission and programs, including through social media.
• Comply with legal obligations and protect the rights, safety, and property of Cultivate Lancaster and others.

3. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our Site uses cookies and similar technologies to function properly and to help us understand how it is used. These include:

• Google Analytics (via Google Site Kit), which helps us measure Site traffic and usage. Google may use this data as described in its own privacy policy. You can opt out using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout.

Most web browsers let you refuse or delete cookies through their settings. If you disable cookies, some parts of the Site may not work as intended. Our Site does not currently respond to browser “Do Not Track” signals.

4. How We Share Information

We do not sell your personal information. We share information only in these limited ways:

• Service providers. We share information with trusted vendors who help us operate, such as our email/newsletter platform Mailchimp, our website host, and our analytics and advertising partners. They may use the information only to provide services to us.
• Partner organizations, with your direction. If you ask to be connected with a mentor or a partner resource organization, we may share the details needed to make that introduction. We share only what is necessary to fulfill your request.
• Legal and safety reasons. We may disclose information when required by law, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of Cultivate Lancaster or others.

5. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative and technical safeguards to protect the information we collect. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, however, so we cannot guarantee absolute security. Please contact us right away if you believe your information has been compromised.

6. Data Retention

We keep personal information for as long as needed to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, including operating our programs, meeting legal requirements, and maintaining records of our work. When information is no longer needed, we take steps to delete or de-identify it.

7. Children’s Privacy

The Site is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us information, please contact us and we will delete it.

8. Your Choices and Rights

You have choices about your information:

• Email: You can unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time using the link in any email, or by contacting us.
• Cookies and advertising: You can manage cookies through your browser and manage ad preferences through Google and Meta as described above.
• Access and deletion: You may ask us to access, correct, or delete the personal information we hold about you, and we will honor reasonable requests. Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights under applicable privacy laws; contact us and we will do our best to accommodate you.

9. Links to Other Sites

Our Site links to many third-party sites we do not control, including partner organizations, resource providers, sponsors, and our social media pages. This policy does not apply to those sites. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

10. Photography and Videography

At Cultivate Lancaster sponsored events, photos and videos may be captured during the event.  By registering for or attending one of Cultivate Lancaster’s events, you may be included in these photos and videos. Your attendance at the event grants your permission to be in these photos or videos, which may be used by the CultivateLancasterr for educational, archival, or promotional purposes.

11. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the “Effective date” above and post the updated version on this page.

12. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, please contact us:

Cultivate Lancaster 115 E King Street, Lancaster, PA 17602

Email: connect@cultivatelancaster.com

Phone: 1-717-293-3156 ext.270