Policies & Legal

Payment Security Policy

How We Protect Your Payment

• PCI DSS Level 1 Compliance — Our payment processor undergoes annual audits by independent Qualified Security Assessors (QSAs) to maintain the highest level of data security standards set by the Payment Card Industry.
• 256-Bit SSL/TLS Encryption — All payment data is encrypted during transmission using industry-standard SSL/TLS protocols, ensuring your information cannot be intercepted or read by unauthorized parties.
• Tokenization — Sensitive credit card numbers are replaced with unique, non-sensitive tokens. Your actual card number is never stored on our servers or systems.
• Secure Hosted Checkout — Card data is captured directly within NMI's PCI-certified environment, completely isolated from our website's systems. This significantly reduces the risk of data exposure.
• Fraud Prevention — Every transaction is screened using Address Verification System (AVS), CVV validation, and velocity filters that block suspicious transaction patterns in real time.

Your Responsibilities

• Keep your payment credentials (card numbers, passwords) confidential and do not share them.
• Ensure you are donating through our official website at the correct URL.
• Notify us immediately if you suspect unauthorized use of your payment information in connection with a donation to our organization.

Industry Standards We Follow

Our payment infrastructure complies with the following standards and regulations:

• PCI DSS v4.0.1 — the latest version of the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard
• SOC 2 Type II — Service Organization Control reporting for security, availability, and confidentiality
• NACHA Operating Rules — governing ACH payment processing

Privacy Policy

Information We Collect

When you interact with our website or make a donation, we may collect the following information:

• Personal Identifiers — Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address when voluntarily provided.
• Donation Information — Donation amount, frequency, date, and transaction confirmation details.
• Website Usage Data — Browser type, device information, IP address, pages visited, and interaction patterns through cookies and analytics tools.

Important: We do not store credit card numbers, CVV codes, or full payment credentials. All payment data is handled exclusively by our PCI-certified payment processor.

How We Use Your Information

• To process and acknowledge your donation and issue tax receipts.
• To communicate with you about our mission, programs, and impact updates (you may opt out at any time).
• To improve our website, services, and donor experience.
• To comply with legal and regulatory requirements, including IRS reporting for 501(c)(3) organizations.

Data Sharing

• We share payment data only with our PCI-certified payment processor (Cornerstone/NMI) for the sole purpose of completing your transaction.
• We may disclose information if required by law, court order, or governmental regulation.
• We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third-party marketers.

Your Rights & Choices

• Opt-Out — You may unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time by clicking "unsubscribe" in any email or by contacting us directly.
• Access & Correction — You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal data by emailing us.
• Cookies — You can configure your browser to refuse cookies, though some site features may not function optimally.

Data Retention

We retain donor records for a minimum of seven (7) years to comply with IRS record-keeping requirements for 501(c)(3) organizations. After this period, records are securely destroyed unless a longer retention is required by law.

Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed to individuals under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children. If we learn that we have inadvertently collected such information, we will promptly delete it.

Terms of Use

Acceptance of Terms

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to be bound by these Terms of Use. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of this site immediately.

Use of Website

• This website is provided for informational purposes and to facilitate donations to Independence Pathways, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
• You agree not to use this site for any unlawful purpose, including fraud, harassment, or unauthorized data collection.
• You may not scrape, crawl, or use automated tools to extract content from this website without express written permission.

Intellectual Property

All content on this website — including text, graphics, logos, images, and software — is the property of Independence Pathways or its licensors and is protected by applicable copyright, trademark, and intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or create derivative works without prior written consent.

Donation Terms

• All donations are voluntary and made with the understanding that they support the general mission and programs of Independence Pathways.
• Independence Pathways reserves the right to allocate donated funds to the areas of greatest need, unless a specific restriction is agreed upon in writing.
• Tax receipts will be issued for eligible donations in accordance with IRS guidelines for 501(c)(3) contributions.

Disclaimer of Warranties

This website is provided on an "as-is" and "as-available" basis. While we strive to ensure all information is accurate and current, Independence Pathways makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of the content. We are not liable for any errors, omissions, or interruptions in service.

Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by law, Independence Pathways shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages arising from your use of this website or any services offered through it, including but not limited to donation processing errors, data loss, or unauthorized access.

Governing Law

These terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state in which Independence Pathways is incorporated, without regard to conflict of law principles.

Refund & Cancellation Policy

When Refunds May Be Issued

• Duplicate or Erroneous Charges — If you were charged more than once or for an incorrect amount due to a processing error, we will issue a full refund for the duplicate or excess amount.
• Unauthorized Transactions — If a donation was made without the cardholder's authorization, we will investigate and issue a refund upon verification.
• Technical Errors — If a website or payment gateway malfunction resulted in an unintended transaction, we will work with you to resolve it promptly.

How to Request a Refund

To request a refund, please contact us within 30 days of the transaction date with the following information:

• Your full name and email address used during the donation.
• The date and amount of the transaction.
• A brief explanation of the reason for your refund request.

Refund requests can be submitted via email at info@independencepathway.org or by calling our office directly. Approved refunds will be issued to the original payment method within 5–10 business days.

Recurring Donations

• You may cancel a recurring donation at any time by contacting us at info@independencepathway.org.
• Cancellation requests will take effect before the next scheduled billing cycle. Donations already processed prior to cancellation are subject to this refund policy.

Chargebacks

We encourage donors to contact us directly before initiating a chargeback with their bank or credit card company. We are committed to resolving disputes quickly and fairly. Initiating a chargeback without contacting us first may result in delays and additional administrative steps for both parties.