Root Local’s Data Collection & Privacy Policy

Information We Collect

We collect information you voluntarily provide through our website, including survey responses, publication requests, event inquiries, and general contact submissions. This may include personally identifiable information (PII) such as your name, mailing address, email address, organizational affiliation, and your interests related to environmental conservation and collective impact.

We do not collect PII without your knowledge. We also collect non-personal, aggregated data about website usage (e.g., page views, navigation patterns).

We may receive location data from reputable third-party vendors who represent that they are authorized to share such data. We do not combine location data with PII (such as names or home addresses). We may combine location data with public or aggregated datasets (e.g., U.S. Census data) solely to visualize trends and understand where 3rd party products and services are located in conjunction to our constituents’ locations.

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How We Use Information

We use the information you provide to:

• Deliver content, publications, and updates aligned with your sustainability interests.
• Improve our website, communications, and programs.
• Notify you of relevant events or opportunities.
• Request support for Root Local’s mission.
• Analyze aggregated, non-personal website usage to improve user experience.

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Information Sharing

We do not sell or share lists of website visitors, email addresses, or SMS opt-ins. In the future, we may share email addresses with third parties (e.g., EMMA™ partners or giveaway co-sponsors) only with your explicit, opt-in consent. Opting out will not affect eligibility for giveaways.

We may, on a limited basis, exchange donor names, mailing addresses, and email addresses with other organizations in accordance with nonprofit industry practice. Donors may request exclusion from any list exchange at any time by contacting info@rootlocal.org. We honor all oral or written requests to discontinue communications.

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Email, Mail, and SMS Communications

Users may subscribe to Root Local publications and updates through our website. Donors may be added to our email list unless they opt out at the time of giving. Giveaway participants may also be added to email lists. Users may unsubscribe at any time via the link included in each email.

We do not currently offer SMS messaging. If SMS is introduced, Root Local will not sell or share SMS consent data for marketing purposes. If opted in, recipients will be able to opt out at any time using standard opt-out procedures, such as replying “STOP” or “UNSUBSCRIBE” to the number that generated the text.

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Data Security

We maintain administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect the information we collect. Data is stored on secure, firewall-protected servers managed by Root Local or contracted service providers. Access is restricted to authorized personnel and vendors who require it to perform services on our behalf.

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Cookies

We use cookies to support authentication, personalization, and website analytics. We collect only anonymous data (such as IP addresses) for usage analysis. We use Google services, including Google Analytics, which may place first-party and third-party cookies. Users may learn more about Google Analytics tracking and their data privacy and security on their support page.

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Links to Third-Party Sites

Our website contains links to third-party sites. Root Local is not responsible for the content or privacy practices of these external websites. We encourage users to review the privacy policies of any linked third-party site before providing information.

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Changes to This Policy

Root Local may update this Privacy Policy periodically. Continued use of our website after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

Updated December 4, 2025

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