FIRC Donor Privacy and Fundraiser Policies & Procedures

FIRC is a 501(c)3 nonprofit agency committed to promoting stable families in Summit County, Colorado. All donations solicited on behalf of FIRC shall be used to further this mission and follow the policies and procedures outlined below.

Donor Privacy Policy

The Family & Intercultural Resource Center (FIRC) is committed to respecting the privacy of donors. The types of donor information that FIRC collects and maintains are as follows:

1. Contact information: name, address, phone number, and email address. Donors may be contacted periodically with information regarding upcoming events, program impacts and/or for solicitation purposes, including via email, postal mail, phone, and SMS/text message where donors have opted in.
2. Giving Information
3. Information on events attended
4. Information provided by the donor in the form of comments and suggestions

FIRC uses donors’ information to understand their interests in its mission and to update them on the organization’s plans and activities. This information is shared with staff, board members, volunteers and consultants only on a “need-to-know” basis. All requests to remain anonymous shall be honored.

FIRC does not sell or share donor lists, including SMS/text contact lists, to any third party.

Donors may request to be permanently removed from FIRC’s mailing, email, and/or SMS lists by contacting the Development department via email, phone or postal mail, or by following the opt-out instructions contained in our electronic communications. All requests to be removed from FIRC’s communication lists shall be honored.

If donors have comments or questions about FIRC’s donor privacy policy, please email the Development team at development@summitfirc.org or call 970-262-3888.

SMS / Text Message Privacy & Communication Policy

FIRC uses SMS (text messaging) as an optional communication channel to share program updates, event information, and donor-related announcements. FIRC is committed to protecting the privacy of donors and contacts who choose to receive SMS messages and to complying with all applicable laws and carrier requirements.

1. SMS Contact Collection & Consent

FIRC will only send SMS messages to individuals who have provided explicit consent. Consent may be obtained through:

– Online forms or donation forms with clear SMS opt-in language

– Event registration or sign-up forms that include a separate SMS opt-in checkbox

– Text-to-join or similar SMS workflows

– Double opt-in made available through our email/SMS platforms where required

All opt-in mechanisms will clearly state:

– That the donor/individual agrees to receive SMS messages from FIRC

– The nature and general frequency of messages (e.g., “periodic messages”)

– That message and data rates may apply

– How to opt out (e.g., replying STOP) and how to request help (e.g., replying HELP)

– A reference or link to FIRC’s SMS Privacy Policy and SMS Terms & Conditions hosted online

FIRC does not enroll donors or clients in SMS messaging without their consent.

2. Donor Privacy and SMS Data Handling

All SMS-related data is treated as donor information under FIRC’s Donor Privacy Policy. FIRC may collect and retain:

– Mobile phone number and SMS opt-in status

– Date, time, and method of opt-in or opt-out

– Message delivery and interaction data

– Donor communication preferences across channels

FIRC does not sell, rent, or share SMS contact lists with third parties. SMS data is accessible only to authorized staff and contractors on a need-to-know basis.

3. SMS Content Standards

All SMS communications must be consistent with FIRC’s mission and ethical fundraising standards.

4. Legal and Carrier Compliance

FIRC adheres to:

– TCPA

– CTIA messaging guidelines

– SMS carrier rules and quiet hours

– Compliance requirements of our SMS provider(s)

STOP requests will be processed promptly.

5. SMS Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

FIRC maintains SMS-specific online policies describing data use, opt-out instructions, and SMS practices.

6. Donor Rights Related to SMS

Donors may opt out at any time, update preferences, request information, or request full removal from all communications.

Fundraising Policy

Funds shall be solicited in a respectful manner and without pressure. All third parties not directly affiliated with FIRC who wish to solicit funds on behalf of the agency must acquire written permission from FIRC’s Development team prior to beginning any fundraising activities.

Donor-designated restrictions on contributions shall be honored. Contributions made to the agency are tax deductible according to IRS rules. Written tax receipts shall be issued for all donations. If the donor receives anything in exchange for their donation, the receipt shall clearly state the tax-deductible portion. Tax-receipts and donation acknowledgments shall be provided promptly after giving.

Fundraising solicitations may be made via in person interactions, mail, email, social media, and SMS (when donors have opted in). All communications must follow applicable laws and FIRC policies.

Fundraising Procedures

Financial Donations:

All monetary donations shall be forwarded to the Office Manager for recording and deposit. After coding, copies go to the Development team. Donations are recorded in the donor database and acknowledged. Anonymous requests will be honored.

In-kind Donations:

The value of in-kind gifts of food and thrift store goods will be valued based on donor discretion. Donors are encouraged to use recognized valuation guides. The Development team will record and acknowledge special case in-kind donations.