Privacy Policy

Depending on how you interact with VDF, we may receive information such as:

• name
• email address
• telephone number
• information voluntarily submitted through our Contact form
• information voluntarily submitted through our Request Assistance process
• communication preferences
• donation and transaction-related information provided through our donation platform
• basic website usage and technical information collected through analytics technologies

Individuals requesting assistance may voluntarily provide information necessary for VDF to understand and review their request.

VDF asks applicants to provide only enough information for us to understand the type of assistance being requested. Applicants should not submit diagnoses, medical records, therapy notes, Social Security numbers, financial account information, or other highly sensitive information unless VDF specifically requests information through an appropriate process.

Submission of a request does not guarantee assistance. Information submitted through the Request Assistance process may be reviewed by authorized VDF personnel for purposes of evaluating, managing, documenting, referring, and following up on requests for support.

Information submitted through the Contact form is used to receive and respond to general inquiries and related communications.

People seeking assistance or counseling support should use VDF's Request Assistance process rather than the general Contact form.

Users should not submit medical records, Social Security numbers, financial account information, or other highly sensitive information through the general Contact form.

VDF uses Givebutter as its online fundraising and donation platform.

When a visitor makes a donation, certain donor and transaction information is processed through Givebutter and its payment-processing providers. Payment information submitted through the Givebutter donation interface is subject to Givebutter's applicable terms and privacy practices.

VDF may receive donor and transaction information from Givebutter for purposes such as donation administration, acknowledgments, donor communications where permitted, financial recordkeeping, reporting, and organizational operations.

VDF does not receive or store a donor's full payment-card credentials through the VDF website.

Learn more: Givebutter Privacy Policy (opens in a new tab)

VDF uses Google Analytics on public portions of VDFD.org to better understand general website usage and improve the website.

VDF may use information provided to us to:

• respond to inquiries;
• review and manage requests for assistance;
• communicate regarding programs and services;
• administer donations and donor relationships;
• maintain organizational and financial records;
• operate, protect, and improve our website and services;
• prevent misuse, fraud, or security incidents;
• comply with applicable legal or regulatory obligations.

VDF does not sell personal information.

Information may be shared when reasonably necessary with service providers that help VDF operate its website, communications, fundraising, technology, or organizational functions; when authorized by the individual; or when disclosure is required or permitted by law.

VDF retains personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purpose for which it was collected, for legitimate organizational and recordkeeping needs, and as necessary to meet applicable legal, financial, or regulatory obligations. Retention periods may differ depending on the type of information and the reason it was collected.

VDF takes reasonable administrative and technical measures intended to protect information under its control. However, no website, electronic transmission, or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

VDF's programs may support youth and families. When information concerning a child or dependent is submitted through a VDF program or assistance process, it should be provided by a parent, legal guardian, or other person authorized to provide the information, as appropriate.

You may contact VDF to ask questions about information you have provided, request corrections where appropriate, or ask about communications you receive from VDF.

Donation-related preferences offered directly through Givebutter may also be managed through Givebutter where applicable.

VDFD.org may contain links to, or integrations with, services operated by third parties, including Givebutter, VDF's donation platform. The privacy practices of those services are governed by their own policies.

VDF may update this Privacy Policy as its programs, website, technology, or practices evolve. The Last Updated date will be revised when appropriate.

For privacy questions, please contact: