Privacy Policy

Last updated: 3/1/2026

Effective Date: February 14, 2026 | Last Updated: February 14, 2026

This Privacy Policy describes how information is collected, used, and shared when you visit or make a donation through this website ("Site"). This Site is operated by Retrievers and Friends of So Calif, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization ("Organization"), and is powered by Bloom (bloomgiving.org), a fundraising platform operated by Bloom One LLC, a Delaware limited liability company ("Bloom," "we," "us," or "our").

1. Information We Collect

Information You Provide Directly

When you interact with this Site, you may provide:

  • Donation Information: First name, last name, email address, phone number (optional), billing address (optional), donation amount, and payment method selection.
  • Payment Information: Credit/debit card numbers, bank account details, PayPal, Venmo, Apple Pay, or Google Pay credentials. Important: Payment information is collected and processed directly by our payment processor, Braintree (a PayPal service). Bloom and Retrievers and Friends of So Calif never receive, store, or have access to your full credit card number, bank account number, or other sensitive payment credentials.
  • Communication Preferences: Whether you opt in to receive email communications and/or text (SMS) messages from Retrievers and Friends of So Calif.
  • Application Information: If the Site includes adoption, foster, or volunteer applications, you may provide additional personal information.
  • Messages and Notes: Optional donation messages or notes you include with your contribution.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit this Site, we automatically collect certain information through cookies and similar technologies:

  • Device Information: Browser type, operating system, device type, screen resolution.
  • Usage Information: Pages visited, time spent on pages, click patterns, referral source.
  • Network Information: IP address, approximate geographic location (city/region level).

This information is collected through Google Analytics 4 (GA4) and Microsoft Clarity for website analytics and user experience improvement.

Information from Payment Processing

When your donation is processed, our payment processor (Braintree) provides us with limited transaction details: transaction confirmation status, payment method type (e.g., "Visa ending in 1234"), and transaction identifier. We do not receive or store your full card number, CVV, bank account number, or passwords.

2. How We Use Your Information

  • Process your donation — Name, email, payment method nonce, donation amount
  • Issue tax receipts — Name, email, donation amount, date, transaction number
  • Create your donor profile — Name, email, phone, donation history (managed in Retrievers and Friends of So Calif's CRM)
  • Send donation confirmations — Email address
  • Communicate with you (with your consent) — Email address, phone number, name
  • Improve the Site — Analytics data, usage patterns
  • Prevent fraud — IP address, transaction patterns, rate limiting
  • Comply with legal obligations — Transaction records, tax receipt data

3. How We Share Your Information

With Retrievers and Friends of So Calif

Your donor information (name, email, phone, donation amount, date, message) is shared with Retrievers and Friends of So Calif for donor relationship management and communications (subject to your communication preferences).

With Bloom (Platform Provider)

Bloom, as the technology platform and payment processor, has access to your donation transaction data, contact information, and transaction history. Bloom uses this to process and settle donations, maintain accounting records, provide donor management tools to Retrievers and Friends of So Calif, send email and text (SMS) messages to donors on behalf of Retrievers and Friends of So Calif (subject to your consent), ensure platform security, and comply with financial regulations.

With Payment Processors

Your payment information is shared with Braintree (a PayPal service) for donation processing. Braintree's privacy practices are governed by the PayPal Privacy Policy.

With Analytics Providers

Anonymous and aggregated usage data is shared with Google (GA4) and Microsoft (Clarity) for analytics and user experience improvement.

We Do NOT

  • Sell your personal information to any third party
  • Rent your contact information to other organizations
  • Share your information with unrelated third parties for their marketing purposes

4. Text (SMS) Messages

If you opt in to receive text messages during the donation process, the following terms apply:

  • Consent: By checking the SMS opt-in checkbox, you provide express written consent to receive text messages from Retrievers and Friends of So Calif. Text messages may be sent by Bloom on behalf of Retrievers and Friends of So Calif using the phone number you provide.
  • Message Types: Text messages may include donation confirmations, event reminders, volunteer updates, and other communications related to Retrievers and Friends of So Calif's mission.
  • Message Frequency: Message frequency varies. You may receive occasional messages depending on Retrievers and Friends of So Calif's communication schedule.
  • Opt-Out: You may opt out at any time by replying STOP to any message. After opting out, you will receive a confirmation and no further text messages will be sent unless you re-consent.
  • Msg & Data Rates: Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier and plan.
  • No Purchase Required: Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of making a donation or using this Site.
  • Help: For help with text messages, reply HELP to any message or contact us at support@bloomgiving.org.

5. Payment Security

Your payment security is our priority:

  • PCI DSS Compliance: All payment information is collected through Braintree's PCI DSS-compliant payment form. Your card details are entered directly into a secure iframe hosted by Braintree and are never transmitted to or stored on our servers.
  • Tokenization: Braintree converts your payment info into a one-time-use token. This token is the only payment-related data our servers handle.
  • Encryption: All data transmitted between your browser and our servers is encrypted using TLS 1.2 or higher.

6. Cookies and Tracking

  • Essential Cookies: Required for site functionality (cannot be disabled).
  • Analytics Cookies (GA4): Traffic and conversion tracking (can be disabled via browser settings).
  • Experience Cookies (Clarity): Session recording and heatmaps (can be disabled via browser settings).

You can control cookies through your browser settings.

7. Data Retention

  • Transaction records: 7 years (IRS requirements)
  • Tax receipt records: 7 years (IRS compliance)
  • Donor contact information: Duration of Retrievers and Friends of So Calif's use of Bloom + 3 years
  • Analytics data: 26 months (GA4 default)

8. Your Rights

Depending on your location, you may have the following rights:

  • Access: Request a copy of the personal information we hold about you.
  • Correction: Request correction of inaccurate information.
  • Communication preferences: Opt out of marketing communications at any time (unsubscribe link in every email, or reply STOP to any text message).
  • Deletion: Request deletion, subject to legal retention requirements (e.g., IRS record-keeping for tax receipts).

California Residents (CCPA/CPRA)

California residents have additional rights under the CCPA/CPRA, including the right to know, delete, and correct personal information. We do not sell personal information. To exercise these rights, contact us at support@bloomgiving.org with the subject "California Privacy Request."

9. Children's Privacy

This Site is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have, we will delete it promptly.

10. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we make material changes, we will update the "Last Updated" date and post the revised policy on this Site.

11. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at support@bloomgiving.org.

This website is powered by Bloom, a fundraising platform for 501(c)(3) nonprofits, operated by Bloom One LLC.