Direct Relief’s Privacy Policy
Direct Relief does not sell, share, rent, trade, barter, peddle, swap or otherwise disclose donor information to any outside party. Direct Relief also does not send mail or emails to donors on behalf of other organizations.
Secure Payments
All credit card and personal profile information provided to Direct Relief through its Internet software partner, Classy, is transmitted with SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption using VeriSign as a payment gateway. SSL is a proven coding system that allows a browser to automatically encrypt data before sending it over the Internet.
Direct Relief collects information in two ways:
- Information you provide online: By donating to Direct Relief or signing up for email updates, the information you volunteer includes your name and email address. Direct Relief will only send regular communications, as detailed on the online sign-up form, if you elect to receive them.
- Information Direct Relief collects: Direct Relief uses Google Analytics, Google AdWords conversion tracking, and other analytics tools to assess its website’s performance and content. This involves using “cookies,” or simple text files stored by a visitor’s web browser, to collect anonymous data about visitors to and usage of Direct Relief’s website. This information, anonymized and not associated with a visitor’s identity, includes pages viewed, date and time of visit, browser/technology type, donation revenue, conversion rate, geographic region, and marketing attributes defined by Google.
Questions, comments, or concerns?
If, at any time, you have questions or would like to review, correct, or remove your personal information, please contact Direct Relief via email or telephone, and a member of the team will be happy to assist you.
California residents may access the NAVEX Global Data Subject Rights web intake site for information on making reports to request the deletion of their personal data.
DONOR PRIVACY & Anonymity
Direct Relief is committed to respecting donor privacy. Direct Relief may occasionally send you a thank-you message or news and insights about the organization’s efforts but does not send fundraising solicitations. If you prefer not to receive mail or email, you may notify Direct Relief of your preference by telephone or email.
It is Direct Relief’s practice to recognize donors by listing them in the organization’s annual report and on a display in the lobby of its headquarters, for example. If you prefer not to receive recognition, you may notify Direct Relief of your preference. Direct Relief will honor your request, and your name will not appear in annual reports or public displays.
Donate Anonymously
Some people prefer to donate without revealing their identity to avoid being spammed with fundraising solicitations or having their personal information sold or disclosed to other organizations. Direct Relief does not engage in such practices, but if you wish to remain anonymous, Direct Relief will gratefully accept your gift and respect your preference.
Common ways to make an anonymous gift include:
- Donate Through a Donor-Advised Fund: If you want to conceal your identity, you may work with a donor-advised fund that will contribute on your behalf. Direct Relief would not know your name, address, or other personal information. Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund, Vanguard, and Schwab Charitable are three of the largest donor-advised funds.
- Donate Through a Community Foundation: Like a donor-advised fund, you can set up a fund through your local community foundation. You can do this anonymously, and the community foundation will not share your personal information with Direct Relief.
- Donate Online: You can make a gift through a third-party website that serves as a clearinghouse for charitable donations like the PayPal Giving Fund, which functions much like a donor-advised fund, except that it processes donations through the donor’s credit card. You can choose whether to remain anonymous or be identified to the recipient charity. Either way, you get a tax receipt from PayPal Giving Fund or Network for Good.
- Mail a Money Order: You can purchase a money order at your bank, credit union, the U.S. Post Office, or other convenient location. Unlike a cashier’s check that you get from a bank that must have your name on it, money orders can be purchased and sent anonymously.
The information on the Donor Privacy section of this page is for general information only and should not be taken as legal, tax, or financial advice. There are advantages and disadvantages to each of these options. You should discuss your objectives and personal situation with a trusted professional advisor before making any decisions about how to donate anonymously.
