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Privacy Policy
Last Updated: September 13, 2026
The Soraya Foundation (“Soraya Foundation,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information entrusted to us.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, store, and protect information when you visit our website, subscribe to our communications, make a donation, apply for a scholarship or program, volunteer, serve as a mentor, contact us, or otherwise interact with The Soraya Foundation.
By using our website or providing information to us, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.
Information We Collect
The information we collect depends on how you interact with The Soraya Foundation.
Information You Provide Directly
We may collect information such as:
* Name
* Email address
* Mailing address
* Phone number
* Contact form messages and inquiries
* Newsletter subscription information
* Volunteer, mentor, partnership, or program interest information
* Donation information
* Communication preferences
* Other information you voluntarily provide to us
Scholarship and Program Application Information
Individuals applying for scholarships, programs, or other opportunities offered by The Soraya Foundation may be asked to provide information necessary to determine eligibility and evaluate an application.
This information may include:
* Name and contact information
* Educational institution and academic information
* Athletic participation and history
* Enrollment information
* Academic transcripts
* Resume or curriculum vitae
* Personal statements or essays
* Letters of recommendation
* Income or financial documentation
* Residency, citizenship, or other eligibility-related information
* Information supplied by references or recommenders
* Other documentation required as part of the application process
Some application materials may contain sensitive personal or financial information. We use this information only as reasonably necessary to administer our scholarship and program activities, comply with applicable requirements, maintain appropriate records, and further our charitable mission.
Donation Information
When you make a donation, we may collect:
* Name
* Email address
* Billing or mailing address
* Donation amount
* Donation frequency
* Donor recognition preferences
* Information necessary to issue donation acknowledgments or tax receipts
Payments are processed through third-party payment providers. The Soraya Foundation does not intend to store complete payment-card numbers on its own systems.
Information Collected Automatically
When you use our website, certain information may be collected automatically, including:
* IP address
* Browser and device type
* Operating system
* Pages viewed
* Referring website
* Date and time of visits
* General website interaction and usage information
* Cookie and similar technology information
This information may be collected through cookies, analytics tools, website-hosting services, and similar technologies.
How We Use Information
We may use personal information to:
* Operate and improve our website
* Respond to questions and inquiries
* Communicate with supporters and community members
* Send newsletters and organizational updates
* Process and acknowledge donations
* Issue donation receipts
* Administer recurring donations
* Evaluate scholarship and program applications
* Verify eligibility and application materials
* Communicate with applicants and scholarship recipients
* Administer scholarships, mentorship opportunities, and other programs
* Coordinate volunteers, mentors, partnerships, and events
* Maintain organizational, financial, and compliance records
* Protect the security and integrity of our website and operations
* Prevent fraud, misuse, or unauthorized activity
* Comply with legal, tax, accounting, or regulatory obligations
* Further The Soraya Foundation's charitable mission
We may also use information for another purpose disclosed to you when the information is collected or with your consent.
Scholarship Application Privacy
Scholarship application materials are intended for review by individuals involved in administering or evaluating The Soraya Foundation's scholarship and program activities.
Access should be limited to individuals who reasonably need the information for those purposes, which may include authorized Foundation representatives, scholarship reviewers, professional advisors, service providers, or others involved in administering the program.
Submitting an application does **not** authorize The Soraya Foundation to publicly disclose an applicant's private financial, academic, or application materials.
If an applicant is selected as a scholarship recipient, The Soraya Foundation may request separate permission to share the recipient's name, photograph, biography, school, athletic background, story, or similar information for recognition, fundraising, promotional, or educational purposes.
Where appropriate, scholarship-related information may also be shared with an educational institution or program to administer or verify a scholarship award.
How We Share Information
The Soraya Foundation does not sell or rent personal information.
We may disclose information in limited circumstances, including to:
Service Providers
We may work with trusted third parties that provide services such as:
* Website hosting
* Website forms
* Email communications
* Payment processing
* Data storage
* Analytics
* Information technology
* Professional services
* Scholarship or program administration
These providers may process information only as necessary to perform services on our behalf and subject to their respective agreements and privacy practices.
Educational Institutions and Program Partners
When reasonably necessary to administer a scholarship, award, mentorship opportunity, or program, relevant information may be shared with participating educational institutions or program partners.
Legal and Safety Requirements
We may disclose information if we reasonably believe disclosure is necessary to:
* Comply with applicable law, regulation, subpoena, court order, or legal process
* Protect the rights or property of The Soraya Foundation
* Investigate suspected fraud or misuse
* Protect the safety of applicants, recipients, donors, volunteers, staff, or others
With Your Consent
We may share information for another purpose when you specifically authorize us to do so.
Donor Privacy
The Soraya Foundation values the trust of its donors. We do not sell, rent, or trade donor information for another organization's marketing purposes.
Donor information may be used to:
* Process donations
* Send receipts or acknowledgments
* Maintain required financial records
* Thank and recognize donors
* Communicate about Foundation activities
* Provide updates when a donor elects to receive them
The Soraya Foundation may publicly recognize donors by name, including individuals who qualify for donor-recognition programs, unless the donor requests anonymity. Donation amounts will not be publicly disclosed without permission unless disclosure is otherwise legally required.
A donor may request anonymous recognition by contacting us.
Email and Newsletter Communications
If you subscribe to our newsletter or other communications, we may use your name and email address to provide:
* Foundation news
* Scholarship announcements
* Program updates
* Event information
* Fundraising campaigns
* Impact stories
* Opportunities to volunteer, mentor, partner, or otherwise get involved
You may unsubscribe from marketing communications at any time by using the unsubscribe link included in an email or by contacting us.
Administrative communications related to an application, donation, program, or other transaction may still be sent when necessary.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:
* Enable website functionality
* Remember preferences
* Understand website traffic and usage
* Improve website performance
* Measure communications or campaigns
* Protect website security
Additional information is provided in our Cookie Notice.
You can manage certain cookies through your browser settings and, where available, through the cookie controls provided on our website.
Data Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, misuse, or destruction.
Because no electronic transmission or storage system is completely secure, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Individuals submitting sensitive application materials should use only the official application methods designated by The Soraya Foundation.
Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes for which it was collected, including to:
* Administer scholarships and programs
* Maintain donor and financial records
* Meet tax, accounting, audit, and legal obligations
* Resolve disputes
* Protect organizational interests
Sensitive scholarship materials should not be retained longer than reasonably necessary for legitimate program, recordkeeping, or legal purposes. When information is no longer reasonably required, we may delete, anonymize, or securely dispose of it.
Children's Privacy
The Soraya Foundation's website and scholarship application process are not intended to solicit personal information directly from children under 13. We do not knowingly seek to collect personal information online directly from children under 13 without appropriate authorization. If you are a parent or legal guardian and believe a child under 13 has submitted personal information to us without authorization, please contact us so that we can review the matter and take appropriate action.
Your Privacy Choices
Depending on the circumstances and applicable law, you may contact us to request that we:
* Provide information about personal information we maintain about you
* Correct inaccurate information
* Update your contact information
* Delete information when appropriate
* Change communication preferences
* Stop sending marketing emails
* Update donor-recognition preferences
* Request donor anonymity
Certain information may need to be retained when required for legal, tax, financial, scholarship-administration, security, or other legitimate purposes.
Third-Party Websites
Our website may contain links to external websites or services.
The Soraya Foundation is not responsible for the privacy, security, content, or practices of third-party websites. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party service you use.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, services, technology, or legal requirements. When changes are made, the updated version will be posted on our website and the “Last Updated” date will be revised. Your continued use of the website after an updated policy is posted constitutes acknowledgment of the updated policy.
Contact Us
Questions, requests, or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy may be directed to: info@thesorayafoundation.org.
Please include “Privacy Request” in the subject line when contacting us regarding personal information.