Homefound
Homefound (“Homefound,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) operates the Homefound mobile application and the website at homefoundproject.org. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect and why. We do not sell personal data. We do not use your data for third-party advertising tracking.
1. Who this applies to
This policy covers visitors to our website, people who contact us through our forms, and users of the Homefound app (donors, community advocates, caseworkers, and other signed-in roles).
2. Information we collect
- Contact & account details. Name and email address when you create an account, sign in as staff, or submit our website interest form. Phone number only if you choose to provide it.
- Messages you send us. Optional notes on volunteer, resource, or support forms.
- Privacy-safe neighbor profiles. Public surfaces show a first name only (and never a full legal name or street address). Staff tools may store an optional last initial for operational clarity.
- Location (optional). With your permission, the app may use precise or approximate location to show map features. You can revoke permission in device settings. Location is not used for tracking or ads.
- Device & usage data. Basic technical information needed to run the app (for example device type, OS version, and on-device preferences stored in app storage / UserDefaults).
- Donation activity. Charitable gifts are completed in an external browser (for example GoFundMe or our donate page). Payment card details are handled by those processors—not stored by Homefound on your device.
3. How we use information
- Operate the So-Cal Community Pool experience: transparency feed, allocations, and staff tools.
- Respond to support, volunteer, and partnership requests.
- Send operational updates you requested (for example launch updates or milestone alerts when enabled).
- Maintain security, prevent abuse, and debug reliability issues.
- Comply with law and protect the safety and dignity of community members.
4. Privacy by design for neighbors
Homefound is built so unhoused and housing-insecure neighbors are not turned into public fundraising spectacles. Public feeds use privacy-safe first names. We do not provide donors with itemized personal receipts, clinical details, or direct messaging to neighbors. Donor contact details are not shared with caseworkers for outreach.
5. Sharing
We do not sell personal information. We may share limited data with:
- Service providers who host forms, email/SMS delivery, authentication, databases, or maps (only as needed to run Homefound).
- Payment / fundraising platforms when you choose to give (their privacy policies apply to checkout).
- Legal requirements if we are required to disclose information by law, court order, or to protect rights and safety.
6. Tracking & advertising
Homefound does not engage in App Tracking Transparency–style cross-app tracking for advertising. Our privacy manifest declares that we do not track. We do not sell data to data brokers.
7. Data retention & deletion
We keep information only as long as needed for the purposes above, legal obligations, or legitimate operational records (for example allocation transparency). To request access, correction, or deletion of personal data associated with your account or form submissions, contact us via the Support page. We will respond within a reasonable period.
8. Children’s privacy
Homefound is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, contact us through Support and we will delete it.
9. Security
We use reasonable administrative and technical safeguards appropriate to a community relief product. No method of transmission or storage is 100% secure.
10. Nonprofit status note
Homefound is building toward 501(c)(3) status and is not a registered nonprofit yet. Pool gifts today may not be tax-deductible until registration is complete. This status note does not change how we protect personal data.
11. Changes
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date at the top will change when we do. Continued use of Homefound after an update means you acknowledge the revised policy.
12. Contact
Questions about privacy: use homefoundproject.org/support or the contact options listed there.