PRIVACY & COOKIE POLICY

Hetrick-Martin Institute (HMI)

Last Updated: January 2026

Hetrick-Martin Institute (“HMI,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of our community, including the young people we serve, our donors, volunteers, partners, and website visitors. This policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect personal information.

We believe privacy is a matter of trust, dignity, and respect. We do not sell, trade, or rent personal information, and we use data only in ways that support our mission.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect personal information when you:

  • Make a donation
  • Sign up for emails or newsletters
  • Submit a form on our website
  • Register for an event or program
  • Volunteer with us
  • Contact us directly

The types of information we may collect include:

  • Name
  • Email address
  • Mailing address
  • Phone number
  • Donation history
  • Event or program registration details
  • Communications with HMI

We may also collect limited technical information when you visit our website, such as:

  • IP address
  • Browser type
  • Device type
  • Pages visited
  • Time spent on our site

This information helps us understand how our site is used and how we can improve it.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use personal information only for purposes that support our mission, including:

  • Processing donations and sending acknowledgments
  • Responding to inquiries and requests
  • Sending updates, newsletters, and event information
  • Managing volunteers and program participation
  • Improving our website and communications
  • Meeting legal, regulatory, and reporting requirements

We do not use personal information for commercial resale or unrelated marketing.

3. Sharing of Information

HMI uses trusted third-party service providers to help us operate our programs, communications, and fundraising activities. These may include platforms such as Google Analytics (for website usage insights), Mailchimp (for email communications), Raiser’s Edge (for donor management), and Salesforce (for relationship and program management).

These providers are permitted to use personal information only as necessary to perform services on our behalf and are required to protect it. HMI does not sell, trade, or rent personal information to other organizations.

HMI does not sell, trade, or rent personal information to other organizations.

We may share limited personal information with trusted third-party service providers that help us operate, such as:

  • Donation processors
  • Email and communications platforms
  • Website hosting providers
  • Analytics services

These providers are permitted to use information only as necessary to perform services on our behalf and are required to protect it.

4. Data Security

We take reasonable and appropriate measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse.

Personal information is stored in secure systems and is accessible only to authorized staff and service providers.

While no system can be guaranteed to be 100% secure, we continually review and improve our safeguards.

5. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your location, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information, including the right to:

  • Request access to your information
  • Request corrections or updates
  • Request deletion of your information
  • Opt out of certain communications

To make a request, please contact us at info@hmi.org

We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and in accordance with applicable laws.

6. Email Communications

You may opt out of receiving marketing or fundraising emails at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link included in our messages or by contacting us directly.

Transactional emails (such as donation receipts) may still be sent when necessary.

7. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

What Are Cookies? Cookies are small text files stored on your device when you visit a website. They help websites function properly, remember preferences, and understand how visitors interact with content.

How We Use Cookies HMI uses cookies to:

  • Ensure the website functions properly
  • Improve user experience
  • Understand how visitors use our site
  • Support outreach and engagement efforts

We may use the following types of cookies:

Essential Cookies: These are required for the website to function and cannot be disabled.
Performance & Analytics Cookies: These help us understand how visitors interact with our site so we can improve it.
Marketing & Outreach Cookies: These may be used to support our communications and outreach efforts.

Managing CookiesYou may choose to accept or reject non-essential cookies through our cookie banner or by adjusting your browser settings.

Please note that disabling some cookies may affect how our site functions.

8. Children’s PrivacyHMI is especially mindful of privacy given the young people we serve. We take extra care to protect sensitive information and do not knowingly collect personal data from minors through our website without appropriate safeguards.

9. External LinksOur website may contain links to external sites. HMI is not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. We encourage users to review the privacy policies of any external websites they visit.

10. Updates to This PolicyWe may update this Privacy & Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. The “Last Updated” date at the top of this page will indicate when changes were made.

11. Contact UsIf you have questions about this policy or how your information is used, please contact us:

Hetrick-Martin Institute
2 Astor Place
New York, NY 10003
info@hmi.org