Your privacy matters

Privacy Policy

The North Thurston Education Foundation (“NTEF,” “we,” “us”) respects your privacy. This policy explains what information we collect through ntef.org, how we use it, and the choices you have.

Effective date: October 5, 2026

Information We Collect

We collect only the information you choose to give us, plus basic technical information collected automatically.

  • Contact form: your name, email address, phone number (optional), and message.
  • Newsletter sign-up: your email address.
  • Donations, sponsorships and event registrations: collected by our third-party platforms (see Online Donations).
  • Automatically: standard website data such as your browser type, device, pages visited, and approximate location, through cookies and analytics tools.

How We Use Information

We use your information to:

  • Respond to your questions and requests
  • Process and acknowledge donations, sponsorships and event registrations
  • Send our newsletter and updates you signed up for
  • Understand how our website is used so we can improve it
  • Meet legal and tax-reporting obligations as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit

We do not sell, rent or trade your personal information.

Online Donations

Online donations, Sponsor A Senior gifts and event registrations are handled by our secure third-party giving platform, GiveSmart (including forms at igfn.us and givesmart.com). Payment details are entered directly on their secure pages; NTEF does not receive or store your full card number. GiveSmart shares your name, contact details and gift information with NTEF so we can thank you and provide tax receipts. Please review GiveSmart’s privacy policy.

We may list donor or sponsor names in our materials, such as the Gratitude Report, unless you ask to remain anonymous.

Email Newsletter

Our newsletter is sent with Mailchimp (Intuit). When you subscribe, your email address is stored in our Mailchimp account and used only to send NTEF news and updates. Mailchimp may record whether emails are opened or links are clicked so we can improve our messages. You can unsubscribe at any time using the link at the bottom of every email. See Intuit Mailchimp’s privacy statement.

Cookies & Analytics

Our website uses cookies, small files stored in your browser, to keep the site working and to understand how visitors use it. We use Google Analytics to see anonymous information such as which pages are visited and how people find our site. You can block or delete cookies in your browser settings, or opt out of Google Analytics with the Google Analytics opt-out add-on.

Some pages include content from other websites, such as YouTube videos and links to Google Maps. These services may set their own cookies and collect data under their own privacy policies.

Our contact form is protected by Google reCAPTCHA to prevent spam. reCAPTCHA collects hardware and software information, such as device and browser data, and sends it to Google for analysis. Its use is subject to Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

Sharing of Information

We share information only with service providers that help us run our programs and website (such as our giving platform, email service, website host and analytics provider), and only as needed for them to provide those services. We may also disclose information if required by law or to protect the rights and safety of NTEF, our students, or others.

Children’s Privacy

Our website is intended for parents, educators, donors and community members. We do not knowingly collect personal information online from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it. Scholarship and program applications involving students are handled through the North Thurston Public Schools process.

Your Choices

  • Email: unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time using the link in any email.
  • Your information: contact us to ask what information we hold about you, or to correct or delete it.
  • Recognition: let us know if you would like your gift to be listed as anonymous.
  • Cookies: adjust your browser settings to block or delete cookies.

Security

Our website uses encrypted (HTTPS) connections, and we limit access to personal information to the people who need it. No online system is completely secure, but we work to protect your information.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The effective date at the top shows when it was last changed.

Contact Us

Questions about this policy or your information? Contact us:

North Thurston Education Foundation
PO Box 3312
Lacey WA 98509
deanna@ntef.org · 360-628-3281