Foundation for the Advancement of Mi’kmaw Education
Privacy Policy
Last Revised: May 12, 2026
1. Purpose
1.01
The Foundation for the Advancement of Mi’kmaw Education (the “Foundation”) respects the privacy of current and potential donors, grant applicants, recipients, volunteers, website users, and other stakeholders. The Foundation is committed to transparency and accountability regarding the protection of personal information by implementing best practices and complying with applicable provincial and federal privacy legislation.
1.02
The purpose of this policy is to provide a framework for the collection, use, disclosure, retention, and safeguarding of personal information collected by the Foundation. This policy outlines the Foundation’s commitment to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of all individuals who interact with the Foundation through its programs, services, events, website, applications, and communications.
2. Scope
2.01
This policy applies to all personal information the Foundation collects, uses, discloses, stores, or retains through:
- Donations and fundraising activities;
- Grant and award applications;
- Volunteer applications and involvement;
- Events and community engagement activities;
- Website and mobile application use;
- Surveys and contests;
- Communications through email, telephone, online forms, and social media; and
- Any other Foundation-related activities or services.
2.02
This policy applies to all Foundation staff, volunteers, consultants, contractors, service providers, and authorized representatives.
3. Principles
3.01
The Foundation is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and transparency in all operations.
3.02
The Foundation recognizes that personal information must be handled responsibly and securely. All personal information collected by the Foundation will only be used for lawful and appropriate purposes.
3.03
The Foundation is committed to ensuring that personal information is:
- Collected fairly and lawfully;
- Used only for identified purposes;
- Protected through reasonable safeguards;
- Retained only as long as necessary; and
- Accessible to individuals upon request, subject to applicable laws.
4. Definitions
Personal Information
Personal information means any recorded information about an identifiable individual. This may include, but is not limited to:
- Name;
- Address;
- Telephone number;
- Email address;
- Date of birth;
- Financial information;
- Donation history;
- Volunteer information;
- IP address or device information;
- Personal opinions or views; and
- Any identifying number assigned to an individual.
Publicly available information, such as information published in public directories or websites, is generally not considered personal information.
5. Accountability
5.01
The Foundation is responsible for personal information in its custody and control and will meet or exceed applicable provincial and federal legislative requirements regarding privacy.
5.02
The Director of the Foundation for the Advancement of Mi’kmaw Education (“the Director”) is responsible for overseeing compliance with this policy.
5.03
The Foundation is responsible for personal information transferred to third parties for processing. The Foundation will take reasonable steps to ensure that third parties provide comparable safeguards and may require confidentiality agreements where appropriate.
5.04
The Foundation will regularly review and update its privacy practices to ensure continued compliance with evolving legislation, technology, and best practices.
6. Collection and Use of Personal Information
6.01
The Foundation may collect personal information during the course of its operations. Information collected may include, but is not limited to:
(a) Name;
(b) Phone number;
(c) Residential or mailing address;
(d) Email address;
(e) Date of birth or age range where appropriate;
(f) IP address, browser type, and device information;
(g) Donation and payment information;
(h) Banking information for recurring donations;
(i) Volunteer and participation information;
(j) Information voluntarily provided through surveys, contests, forms, or communications; and
(k) Anonymous website or application usage data.
6.02
Personal information may be collected and used for purposes including, but not limited to:
(a) Processing donations and issuing charitable tax receipts;
(b) Administering grants, scholarships, and awards;
(c) Managing volunteers and community participation;
(d) Recognizing and thanking donors and volunteers;
(e) Communicating with stakeholders about Foundation initiatives and opportunities;
(f) Improving Foundation programs, websites, applications, and services;
(g) Conducting surveys and collecting feedback;
(h) Monitoring and analyzing website and application usage trends;
(i) Complying with legal and regulatory obligations, including Canada Revenue Agency requirements; and
(j) Managing the Foundation’s operations and activities.
6.03
The Foundation may collect information automatically through website analytics tools and cookies. This information may include:
- IP address;
- Browser type and version;
- Pages visited;
- Time and date of visits;
- Time spent on pages; and
- General usage statistics.
This information is generally collected in an aggregated or anonymized format to improve website functionality and user experience.
6.04
The Foundation may use third-party analytics or service providers, including website analytics tools, to help monitor and improve website and application performance.
6.05
The Foundation may conduct surveys or contests from time to time. Participation is voluntary. Information collected through surveys or contests may be used to improve Foundation services, programs, or communications.
7. Cookies and Website Technologies
7.01
The Foundation’s website and applications may use cookies and similar technologies to enhance user experience and improve functionality.
7.02
Cookies are small files stored on a user’s device that help websites recognize repeat visitors and remember preferences.
7.03
Users may instruct their browser to refuse cookies or notify them when cookies are being sent. However, some website features may not function properly if cookies are disabled.
7.04
Some third-party tools used by the Foundation, such as analytics providers, may also use cookies. The Foundation does not control these third-party cookies.
8. Payment Information
8.01
If an individual makes a donation or payment through the Foundation, the Foundation may collect payment information reasonably necessary to process the transaction.
8.02
Payment processing may be completed through secure third-party payment processors.
8.03
For one-time payments, the Foundation generally only retains limited payment information such as the payment type, the last four digits of a credit card number, and expiry date where necessary for refunds or transaction verification.
8.04
For recurring donations or pre-authorized payments, payment information may be stored securely and in encrypted form by the Foundation or authorized third-party service providers.
9. Limits on Use, Disclosure, and Retention
9.01
The Foundation will limit the collection of personal information to that which is necessary for identified purposes.
9.02
Personal information will not be used or disclosed for purposes other than those for which it was collected, except with consent or where required by law.
9.03
The Foundation does not sell, rent, or trade donor information, mailing lists, or personal information.
9.04
Where personal information is to be used for a new purpose not previously identified, the Foundation will identify and document the new purpose and obtain consent where required.
9.05
The Foundation may disclose personal information where required by law, subpoena, court order, or where necessary to protect the safety, rights, property, or integrity of the Foundation or others.
9.06
If a donor wishes to remain anonymous, the Foundation will make reasonable efforts to ensure the donor is not publicly identified.
9.07
In accordance with Canada Revenue Agency requirements and applicable laws, the Foundation retains records for a minimum of six years unless longer retention is required for operational or legal purposes.
9.08
At the end of the applicable retention period, personal information will be securely destroyed or anonymized.
10. Consent
10.01
The Foundation will only collect, use, or disclose personal information with the individual’s knowledge and consent, except where otherwise permitted or required by law.
10.02
Consent may be expressed in writing, verbally, electronically, or implied through an individual’s actions.
10.03
Individuals may withdraw consent at any time, subject to legal or contractual restrictions and reasonable notice.
10.04
The Foundation will inform individuals of any implications resulting from the withdrawal of consent.
11. Safeguards and Security
11.01
The Foundation uses reasonable administrative, physical, and technical safeguards to protect personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, copying, modification, use, or disposal.
11.02
Access to personal information is restricted to authorized staff, volunteers, consultants, contractors, and service providers who require access to perform their responsibilities.
11.03
While the Foundation takes reasonable measures to protect personal information, no method of electronic transmission or storage is completely secure. The Foundation cannot guarantee absolute security.
11.04
The Foundation will take appropriate steps to respond to any suspected privacy breach in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
11.05
Personal information may be stored or processed in jurisdictions outside of Nova Scotia or Canada where third-party service providers are used. By providing personal information, individuals consent to such transfers where applicable.
12. Links to Other Websites
12.01
The Foundation’s website or applications may contain links to third-party websites or services.
12.02
The Foundation is not responsible for the privacy practices, policies, or content of third-party websites or services.
12.03
Individuals are encouraged to review the privacy policies of any third-party websites they visit.
13. Access to Personal Information
13.01
Upon written request, an individual may request access to their personal information held by the Foundation.
13.02
Individuals may request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete personal information.
13.03
The Foundation will respond to requests within 30 calendar days or within any other timeframe required by applicable law.
14. Accuracy
14.01
The Foundation will use reasonable efforts to ensure personal information is accurate, complete, and up to date.
14.02
Individuals may request updates or corrections to their personal information by contacting the Foundation.
15. Children’s Privacy
15.01
The Foundation does not knowingly collect personal information directly from children without appropriate consent where required.
15.02
If the Foundation becomes aware that personal information has been collected from a child inappropriately or without necessary consent, reasonable steps will be taken to remove the information.
16. Changes to this Privacy Policy
16.01
The Foundation may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in legal requirements, operational practices, or technology.
16.02
Updated versions of the policy will be posted on the Foundation’s website and become effective upon posting unless otherwise stated.
17. Openness and Contact Information
17.01
The Foundation’s Privacy Policy will be made publicly available through the Foundation’s website and upon request.
17.02
Questions, concerns, requests, or complaints regarding this Privacy Policy or the handling of personal information may be directed to:
Foundation for the Advancement of Mi’kmaw Education
90 San'tele'sewawti, Suite 206
Membertou, NS B1S 0A5
Phone: (902) 567-0336
Email: fame@kinu.ca
18. Complaints Process
18.01
The Foundation is committed to addressing complaints regarding the collection, use, disclosure, or safeguarding of personal information.
18.02
Individuals may submit complaints in writing to the Foundation using the contact information provided in this policy.
18.03
Complaints will be reviewed and addressed in accordance with the Foundation’s applicable complaint procedures.