Last updated April 18, 2024

The following privacy policy (the “Privacy Policy”) outlines what information Propel America (“Propel”) collects from users on our website Propelamerica.org, any of its subdomains, or any related sites, applications, widgets, or online services offered by Propel (collectively, the “Service”), how we protect, use and disclose that information, and what choices you have about how that information is used and disclosed.

Please read this privacy policy carefully before using the Service. If you do not accept this Privacy Policy, do not use the Service. Please note that this Policy only applies to information that Propel collects through the website. If you are a program participant, the information we collect through the program is also subject to the Propel participation agreement that you have agreed to separately. 

We reserve the right, at our sole discretion, to modify or replace this Privacy Policy at any time in accordance with Section 11 (Changes to This Privacy Policy). If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, please contact us at the contact information listed in Section 13 below.

1. Children

Propel does not knowingly collect or solicit information online from anyone under the age of 13 or knowingly allow such persons to make donations. If we learn that we have collected personal information from anyone under the age of 13, we will delete that information.

2. Student Information 

We also comply with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) and other privacy regulations as they apply to student data. 

3. Information We Collect

3.1 Information From Interested Students And Applicants. If you express interest in becoming a program participant, we will collect information related to your selection to the Propel program. We will also collect additional information if you decide to enroll in the program. The information we may collect includes: 

From Applicants:

• Your name 

• Contact information (phone number, email address, and Social Security Number)

• Demographic information (date of birth, gender, and race)

• Education information and work history (information about what schools you attended, your classes, class performance, places you have been employed, etc.)

• Household information (address and household income)

• Parent information (name and contact information)

• Other information to assess your eligibility for the program

From Participants (in addition to the Applicant information):

• Employment information

• Communication (text, email, audio)

• Financial and payment information

• User name and password for Propel technology systems

• Information necessary for employment (health and mental health issues, COVID-19 and other vaccination status, pregnancy, criminal justice involvement, and other personal and family difficulties, such as financial stability)

3.2 Other Information Collected Through the Services 

When you use the Service, we may collect information you provide via forms, surveys, registration, applications, or other online fields including:

• Name

• Address

• Email address

• Phone number

• School name

• Payment card information

• Any additional information submitted by you via forms, surveys, or other online fields, including content provided in open text fields.

3.3 Information We Collect Automatically

Server logs. Server logs automatically record information and details about your online interactions with us. For example, server logs may record information about your visit to our Service on a particular time and day and collect information such as your device ID or IP address. 

Cookies. We also use cookies on the Services. Cookies are small files that are stored on your device through the Services. A cookie allows the Site to recognize whether you have visited before and may store user preferences and other information. For example, cookies can be used to collect or store information about your use of the Site during your current session and over time (including the pages you view and the files you download), your mobile device’s operating system, your device ID, IP address, and your general geographic location. 

Pixel tags. A pixel tag (also known as a web beacon, clear GIF, pixel, or tag) is an image or a small string of code that may be placed in an advertisement or email. It allows companies to set or read cookies or transfer information to their servers when you load a webpage or interact with online content. For example, we or our service providers may use pixel tags to determine whether you have interacted with a specific part of our Service, viewed a particular advertisement, or opened a specific email. 

Third-party online tracking.  We also may partner with certain third parties to collect, analyze, and use some of the personal and other information described in this section. For example, we may allow third parties to set pixels and mobile advertising IDs through the Services. This information may be used for a variety of purposes, including Site analytics.

4. How We Use Your Information

4.1 To Provide the Service

We use the information that we collect from you to provide you with the Service, support and enhance your use of the Service, allow you to evaluate your eligibility for such Services, to monitor which features of the Service are used most and to allow us to determine which features we need to focus on improving.

We use information collected from users of the Service in the aggregate, so that we can improve the Services and for business and administrative purposes.

4.2 To Communicate With You

When you provide us with information via any forms, surveys, applications, or other online fields on the Service, you consent to receive periodic informational or promotional mail or e-mail, including our newsletter, from Propel or from third parties on Propel’s behalf. You may opt-out of these communications at any time following the instructions set forth in the communications, or if no instructions are included, then by contacting us at the Contact Us information below.

We will use your information to send you strictly service-related announcements on rare occasions when it is necessary to do so. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance, we might send you an email. Generally, you may not opt-out of these communications, which are not promotional in nature.

We will also communicate with you in response to your inquiries and to provide the services you request. We will communicate with you by email or telephone, in accordance with your wishes. By providing a telephone number or email address, you consent to us contacting you at that number or email for the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy. You may revoke your consent to be contacted at any time by emailing us at info@Propelgraduation.org. 

4.3 Other Uses

We may also use your information for the following purposes:

• Provide you with our Service;

• Respond to your questions or requests concerning the Service; 

• Fulfill the terms of any agreement you have with us; 

• Fulfill your requests for our Service or otherwise complete a transaction that you initiate; 

• Send you information about our Service and other topics that are likely to be of interest to you, including newsletters, updates, or other communications, including promotional emails; 

• Improve our artificial intelligence and machine learning; 

• Deliver confirmations, account information, notifications, and similar operational communications; 

• Improve your user experience and the quality of our products and Service; 

• Comply with legal and/or regulatory requirements; 

• Aggregate and de-identify information; 

• Serve advertisements;

• Analyze how visitors use the Service and various Service features, including to count and recognize visitors to the Service; and

• Manage our nonprofit and improve organizational performance. 

5. Our Disclosure of Your Information

5.1 Aggregated Data

Propel may share aggregated usage and log data collected from users of the Service with third parties for industry analysis and demographic profiling, but such aggregated data will not include any information that identifies you personally. 

5.2 Program Partners 

If you fill out an application through our website, we may share your application materials or information collected from your application with our third-party program partners for longitudinal research and data analytics purposes. You may choose to opt out of this sharing by contacting us at info@propelamerica.org. 

5.3 Third Party Service Providers

We employ third party companies and individuals to facilitate our provision of the Service, to provide the Service on our behalf, provide customer support, perform Service-related services (e.g., payment processing, newsletter distribution, maintenance services, database management, web analytics and improvement of the Services’ features) or to assist us in analyzing how our Services are used. These third parties may have access to your information, but only to the extent needed to perform these tasks on our behalf. There are also times when you provide information about yourself to us in areas of the Service that may be managed or participated in by third parties. While we will seek to require such third parties to follow appropriate privacy policies and will not authorize them to use this information except for the express purpose for which it is provided, we do not bear any responsibility for any actions or policies of third parties.

5.4 Law Enforcement

Propel cooperates with government and law enforcement officials, agencies and private parties to enforce and comply with the law. We will disclose any information about you to government or law enforcement officials, agencies or private parties as we, in our sole discretion, believe necessary or appropriate to respond to claims and legal processes (including but not limited to subpoenas), to protect the property and rights of Propel or a third party, to protect the safety of the public or any person, or to prevent or stop activity we may consider to be, or to pose a risk of being, an illegal, unethical or legally actionable activity.

5.5 Business Transfers

In the event that all or a substantial portion of the assets or business of Propel are acquired by, merged with or transferred to another party, or in the event that Propel goes out of business or enters bankruptcy, your information may be one of the assets that is transferred to or acquired by the third party. You acknowledge that such transfers may occur, and that any acquirer of Propel or its assets may continue to use your information as set forth in this Privacy Policy. If any acquirer of Propel or its assets will use your information contrary to this Privacy Policy, you will receive prior notice.

6. Updating Your Information and Preferences

If your information changes, or if you no longer desire our Service, or if you wish to update your preferences to receive email or other communications from us, you may correct, delete inaccuracies, or amend your information and preferences by contacting us at info@Propelamerica.org. 

Please note that our website does not respond to Do Not Track signals. 

7. Retention of Your Information

We will retain your information for the length of time needed to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law, or as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements.

8. Security

It is our policy to protect your data against unauthorized access or release. However, we cannot guarantee the security of our database, nor can we guarantee that information you supply won’t be intercepted while being transmitted to us over the Internet, and any information you transmit to Propel you do at your own risk.

9. Third Party Links

We may provide links to third party websites. If you follow links to sites not affiliated or controlled by Propel, you should review their privacy and security policies and other terms and conditions. Propel does not guarantee and is not responsible for the privacy or security of these sites, including the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of their information.

10. Text Messaging

Users who opt in to text messaging may opt out at any time by texting STOP to the sending number. Users can text HELP to receive further support and contact information. Messaging and data rates may apply. Mobile phone contact information will not be shared or sold to third parties for marketing purposes.

11. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy to reflect changes to our information practices. If we make any material changes, we will notify you by means of a notice on this our website prior to the change becoming effective. We encourage you to periodically review this page for the latest information on our privacy practices.

12. Users Outside the United States

This Privacy Policy is intended to cover collection of information from residents of the United States. The Service and the services upon which the Service is hosted are located in the United States. Information you submit using the Service will be transferred to and stored in the United States. By visiting the Service and submitting information, you authorize this transfer.

13. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns regarding this Privacy Policy, you should contact us at:

Propel America

800 Boylston Street
PO Box 990443

Boston, MA 02199

info@propelamerica.org