Privacy Policy

Introduction

Your privacy and trust are fundamental to our mission. Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation (“PQCF,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting your personal information in accordance with the British Columbia *Personal Information Protection Act* (PIPA) and all applicable Canadian privacy legislation. This policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your personal information. All third-party service providers engaged by PQCF are contractually required to comply with this policy.

Consent

By using our services, visiting our website, making a donation, establishing a fund, or otherwise engaging with PQCF, you consent to the collection, use, and disclosure of your personal information as described herein.

You may withdraw your consent at any time by contacting PQCF in writing, by email, or by phone. Please allow ten business days to process your request. Withdrawal of consent is not retroactive and may limit our ability to provide certain services to you. PQCF is not responsible for the privacy practices of external websites or third-party services linked from our site.

What We Collect

We collect only the personal information that is reasonably necessary for the purposes identified at or before the time of collection, and we do so only by lawful means. We will be transparent about why we are collecting your information.

Information we may collect includes: your name, mailing address, email address, telephone number, donation and fund history, financial information necessary to process gifts, and any other information you voluntarily provide through correspondence, meetings, events, or applications.

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect technical information such as your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, pages visited, date and time of access, and referring URL. We may use third-party analytics services to help us understand website usage; these providers operate under their own privacy policies.

Cookies

Our website may use cookies—small data files stored on your device—to improve your browsing experience, analyze site traffic, and support online advertising. You may configure your browser to refuse cookies or to alert you before a cookie is placed. Disabling cookies may affect the functionality of certain parts of our website.

How We Use Your Information

Your personal information is used only by authorized PQCF staff and volunteers, and only for purposes consistent with those identified at the time of collection. These purposes may include: processing donations and issuing tax receipts, administering funds and grants, communicating with donors and fundholders, sending newsletters or event invitations, fulfilling legal and regulatory obligations, and improving our programs and services.

You may opt out of promotional communications at any time by following the unsubscribe instructions in any email or by contacting us.

Confidentiality

PQCF keeps your personal information confidential and does not sell, rent, trade, or otherwise disclose it to third parties for marketing or mailing list purposes. We disclose personal information only for the purposes for which it was collected, with your consent, or as required or permitted by law—including in response to a lawful order of a Canadian court or government authority.

Security

We protect your personal information through reasonable physical, organizational, and technological safeguards, including: restricted physical access to offices and files, access controls limiting information to staff and volunteers on a need-to-know basis, strong passwords and encryption for digital systems, and secure disposal of records. 

Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected or as required by law. When personal information is no longer needed, it is securely destroyed.

Accessing Your Information

You have the right to access your personal information held by PQCF and to request corrections if it is inaccurate or incomplete. To make such a request, please contact us. 

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. Material changes will be posted on our website. Your continued engagement with PQCF after any update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.

Contact

Please send inquiries to:

Parksville-Qualicum Community Foundation
101-691 Beach Rd.
Qualicum Beach, BC
V9K 0A7
[email protected]