Upakara Care Foundation (“we”, “us”, “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy of visitors and donors. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, with whom we share it, and the measures we take to safeguard your data.

1. Scope & Acceptance

This policy applies to information collected on our website www.upakaracarefoundation.org, donation forms, volunteer sign-ups, event registrations, and any offline collection where this policy is referenced. By using our services or providing information, you agree to the practices described below.

2. Information We Collect

A. Personal Information (Provided directly)

When you donate, volunteer, or contact us, you may provide:

• Full name
• Email address
• Phone number
• Postal address (if provided)
• PAN / Tax details (required for tax receipts)
• Payment details processed by our payment gateway (Razorpay)
• Other information you choose to share (messages, queries)

B. Automatically Collected Information

We automatically collect technical data including:

• IP address and approximate location
• Device and browser information
• Page visits, referral URL and time spent
• Cookies and analytics identifiers

3. How We Use Your Information

We use data for the following purposes:

• Process donations and issue receipts (including 80G receipts where applicable).
• Send donation confirmations, receipts, and program updates.
• Communicate about volunteering opportunities and events.
• Provide support and respond to inquiries.
• Maintain records for legal, tax, and regulatory compliance.
• Improve our website and service delivery via analytics and feedback.

4. Legal Basis for Processing

Where required by law, our processing is based on your consent, contractual necessity (processing donations), or our legitimate interest in operating and improving our charitable services.

5. Sharing & Disclosure

We do not sell or rent personal data. We may share information with:

• Payment processors (Razorpay) to securely process transactions.
• Government or tax authorities where required by law.
• Service providers (email, SMS, hosting) under confidentiality agreements.
• Auditors or compliance bodies for legal audits and financial transparency.

We require third parties to follow strict security and confidentiality protocols.

6. Cookies & Tracking

We use cookies and similar technologies to personalise your experience, analyze site usage (Google Analytics), and for marketing purposes where you have consented. You can control cookies via your browser settings.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information only as long as necessary to fulfil the purposes described, comply with legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our policies. Financial and tax records are retained as per applicable law.

8. Security Measures

We maintain administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect data. Our website uses HTTPS and encrypted payment methods via Razorpay. However, no internet transmission can be guaranteed 100% secure.

9. Your Rights

You may at any time:

• Request access to the personal data we hold about you.
• Request correction or update of inaccurate information.
• Request deletion (subject to legal and tax record obligations).
• Opt out of marketing communications.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us at the address below.

10. Donations & Refunds

Donations are voluntary. Refunds are provided only in cases of duplicate payment or technical error. Refund requests should be sent within 48 hours of donation with evidence; processing typically takes 7–10 business days.

11. Third-Party Links

Our site may link to external sites (payment gateways, partner pages). We are not responsible for their privacy practices. Please review their privacy policies before sharing personal data.

12. Children’s Privacy

We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without parental consent. If you believe we have collected such data, contact us to request deletion.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The "Last Updated" date at the top indicates when changes were made. Significant changes will be communicated via our website.

15. Governing Law

This policy and any disputes arising out of it are governed by the laws of India. Jurisdiction: Courts of Maharashtra.