Privacy Policy
Effective Date: August 3, 2026
Vessels of Our Purpose respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you provide through our website, assistance forms, volunteer forms, contact forms, donation pages, and community programs.
This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, when it may be shared, and the choices available to you.
Information We Collect
We may collect information that you voluntarily provide, including:
Full name
Email address
Telephone number
Mailing address
Household information
Income or financial-hardship information
Housing or utility information
Assistance-request details
Volunteer interests and availability
Community-partnership information
Donation information
Documents submitted to support an assistance request
Messages sent through our website or forms
We may also collect limited technical information automatically, such as:
Internet Protocol address
Browser type
Device type
Pages visited
Date and time of website activity
Referring website
General location information
This technical information may be collected through Squarespace, cookies, analytics tools, or other website-service providers.
How We Use Information
We may use personal information to:
Review assistance requests
Determine potential eligibility for available programs
Contact applicants regarding their requests
Request additional information or documentation
Connect individuals with community resources
Coordinate services with approved partners
Process donations
Send donation receipts
Respond to questions and messages
Coordinate volunteer opportunities
Communicate with community partners
Improve our programs and website
Maintain organizational records
Protect against fraud or misuse
Comply with legal and reporting requirements
Submitting an assistance request does not guarantee approval, payment, housing placement, or receipt of donated items.
Assistance-Request Information
Information provided through an assistance request may be reviewed by authorized staff, volunteers, or service partners involved in evaluating or coordinating the request.
Applicants should not submit:
Banking passwords
Full debit- or credit-card numbers
Account login information
Social Security numbers unless specifically required through a secure process
Other information unrelated to the requested service
We may request documents such as identification, proof of address, lease information, utility bills, income information, or documentation of hardship when needed to review a request.
Donations and Payment Information
Online donations may be processed through Squarespace or an approved third-party payment processor.
Vessels of Our Purpose generally does not directly receive or store complete payment-card information. Payment processors may collect and process payment information according to their own privacy and security policies.
We may retain donor names, contact information, donation amounts, transaction dates, and information needed for receipts, accounting, and legal compliance.
How Information May Be Shared
Vessels of Our Purpose does not sell or rent personal information.
Information may be shared:
With trusted community partners when needed to coordinate requested assistance
With service providers that operate our website, forms, email, payment processing, or data systems
With accountants, legal advisers, or other professional service providers
When the individual has given permission
When required by law, court order, or government authority
When necessary to protect the safety, rights, or property of an individual or the organization
When needed to investigate fraud, abuse, or security concerns
Community partners and service providers are expected to use information only for appropriate program or operational purposes.
Photographs and Event Media
Photographs or videos may be taken during public community events.
When appropriate, Vessels of Our Purpose will seek permission before using recognizable photographs of participants, especially children, in website content, social-media posts, fundraising materials, or promotional publications.
Individuals who do not wish to be photographed should notify an event representative.
Cookies and Website Analytics
Our website may use cookies and similar technologies to:
Keep the website functioning properly
Understand how visitors use the site
Improve website performance
Measure traffic and engagement
Support website security
Visitors may adjust browser settings to block or delete cookies. Some website features may not function properly when cookies are disabled.
Data Security
We use reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards to protect personal information.
However, no website, email system, online form, or electronic-storage method can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Visitors should avoid sending highly sensitive information through ordinary email or unsecured forms.
Data Retention
We may retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary to:
Review or complete an assistance request
Maintain program and donation records
Meet accounting or reporting obligations
Resolve disputes
Comply with applicable laws
Protect the organization from fraud or misuse
Information that is no longer needed may be deleted, securely destroyed, or anonymized.
Children’s Privacy
Our website is intended for adults seeking information, assistance, volunteer opportunities, or ways to support our mission.
Parents or legal guardians should complete forms involving children. We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children without appropriate adult involvement or consent.
Links to Other Websites
Our website may contain links to government agencies, nonprofits, community organizations, payment processors, or other third-party websites.
Vessels of Our Purpose is not responsible for the privacy practices, content, security, eligibility decisions, or services of outside websites or organizations.
Visitors should review the privacy policies of those third parties.
Your Privacy Choices
You may contact us to:
Ask what personal information we have about you
Request correction of inaccurate information
Request deletion of information when legally and operationally permitted
Withdraw permission for certain uses of your information
Ask questions about this Privacy Policy
Request removal from nonessential email communications
Some information may need to be retained for legal, accounting, donation, fraud-prevention, or program-record purposes.
Changes to This Privacy Policy
Vessels of Our Purpose may update this Privacy Policy as our programs, website, technology, or legal responsibilities change.
The updated policy will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.
Contact Us
For privacy-related questions or requests, contact:
Vessels of Our Purpose
Houston, Texas
Email: admin@vesselsofourpurposes.org
Phone: (713) 396-0366