Privacy Policy & Donation Disclaimer

Effective Date: September 12, 2026

Sledge Empowerment respects your privacy and is committed to protecting the personal information you share with us. This policy explains how we collect, use, protect, and share information obtained through www.sledgeempowerment.org, our programs, volunteer forms, contact forms, and online donation pages.

Information We May Collect

We may collect information that you voluntarily provide, including:

• Your name, address, email address, and telephone number
• Donation information and communication preferences
• Volunteer applications, interests, availability, and qualifications
• Program inquiries and requests for assistance
• Information submitted through contact, registration, or application forms
• Technical information such as your browser type, device type, IP address, and website activity

Please do not submit Social Security numbers, medical records, financial-account information, or other highly sensitive information through a general website contact form.

How We Use Your Information

Sledge Empowerment may use your information to:

• Process and acknowledge donations
• Respond to questions and requests
• Manage volunteers and program participation
• Conduct required volunteer screening
• Share information about programs, events, and opportunities
• Maintain accurate organizational and financial records
• Improve our website and services
• Meet legal, reporting, and regulatory requirements
• Protect the safety, security, and integrity of our programs

Submitting an application or inquiry does not guarantee acceptance into a program or volunteer position.

Donations and Payment Information

Online donations may be processed through Zeffy or another secure third-party payment provider. Sledge Empowerment does not directly store complete credit-card or bank-account numbers submitted through a third-party payment platform.

Your use of a third-party donation platform is also governed by that provider's privacy policy and terms of service.

Zeffy's Optional Contribution

Zeffy does not charge Sledge Empowerment a platform or transaction fee. During checkout, Zeffy may suggest that the donor make a separate contribution to support the Zeffy platform.

Please review the optional Zeffy contribution before completing your donation. This contribution is optional and may be changed to another amount, including $0. A contribution made to Zeffy is separate from your donation to Sledge Empowerment.

Donation Disclaimer

Donations support the charitable mission, programs, and operations of Sledge Empowerment.

Unless Sledge Empowerment expressly agrees otherwise in writing, contributions made to the general fund may be used where they are most needed. Donations designated for a particular campaign or program will be used for that purpose whenever reasonably possible.

If a designated program becomes fully funded, is delayed, becomes impractical, or is discontinued, Sledge Empowerment reserves the right to redirect remaining funds to a substantially similar charitable purpose or another area of greatest need consistent with its mission and applicable law.

Donations are generally nonrefundable. Requests involving duplicate payments, processing errors, unauthorized transactions, or other special circumstances will be reviewed individually.

Federal Tax-Exempt Status

Sledge Empowerment has applied to the Internal Revenue Service for recognition as a tax-exempt organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

Until the IRS issues a determination letter, Sledge Empowerment cannot guarantee that a contribution will be treated as tax-deductible. If recognition is granted with an effective date covering the date of a contribution, the donation may qualify as tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.

Donors should retain their receipts and consult a qualified tax professional regarding their individual circumstances. A donation receipt or acknowledgment does not, by itself, guarantee tax deductibility.

Goods or Services Received

If a donor receives goods, services, event admission, merchandise, or another benefit in exchange for a payment, only the portion exceeding the fair market value of that benefit may qualify as a charitable contribution.

Sledge Empowerment will provide required disclosures when applicable. Donors should consult their tax adviser regarding deductibility.

Sharing of Information

Sledge Empowerment does not sell or rent personal information.

We may share limited information with service providers that help us operate our website, process donations, communicate with supporters, conduct authorized screenings, or administer programs. These providers may include:

• Donation and payment processors
• Website hosting providers
• Email and communication services
• Volunteer-management and background-screening providers
• Accountants, attorneys, or professional advisers
• Government agencies when disclosure is required by law

We may also disclose information when reasonably necessary to prevent fraud, protect someone's safety, enforce our policies, or comply with a legal obligation.

Email and Text Communications

If you provide your email address or telephone number, we may contact you regarding your donation, volunteer interest, program request, or other interaction with Sledge Empowerment.

You may unsubscribe from promotional emails by using the unsubscribe link included in the message or by contacting us. Transactional, safety-related, or program-administration messages may still be sent when necessary.

Providing a telephone number does not automatically authorize recurring marketing text messages.

Cookies and Website Analytics

Our website or service providers may use cookies and similar technologies to operate the website, remember preferences, measure traffic, and understand how visitors use the site.

You may manage cookies through your browser settings. Disabling certain cookies may affect how parts of the website function.

Children's Privacy

Sledge Empowerment provides programs that may benefit children and young people. However, our website is not intended to collect personal information directly from children under 13 without the involvement and consent of a parent or legal guardian.

Parents and guardians should complete forms and communications on behalf of children when required. If we learn that personal information was submitted by a child without appropriate authorization, we will take reasonable steps to review and delete it.

Information Security and Retention

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect personal information. However, no website, email, or electronic-storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Information may be retained for as long as reasonably necessary to operate our programs, maintain financial and donation records, meet legal requirements, resolve disputes, and protect the organization.

Your Privacy Choices

You may contact Sledge Empowerment to:

• Request access to personal information you previously provided
• Ask us to correct inaccurate information
• Request deletion of information, subject to legal and recordkeeping requirements
• Update your communication preferences
• Ask questions about how your information is handled

We may need to verify your identity before completing certain requests.

External Websites

Our website may contain links to Zeffy, social-media platforms, partner organizations, and other external websites. Sledge Empowerment is not responsible for the privacy practices, security, accuracy, or content of third-party websites.

No Guarantee of Services

Information on this website is provided for general informational purposes. Program descriptions, eligibility requirements, schedules, availability, and services may change.

Submitting an application, donation, volunteer form, or request for assistance does not create a contract or guarantee acceptance, placement, housing, financial assistance, tutoring, employment, or any other service.

Maryland Charitable Solicitation Notice

A copy of Sledge Empowerment's current financial statement may be available upon written request. Documents and information submitted under the Maryland Charitable Solicitations Act may also be obtained from the Maryland Secretary of State for the cost of copying and postage.

Registration with the State of Maryland does not constitute or imply endorsement by the State.

Changes to This Policy

Sledge Empowerment may revise this Privacy Policy and Donation Disclaimer when its programs, website practices, or legal obligations change. The updated effective date will be posted at the top of this page.

Contact Us

Questions about this policy, donations, or your personal information may be directed to:

Sledge Empowerment
9244 E Hampton Drive, Suite 602, Capitol Heights, MD 20743
Phone: (301) 685-5661
Email: info@sledgeempowerment.org
Website: www.sledgeempowerment.org