Privacy Policy

Lorraine J. Smith Foundation
Last updated: September 2026

The Lorraine J. Smith Foundation ("the Foundation," "we," "us," or "our") respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect when you visit ljsfoundation.org (the "Site"), how we use it, and the choices you have.

By using the Site, you agree to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.

Information you give us directly:

• Contact form submissions (name, email address, and message)
• Donation information (name, email, and payment details, processed securely through our payment processor)
• Newsletter and email sign-ups through our "Get Involved" list (name and email address)
• Scholarship applications (name, contact information, educational and financial details, personal statements, and letters of recommendation submitted through our application form)

Information collected automatically:

• Standard website analytics, such as pages visited, time on site, browser type, and general location, collected through cookies and similar tracking technologies to help us understand how visitors use the Site

The Site uses cookies to analyze traffic and improve the visitor experience. When you first visit, you're asked to accept our use of cookies. You can decline cookies or clear them at any time through your browser settings, though some parts of the Site may not function as intended without them.

We use the information we collect to:

• Respond to inquiries submitted through our contact form
• Process and acknowledge donations
• Send newsletters and updates to subscribers who opt in
• Review and process scholarship applications
• Understand how visitors use the Site so we can improve it
• Comply with legal and reporting obligations as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit

We do not sell your personal information.

The Site uses trusted third-party services to operate certain features, including:

• Constant Contact — for newsletter and email communications
• Google Forms — for scholarship applications
• Google reCAPTCHA — to protect our contact form from spam (use of reCAPTCHA is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service)
• A secure third-party payment processor — for donations

Each of these providers has its own privacy practices, and we encourage you to review them. We only share the information necessary for these services to perform their function.

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

• With service providers who help us operate the Site and our programs (as listed above)
• If required by law, subpoena, or legal process
• To protect the rights, safety, or property of the Foundation, our supporters, or the public
• With your consent

Information submitted through a scholarship application — including personal statements and letters of recommendation — is used solely for the purpose of reviewing and awarding the Violet Scholarship Fund. This information is treated with additional care and is shared only with those directly involved in the review and selection process.

Some of our programs serve youth and students, including scholarship applicants who may be minors. Where a scholarship applicant is under 18, we recommend a parent or guardian be involved in the application process. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 outside of a scholarship application submitted with appropriate parental involvement. If you believe a child has provided us information outside of this context, please contact us so we can address it.

The Foundation operates and serves communities across the United States, Jamaica, and the wider Caribbean. By using the Site, you understand that your information may be processed in the United States, where our systems and service providers are based.

We take reasonable measures to protect the information we collect. However, no method of transmission or storage over the internet is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

• Email communications: You can unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time using the link at the bottom of any email.
• Cookies: You can decline or clear cookies through your browser settings.
• Your information: To request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal information, contact us using the information below.

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal reasons. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page will reflect the most recent revision.

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, contact us at:

Lorraine J. Smith Foundation
Email: lorrainejsmith@ljsfoundation.org