MIWC's Online Privacy Policy

Effective Date: January 1, 2026

Music in World Cultures (“we,” “our,” or “us”) is committed to respecting and protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect personal information, including information provided by individuals located in the European Economic Area (EEA), in accordance with applicable data protection laws, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide to us, including:
 
·       Name
·       Email address
·       Mailing address (if provided)
·       Donation-related information (such as donation amount and date)
·       Any information you choose to include in correspondence or contact forms
 
We collect only the information necessary to communicate with individuals, process donations, steward donor relationships, and fulfill legal and organizational obligations.

2. How We Use Information

We use personal information for the following purposes:
 
·       Responding to inquiries and communications
·       Sending follow-up emails related to inquiries, ministry activity, or donations
·       Processing and acknowledging donations
·       Issuing donation receipts and maintaining financial records as required by law
·       Donor stewardship and relationship management
·       Sending newsletters or updates only when an individual has explicitly requested to receive them
 
We do not add individuals to newsletters or mailing lists without their request.

3. Legal Basis for Processing (EEA Residents)

For individuals located in the EEA, we process personal data based on one or more of the following legal bases:
 
·       Consent, where you voluntarily provide personal information and agree to its use
·       Legitimate interests, such as responding to inquiries, maintaining donor relationships, and carrying out our charitable mission
·       Legal obligations, including financial, accounting, and regulatory record-keeping requirements

4. Donations

Donations may be made:

•    In person
•    By mail
•    Online through third-party payment processors

Online donations are processed securely through third-party providers, including Bloomerang Payments and PayPal. Payment information is handled directly by these providers, and we do not store full payment card details.

Donation information is used for processing contributions, issuing receipts, donor stewardship, and compliance with legal and accounting obligations.

5. Use of Third-Party Service Providers

We use trusted third-party service providers to support our operations, including customer relationship management and payment processing.

Information submitted through our website, including contact and donor information, is stored in our customer relationship management (CRM) system, Bloomerang which is operated by a service provider based in the United States. These service providers process personal data on our behalf and only for purposes consistent with this Privacy Policy.

6. International Data Transfers

Where personal data of individuals in the EEA is transferred outside the EEA, including to the United States, such transfers are made pursuant to appropriate safeguards in accordance with applicable data protection laws. These safeguards may include contractual commitments designed to protect personal data and uphold individuals’ rights under GDPR.

Individuals may request additional information about these safeguards by contacting us using the details below.

7. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including communication, donor stewardship, and compliance with legal, accounting, and reporting obligations.

8. Your Rights (EEA Residents)

If you are located in the EEA, you have the right to:

•    Request access to your personal data
•    Request correction of inaccurate or incomplete data
•    Request deletion of your personal data, subject to legal obligations
•    Object to or request restriction of certain processing
•    Request data portability, where applicable
•    Lodge a complaint with a supervisory authority in your country of residence

To exercise these rights, please contact us using the information below.

9. Cookies and Similar Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies only to the extent necessary to ensure the site functions properly.

Cookies are small text files placed on your device that help websites operate efficiently and securely. We do not use cookies for advertising, behavioral tracking, or profiling.

Types of Cookies We Use

•    Strictly Necessary Cookies

These cookies are required for basic website functionality, such as page navigation and access to secure areas of the site. The website cannot function properly without these cookies.

We do not use analytics, marketing, or third-party tracking cookies unless explicitly stated and enabled in the future.

Managing Cookies

Because we use only strictly necessary cookies, consent is not required under applicable European data protection laws. You may control or disable cookies through your browser settings; however, doing so may affect the functionality of the website.

If we introduce additional cookies in the future (such as analytics or embedded third-party services), this Cookie Statement will be updated accordingly, and consent will be requested where required by law.

10. Contact Information

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, our data practices, or wish to exercise your data protection rights, please contact:

Music in World Cultures
Email: info@miwc.org

11. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. Updates will be posted on this page with a revised effective date.