Effective Date: April 29, 2026 — Protecting your information while empowering your future.
1. Who We Are
Stellar Bridges, Inc. ("Stellar Bridges," "we," "our," or "us") is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Cato, New York. We operate workforce development programs and educational initiatives for veterans, returning citizens, at-risk youth, and underserved adults. Our website is stellarbridges.org.
This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect information from individuals who visit our website, submit forms, enroll in programs, make donations, or communicate with us.
We Serve
- Veterans
- Returning Citizens
- At-Risk Youth
- Underserved Adults
Our Mission
Workforce development and educational initiatives that build lasting bridges to opportunity.
2. Information We Collect
Information You Provide Directly
We collect information when you apply to a program, volunteer, submit a partnership inquiry, make a donation, contact us, or consent to SMS messages. This includes name, email, phone, age, city, state, background information, education level, and financial assistance needs.
Payment Information
Donation and payment processing is handled securely by Stripe, Inc. Stellar Bridges does not store your full credit card number, CVV, or payment card details on our servers. Stripe processes payment information in accordance with its own privacy policy and PCI-DSS compliance standards. Review Stripe's policy at stripe.com/privacy.
Information Collected Automatically
When you visit our website, we may automatically collect your IP address and browser type, pages visited and time spent on our site, and referring URLs and device information. This data is used through standard web analytics tools to improve our website and user experience.
Children and Teen Privacy
Stellar Bridges may offer career exploration, workforce-readiness, and related opportunities for teenagers ages 13 through 17. We collect only the information reasonably necessary to respond to inquiries, determine program interest or eligibility, and administer approved activities.
Participants under 18 may be required to provide parent or legal guardian consent before enrolling in a program, participating in certain activities, receiving transportation or support services, or having information shared with an outside organization.
Our website and online forms are not intended to collect personal information directly from children under 13. A parent or legal guardian may request career information or submit a waitlist inquiry on behalf of a child under 13. If we learn that personal information was collected directly from a child under 13 without the consent required by law, we will take reasonable steps to delete it.
3. How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to serve our participants, volunteers, partners, and donors effectively and responsibly.
Program Applications
Process applications and match participants to appropriate training pathways. Track attendance and outcomes for participants funded through WIOA or other government programs.
Volunteers & Partners
Communicate with volunteers about opportunities, scheduling, and orientation. Follow up on partnership inquiries and coordinate employer relationships.
Donations & Receipts
Process donations and issue tax receipts for contributions to our 501(c)(3) organization. Send program updates, enrollment information, and community event notifications via email or SMS with your consent.
Legal & Compliance
Comply with legal, regulatory, and reporting requirements including those under the Second Chance Act and Perkins V. Improve our programs, website, and services, and respond to inquiries and provide support.
4. Text Messaging
Stellar Bridges does not currently send program or marketing text messages. If text messaging is introduced, participation will be optional, consent will be requested before messages are sent, and instructions for opting out will be provided.
5. How We Share Your Information
We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:
Service Providers
Stellar Bridges uses service providers to operate its website, manage inquiries and communications, process donations, and support program administration. These may include website-hosting providers, a customer relationship management and communications platform, and a payment processor. These providers may receive personal information only as reasonably necessary to perform services on our behalf.
Employer Partners
With your explicit consent, we may share your name, contact information, and certification status with employer partners for the purpose of facilitating interviews and job placements.
Program Administration and Reporting
Stellar Bridges may collect and share information required to administer or report on a government-funded or partner-supported program when an individual chooses to participate and provides any required consent or authorization. The information collected, the purpose of the reporting, and the recipients will be described in the applicable enrollment materials or consent form.
Legal Compliance
We may disclose your information when required by law, court order, or to protect the rights, safety, or property of Stellar Bridges or others.
With Your Consent
Stellar Bridges may share personal information with education providers, employers, referral partners, community organizations, or other third parties when an individual requests a referral, opportunity, or service and provides informed consent. We share only the information reasonably necessary for the stated purpose.
6. Data Retention
We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this policy, comply with legal obligations, and support program outcome tracking.
Up to 7 Years
Participant records may be retained to meet nonprofit reporting and grant compliance requirements.
Request Deletion
You may request deletion of your information at any time by contacting info@stellarbridges.org, subject to any legal retention obligations.
7. Your Rights
Depending on your location and applicable law, you have important rights regarding your personal information. To exercise any of these rights, contact us at info@stellarbridges.org. We will respond within 30 days.
Right to Access
Access the personal information we hold about you.
Right to Correct
Request correction of inaccurate information we have on file.
Right to Delete
Request deletion of your personal information from our records.
Right to Opt Out
Opt out of SMS or email communications at any time.
Right to Limit Use
Request that we limit how we use your personal information.
8. Security
We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Payment information is handled exclusively through Stripe's secure, PCI-DSS-compliant infrastructure.
Technical Safeguards
Encryption, secure servers, and access controls protect your data.
PCI-DSS Compliance
All payment data is processed through Stripe's certified infrastructure.
9. Third-Party Links
Our website may contain links to third-party websites including partner organizations, government agencies, and resource directories.
We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies before submitting any personal information.
Examples of Linked Sites May Include
- Partner nonprofit organizations
- Government workforce agencies
- Resource and referral directories
- Employer partner websites
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the effective date at the top of this document.
We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Continued use of our website or services after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. The current effective date is always displayed at the top of this document.
11. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, please reach out to us directly. We are committed to transparency and will respond to all inquiries promptly.
Stellar Bridges, Inc.
Cato, New York
Stellar Bridges Privacy Policy