Summary
This site is largely static. We do not operate a member database tied to casual browsing. Many flows save optional drafts only on your device, let you download a copy for your records, or open your email app so you send the message—meaning your email provider’s policies also apply. Address checks send your typed query to OpenStreetMap’s Nominatim only when you click the check button. Donations use Givebutter; their privacy terms apply when you engage there.
Who this applies to
Visitors, residents, partners, donors, and applicants using pages on this domain to learn about Connect Buffalo, sign up for updates, express interest, use the affordable access planning tools, apply for roles, or navigate to giving options.
Aggregate and anonymized operational data
When we operate, coordinate, or report on pilot connectivity programs, we may process technical or usage information in aggregate or de-identified form—for example to troubleshoot outages, plan capacity, publish high-level stewardship metrics, and improve reliability. That work is aligned with our nonprofit mission, not with building individual marketing profiles or selling access to resident behavior.
During maintenance or incident response, limited technical signals may be reviewed only as long as necessary to restore service, verify a fix, or protect the integrity of the pilot. We avoid keeping identifiable content longer than needed for those purposes.
Traffic that leaves pilot infrastructure—or that depends on upstream internet providers, institutional networks, schools, libraries, or municipal partners—may be subject to those operators’ own policies and monitoring at or beyond their network boundaries. That is outside Connect Buffalo’s control in the same way community networks describe for upstream paths.
Voluntary submissions and operational sharing
When you voluntarily provide contact or logistics details (forms, email, applications, event sign-ups), we use them for the stated purpose you chose—coordinating a visit, supporting a resident, running a cohort, routing a donation handoff, and similar program operations.
Where reasonably necessary to deliver that purpose, we may share relevant information with vetted volunteers, supervised Digital Navigators, or institutional partners (for example, confirming a window for equipment delivery or follow-up support). We do not sell contact lists or rent identifiers to unrelated third parties.
Public-facing maps, partner highlights, or coverage storytelling use de-identified, aggregated, or permissioned information consistent with how those pages are written—not raw household identifiers dropped into marketing graphics.
Third-party services and legal requests
We do not partner with third parties to collect or monetize personal data from casual browsing on this site, and we do not maintain data-brokerage-style sharing agreements. Subprocessors (for example static hosting, optional form-delivery endpoints, OpenStreetMap when you explicitly run a check, Givebutter when you donate) process data only to provide the service you invoked.
We comply with applicable law. Because we intentionally collect limited categories of information—and retain it only as described—we may be unable to produce detailed non-anonymized historical records that were never stored, or we may only have what remains in ordinary operational inboxes and logs subject to retention limits.
Information we collect
You provide directly
- Text you enter in forms (name, organization, email, address snippets, notes, application answers). This exists in your browser until you submit or clear it.
- Content of messages you send via email after a mailto link opens—handled by your email provider and the recipient inbox we publish for that program.
Automatically or through tools
- Hosting: Our site is served over HTTPS (e.g., GitHub Pages). Like most hosts, infrastructure may log basic technical data such as IP address, user agent, and requested path for security and reliability—we do not use those logs to build marketing profiles on our side.
- Geocoding: When you run an address eligibility preview on the homepage, the address string you entered is sent to OpenStreetMap’s public Nominatim service to resolve coordinates. Do not paste sensitive information unrelated to that check.
- Optional automated delivery: Where configured, some submit buttons may POST JSON to a small endpoint we operate so our team receives the same fields without relying on your mail client. If that path is unavailable, the site falls back to CSV download and/or mailto.
Local storage (“drafts on this device”)
Some forms save drafts in your browser’s localStorage so you can return later. That data stays on your device unless you submit or clear site data. Others using the same browser profile could see those drafts—use a private window on shared computers.
How we use information
- Respond to partnership, resident, career, and program inquiries.
- Coordinate pilots, Digital Navigator cohorts, and volunteer interest consistent with our mission.
- Improve site clarity (aggregate feedback), not behavioral advertising across the web.
Donations and Givebutter
Donation buttons load Givebutter’s widget or take you to their experience. Payment and donor recordkeeping happen under Givebutter’s privacy policy, not on our static pages. Review their terms before completing a transaction.
Sharing
We do not sell your personal information. We share information only as needed to operate the site (hosting, optional email delivery), when you choose to email us, when required by law, or when partner listings are published with explicit permission.
Retention
Mailboxes and any server-side delivery logs we maintain are kept only as long as operational and legal needs require. Static site content does not itself retain form submissions without one of the submission paths above.
Security
We use HTTPS. No security practice is perfect—avoid submitting secrets or full financial details through unsecured channels or in fields not intended for them.
Children’s privacy
This site is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect their personal information. If you believe we have received such information inadvertently, contact us and we will delete it where appropriate.
Your choices
- Clear browser storage or use incognito mode if you do not want local drafts.
- Contact us for an alternate submission method if email or automated delivery does not work for you.
- Use transparency and FAQ pages to understand programs before sharing identifiers.
Changes
We will revise this policy when our practices or tooling change materially. Continued use after updates means you accept the revised page.
Contact
Questions about this policy or your information: reach out through Get involved or email the team via mailto.