Privacy Policy

Plain-English summary

Northland Paddlers Alliance ("NPA," "we," "our," "us") is a Minnesota-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We collect only the minimum information needed to run our programs — newsletter, event RSVPs, memberships, and donations. We do not sell your data. We do not use third-party advertising trackers. You can ask us to delete your information at any time by emailing [email protected].

Information we collect

We collect information you voluntarily submit to us through forms on this website or when you communicate with us by email, mail, or in person. This includes:

• Contact details — name, email address, mailing address (when relevant for membership cards or receipts), phone number (only when you provide one).
• Membership information — selected tier, household members (if a Household membership), preferences about paddling experience.
• Event sign-up details — which event, party size, accessibility or loaner-craft needs, emergency contact when required by the event waiver.
• Donation information — donation amount, donation purpose, tribute name (if applicable). Card details are processed by our payment processor and not stored on NPA systems.
• Volunteer information — areas of interest, availability, relevant skills you choose to share.
• Communications — content of emails or messages you send to us.

We also receive limited, non-identifying technical information through standard web server logs (IP address, browser type, page accessed, time of access). This data is used only for security and aggregate site analytics — we do not link it to your identity.

How we use your information

• To respond to your messages and questions.
• To process and confirm memberships, event RSVPs, and donations.
• To send transactional emails (receipts, event confirmations, change-of-plan notices).
• To send our seasonal newsletter, if you opted in. You can unsubscribe at any time.
• To report aggregate impact metrics for our annual Form 990-N filing and grant applications. Aggregate data is never tied to individual identifying details.
• To comply with our legal obligations as a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Sharing & disclosure

We do not sell your personal information. We do not rent, trade, or share lists with third parties for marketing purposes.

We share limited information only:

• With service providers that help us operate (email delivery, payment processing, document storage). These providers are bound by contractual confidentiality.
• With our partner organizations (e.g., St. Louis River Alliance, Ski Hut) only to coordinate co-hosted events you have explicitly signed up for, and only with information necessary for that purpose.
• When required by law, in response to a valid legal request, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of NPA, our members, or the public.

Cookies & tracking

This website does not use third-party advertising trackers, retargeting pixels, or behavioral profiling. We do not embed Google Analytics, Meta Pixel, or similar tracking scripts.

We may use a small number of strictly necessary cookies (or local storage) only to remember your preferences (such as dismissed notifications) during your visit. You can disable cookies in your browser without losing access to any feature of the site.

Children's privacy

Programs that involve youth paddlers require parent or guardian sign-off. NPA does not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 online. If you believe a child has submitted personal information through our website, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

Data security

We take reasonable, industry-appropriate steps to protect the information you provide. Form submissions are transmitted over HTTPS. Payment information is handled by PCI-DSS-compliant payment processors and never stored on NPA infrastructure.

No system is perfectly secure. We will notify affected individuals if we discover a data breach that materially affects them, as required by Minnesota law.

Your rights

You may, at any time:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you.
• Request correction of inaccurate information.
• Request deletion of your information (unless we are required to retain it — for example, donation records for tax reporting).
• Unsubscribe from our newsletter — every email includes an unsubscribe link.
• Withdraw consent for any optional processing you have previously agreed to.

To exercise any of these rights, email [email protected]. We will respond within a reasonable time — typically within 14 days.

Retention

We retain information only as long as needed to fulfill the purpose for which it was collected, or as required by applicable law (for example, donation records for tax purposes are retained for the period required by the IRS).

Changes to this policy

We may update this policy from time to time. The "Last updated" date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. Material changes will be announced in our newsletter and on this page.

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