Privacy policy

Last updated: May 7, 2025

Global Horizons SGO is committed to protecting your privacy. We use information from and about people who interact with us, including students, parents, and educators. This information is called personal data. We’ve written this Privacy Policy to explain how and why we collect, use, and share personal data, so you know what to expect.

If you’re under 18 and something here is unclear, please read this with your parent or guardian so you can talk about it together.

If you have any questions, you or your parent/guardian can contact us at: info@globalhorizonssgo.org

1. How We Collect Personal Data

We collect personal data in several ways to help us run and improve Global Horizons SGO, including to support applicants, communicate with families and educators, and award scholarships.

We collect personal data:

  • Directly from you when you apply for a scholarship, contact us, refer a student, sign up for a newsletter, or attend an event.

  • Automatically from our website, using cookies and similar technologies (like browser data and IP addresses).

  • From trusted service providers who help us operate our systems (e.g., email platforms, data processors, or payment processors).

2. How We Use Personal Data and Why

We use personal data to help run and improve Global Horizons SGO and to support the students, families, and educators who interact with us. Below are the main ways we use personal data and the reasons why.

Communication and Outreach
 When you provide us with your email address - such as when signing up for updates - we may use it to send newsletters, updates about our scholarship program, or other information we think may be helpful or relevant. We do this with your consent or based on our legitimate interest in keeping our community informed.

If you contact us with a question or submit a referral, we use your name, email, and message content to respond. This also applies if you complete surveys or provide feedback - your responses help us improve our work. We rely on your consent to do this, or in some cases, our legitimate interest in communicating with those who engage with us.

Website and Online Tools
 When you visit our website, we may collect certain technical information such as your IP address, browser type, and how long you spend on each page. We use this data to make our website better, keep it secure, and occasionally show you relevant content or advertisements. Where this involves cookies that aren’t essential for the site to work, we ask for your consent before collecting that data.

Scholarship Applications and Programs
 If you apply for a scholarship or participate in a program, we collect the information you give us - this might include your name, contact details, academic records, essays, financial background, or other information you choose to share. We use this information to review your application, make decisions about awards, and follow up with you as needed. 

If you receive a scholarship, we may ask for additional information like your bank account details (or those of a parent or guardian if you are under 18) and receipts related to scholarship use. This is necessary to provide and monitor the scholarship and fulfill our obligations.

Program Participation and Feedback
 If you take part in any activities we offer - such as events, mentorship, or optional surveys - we may collect relevant information to support your participation and assess the impact of our work. This might include video call data (if recorded with your permission), reflections, or feedback you provide. We use this information with your consent or based on our interest in improving our programs and supporting our community.

In all cases, we only collect the personal data that we need, and we only keep it for as long as necessary for the purpose it was collected.

3. Special Note for Children Under 13

If you're under 13 years old, we must have verifiable permission from your parent or guardian before we collect personal data from you online. This includes when you apply for a scholarship or contact us through the website.

We do not knowingly collect personal data from children under 13 without this permission. If you think we may have done so by mistake, please contact us at info@globalhorizonssgo.org so we can delete it.

4. Who We Share Personal Data With

We may share your personal data with:

  • Service providers who help us run our website, process applications, manage payments, and send emails. These companies are required to keep your data secure and use it only as needed to provide their services.

  • Authorized parties such as your parent/guardian or school staff, if needed to confirm eligibility or provide support.

  • Legal or regulatory authorities, if required by law or to protect our rights or safety.

  • Other organizations, if Global Horizons becomes part of another nonprofit or entity and data is transferred as part of that change.

5. How We Store and Transfer Personal Data

We store your data securely and only keep it as long as needed to fulfill the purpose it was collected for - such as reviewing your application or sending scholarship funds.

If your data is stored or accessed outside the U.S., we ensure appropriate safeguards are in place to comply with U.S. and international data protection laws.

6. Cookies

We use cookies and similar technologies to run our website, understand how visitors use it, and improve your experience. Some cookies are essential to make the site work. Others are optional and used for analytics or marketing (with your consent).

7. Your Rights and Choices

If you are a student, parent, or educator interacting with Global Horizons SGO, you (or your parent/guardian) have rights to:

  • Access your personal data

  • Correct personal data if it’s inaccurate

  • Delete your personal data

  • Withdraw consent at any time (if we’re relying on consent to use your data)

To exercise these rights, email us at info@globalhorizonssgo.org.

If you’re unhappy with how we’ve handled your personal data, please contact us. You may also have the right to report concerns to your state’s attorney general or privacy enforcement agency.

8. About Us

Global Horizons SGO is a registered nonprofit non-profit 501(c)(3) organization operating in the United States, EIN# 99-5114739. Our mission is to support talented, low-income high school students who want to positively impact the world.

We are the “data controller,” meaning we decide how and why personal data is used.

 Email: info@globalhorizonssgo.org
 Website: https://www.globalhorizonssgo.org