Volta Music Foundation – Privacy Policy

Introduction

Volta Music Foundation (“Volta,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of the personal information entrusted to us. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard personal information when you visit our website, register for programs, make a donation, communicate with us, or otherwise interact with us online.

This Privacy Policy applies to information collected through our website and related online services, including program registration platforms, donation portals, email communications, and student management systems.

By using our website or submitting personal information to us, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this Privacy Policy.

Information We Collect

We collect information in the following ways:

Information You Voluntarily Provide

Methods of voluntarily providing information include:

• Registering yourself or a student in a program
• Creating or accessing a student or parent portal
• Making a donation
• Subscribing to newsletters or communications
• Completing contact forms
• Registering for events
• Communicating with us by email or other means

Depending on the context, this information may include:

• Name
• Mailing address
• Email address
• Telephone number
• Student/Child name and age
• Parent or guardian contact information
• Payment and donation information (processed through third-party providers)
• Program participation details
• Event registration information

Optional Accommodation or Support Information – For certain programs, including after-school programs, we may offer families the opportunity to provide optional information about a student’s learning needs, accommodations, or other factors that may support participation. This information is:

• Entirely voluntary
• Not required for participation
• Used solely to support student engagement and instructional preparation

Access to such information is restricted to authorized administrative personnel and shared internally only as necessary to provide appropriate program support. It is not used for marketing purposes and is not publicly disclosed.

Payment Information

Payments and donations made through our website are processed by third-party payment processors, including Stripe and fundraising platforms such as Givebutter. Volta does not store full credit card numbers on its own servers. Payment information is handled in accordance with the privacy and security policies of those third-party providers.

Student and Portal Information

We utilize third-party student management systems, including My Music Staff, to manage lesson scheduling, billing, attendance, and communications. Parents or guardians may create and manage accounts on behalf of their minor children. Students under 18 may have access to accounts as appropriate, with parental involvement.

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we may automatically collect certain technical information, including:

• Internet Protocol (IP) address
• Browser type
• Device type
• Operating system
• Referring website
• Pages visited
• Time spent on the site

We may use cookies or similar technologies to improve user experience and understand website usage patterns. Cookies are small data files stored on your device. You may adjust your browser settings to refuse cookies, although doing so may affect certain website functionality.

We may use analytics tools, such as those provided by Google, to collect aggregate, non-identifying information about website usage. This information helps us understand how visitors interact with our website and improve its effectiveness.

How We Use Information

We use personal information for legitimate organizational purposes, including:

• Providing and administering educational programs
• Processing donations, tuition, and other payments
• Communicating with students, parents, donors, volunteers, and supporters
• Sending newsletters, updates, and fundraising communications
• Responding to inquiries and requests
• Managing event registration and participation
• Improving website functionality and user experience
• Maintaining internal records and administrative operations
• Complying with legal, tax, and accounting obligations

We do not collect sensitive personal information except where it is voluntarily provided. Optional accommodation or support information is used solely to facilitate appropriate program participation and instructional planning.

You may opt out of non-essential marketing communications at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link included in emails, or by contacting Volta directly.

Information About Children

Volta Music Foundation’s website is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under the age of 13.

We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13 without verifiable parental consent. In most cases, personal information about minor students is provided directly by a parent or legal guardian in connection with program registration or participation.

Parents and guardians may request access to, correction of, or deletion of their child’s personal information by contacting us using the information provided at the end of this Privacy Policy.

If we become aware that we have collected personal information directly from a child under 13 without appropriate parental consent, we will take reasonable steps to delete such information.

How We Share Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information. We share personal information in the following limited circumstances:

With Service Providers

We share information with trusted third-party vendors who perform services on our behalf, such as payment processing, website hosting, student management, email communications, and analytics. These providers are authorized to use personal information only as necessary to provide services to us.

With Program Personnel

Information may be shared internally with authorized staff, instructors, grantors or contractors as necessary to administer programs and provide services. Optional accommodation or support information is shared on a limited, need-to-know basis.

With Legal or Regulatory Authorities

We may disclose information if required to do so by law, court order, subpoena, or governmental request, or if we believe disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, safety, or property of Volta Music Foundation, our students, or others.

With Your Consent

We may share information for other purposes with your knowledge and consent.

Third-Party Service Providers

We rely on third-party platforms to support our operations. These providers maintain their own privacy policies and security practices.

Key service providers include:

• Stripe (payment processing)
• Givebutter (online fundraising and donations)
• Mailchimp (communication and email marketing)
• My Music Staff (student management, scheduling, billing, and communications)
• Google Workspace and Microsoft OneDrive (email, document storage, and administrative operations)

These providers process information on our behalf and are contractually or operationally responsible for maintaining appropriate security safeguards. We encourage users to review the privacy policies of any third-party platform they interact with in connection with our programs or services.

Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as reasonably necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including:

• Administering educational programs
• Maintaining financial and donation records
• Complying with legal, tax, and accounting requirements
• Resolving disputes
• Enforcing agreements

Student and donation records may be retained for multiple years as required for nonprofit compliance, grant reporting, or audit purposes.

When personal information is no longer required, we take reasonable steps to securely delete or anonymize it.

Data Security

We implement reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational safeguards designed to protect personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Security measures may include:

• Restricted access to personal information
• Role-based internal access controls
• Secure password-protected systems
• Use of reputable third-party service providers
• Secure cloud-based storage systems

Access to sensitive student information is limited to authorized administrative personnel. Optional accommodation information is handled with additional internal discretion and shared only as necessary to support program delivery.

While we take reasonable measures to protect information, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure. Accordingly, we cannot guarantee absolute security.

In the event of a data breach involving personal information, we will take appropriate steps consistent with applicable law, including notification to affected individuals where required.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your state of residence, you may have certain rights regarding your personal information.

A. General Rights

You may request to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you
• Correct inaccurate or incomplete information
• Request deletion of your personal information, subject to legal and operational retention requirements
• Opt out of certain communications

Requests may be submitted using the contact information provided at the end of this Privacy Policy. We will respond within a reasonable timeframe and may need to verify your identity before processing certain requests.

B. California Residents (CCPA/CPRA Notice)

If you are a resident of California, you may have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), as amended by the California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), including the right to:

• Know what categories of personal information we collect
• Know the sources from which personal information is collected
• Know the purposes for which personal information is used
• Know the categories of third parties with whom personal information is shared
• Request deletion of personal information
• Request correction of inaccurate personal information
• Request access to specific pieces of personal information

Volta Music Foundation does not sell or share personal information as defined under California law. California residents may exercise their rights by contacting us using the information provided in this Privacy Policy. We will not discriminate against you for exercising your privacy rights.

International Users

Volta Music Foundation is located in the United States and operates primarily from the State of Florida.

If you access our website or participate in our programs from outside the United States, please be aware that your information may be transferred to, stored in, and processed in the United States. By providing personal information, you consent to such transfer and processing in accordance with this Privacy Policy and applicable U.S. law.

Governing Law

This Privacy Policy and any disputes arising from it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Florida, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect operational, legal, or regulatory changes.

When updates are made:

• The “Effective Date” at the top of this policy will be revised.
• Material changes may be communicated through our website or by email, where appropriate.

Your continued use of our website or participation in our programs after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Privacy Policy.