Cyber Grants Alliance (“we,” “us” or “our”) values your privacy and is committed to protecting your personal information. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, and safeguard your information when you use our website (cybergrantsalliance.org) or interact with us, including when you opt‑in to receive SMS/MMS text messages. The policy is designed to comply with United States privacy laws and Application-to-Person (A2P) messaging guidelines, including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), CTIA best practices, and 10DLC requirements. It replaces any previous versions of our privacy policy.
Information we collect
We may collect and process the following personal information when you fill out a contact form, subscribe to updates, apply for grants, or interact with our services:
- Name and organization. We collect your first and last name and, where relevant, the name of your organization or business.
- Email address. We use your email address to respond to inquiries, send updates, and provide requested information.
- Phone number. Providing a mobile phone number is optional, but it allows us to contact you via SMS or phone for important notifications. If you opt in to our SMS program, we also collect your consent and preferences associated with receiving text messages.
- Message or inquiry details. We collect the content of any messages you send through our forms or other communication channels.
- Additional information. Depending on the purpose of your inquiry, we may collect additional details, such as your job title, areas of interest, device information (including IP address and browser type), and any attachments you provide.
How we use your information
We use the information you provide for purposes including, but not limited to:
- Responding to your inquiries. We use your name, email, and any message details to answer questions or provide requested support.
- Cybersecurity awareness and alerts. We may send updates, best‑practice guidance, security alerts, and resources related to cyber awareness and cybersecurity threats.
- Grant opportunities. We notify you of grant funding opportunities that may be available to organizations supporting Community Development Fund (CDF) members or other relevant initiatives.
- Connecting you with approved vendors. With your consent, we may connect you with vetted third‑party vendors that perform cybersecurity penetration tests, risk assessments, and other related services. We share only the information necessary for them to provide these services.
- SMS/MMS communications. If you opt in to our SMS program, we will send transactional or informational messages (for example, reminders or urgent alerts) and, with your consent, promotional or marketing messages. Message frequency may vary depending on the nature of the communication. Your mobile carrier’s message and data rates may apply.
- Business operations and legal compliance. We may use your information to maintain our records, improve our website and services, detect and prevent fraud, comply with legal obligations, and enforce our agreements.
SMS/MMS messaging (A2P compliance)
When you provide your mobile phone number and expressly opt in, you consent to receive SMS or MMS messages from Cyber Grants Alliance. Our messaging practices align with A2P 10DLC regulations and CTIA guidelines:
- Opt‑in requirement. You will only receive text messages if you have knowingly opted in; providing a mobile number alone does not constitute consent. Consent cannot be bought, sold, or transferred. We may ask that you reconfirm your consent if required by law.
- Message content and frequency. Our first text message will introduce our business name and outline the frequency of message updates. The number of messages you receive will vary based on the information you request or the programs you join. We will not send prohibited content (e.g., spam, sexually explicit, hate, alcohol, firearms, or tobacco‑related messages).
- Message and data rates may apply, depending on your mobile phone plan. We do not charge additional fees for messaging.
- Opt‑out and help. You can opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying STOP. After opting out, you will receive a single confirmation text and will not receive further messages unless you opt in again. For help, reply HELP or contact us directly at info@cybergrantsalliance.org. Consent to receive text messages is not a condition of purchasing any goods or services.
- No mobile information sharing for marketing. We do not sell or share your mobile number or SMS opt‑in data with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. We may share your number with service providers who assist us in delivering text messages (for example, our SMS platform), but only to the extent necessary to provide the messaging service.
- We follow applicable U.S. laws and carrier rules, including the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA) and CTIA best practices. We will maintain proof of your consent and may provide it if requested by carriers or regulators.
Sharing your information
We respect your privacy and strive to be transparent about how your data is shared:
- No sale or rental of personal data. We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. This includes your mobile number and opt‑in data.
- Limited sharing with service providers. We may share your information with trusted third‑party service providers (such as web‑hosting companies, payment processors, or SMS delivery providers) who assist us in operating our website, conducting our business, or servicing you. These providers are contractually obligated to keep your information confidential and use it only for the purposes we specify.
- Sharing with approved partners. If you request to be connected with an approved cybersecurity vendor or apply for a grant, we may share the necessary information with that partner to enable them to provide the requested service. We only share your information with partners directly involved in cybersecurity services and grant programs, and require them to protect your data.
- Legal compliance and protection. We may disclose your information when we believe disclosure is necessary to comply with applicable law, regulation, or legal process, or to protect our rights, property, or safety, or that of others.
- Aggregated or de‑identified data. We may share aggregated or de‑identified data that cannot reasonably be used to identify you for analytics, research, or marketing purposes.
Data security
We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to safeguard your personal information against unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration, or destruction. Our safeguards include secure servers, encryption, access controls, and policies designed to protect the confidentiality and integrity of your data. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Cookies and tracking technologies
Our website may use cookies, web beacons, or similar technologies to enhance your browsing experience, analyze trends, and manage content. Cookies are small text files stored on your device. You can control the use of cookies through your browser settings; however, disabling cookies may limit certain functionality of the site.
Links to other websites
Our website may contain links to external websites that we do not operate. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of third‑party sites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any external websites you visit.
Your choices and rights
- Access and correction. You may request access to the personal information we hold about you and ask us to update or correct it if it is inaccurate or incomplete.
- Marketing preferences. You can opt out of email marketing at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link in our emails. You can opt out of SMS communications by replying STOP, as described above.
- Withdraw consent. You may withdraw your consent to our use of your information (including your consent to receive SMS messages) at any time. Doing so may affect our ability to provide certain services.
- Additional rights. Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have other rights under applicable data‑protection laws, such as the right to request deletion or restriction of your data. To exercise any of these rights, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us at the address provided below.
Your consent
By using our website, submitting information through our forms or other channels, and/or opting in to SMS/MMS communications, you agree to the collection, use, and sharing of your personal information as described in this Privacy Policy. If you disagree with the terms of this policy, please do not use our website or provide your personal information.
Changes to this Privacy Policy
We reserve the right to update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or legal requirements. We will post the revised policy on our website and update the “Last Updated” date accordingly. Material changes will take effect 30 days after posting, unless otherwise required by law. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.
Governing law
This Privacy Policy and any dispute arising from or relating to it shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Virginia, U.S.A., without regard to its conflict of law principles. Any legal actions must be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in Virginia, and you consent to the jurisdiction of such courts.
Contact us
If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, our privacy practices, or your data, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us:
Georgia: Cyber Grants Alliance, 10 Glenlake Pkwy NE, Suite 130, Atlanta, GA 30328
Virginia: 42841 Creek View Plaza Ste 120 PMB 1027, Ashburn, VA 20147
