Sightline Institute Privacy Notice 

Last Updated: January 12, 2026 

Sightline Institute is an independent nonprofit organization (“Sightline,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). Contributions from individual donors, corporations, and foundations make up nearly all of Sightline’s base of support. Sightline values our donors’ trust and recognizes that maintaining this trust requires us to be transparent and accountable to our supporters at all times. 

This Privacy Notice applies to the processing of personal information by Sightline, including on our website available at www.sightline.org (“Website”) and our other online or offline offerings that link to, or are otherwise subject to, this Privacy Notice (collectively, the “Services”). This Privacy Notice describes what personal information we collect from our donors, Website visitors, and anyone who expresses interest in or uses our Services; and how we use and share the personal information we collect.  

1. UPDATES TO THIS PRIVACY NOTICE
2. PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT
3. HOW WE USE PERSONAL INFORMATION
4. HOW WE SHARE PERSONAL INFORMATION 
5. YOUR PRIVACY CHOICES
6. INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS OF PERSONAL INFORMATION 
7. CHILDREN’S PERSONAL INFORMATION
8. DONOR BILL OF RIGHTS
9. CONTACT US

1. UPDATES TO THIS PRIVACY NOTICE 

We may update this Privacy Notice from time to time in our sole discretion. If we do, we’ll let you know by posting the updated Privacy Notice on our Website, and we may also send other communications.  

2. PERSONAL INFORMATION WE COLLECT 

We collect personal information that you provide to us, personal information we collect automatically when you use the Services, and personal information from third-party sources, as described below. 

1. Personal Information You Provide to Us Directly 

We may collect personal information that you provide to us. 

• Your Communications with Us. We, and our service providers, may collect personal information, such as name and email, when you subscribe to receive our Sightline  email newsletters, submit a story, contact us, or otherwise communicate with us by phone, mail, or email, in person, or via our Website. We may also collect personal information from you when you interact with us or the Services at conferences, webinars, or other events. 
• Donations. We may collect personal information and limited details associated with your donations, depending on the information you choose to provide, such as your name, email address, telephone number, mailing address, and information related to your gift. Any payments made via our Website are processed by third-party payment processors. We do not directly collect or store any payment card information entered through our Website, though we may receive limited non-sensitive information associated with your payment (such as billing details) from those processors.  
  
  We strive to collect only the information reasonably necessary to process donations and to handle all donor information with care and confidentiality. 
  
• Donor Database. We maintain a donor database to support donor stewardship and relationship management beyond individual transactions. In addition to the information described above, the donor database may include records of communications (such as email correspondence) with donors and individuals who have expressed interest in supporting our work, giving and engagement history, and limited research-based information used to better understand a donor’s potential interest in and ability to support our work. 
  
  This research may draw on publicly available information and reputable third-party tools commonly used by nonprofit organizations for donor research and planning, subject to appropriate confidentiality protections. We strive to collect only the information necessary for these purposes and to handle all donor information with care and confidentiality. We use this information solely for internal fundraising, outreach, and stewardship purposes. We do not sell or rent donor information. 
• Surveys. We may contact you to participate in surveys. If you decide to participate, we may collect personal information from you in connection with the surveys. 
• Interactive Features. We and others who use our Services may collect personal information that you submit or make available through our interactive features, such as social media pages. Any information you provide using the public sharing features of the Services will be considered “public.” 
• Strategic Partnerships. We may collect personal information from individuals and third parties to assess and pursue potential partnership opportunities to promote our mission and fundraising activities.  
• Internship or Job Applications. If you apply for an internship or job with us, we will collect any personal information you provide in connection with your application, such as your contact information and resume or CV.  

2. Personal Information Collected Automatically  

We may collect personal information automatically when you use the Services.  

• Device Information. We may collect personal information about your device, such as your Internet protocol (IP) address, user settings, cookie identifiers, other unique identifiers, browser or device information, Internet service provider, and location information (including, as applicable, an approximate location derived from the IP address). We may collect some of the Device Information on a de-identified basis. 
• Usage Information. We may collect personal information about your use of the Services, such as the pages that you visit, items that you search for, the types of content you interact with, information about the links you click, the frequency and duration of your activities, and other information about how you use the Services. We may collect some of the Usage Information on a de-identified basis.  
• Cookie Notice (and Other Technologies). We, as well as third parties, may use cookies, pixel tags, and other technologies (“Technologies”) to automatically collect personal information through your use of the Services.  
  • Cookies. Cookies are small text files stored in device browsers. 
  • Pixel Tags/Web Beacons. A pixel tag (also known as a web beacon) is a piece of code embedded in the Services that collects personal information about use of or engagement with the Services. The use of a pixel tag allows us to record, for example, that a user has visited a particular web page or clicked on a particular advertisement. We may also include web beacons in emails to understand whether messages have been opened, acted on, or forwarded. 
    
    See “Your Privacy Choices” below to understand your choices regarding these Technologies. 

3. Personal Information Collected from Third Parties 

We may collect personal information about you from third parties in limited circumstances. For example, we may obtain personal information through event registrations, conference session rosters, or similar third-party sources. If you access the Services using a third-party website or application (each a “Third-Party Service”), we may collect personal information that you have made available via your privacy settings on that Third-Party Service. We may also obtain limited research-based information from publicly available sources or proprietary third-party solutions commonly used by nonprofit organizations to support outreach and donor stewardship.   

3. HOW WE USE PERSONAL INFORMATION 

We use personal information for a variety of purposes, including to provide and improve the Services, to operate our organization, and to provide you with promotional materials, as described below.  

1. Provide the Services 

We use personal information to provide the Services, such as: 

• Providing access to certain areas, functionalities, and features of the Services; 
• Communicating with you, including about our programs and funding needs; 
• Answering requests;  
• Sharing personal information with third parties as needed to provide the Services; and 
• Processing your donations and other payments related to the Services, including distributing receipts.  

2. Improve the Services  

We use personal information to improve, upgrade, or enhance the Services. 

3. Operate Our Organization  

We use personal information to operate our organization, such as: 

• Pursuing our legitimate interests such as research and development (including fundraising research), network and information security, and fraud prevention; 
• Carrying out analytics, including reviewing aggregate giving trends;  
• Creating de-identified or aggregated information;  
• Processing applications if you apply for a job or internships we post on our Services;  
• Allowing you to register for events;  
• Planning future fundraising activities and events; 
• Soliciting feedback by conducting surveys; 
• Enforcing our agreements and policies;  
• Carrying out activities that are required to comply with our legal obligations, including rules and regulations governing 501(c)(3) financial reporting; and  
• Carrying out activities that are required to comply with reporting requirements related to specific grants or contributions. 

4. Promote Our Fundraising Activities and Charitable Causes 

We may use personal information to tailor and provide you with content to promote our internal fundraising activities and charitable causes. If you have any questions about our promotional activities, you may contact us at any time as explained in the “Contact Us” section below. 

5. With Your Consent or Direction  

We may use personal information: (i) for other purposes that are clearly disclosed to you at the time you provide the personal information, (ii) with your consent, or (iii) as otherwise directed by you. 

4. HOW WE SHARE PERSONAL INFORMATION 

We share personal information with third parties for a variety of business purposes, including to provide the Services, to protect us or others, or in connection with a major business transaction such as a merger, sale, or asset transfer, as described below.  

Sightline does not sell, exchange, rent, trade, or share its donor list with any other organization. Sightline never sends out mailings on behalf of other organizations. 

1. Disclosures to Provide the Services 

We may share any of the personal information we collect with the categories of third parties described below. 

• Service Providers. We may share personal information with service providers that assist us with the provision of the Services. This may include, but is not limited to, service providers that provide us with hosting services, customer service, database management, analytics, email marketing platforms, fundraising platforms, IT support, and related services.  

Some of the service providers we may use include:  

• Google Analytics. For more information about how Google uses your personal information, please visit Google Analytics’ Privacy Policy. To learn more about how to opt out of Google Analytics’ use of your personal information, please click here. 
• Mailchimp. We use Mailchimp online marketing platform to create, send, and manage email marketing campaigns. For more information about how Mailchimp uses your personal information, please visit Mailchimp Global Privacy Statement. 
• Third-Party Services You Share or Interact With. The Services may link to or allow you to interface with, interact with, share information with, direct us to share information with, access, or use a Third-Party Service. Any personal information shared with a Third-Party Service will be subject to the Third-Party Service’s privacy policy. We are not responsible for the processing of personal information by Third-Party Services. 
• Advertising Partners. When you visit our Website, your personal information may be disclosed to third-party advertising partners via Technologies that these third-party advertising partners may set on our Website and that allow collection of personal information regarding your activities on our Website and your device (e.g., IP address, cookie identifiers, page(s) visited, location, time of day). These advertising partners may use this personal information (and similar information collected from other services) to tailor and deliver personalized ads to you when you visit digital properties within their networks. This practice is commonly referred to as “interest-based advertising,” “personalized advertising,” or “targeted advertising.”  

We do not intentionally share donor database information or donation-related personal information with advertising partners. 

2. Disclosures to Protect Us or Others 

We may share your personal information and related information with external parties if we, in good faith, believe doing so is required or appropriate to comply with law enforcement requests, national security requests, or other government requests; comply with legal process, such as a court order or subpoena; protect your, our, or others’ rights, property, or safety; enforce our policies or contracts; collect amounts owed to us; or assist with an investigation or prosecution of suspected or actual unauthorized or illegal activity. 

3. Disclosure in the Event of Merger, Sale, or Other Asset Transfers 

If we are involved in a merger, acquisition, financing, reorganization, bankruptcy, receivership, purchase or sale of assets, transition of service to another provider, or other similar corporate transaction, your personal information may be shared, sold, or transferred as part of such a transaction. 

5. YOUR PRIVACY CHOICES

The privacy choices you may have about your personal information are described below.  

• Email Communications. If you receive an unwanted email from us, you can use the unsubscribe functionality found at the bottom of the email to opt out of receiving future emails. Note that you will not be able to opt out of certain communications (e.g., communications regarding the Services or updates to this Privacy Notice). 
• “Do Not Track.” Do Not Track (“DNT”) is a privacy preference that users can set in certain web browsers. Please note that we do not respond to or honor DNT signals or similar mechanisms transmitted by web browsers. 
• Cookies. You may stop or restrict the placement of Technologies on your device or remove them by adjusting your preferences as your browser or device permits. However, if you adjust your preferences, the Services may not work properly.  

The online advertising industry also provides mechanisms that may allow you to opt out of receiving targeted ads from organizations that participate in self-regulatory programs. To learn more, visit the Network Advertising Initiative and the Digital Advertising Alliance.  

Please note you must separately opt out in each browser and on each device.  

6. INTERNATIONAL TRANSFERS OF PERSONAL INFORMATION

All personal information processed by us may be transferred, processed, and stored anywhere in the world, including, but not limited to, the United States or other countries, which may have data protection laws that are different from the laws where you live.  

7. CHILDREN’S PERSONAL INFORMATION

The Services are not directed to children under 18 (or other age as required by local law outside the United States), and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. 

If you are a parent or guardian and believe that your child has uploaded personal information to the Services in violation of applicable law, you may contact us as described in “Contact Us” below. 

8. DONOR BILL OF RIGHTS

Sightline follows the Donor Bill of Rights developed by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), Associations for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP), the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), and the Giving Institute: Leading Consultants to Non-Profits. To address the concerns and challenges arising from Internet charitable giving, Sightline also endeavors to follow the eDonor Bill of Rights, developed by the AFP and intended to complement the Donor Bill of Rights. You can read the Donor and eDonor Bill of Rights at this link.  

9. CONTACT US

If you have any questions about our privacy practices or this Privacy Notice, please contact us at editor@sightline.org.