Privacy Policy
Introduction
OAR of Northern Virginia (“OAR,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects the privacy of everyone who visits our website. This policy explains what information we collect at oarnova.org, how we use it, and what choices you have.
This policy covers this website only. Information collected through our programs and services is handled separately under our program confidentiality practices and applicable law.
By using this website, you agree to the practices described here.
Information You Provide to Us
We collect information you enter voluntarily when you fill out a form on our site. Depending on the form, this may include:
- Your name
- Email address
- Phone number
- Mailing address
- Organization or affiliation
- The content of any message, question, or comment you send us
- Any other details you choose to include
Forms on this site may include contact and general inquiry forms, newsletter signup, volunteer interest forms, program referral and intake requests, and event registration.
You are not required to provide this information to browse the site. If you choose not to complete a form, we may be unable to respond to your request.
Information Collected Automatically
Like most websites, we automatically collect certain technical information when you visit. This includes:
- Your IP address
- Browser type and version
- Operating system and device type
- Screen resolution and general device settings
- Pages you view and the time spent on each
- The website or search term that referred you to us
- The date and time of your visit
This information is collected in aggregate and is not used to identify you personally. We use it to understand how visitors find and use the site so we can improve it.
Cookies and Similar Technologies
A cookie is a small text file placed on your device when you visit a website. Cookies let a site remember your actions and preferences over time.
We use the following categories:
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Essential | Required for the site to function. These handle page loading, security, and form submission. The site will not work properly without them. |
| Performance and analytics | Collect anonymous information about how visitors use the site, such as which pages are most visited and where visitors encounter errors. |
| Functional | Remember choices you make, such as text size or previously entered form information, so you do not have to re-enter them. |
Most browsers accept cookies automatically. You can set your browser to refuse cookies or to alert you when one is being sent. Refer to your browser’s help documentation for instructions. If you disable cookies, some parts of this site may not function correctly.
We do not use cookies to serve advertising or to build marketing profiles of visitors.
Analytics
We use Google Analytics, a web analytics service provided by Google LLC, to understand how visitors use our site. Google Analytics uses cookies to collect information such as pages visited, time on site, approximate geographic location, and the source that referred you to us.
This information is reported to us in aggregate. We do not use it to identify individual visitors.
Google’s handling of this data is governed by its own privacy policy, available at policies.google.com/privacy.
If you prefer not to be included in Google Analytics, you can install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on at tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout, or block analytics cookies through your browser settings.
How We Use Your Information
We use the information we collect to:
- Respond to your questions, requests, and messages
- Process program referrals and volunteer inquiries
- Send newsletters and updates to those who have subscribed
- Process and acknowledge donations
- Maintain records of our communications with you
- Understand how the site is used and improve its content and performance
- Maintain the security and proper functioning of the site
- Comply with legal obligations
We do not use information collected through this site to make decisions about eligibility for our programs.
How We Share Information
We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information.
We share information only in these circumstances:
- Service providers. We work with vendors who help us operate the site and our communications, including our web host, email delivery service, analytics provider, donation platform, and email marketing service. These providers may access information only as needed to perform their work for us.
- Legal requirements. We may disclose information if required by law, subpoena, court order, or other legal process, or where we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.
- With your consent. We may share information in other ways when you direct or permit us to do so.
If OAR merges with or transfers operations to another organization, information collected through this site may be transferred as part of that transition.
Third-Party Sites and Services
Our site contains links to other websites, including social media pages, partner organizations, and our online donation platform. Some pages may also display embedded content such as videos, maps, or social media feeds.
When you click a link to another site or interact with embedded content, that third party may collect information about you under its own privacy policy. We do not control those practices and are not responsible for the content or privacy policies of other sites.
We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any site you visit from ours, particularly before providing personal or payment information.
Data Retention
We keep information only as long as needed for the purpose it was collected, or as required by law.
Form submissions are retained while we are responding to your request and for a reasonable period afterward for recordkeeping. Newsletter subscriptions are kept until you unsubscribe. Analytics data is retained according to the settings configured in our analytics account.
You may ask us to delete information you submitted through the site. See Your Choices below.
Security
We take reasonable measures to protect information submitted through this site, including encrypted connections (HTTPS), managed hosting with regular security updates, and limiting access to submitted information to staff who need it.
No method of transmitting or storing information over the internet is completely secure. While we work to protect your information, we cannot guarantee absolute security.
Please do not submit sensitive personal information through our website forms, including Social Security numbers, financial account numbers, or detailed medical or legal case information. If you need to share that kind of information with us, contact us directly and we will arrange a secure method.
Your Choices
Email. Every newsletter and marketing email we send includes an unsubscribe link. You may also contact us and ask to be removed from our mailing list. We may still send you messages needed to respond to a request you made.
Cookies. You can refuse or delete cookies through your browser settings. Some site features may not work if you do.
Analytics. You can opt out of Google Analytics using the browser add-on linked in the Analytics section above.
Access and deletion. You may ask us what information we hold about you from this site, ask us to correct it, or ask us to delete it. Contact us using the information below. We will respond within a reasonable time, subject to any records we are legally required to keep.
Do Not Track. Some browsers offer a Do Not Track signal. There is no common industry standard for responding to these signals, and this site does not currently respond to them.
Children's Privacy
This website is intended for a general adult audience. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 through this site.
If you believe a child under 13 has submitted personal information to us through this website, contact us and we will delete it.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, or legal requirements. When we do, we will revise the effective date at the bottom of this page.
We encourage you to review this policy periodically. Your continued use of the site after changes are posted means you accept the updated policy.
Contact Us
If you have questions about this policy or about how we handle information collected through this site, contact us:
OAR of Northern Virginia
10700 Page Avenue, Suite 200
Fairfax, VA 22030
Phone: 703-246-3033
Email: info@oarnova.org
Effective date: October 6, 2026
Last updated: October 6, 2026