Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 04/29/2025

The Florida Lantern Project (“FLP”, “we”, “our”, or “us”) is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and safeguard your personal information when you interact with us through our website, events, or other services.

1) Information We Collect

We collect information you provide directly to us, such as when you:

• Register for a Workshop

• Request Evacuation or Transportation Assistance

• Contact the Disaster Support Hotline

• Request Wellness Checks, Emergency Repairs, or Home Cleanup

• Request an Inspection

• Apply for other Support

• Purchase services like Drone Inspections, Weather Station Installations, or Emergency Readiness Kits

• Donate or sponsor through Beacons of Hope, Lanterns of Hope, or other fundraising activities

• Subscribe to our Lantern Network Membership

• Contact us by email, phone, or through our website

The types of information may include:

• Name, email address, mailing address, phone number

• Payment information (for donations, services, or memberships)

• Information related to your disaster needs or service requests

• Information related to fundraising events or sponsorships

  
  

We may also automatically collect technical information about your interaction with our website, such as:

• IP address

• Browser type

• Device information

• Pages visited

2) How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Deliver disaster preparedness, response, and recovery services

• Provide weather updates and disaster support information

• Manage donations, sponsorships, memberships, and event registrations

• Communicate with you about services, updates, fundraising opportunities, and important news

• Improve our programs and outreach efforts

• Comply with legal obligations and reporting requirements

3) How We Share Your Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information.

We may share information with trusted partners or service providers who assist us in delivering programs or managing fundraising activities (e.g., payment processors, software providers), but only under confidentiality agreements.

We may also share your information if required by law, or to protect the rights, property, or safety of FLP, its staff, or the community.

We believe disaster support is a universal human right. We do not share your information with ICE, Homeland Security, or any immigration enforcement agency. The only way those entities could ever access our records is with force and a court-issued warrant. We are committed to protecting your privacy and will never cooperate with any action that threatens the safety or dignity of the people we serve.

However, some assistance programs (such as FEMA or SBA aid) are operated by government agencies we do not control, and applying to them may be only available for US Citizens and/or involve different privacy practices. If you are concerned about privacy or data sharing, please contact us before seeking services connected to government programs. We’re here to help you make the safest decision.

4) Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards to protect your information. However, no method of transmission over the Internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. If you believe your information has been compromised, please contact us immediately.

5) Your Rights and Choices

You have the right to:

• Request access to the personal information we hold about you

• Request that we correct or delete your personal information (subject to legal requirements)

• Opt out of receiving non-essential communications at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link in our emails or contacting us directly

Please note that opting out of communications may affect your access to some services, especially during disaster response efforts.

6) Children's Privacy

Our services are not directed to children under the age of 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children. However, we may collect information from parents, legal guardians, or caregivers about children under 13 in order to provide disaster relief services.

This type of data collection is permitted under the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) when the information is provided by a legal guardian for the purpose of protecting the health or safety of the child in an emergency or public safety context. We use this information solely to fulfill our mission of providing essential support to families during and after disasters.

If you believe we have collected personal information about a child without proper authorization, please contact us so we can investigate and take appropriate action.

7) Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to external sites we do not control. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of these third-party websites.

8) Fundraising and Revenue Activities

Certain programs, like Drone Inspections, Weather Station Installations, Emergency Readiness Kits, and Lantern Network Memberships, may involve the collection of payment and service-related information. We handle this information securely and only for the purposes of providing services and maintaining financial sustainability.

All fundraising activities, including Beacons of Hope and Lanterns of Hope, comply with applicable privacy and donor protection laws.

9) Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on our website with the updated effective date. We encourage you to review this policy periodically.

10) Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, please contact:

Florida Lantern Project
4412 W Sylvan Ramble St.

Tampa, FL 33509

Email: info@floridalanternproject.org
Phone: (813) 733-8806