Here at Genesis Community Foundation (GCF), we take your privacy seriously. This policy, together with any applicable terms of use for our websites and services, sets out the basis on which any personal information we collect from you, or that you provide to us, will be processed.

1. What Information Do We Hold?

Information you give us:
We may collect information when you fill in forms on our website, contact us at events or via phone/email. This may include your name, postal address, email address, phone number, and any other personal details you choose to share.

Information we collect about you:
When you visit our website, we may collect the following technical information:

  • Your IP address
  • Browser type and version
  • Time zone setting
  • Browser plug-in types and versions
  • Operating system and platform
  • Page interaction data (e.g. clicks, scrolls)
  • Access times, page response times, download errors, and other analytical data

Information from specific users:
If you are a GCF employee, volunteer, beneficiary or service user, we may also hold sensitive personal data such as financial details, date of birth, gender, marital status, education/employment history, references, medical and criminal records (where necessary and lawful).

2. How We Use Your Information

We may use your information:

  • To administer our website and for internal operations (e.g. troubleshooting, research, data analysis)
  • To improve our site and present content effectively
  • To enable you to participate in interactive services
  • To keep our website safe and secure
  • To send you updates if you’ve signed up for newsletters
  • To monitor and evaluate our services (anonymously unless otherwise agreed)
  • To fulfil legal, contractual or safeguarding responsibilities

3. Where Do We Store Your Data?

  • Only authorised GCF staff access your data.
  • Data is stored securely on encrypted systems or in locked filing cabinets.
  • We may store data digitally, in paper form, or both.
  • Some data may be transferred outside the UK/EEA when necessary, with all appropriate safeguards in place.
  • Although we do our best to protect your data, please be aware that internet transmissions are not completely secure.

4. Our Legal Basis for Processing Your Data

We rely on various legal bases, including:

  • Consent: For newsletters and marketing.
  • Legitimate interests: For improving services and event bookings.
  • Contractual necessity: Where data is needed to deliver services you’ve requested.
  • Legal obligations: For HR, safeguarding and regulatory compliance.
  • You will be informed when your data is held under consent and have the right to withdraw consent at any time.

5. How Long Do We Keep Your Data?

The duration we keep your data depends on its purpose:

  • Data held on the basis of consent is retained only while consent is active.
  • Other data is retained as long as legally or operationally necessary.

To request a full data retention schedule, contact hello@gcfs.org.uk.

6. Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access the personal data we hold about you
  • Request corrections to inaccurate or incomplete data
  • Request deletion of your data (where lawful)
  • Restrict or object to certain types of processing
  • Withdraw consent at any time (where consent is the legal basis)

For more information, visit the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO).

7. Other Websites

Our website may contain links to third-party websites. Please note we are not responsible for their content or privacy policies. We encourage you to read their privacy statements before submitting personal data.

8. Cookies

Our websites use cookies to:

  • Help navigate and carry information across pages
  • Analyse traffic and improve website performance

You can control cookie settings through your browser. Note: disabling cookies may affect site functionality.

9. Changes to This Policy

We may update this privacy policy from time to time. Any changes will be posted here, and where appropriate, notified by email. Please revisit this page periodically.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions or concerns about this privacy policy, or wish to exercise your rights, please contact:

Email: hello@gcfs.org.uk
Genesis Community Foundation (GCF)