Privacy Policy

Collection, Use and Security of Personal Information

The Fuel fund of Maryland (FFM) values and respects an individual's right to keep certain Personal Information private.  Likewise, the FFM values the need to collect and use Personal Information which will enable the FFM to effectively fulfill its mission.  This Privacy Policy applies to activities of the FFM and additionally to persons visiting FFM Web sites, signing up for FFM publications and mailings, or entering into transactions with the FFM, and covers the collection, use, storage and disclosure of information and data as described in this Privacy Policy. The Privacy Policy does not apply to information that the FFM collects on contractors, vendors or other entities with which the FFM does business, although the FFM will contractually require them to comply with relevant provisions of the Privacy Policy.

1. Fuel Fund of Maryland Collection of Personal Information

   1. FFM will collect Personal Information on an individual only if the individual provides the information to the FFM.  FFM also may collect information about a person who has been referred to the website to send them emails regarding FFM’s efforts or a person to whom the FFM has been asked to send emails regarding FFM’s programs or efforts.  If a person donates to FFM, FFM may collect sensitive Personal Information such as the donor’s credit card number, card type, expiration date and keep a record of the financial transaction.

      The FFM may collect Demographic Information it obtains from individuals and third parties for fund raising purposes and to notify persons of FFM programs, events, educational opportunities and upcoming meetings.

      The FFM may collect Aggregate and Transactional Information and add to its database every time a person visits an FFM Web Site. Also, FFM collects Aggregate Information for research purposes.

   2. Types of information: "Personal Information" is "Demographic Information" which identifies a specific individual with a minimal degree of effort. Demographic Information includes name, address, city and other similar information. Transactional Information is data collected on an individual based on the individuals' interactions with the FFM, which may include sensitive information such as credit card information and Utility Account Information. Aggregate Information is information presented  in summary or statistical form which does not contain data that would permit the identification of a specific individual without extraordinary effort.

2. Fuel Fund of Maryland Use of Personal Information

   1. When an individual provides Personal Information to FFM, the FFM may use the Personal Information for its programs, research and fund raising.
   2. FFM uses Transactional Information for research purposes for the development or implementation of its programs, products and services.  The presumption is that, since Transactional Information is highly proprietary, it will not be disclosed to third parties.
   3. FFM will disclose all information as required by law.
   4. FFM will make every effort to discontinue the use of an individual's Personal Information as soon as practicable if requested by that individual.  FFM may need to retain Information in its archives and records to comply with law, resolve disputes, analyze problems, assist with any investigations, enforce FFM’s User Agreement and other policies, and take other actions otherwise permitted or required by law.

3. Specific Requirements

   1. Administrative
      1. FFM will take reasonable and appropriate measures to keep Personal Information confidential and in a secure environment, including taking appropriate action in the event of unauthorized disclosure.
      2. Access to Personal Information will be restricted to only those personnel with a legitimate business purpose.
      3. FFM owns all Personal Information provided to it by individuals and collected in accordance with this Policy.  When an individual provides Information to the FFM, FFM will ensure that the individual acknowledges their assignment of the right to use the data to FFM.
   2. Third Party Disclosure

      Permission is required before FFM discloses Personal Information to a third party.  No permission is necessary for Aggregate Information, since Aggregate Information does not identify a specific individual.

      1. For disclosure of Demographic Information (e.g., rentals or exchanges of donor lists), FFM as a minimum will use the "Opt Out" approach.  An "opt-out" is obtained when the FFM through some correspondence gives an individual the opportunity to decline or "opt-out" of disclosures to third parties.  If the individual does not opt out, permission is deemed granted.  Depending upon the nature of an activity or project, a higher standard than "opt-out" may be used, such as "opt-in" whereby an individual must affirmatively give consent before information is disclosed.
      2. From time to time, there is a benefit in allowing a third party to use collected Personal Information on individuals.   However, unless an individual gives permission, FFM will not disclose Personal Information collected by FFM to any third party. The FFM sometimes engages third parties to provide certain operational services to the FFM or on its behalf.   FFM may disclose Personal  Information to those third parties on a “need to know” basis under a written contract.
      3. FFM uses and allows third parties to use Aggregate Information for research purposes for the development or implementation of its programs, products and services.