Privacy Policy

Effective Date: 7/10/26     Last Updated: 7/10/26

Leadership Rhode Island (“LRI,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is committed to protecting the privacy and security of the personal information of our alumni, program participants, donors, volunteers, community partners, website visitors, and other constituents. This Privacy Policy describes how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your personal information when you interact with us through our website (leadershipri.org), our programs and events, our text messaging services, our email communications, and other organizational activities.

By using our website, participating in our programs, or otherwise providing us with your personal information, you acknowledge that you have read and understand this Privacy Policy.

1. Information We Collect

We collect personal information in the following ways:

Information You Provide Directly

When you interact with LRI — such as applying to a program, registering for an event, making a donation, subscribing to our newsletter, filling out a form, or contacting us — you may provide information including:

• Name
• Email address
• Mailing address
• Phone number (including mobile phone number)
• Organization name and title
• Program participation history
• Demographic information provided voluntarily on applications
• Payment information for donations or program fees (processed by third-party payment processors; LRI does not store credit card numbers)
• Any other information you choose to provide

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, certain information is collected automatically through cookies, analytics tools, tag management systems, and similar technologies, including:

• IP address
• Browser type and version
• Operating system and device type
• Pages visited, time spent on pages, and navigation paths
• Referring website or source
• General geographic location (city/region level, derived from IP address)
• Interactions with site features, forms, and embedded content

We use third-party analytics, marketing automation, and security services that may collect and process this data on our behalf. These services help us understand website traffic, measure the effectiveness of our communications, protect against bot activity and abuse, and improve our site. The data collected by these services is used to support LRI’s organizational activities and is governed by these providers’ respective privacy policies. See Section 5 (“Cookies and Tracking Technologies”) for more details.

Information from Third Parties

We may receive information about you from third-party platforms and services we use, such as event registration platforms, donation processing services, or social media platforms, to the extent you interact with us through those services.

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the personal information we collect for the following purposes:

• Administering our leadership development programs (Core Program, Propel Program, Pathways Program, Senior Fellows Program, and others)
• Communicating with you about programs, events, and organizational news
• Processing donations and providing tax receipts
• Managing our alumni network and facilitating alumni engagement
• Sending email newsletters and other communications you have opted into
• Sending text messages related to programs and events you are involved in (with your consent)
• Responding to your inquiries and requests
• Improving our website, programs, and services
• Conducting internal analysis and reporting to support our mission
• Fulfilling legal and regulatory obligations
• Protecting the rights, safety, and property of LRI, our constituents, and the public

3. Text Messaging (SMS/MMS) Privacy

This section describes our practices specific to text messaging services operated through Leadership Rhode Island organizational phone numbers via Zoom Phone.

3.1 What Information We Collect for SMS

We collect the names and mobile phone numbers of individuals who opt in to receive text messages from Leadership Rhode Island. We also collect records of opt-in consent (how, when, and where consent was given).

3.2 How We Use SMS Information

Text messages from Leadership Rhode Island are used for:

• Direct communication related to LRI programs you are participating in (session reminders, logistics, schedule changes)
• Engaging with community partners and alumni based on program participation and expressed interests
• Two-way conversational correspondence supporting your engagement with LRI initiatives
• Organizational updates and event information you have opted into receiving

3.3 Consent to Receive Text Messages

You may consent to receive text messages from Leadership Rhode Island through the following methods:

• Web Forms: When applying for or registering for an LRI program, event, or committee through our website or online forms (such as Form Assembly), you may opt in to receive text messages by providing your mobile phone number and checking the consent box.
• Written Forms: When completing paper-based registration or application forms, you may indicate consent to receive text messages.
• Email: You may respond to an email communication indicating your consent to receive text messages.
• Verbal Consent: You may verbally request or agree to receive text messages during conversations with LRI staff.
• Inbound SMS: You may initiate a text message conversation with an LRI organizational phone number published on our website (leadershipri.org/contact), in program materials, in email signatures, or in other official LRI communications.

By providing your consent, you agree to receive text messages from Leadership Rhode Island at the mobile number you provided. Message frequency varies. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP, and you can get help by replying HELP. You can also refer to this privacy policy at leadershipri.org/privacy-policy.

3.4 Opt-In Confirmation

When you first opt in to receive text messages, you will receive a confirmation message similar to:

“Leadership Rhode Island: Thank you for opting in for our texting notifications. Message frequency may vary. Message and data rates may apply. To end messaging from us, reply STOP. Reply HELP for more information.”

3.5 Opting Out

You can opt out of receiving text messages from Leadership Rhode Island at any time by replying STOP (or CANCEL, END, QUIT, or UNSUBSCRIBE) to any text message you receive from us. Upon opting out, you will receive a confirmation message:

“You are unsubscribed from texts from Leadership Rhode Island. No more messages will be sent.”

You may also contact us at office@leadershipri.org or call 401-273-1574 to request removal from our text messaging lists.

3.6 Help

You can reply HELP to any text message from Leadership Rhode Island to receive assistance. You will receive a response similar to:

“Leadership Rhode Island: For help, visit www.leadershipri.org or call 401-273-1574. Text STOP to stop receiving messages. Text START to start receiving messages again. See our privacy policy at leadershipri.org/privacy-policy.”

3.7 No Sharing of Mobile Information

We do not sell, share, or disclose your mobile phone number, text messaging opt-in data, or consent to any third parties or affiliates. This applies without exception — we do not share this information for marketing, promotional, or any other purpose.

No mobile information will be shared with third parties or affiliates for marketing or promotional purposes. No mobile information, including mobile phone numbers, text messaging originator opt-in data, and consent, will be shared with any third parties or affiliates for any purpose.

3.8 10DLC Compliance

Our text messaging services comply with 10-digit long code (10DLC) standards, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), and CTIA messaging guidelines, which are designed to protect consumers and enhance the quality of application-to-person (A2P) SMS messaging.

4. Email Communications

We use Mailchimp, a third-party email service provider, to send newsletters, event announcements, and other organizational communications. When you subscribe to our mailing list (such as through the signup form on our website), your email address and any other information you provide are stored and processed by Mailchimp in accordance with their privacy policy.

You can unsubscribe from our email communications at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of any email or by contacting us at office@leadershipri.org.

5. Cookies and Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies, web beacons, pixels, and similar technologies to enhance your experience, analyze site usage, support security, and facilitate our organizational activities.

Cookies are small data files placed on your device when you visit a website. The types of cookies and tracking technologies used on our website include:

• Essential cookies that are necessary for the website to function properly, including content management, performance optimization, and security features.
• Analytics cookies that help us understand how visitors interact with our website — such as which pages are visited, how long visitors spend on a page, and how they navigate the site — so we can improve it. Our analytics providers may collect information such as your IP address, browser type, device type, and browsing behavior on our site.
• Marketing and engagement cookies that help us understand how visitors arrive at our website, measure the effectiveness of our outreach, and tailor our communications. These technologies may collect information about your interactions with our website and emails.
• Security and bot-detection cookies that protect our website from spam, abuse, and automated attacks. These services may analyze your browsing behavior to distinguish legitimate visitors from bots.
• Font and design cookies set by third-party services that deliver web fonts and design elements used on our site.

Our website also contains embedded content, widgets, and links to third-party services (such as social media platforms, video hosting services, donation platforms, and nonprofit transparency databases) that may set their own cookies or collect information about you. We do not control the cookies or data practices of these third parties, and their use is governed by their respective privacy policies.

Your Choices: You can control cookie settings through your browser. Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent. Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of some parts of our website. Where our website recognizes browser-based privacy signals (such as the Global Privacy Control), we will honor those signals in accordance with applicable law.

6. How We Share Your Information

We Do Not Sell Your Information

Leadership Rhode Island does not sell your personal information — including your name, email address, phone number, mobile number, or any other data — to any third party, under any circumstances.

Service Providers

We share personal information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our organization and delivering our programs. These providers fall into the following general categories:

• Constituent and donor management — to maintain records of program participants, alumni, donors, and community partners
• Email and marketing communications — to send newsletters, event announcements, and organizational updates to individuals who have opted in
• Marketing automation and analytics — to understand how people interact with our website and communications, measure the effectiveness of our outreach, and improve our programs
• Website hosting, performance, and security — to deliver our website reliably, protect it from spam and abuse, and optimize its performance
• Event registration and donation processing — to manage event signups and process charitable contributions
• Video conferencing and phone services — to support meetings, programs, and organizational communications, including text messaging
• Assessment and program delivery — to administer leadership assessments and program content
• Form collection and data entry — to gather applications, registrations, and other information submitted through online forms

These service providers process your information on our behalf and under our direction. They are authorized to use your personal information only as necessary to provide services to LRI and are contractually or otherwise obligated to protect your information. They do not have independent rights to use or share your information for their own purposes.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your personal information if required to do so by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, or when we believe in good faith that disclosure is necessary to protect the rights, property, or safety of LRI, our constituents, or the public.

Aggregate or De-identified Information

We may share aggregate or de-identified information that does not personally identify you for reporting, research, or organizational improvement purposes (for example, the total number of program alumni or general demographic summaries in our impact reports).

7. Data Security

We take the security of your personal information seriously. We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect your information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Multi-factor authentication on our critical systems
• Password management through an enterprise password manager
• Endpoint protection and monitoring on organizational devices
• Role-based access controls limiting data access to authorized personnel
• Staff training on data security and privacy practices
• Secure handling and disposal of sensitive information

However, no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure. While we strive to use commercially reasonable means to protect your personal information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

8. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. Specifically:

• Program participant and alumni records are retained as part of our organizational history and alumni network, which is central to our mission
• Donor records are retained as required by applicable tax and nonprofit regulations
• Email subscriber information is retained until you unsubscribe
• SMS consent records are retained for the duration of your opt-in status and for a reasonable period thereafter for compliance purposes
• Website analytics data is retained in aggregate form

If you would like to request deletion of your personal information, please contact us at office@leadershipri.org. We will honor your request to the extent consistent with our legal obligations and legitimate organizational interests.

9. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following choices regarding your personal information:

• Access and Correction: You may request access to the personal information we hold about you and ask us to correct any inaccuracies by contacting us at office@leadershipri.org.
• Email Opt-Out: You may unsubscribe from marketing emails at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link in any email or by contacting us.
• SMS Opt-Out: You may opt out of text messages at any time by replying STOP to any message or by contacting us.
• Cookie Preferences: You may control cookies through your browser settings.
• Deletion: You may request deletion of your personal information, subject to our legal retention obligations.

Depending on your state of residence, you may have additional rights under applicable state privacy laws. Please contact us if you wish to exercise any such rights, and we will respond in accordance with applicable law.

10. Children’s Privacy

Our website, programs, and services are not directed at children under the age of 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we become aware that we have inadvertently collected personal information from a child under 13, we will take steps to delete that information as soon as possible. If you believe that a child under 13 has provided us with personal information, please contact us at office@leadershipri.org.

Some LRI programs may involve participants between the ages of 13 and 17 (for example, college-level leadership programs). In such cases, we collect only the information necessary for program administration and obtain any required parental or guardian consent in accordance with applicable law.

11. Third-Party Websites and Services

Our website and communications may contain links to third-party websites, platforms, and services that are not operated by LRI. This includes, but is not limited to, donation platforms, event registration services, social media sites, and partner organization websites. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, technology, legal requirements, or other factors. When we make material changes, we will update the “Last Updated” date at the top of this policy and, where appropriate, notify you through our website, email, or other communication channels. We encourage you to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or our data practices, please contact us:

Leadership Rhode Island
188 Valley Street, Building 3L, Suite 131
Providence, RI 02909
Phone: 401-273-1574
Email: office@leadershipri.org
Website: www.leadershipri.org