1. Introduction

Your privacy is important to There Is Help Incorporated. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and protect personal information when you visit our website, make a donation, register for an event, volunteer with us, subscribe to our newsletter, or otherwise interact with our services.

There Is Help is an Australian humanitarian non-profit organisation, headquartered at 10 Somerdale Avenue, Wyndham Vale VIC 3024, Australia, with operations also supporting communities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Tanzania, and Malawi. We are committed to handling your personal information responsibly and in line with the Australian Privacy Principles under the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth).

By using our website or providing us with your information, you consent to the practices described in this policy. If you do not agree with this policy, please do not use our website or provide us with your personal information.

2. Information We Collect

We only collect personal information that you choose to give us, or that is generated automatically as you browse our site.

Information you give us directly

• Donations — first and last name, email, phone number, country, organisation (if applicable), donation amount, and the project or program you are supporting.
• Event registration & volunteering — name, contact details, and other information requested on the relevant registration or volunteer form.
• Newsletter subscription — your email address.
• Feedback & testimonials — your name, organisation, email, phone number, a message, and an optional photo.
• Contact forms — your name, phone number, email address, and the content of your message.
• Staff / portal accounts — login credentials for authorised staff accessing internal tools.

Information collected automatically

Like most websites, our server automatically logs standard technical information such as your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, and the date and time of your visit. This information is used in aggregate for security and to understand how our website is used, and is not used to personally identify you unless you have also submitted information voluntarily through a form.

3. How We Use Your Information

We are the sole owner of the information collected through this website. We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information to third parties. We use the information we collect to:

• Process and acknowledge your donations, and issue receipts;
• Register you for events, programs, or volunteering opportunities;
• Respond to enquiries submitted through our contact form;
• Send newsletters, project updates, and appeals — only to subscribers who have opted in;
• Publish testimonials and feedback you have voluntarily submitted, with your name and photo (where provided);
• Maintain the security and proper functioning of our website;
• Comply with legal, accounting, and regulatory obligations as a registered charity.

4. Donations & Payments

When you make a donation, your details are recorded so we can confirm your gift, send you a thank-you note, and, where relevant, follow up regarding payment. Donations made through our online payment partner (Stripe) are processed directly by that provider — we do not store your full card details on our servers. Please refer to Stripe's Privacy Policy for information on how they handle payment data.

5. Cookies & Tracking Technologies

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies to keep the site working properly and to improve your experience. Specifically, we use:

• Essential cookies — required for core site functionality, such as form submissions and security.
• Google reCAPTCHA — used on our donation, contact, subscription, and feedback forms to help prevent spam and abuse. Use of reCAPTCHA is subject to the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

You can control or disable cookies through your browser settings; however, some parts of our website may not function correctly if cookies are disabled.

6. Sharing Your Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share it only in the following limited circumstances:

• With trusted service providers who help us operate our website, process payments, or send communications (such as our hosting provider or Stripe), and who are bound to keep your data confidential;
• With our project teams in Australia and overseas (including the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, Tanzania, and Malawi) where necessary to deliver a program, event, or donation you have engaged with;
• Where required by law, regulation, or a valid request from a government or law enforcement authority;
• To protect the rights, property, or safety of There Is Help, our supporters, or the public.

7. Data Security

We take reasonable technical and organisational measures to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. Our website uses SSL encryption to protect data submitted through forms and during online transactions. While we work hard to protect your information, no method of transmission over the internet is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Data Retention

We retain personal information only for as long as is necessary to fulfil the purposes described in this policy, including satisfying any legal, accounting, or reporting obligations as a registered charity. When information is no longer needed, we take reasonable steps to securely delete or de-identify it.

9. Children's Privacy

Our website is not directed at children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children without the consent of a parent or guardian. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information without appropriate consent, please contact us so we can remove it.

10. Your Rights & Choices

You have the right to:

• Access the personal information we hold about you;
• Correct any information that is inaccurate or out of date;
• Unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time using the unsubscribe link in any email we send, or by visiting our newsletter page;
• Request deletion of your personal information, subject to any legal or record-keeping obligations we must comply with as a charity.

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the details below. We may need to verify your identity before actioning your request.

11. Links to Other Sites

Our website may contain links to external websites, including social media platforms and our payment partner. This Privacy Policy applies only to thereishelp.org.au and its subdomains. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or content of external sites, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies before providing any personal information.

12. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for legal reasons. Any changes will be posted on this page with an updated "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

13. Contact Us

If you have any questions, concerns, or requests regarding this Privacy Policy or how we handle your personal information, please contact us: