Privacy Policy

Fencing ForwardLast Updated: February 14, 2026

Fencing Forward is a trade name (DBA) of Youth Fencing Chicago, Inc., a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Tax ID: 99-0834900). We value our donors, participants, and volunteers, and we maintain a high level of confidentiality concerning the personal and financial information entrusted to us.

1. Our Commitment to Your Privacy

We respect your privacy. This policy explains how we collect, use, and protect your information across our website, the Fence-A-Thon, the Meredith Delgado Endowment, and all other Fencing Forward initiatives.

2. Information We Collect

We collect personal information that you voluntarily provide, including:

• Contact Details: Name, email address, phone number, and mailing address.
• Donation Data: Transaction dates, amounts, and specific designations (e.g., General Fund or Meredith Delgado Endowment).
• Scholarship Information: For endowment participants, we may collect academic transcripts (GPA), proof of school enrollment, and progress in required financial literacy programs.
• Technical Data: We may use cookies to understand how visitors interact with our Site to improve our outreach.

3. Payment Security

Fencing Forward does not store or process credit card numbers on our own servers. All financial transactions are handled securely by our third-party payment processors (such as Stripe). Payment information is entered directly into their secure environments and is protected by industry-standard encryption.

4. How We Use Your Information

We use your information strictly for internal and mission-related purposes:

• Issuing tax-deductible donation receipts and acknowledgments.
• Managing student eligibility for multi-year scholarship programs.
• Providing updates on our impact, upcoming events, and fundraising campaigns.
• Complying with IRS and legal reporting obligations.

5. Information Sharing and Disclosure

Fencing Forward does not sell, trade, lease, or share donor or participant information with other organizations for their marketing purposes. We only share information with:

• Service Providers: Partners who support our operations (e.g., email platforms or auction software).
• Educational Verification: For Meredith Delgado Endowment recipients, we may verify academic standing with schools or partner institutions (such as the University of Chicago), provided we have parent/guardian consent.
• Legal Requirements: If required by law or to protect the safety of our youth participants.

6. Youth Privacy

Our programs primarily serve youth. We collect limited personal information from minors only as necessary for safety, program administration, and scholarship tracking. This data is collected only with the consent of a parent or legal guardian.

7. Donor’s Bill of Rights

Fencing Forward supporters have the right to:

• Be informed of our mission and how their funds are being utilized.
• Request to remain anonymous in any public recognition.
• Access our most recent financial statements.
• Be removed from our mailing and solicitation lists at any time.

8. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect new programs. The “Last Updated” date at the top of this page will indicate when changes were made.

9. Contact Us

If you have questions or concerns about your data, please reach out:

Website: https://fencingforward.com

Email: [email protected]