Effective Date: December 1st, 2025
At the Thomas Foundation, we respect and protect your privacy. This policy explains how we collect, use, store, and protect personal information submitted through our website, scholarship application form, and donation systems.
1. Information We Collect
We collect personal information to process scholarship applications, manage donations, and communicate with supporters. The types of information we collect include:
From Scholarship Applicants:
- Personal information (name, email, address, phone number, date of birth)
- Academic information (institution, program, transcripts)
- Uploaded documents (essays, resumes, reference letters, videos)
- Reference contact details (names, emails, and phone numbers)
- Any additional information provided voluntarily in your submission
From Donors:
- Name, email, and mailing address
- Payment details (securely processed through our donation platform)
- Donation amount and history
From Website Visitors:
- Basic usage data (cookies, IP address, browser type) for analytics and site improvement
2. How We Use Your Information
Your personal data is used for specific, lawful purposes only:
- To assess eligibility and review scholarship applications
- To contact applicants, references, or donors when necessary
- To issue receipts and acknowledgments for donations
- To improve the quality, security, and functionality of our website
- To comply with legal and regulatory requirements
We do not sell, rent, or share your personal information with third parties for marketing purposes.
3. Data Storage and Security
All personal information is stored securely in a password-protected database with restricted access.
We use industry-standard encryption (SSL) for all form submissions and data transfers.
Only authorized Thomas Foundation staff, advisors, or selection committee members have access to applicant or donor information.
4. Retention of Information
We retain applicant and donor information only as long as necessary:
- Scholarship applications: Up to 3 years after the application period closes
- Donor records: As required by tax and financial lawsAfter this period, information is securely deleted or anonymized.
5. Access, Correction, and Deletion
You may request access to, correction of, or deletion of your personal data at any time by contacting us at:
We will respond to all valid requests within a reasonable time frame and in compliance with applicable privacy laws.
6. Third-Party Services
We may use trusted third-party providers to help operate our website, process payments, or store data securely (e.g., cloud servers, payment gateways).
These partners are bound by confidentiality and data protection agreements and may not use your data for any other purpose.
7. Cookies and Analytics
Our website may use cookies to enhance user experience and track overall site performance. You can choose to disable cookies in your browser settings without affecting your access to core content.
8. Children’s Privacy
Our scholarship program is open to eligible students who meet our criteria. We do not knowingly collect personal data from individuals under 16 without parental consent.
9. Updates to This Policy
The Thomas Foundation may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our operations or legal obligations. The updated version will always be available on our website, with the “Effective Date” updated accordingly.
10. Contact Us
If you have any questions about our privacy practices or data handling, please contact:
Thomas Foundation Scholarship