Effective date: April 1, 2026

Introduction

At Family Stewardship Centre, privacy is part of how we hold trust. That includes how personal information is collected, used, stored, and protected.

This Privacy Policy explains how we handle personal information when you visit familystewardshipcentre.ca, subscribe to updates, make a contribution, fill out a form, register for an offering, request information, or otherwise engage with our work.

Because this work may touch birth, family life, identity, caregiving, ceremony, and major life transitions, we understand that some of what people share with us may be deeply personal. We do not take that lightly. We aim to handle information with care, respect, transparency, and restraint.

This policy applies to our website and the digital tools and communications associated with it.

Our approach

We aim to collect only the information we reasonably need, explain why we are collecting it, and use it in ways that are consistent with the relationship and purpose for which it was shared.

We do not sell personal information.

We do not treat personal information as a product.

We do not ask for more than we need simply because technology makes it possible.

We aim to be clear about what information is being collected, why it is being collected, and how it may be used, so that consent can be informed and meaningful.

We also aim to handle personal information in accordance with applicable Canadian privacy laws, including principles reflected in the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), where applicable.

Information we may collect

Depending on how you interact with us, we may collect the following types of information.

Information you choose to provide

This may include:

• Name

• Email address

• Phone number

• Mailing address

• Contribution information

• Registration or inquiry details

• Information shared through forms, applications, surveys, or email

• Event or program participation information

• Communication preferences

• Any other information you voluntarily choose to share

Personal, family, or support-related information

Because of the nature of this work, some people may choose to share information related to:

• Pregnancy

• Postpartum

• Family formation

• Caregiving

• Ceremony

• Cultural context

• Life transition

• Support needs

• Personal experiences relevant to an inquiry or offering

We ask that people share only what they feel comfortable sharing through general website forms. If sensitive information is submitted, we will use it only for the purpose for which it was provided, unless otherwise required by law or agreed to more explicitly.

Technical information

Like most websites, we may automatically collect limited technical information such as:

• IP address

• Browser type

• Device type

• Operating system

• Referring website or page

• Pages visited

• Date and time of visit

• Time spent on the site

• General website usage data

This helps us understand how the site is being used, improve site performance and accessibility, and maintain security.

How we collect information

We may collect information when you:

• Visit our website

• Fill out a contact or inquiry form

• Subscribe to our newsletter

• Make a contribution

• Register for an event, gathering, program, or offering

• Apply for a program, opportunity, or role

• Download a resource

• Email us directly

• Interact with embedded or connected third-party tools

How we use information

We may use personal information to:

• Respond to inquiries

• Provide information, support, services, or resources

• Manage event, program, or offering registrations

• Process contributions and issue confirmations

• Send newsletters, updates, or announcements

• Improve our website, communications, and offerings

• Understand community interest and participation patterns

• Support planning, administration, and record-keeping

• Protect site functionality and security

• Meet legal, financial, or operational obligations

We use personal information only for purposes that are reasonably connected to the relationship in which it was shared, unless otherwise permitted or required by law.

We aim to limit collection, use, and retention to what is reasonably necessary for the purpose identified at the time the information is shared.

Email communications

If you subscribe to updates from us, we may send you emails about:

• News and announcements

• Programs, offerings, and gatherings

• Educational resources

• Community updates

• Opportunities to support this work

We use Cyber Impact to manage email subscriptions and communications.

You may unsubscribe at any time using the unsubscribe link in the email or by contacting us directly.

If you contact us or register for a specific offering, we may also send you service-related emails connected to that request.

Contributions and payments

If you make a contribution through our website, payment processing is handled through Squarespace Payments or a connected secure payment provider.

We do not store full credit card information on our own systems.

We may receive limited transaction information needed to:

• Confirm a contribution

• Send a confirmation

• Maintain financial records

• Support administration

• Meet legal or accounting obligations

Please note that contributions made through this website are not currently eligible for charitable income tax receipts unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Cookies and analytics

Our website is hosted on Squarespace, which uses cookies and similar technologies to support functionality, performance, and security.

These may be used to:

• Keep the website functioning properly

• Remember visitor preferences

• Enable forms or contribution features

• Support security and performance

• Understand general website usage

We also use Google Analytics to understand website traffic and behaviour. This may include:

• Which pages are visited

• How long visitors stay on the site

• What devices or browsers are used

• How visitors arrived at the site

This information is generally aggregated and used to improve the website and user experience.

You can manage cookies through your browser settings.

How we may share information

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information.

We may share information only in limited circumstances.

With service providers

We may share necessary information with third-party providers that support our work, including:

• Squarespace for website hosting

• Google Analytics for analytics

• Cyber Impact for email communications

• Squarespace Payments for transactions

These providers may only use the information as needed to provide their services and are expected to handle it appropriately.

When required by law

We may disclose personal information where required by law or to protect safety, rights, or integrity.

With consent

Where appropriate, we will seek consent before sharing information outside the purposes described here.

Ceremony, teachings, and community knowledge

Some parts of this work may involve teachings, ceremony, or community-rooted knowledge that is not meant for extraction or redistribution.

Information shared in these contexts will be handled with additional care. We ask that any knowledge accessed through this work be treated with respect and appropriate boundaries.

Children and family information

Our work relates to family life, but this website is not intended to collect personal information directly from children without the appropriate involvement of a parent or guardian.

If you believe information relating to a child has been shared inappropriately, please contact us.

Data retention

We retain personal information only as long as reasonably necessary to:

• Fulfill the purpose for which it was collected

• Maintain appropriate records

• Administer communications or contributions

• Meet legal or financial obligations

Information is securely deleted or anonymized when no longer needed.

Security

We take reasonable administrative and technical steps to protect personal information from unauthorized access, disclosure, or misuse.

No system is completely risk-free. If you are unsure about sharing sensitive information through a website form, please contact us directly.

If we become aware of a privacy or security breach involving personal information under our control, we will take reasonable steps to assess, contain, and respond to it, including notification where required by law.

Third-party links

Our website may link to external websites or tools. Their privacy practices apply once you leave our site.

We are not responsible for third-party privacy or security practices.

Your rights

You may have the right to:

• Request access to your personal information

• Request corrections

• Withdraw consent for communications

• Ask questions about how your information is used

Changes to this policy

We may update this Privacy Policy as our work evolves. Continued use of the site means you accept those updates.

Contact

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how your information is handled, please contact:

Family Stewardship Centre
Privacy contact: wisecouncil@familystewardshipcentre.ca
Website: familystewardshipcentre.ca