Mars Initiative

Privacy

Effective date: September 8, 2026
Last updated: September 8, 2026

Mars Initiative ("Mars Initiative," "we," "us," or "our") is a United States 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to funding the first human mission to Mars. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect through our website at marsinitiative.org (the "Site"), how we use and protect it, and the choices available to you.

We collect as little personal information as possible, we never sell it, and we use it only to run our programs and communicate with the people who support them.

1. Information We Collect

1.1 Information You Provide Directly

We collect information only when you choose to give it to us, such as when you:

  • Subscribe to our newsletter. We collect your email address, and your name if you provide it.
  • Contact us. We collect your name, email address, and the contents of your message.
  • Apply to volunteer. We collect your name, email address, areas of interest, availability, and any background or experience you choose to share.
  • Apply to our Microgrant Program. We collect your name, contact details, institutional or organizational affiliation, project descriptions, and any supporting materials you submit.
  • Make a donation. We collect your name, email address, mailing address where provided, and details of your gift. Payment card information is handled entirely by our payment processor and never reaches our servers. See Section 6.

1.2 Information Collected Automatically

When you visit the Site, certain information is recorded automatically:

  • Server logs. Our web server records your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, referring page, pages requested, and the date and time of each request. These logs are used for security, troubleshooting, and abuse prevention.
  • Analytics data. We use Google Analytics 4, loaded through Google Tag Manager, to understand how visitors find and use the Site in aggregate. This includes approximate geographic region, device and browser characteristics, pages viewed, and time on page.
  • Cookies and similar technologies. See Section 2.

1.3 Information We Do Not Collect

We do not knowingly collect government identification numbers, financial account numbers, health information, or other sensitive categories of personal data. Please do not include such information in messages or applications you send us.

2. Cookies and Similar Technologies

Cookies are small text files stored by your browser. The Site uses:

  • Strictly necessary cookies that enable core functions such as page caching, form submission, and spam prevention. The Site does not function correctly without these.
  • Analytics cookies set by Google Analytics to distinguish visitors and measure usage patterns.
  • Third-party cookies set by embedded content such as YouTube videos and our donation platform when you interact with them.

Most browsers let you refuse or delete cookies through their settings. Blocking strictly necessary cookies may prevent parts of the Site from working. You can opt out of Google Analytics across all websites using the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information described above to:

  • Respond to your questions, applications, and requests
  • Send our newsletter and program updates to people who have asked to receive them
  • Process, acknowledge, and keep records of donations, including issuing receipts
  • Review and administer Microgrant Program applications and awards
  • Coordinate with volunteers
  • Operate, secure, monitor, and improve the Site
  • Comply with legal, tax, accounting, and reporting obligations that apply to nonprofit organizations

We do not use your personal information for automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects.

4. Google API Services and Limited Use Disclosure

Our website uses Google APIs to send transactional email, such as form notifications, receipts, and administrative messages, from our own organizational email account. This access is used solely to deliver messages that our website generates.

Mars Initiative's use and transfer of information received from Google APIs to any other app will adhere to the Google API Services User Data Policy, including the Limited Use requirements.

Specifically, in connection with our use of Google APIs:

  • We request only the minimum scope necessary to send email from our own account.
  • We do not read, index, or store the contents of any mailbox.
  • We do not use Google user data for advertising, and we do not sell it.
  • We do not transfer Google user data to third parties except as necessary to provide or improve this functionality, to comply with applicable law, or as part of a merger or acquisition where the data remains subject to this policy.
  • We do not allow humans to read Google user data unless we have your explicit consent for specific messages, it is necessary for security purposes or to comply with applicable law, or the data has been aggregated and anonymized.

5. Third-Party Services

We rely on a small number of reputable service providers to operate the Site. Each processes information only as needed to perform its function:

  • Google (Workspace, Gmail API, Analytics, Tag Manager, Fonts). Email delivery, website analytics, and web fonts.
  • Donorbox. Donation processing. Donations are collected on Donorbox's platform under its own privacy policy.
  • Mailchimp. Newsletter list management and delivery.
  • YouTube. Embedded videos. YouTube may set cookies when you play a video.
  • Gravatar. Profile images associated with email addresses, where applicable.
  • Our web hosting provider. Server infrastructure and storage.

These providers are independent controllers or processors of the data they receive. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.

6. Donations and Payment Information

Donations are processed by our third-party payment provider. Mars Initiative does not receive, process, or store your full payment card number, card security code, or bank account credentials. We receive only the transaction details needed to acknowledge your gift and maintain accurate financial records, such as your name, email address, donation amount, and date.

We retain donation records for as long as required by applicable tax, accounting, and charitable-reporting rules.

7. How We Share Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We share it only in these limited circumstances:

  • Service providers. With the vendors listed in Section 5, solely to perform services on our behalf.
  • Legal requirements. When required by law, subpoena, or other legal process, or where we believe disclosure is reasonably necessary to protect our rights, your safety, or the safety of others.
  • Organizational changes. In connection with a merger, acquisition, or transfer of assets, in which case the receiving party will remain bound by this Policy.
  • With your consent. For example, if you agree to be featured as a donor, volunteer, or grant recipient.

8. Data Retention

We keep personal information only as long as needed for the purpose it was collected, or as required by law. Newsletter subscribers are retained until they unsubscribe. Donation and grant records are retained for the period required by tax and nonprofit reporting rules. Server logs are retained on a short rolling basis. Contact and volunteer submissions are retained while they remain relevant to our programs.

9. Security

We take reasonable technical and organizational measures to protect personal information, including encrypted connections (HTTPS) across the entire Site, restricted administrative access, and regular software updates. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

10. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to:

  • Request access to the personal information we hold about you
  • Request correction of inaccurate information
  • Request deletion of your information
  • Object to or restrict certain processing
  • Request a portable copy of information you provided to us
  • Withdraw consent at any time, without affecting processing already carried out

You can unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time using the link at the bottom of any email. To exercise any other right, contact us using the details in Section 14. We will respond within the time required by applicable law. We will not discriminate against you for exercising these rights.

California residents. We do not sell or share personal information as those terms are defined under the California Consumer Privacy Act.

11. Children's Privacy

The Site is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us and we will delete it promptly.

12. International Visitors

Mars Initiative operates in the United States. If you access the Site from outside the United States, your information will be transferred to, stored in, and processed in the United States, where data protection laws may differ from those in your country. By using the Site, you consent to that transfer.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. When we do, we will revise the "Last updated" date above. Material changes will be announced on this page. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

14. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy or how we handle your information, please contact us:

Mars Initiative
Email: info@marsinitiative.org
Mailing address: [INSERT MAILING ADDRESS]
Contact form: Contact Us