Policy

Privacy Policy

Effective January 2025

The People and the Pen is a 501(c)(3) educational nonprofit committed to building people-centered policy literacy. Transparency about the information we collect and how we use it is part of that commitment. This policy explains what data we collect, how it is used and shared, and the choices available to you.

Information We Collect

We collect only the information needed to deliver our programming, manage community contributions, and comply with nonprofit reporting standards.

  • Contact details such as your name, email address, and organization when you subscribe, donate, partner, or request materials.
  • Supporter records including donation history, patron tier, and communication preferences so we can acknowledge contributions and send impact updates.
  • Submission materials such as article drafts, contributor bios, source notes, and optional demographic context provided through our submissions portal.
  • Technical data including IP address, device type, and pages visited collected via essential and analytics cookies to keep our site secure and measure engagement.

How We Use Your Information

  • Send newsletters, event invites, and policy explainers in line with your subscription settings.
  • Administer donations, issue tax acknowledgments, and meet IRS 501(c)(3) recordkeeping requirements.
  • Review, edit, and publish contributed articles while maintaining editorial independence and transparency.
  • Improve the accessibility, security, and performance of our website and community platforms.
  • Share anonymized metrics with funders and partners to illustrate program reach and outcomes.

We process personal data based on your consent, our nonprofit mission, and compliance with applicable laws.

Article Submission Policy

Submissions are evaluated by our editorial team to ensure alignment with our people-centered policy mission. By submitting an article, you affirm that you have the right to share all included material and that your work does not infringe on another party’s rights. Contributor information is stored in a secure editorial database accessible only to our staff and contracted editors. We retain submission records for up to three years so we can respond to follow-up questions, track impact, and honor re-publication requests.

If your piece is accepted, we will seek written permission before making substantial edits or publishing partner content. Published contributors may opt in to public credit; otherwise we will honor requests for anonymity or pseudonyms when consistent with our editorial standards.

Cookies and Analytics

Our site uses a minimal set of cookies to function smoothly and understand how visitors engage with our resources. You can control cookies through your browser settings, and essential cookies cannot be disabled because they keep the site operational.

Essential Cookies

Remember your session preferences, protect forms against misuse, and load pages reliably.

Analytics Cookies

Help us understand readership trends through privacy-minded tools such as privacy-friendly analytics platforms. We do not use cookies for advertising.

You may opt out of analytics cookies by adjusting your browser settings or using available opt-out extensions. We honor Global Privacy Control (GPC) signals where supported.

Data Sharing and Third Parties

We do not sell personal data. We may share information with trusted service providers—such as email delivery and payment processors—strictly for the services they provide to us. These providers agree to safeguard the data and use it only as directed by The People and the Pen. We may also disclose information if required by law or to protect our community from fraud or misuse.

Data Retention and Security

We retain personal data only as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described here or to meet legal obligations. We use secure systems, encryption in transit, and role-based access to protect donor and contributor information. While no system is entirely risk-free, we continually review our safeguards and update them to meet nonprofit best practices.

Your Rights and Choices

  • Update your contact details or communication preferences at any time by emailing us.
  • Request a copy of the personal data we hold about you or ask us to correct inaccuracies.
  • Opt out of newsletters or donor communications by using the unsubscribe link or contacting us directly.
  • Ask us to delete your personal information, subject to legal and archival requirements.

International supporters may have additional rights under local privacy laws. We respond to all requests within a reasonable timeframe.

Children’s Privacy

Our programming and website are intended for adults and older students. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If we learn that we have collected such information, we will delete it promptly.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy to reflect new programs, legal requirements, or community feedback. When we make changes, we will update the “Effective” date above and share a notice through our newsletter or homepage.