Privacy Policy

Last Updated: 8 September 2025

Grade ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting the privacy and security of the personal information collected from our website and charitable events. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, disclose, and protect your information.

1. Information We Collect

We may collect personal information from individuals in various ways, including but not limited to:

  • Website Visitors: When you visit our website, we may collect non-personal information such as your IP address, browser type, and the pages you visit. We may also collect personal information if you provide it voluntarily, such as through contact forms or donation pages.

  • Event Participants: If you participate in our events, we may collect personal information necessary for event registration and participation.

2. How We Use Your Information

We may use the information we collect for the following purposes:

  • To communicate with you and respond to your inquiries.

  • To send you updates, newsletters, and information about our activities.

  • To improve our website and services.

3. Disclosure of Information

We will not disclose your personal information to third parties except as described in this Privacy Policy or with your consent.

We may share information with service providers who assist us in carrying out our activities.

4. How Long We Keep Your Information

We retain personal information only for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes for which it was collected, including to satisfy any legal, accounting, or reporting requirements.

When we no longer require personal information for those purposes, we take reasonable steps to securely delete or de-identify it. In some cases, we may retain your information for a longer period if required or permitted by law.

If you request deletion of your personal data, we will delete or de-identify your information in accordance with our data retention practices and any applicable legal obligations.

5. Compliance with the Australian Privacy Act:

We ensure that our email list building and marketing activities comply with the Australian Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) (the "Privacy Act"). This includes:

  • Consent: We obtain explicit consent from individuals before collecting their email addresses for marketing purposes. This consent is obtained through clear and transparent opt-in methods.

  • Collection: We collect only the information necessary for our email marketing purposes and ensure it is collected directly from the individual whenever possible.

  • Use and Disclosure: We use the collected email addresses solely for the purposes for which they were collected, such as sending newsletters, updates, and other relevant information. We do not disclose email addresses to third parties without the individual's consent, unless required by law.

6. Compliance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR):

We also comply with the General Data Protection Regulation (EU) 2016/679 ("GDPR") with respect to our email marketing practices. This includes:

  • Lawful Basis for Processing: We rely on consent as the lawful basis for processing personal data for email marketing. Consent is obtained through clear, affirmative action from the individual, and they can withdraw consent at any time.

  • Data Minimisation: We ensure that the personal data collected is adequate, relevant, and limited to what is necessary for the purposes of email marketing.

  • Transparency: We provide individuals with clear and transparent information about our data processing activities, including the purposes for which their email addresses are collected and how they will be used.

  • Data Retention: We retain personal data only for as long as necessary for the purposes for which it was collected. Individuals can request the deletion of their data at any time.

7. Security

We take reasonable steps to protect your personal information from unauthorised access, disclosure, alteration, and destruction. However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

8. Your Choices and Control Over Your Data

At Grade, we believe in being open and transparent about how we use your information. We also want to empower you with choices regarding your personal data. In addition to your right to access, correct, or delete your personal information, you have the following options:

  • Marketing Communications: We will only send you marketing communications, such as newsletters and updates about our activities, if you have given us explicit consent through a clear opt-in method. You can withdraw this consent at any time by clicking the "unsubscribe" link in any email or by contacting us directly.

  • Website Usage Data: We use cookies and other similar technologies to collect non-personal information like your IP address, browser type, and the pages you visit to improve our website and services. You have the option to manage or disable cookies through your browser settings. Please note that disabling cookies may affect the functionality of our website.

  • Third-Party Disclosure: We may share your information with trusted service providers who help us carry out our business activities. We will never sell or rent your personal information to third parties. If you do not wish for your information to be shared with our service providers, please contact us. Please be aware that this may affect our ability to provide certain services to you.

Contact Us for Choices: If you have any questions or wish to exercise any of these rights, please contact our Data Protection Officer at policy@grade.net.au. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe.

9. Changes to this Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. Any changes will be effective when posted on our website.

10. Contact Us

If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, our privacy practices or our compliance with the Australian Privacy Act or GDPR, please contact us at hello@grade.net.au