Privacy Policy

Community Assisted Rides (“CARS,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect through our website at https://communityassistedrides.org (the “Site”), how we use and share it, and the choices you have. It also describes the information we collect from the older adults we serve, our volunteers, and our donors.

By using our Site or providing information to us, you agree to the practices described in this policy.

Who we are

Community Assisted Rides is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN 36-4400624) that provides accompanied transportation and community outreach to older adults. You can reach us at:

Community Assisted Rides P.O. Box 310 La Grange, IL 60525 Phone: (708) 354-9328 Email: coordinator@communityassistedrides.org

Information we collect

We only collect information that helps us deliver our services, communicate with our community, and operate as a nonprofit. Depending on how you interact with us, this may include:

Information you provide directly

Contact and inquiry information. When you fill out our contact form, we collect your name, email address, phone number, organization (if provided), the reason for your inquiry, and any message you send us.
Newsletter sign-ups. When you subscribe to our newsletter, we collect your first name, last name, and email address.
Ride Program (VIP) participants. When you apply for or receive rides, we may collect your name, home address, phone number, date of birth or age, emergency contact information, and details about your mobility, health, or accessibility needs that are necessary to provide safe and appropriate transportation and companionship.
Volunteers. When you apply to volunteer, we may collect your name, contact information, driver’s license information, vehicle and auto insurance information, availability, background-check information where required, and references.
Library Home Delivery participants. We may collect your name, address, contact information, and library card details in order to coordinate deliveries with partner libraries.
Donors and event attendees. When you donate, purchase event tickets, or set up a legacy or memorial gift, we collect your name, contact and billing information, donation details, and any dedication information you provide (for example, the name of a person you are honoring).

Information collected automatically

When you visit the Site, we and our service providers may automatically collect certain technical information, such as your IP address, browser type, device information, pages viewed, and the dates and times of your visits. This information is collected through cookies and similar technologies.

Information from third parties

We may receive information from payment processors, event platforms, and partner organizations (such as libraries) in connection with the services described above.

How we use your information

We use the information we collect to:

Provide and coordinate rides, deliveries, and community care services;
Match VIPs with volunteers and ensure safe, appropriate service;
Respond to your inquiries and communicate with you;
Process donations and event registrations and issue tax receipts;
Send newsletters, updates, and fundraising communications (you can opt out at any time);
Recruit, screen, train, and support volunteers;
Maintain records required for our operations, grant reporting, and legal compliance;
Understand and improve how our Site and programs are used; and
Protect the safety, rights, and property of our VIPs, volunteers, staff, and organization.

We do not sell your personal information.

How we share your information

We share personal information only as needed to operate our programs and as described below:

Volunteers and staff. We share limited VIP information (such as name, pick-up address, and relevant needs) with the volunteers and staff coordinating a given ride or service.
Service providers. We use trusted third parties to help us operate, including our donor management and online giving platform (Little Green Light), our website host, our email/newsletter provider (Mailchimp), and our forms provider. These providers may process your information only to perform services for us.
Partner organizations. For services such as Library Home Delivery, we share the information necessary to coordinate deliveries with participating libraries.
Legal and safety reasons. We may disclose information if required by law, in response to lawful requests, or to protect the safety and rights of individuals or our organization.
Business transfers. In the unlikely event of a merger, dissolution, or transfer of assets, information may be transferred as part of that transaction, consistent with this policy.

We do not otherwise share your personal information with third parties for their own marketing purposes.

Payments

Donations and event payments made through our Site are processed by our third-party giving platform (Little Green Light) and its payment processors. CARS does not store full payment card numbers on its own systems. Please review the platform’s own privacy policy to understand how it handles your payment information.

Cookies and analytics

Our Site uses cookies and similar technologies to function properly, remember your preferences, and help us understand Site usage. You can set your browser to refuse cookies or alert you when cookies are being sent; however, some parts of the Site may not function properly without them.

Third-party links and social media

Our Site links to and embeds content from third-party services, including Facebook and Instagram, and links to platforms such as GuideStar/Candid and GreatNonprofits. When you interact with these features or follow these links, the third party may collect information about you under its own privacy policy. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties.

Email and communication choices

You may opt out of our newsletters and fundraising emails at any time by clicking the “unsubscribe” link in any message or by contacting us at coordinator@communityassistedrides.org. Even if you opt out of promotional messages, we may still send you communications necessary to coordinate a ride, delivery, or other service you have requested.

Data retention

We retain personal information for as long as needed to provide our services, maintain required records (including donation and tax records), comply with legal obligations, and pursue our charitable mission. When information is no longer needed, we take reasonable steps to securely delete or de-identify it.

How we protect your information

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect the information we collect. However, no method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

Serving older adults

Many of the individuals we serve are older adults, some of whom may rely on family members or caregivers to help arrange services. We handle their information with particular care and share it only as needed to provide safe, compassionate service. If you are arranging services on behalf of an older adult, please only provide information you are authorized to share.

Children’s privacy

Our Site and services are not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us information, please contact us and we will delete it.

Your rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights regarding your personal information, such as the right to request access to, correction of, or deletion of the information we hold about you, and to opt out of certain communications. To make a request, contact us at coordinator@communityassistedrides.org or (708) 354-9328. We will respond consistent with applicable law.

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 and post the updated policy on this page. Your continued use of the Site after changes take effect constitutes acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact us

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