Privacy Policy
At Proof Accelerator, we rely on the generosity and support of individuals like you to carry out our vital work. We are committed to protecting the personal details we process when you engage with us. This Privacy Notice explains why we may ask for your personal information and tells you what to do with it.
we collect and use personal data to manage our relationships with our entrepreneurs and supporters, helping us better understand how we can meet and exceed their expectations. This enables us to operate more efficiently and effectively, ensuring that our mission is fulfilled.
Please read this Privacy Notice carefully, along with our Website Terms and Conditions and any other referenced documents, to understand how we collect, use, and store your personal information. This Privacy Notice provides details on:
By providing us with your personal information, you consent to its collection and use as outlined in this Privacy Notice. We strive to be clear and transparent, using your information in ways you would reasonably expect. Please note that this Privacy Notice may be updated periodically, so we encourage you to review it regularly.
If you have any questions about this Privacy Notice or our Website Cookies, please contact our Data Protection Officer by email or by post using the contact details provided below.
1 -Who we are
Proof Accelerator is a dedicated organisation supporting entrepreneurs of African descent and new immigrants in the UK. We are a privately registered community interest company committed to providing the tools, networks, and opportunities necessary for these entrepreneurs to succeed in the competitive business landscape.
In this Privacy Notice, whenever you see the terms 'we,' 'us,' or 'our,' they refer to Proof Accelerator Ltd. Our company is registered under company number 15802247. Any personal information we collect will be used solely by Proof Accelerator Ltd to fulfil our mission.
Proof Accelerator Ltd is registered as a data controller with the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) under the General Data Protection Regulation 2016/679 (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018 (DPA).
2 - Where do we collect information from?
At Proof Accelerator, we collect information in several ways to better serve our community of entrepreneurs:
Information you provide
We may obtain personal information directly from you when you engage with us, such as by filling out an online form to participate in one of our programmes, registering for a mailing list, applying to become a volunteer, participating in an event, or making a donation.
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Information from Third Parties
We may also receive information about you from independent third parties, such as fundraising platforms or event organisers. Additionally, we might receive contact details and other personal information from media contacts or influencers via sources like Cision. This information is only shared with us if you have provided your consent for it to be passed on. Once received, this information will be managed according to our Privacy Notice in addition to the originating third party's privacy policy.
Information from website and service usage
We collect information about your interactions with our services, such as when you watch videos, visit our website, or engage with our online content and advertisements.
Publicly available information
We may also gather information from publicly accessible sources, such as Companies House, newspaper articles, or public posts on social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn.
This information helps us tailor our services and outreach efforts to better meet the needs of our community.
3 - What information do we collect?
At Proof Accelerator, we collect various types of personal information to effectively support and engage with our community of entrepreneurs. This may include:
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Your title, name, gender, and date of birth
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Contact details (address, email, phone number, and social media handles)
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Family and partner details, and relationships with other supporters
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Professional activities and employment details
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Current interests and activities
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Gift Aid status and records of donations
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Contact preferences
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Financial information, including wealth and bank or credit card details (collected in line with payment card industry standards)
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Media articles about you
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Your IP address, location, browser type, and interaction with our website
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Any other information you provide at our request.
Where appropriate, we may ask about your interests and motivations for engaging with Proof Accelerator, but this is entirely optional, and only if you feel comfortable sharing.
In certain cases, the personal information we collect may include sensitive data, such as racial or ethnic origins, political opinions, religious beliefs, health information, or details regarding criminal offenses. We will always inform you when collecting such information and explain why it is necessary.
If you are under 13, please ensure you have permission from a parent or guardian before sharing any personal or sensitive information online.
4 - What we do with your information
If you engage with Proof Accelerator by applying for our programs, we will use your information to manage, fund, develop, and evaluate our initiatives. This allows us to tailor our services and maximize the impact of our support for entrepreneurs.
If you support us through donations, volunteering, fundraising, or event participation, we will primarily use your information to:
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Provide the services, products, or information you requested.
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Share updates on services, products, or opportunities that may interest you, provided you have consented to receive such communications.
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Process your donation or support your fundraising efforts, including handling Gift Aid where applicable.
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Send you surveys and conduct market research.
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Invite you to events.
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Maintain a record of your relationship with us, including your communication preferences.
We use tracking tools to improve the effectiveness of our communications with you, including tracking whether you open emails we send you and which links you click within a message.
We may also use personal information to carry out due diligence in line with our Accepting, Refusing, and Returning Donations Policy so that we are fundraising in accordance with the law, the code of fundraising practice, and our internal policies and procedures.
5 - Legal basis for processing your information
Under the UK GDPR and DPA, we must have a legal basis to collect, store, and use your data. At Proof Accelerator, we rely on the following legal bases for processing your data:
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Consent
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Legitimate Interests
We process your data based on our legitimate interests to operate Proof Accelerator effectively and achieve our mission. When doing so, we carefully consider the potential impact on you and your rights under data protection laws. We ensure that our legitimate interests do not override your rights and freedoms.
Here are some examples of how we process your data for legitimate interests:
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Direct marketing: We may send postal marketing and fundraising requests that align with the goals of Proof Accelerator and do not infringe on your rights.
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Profiling and analysis: We conduct limited profiling and research to better understand our donors and potential supporters. This may involve gathering information from publicly available sources to gain insights into philanthropic interests and the capacity to support Proof Accelerator.
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Profiling and analysing supporter information
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To tailor our requests for support, we may analyse personal information, such as your past engagement with us, demographic data, and philanthropic interests. We might also use publicly available information, such as directorship listings or general income data for a specific area.
In some cases, we may work with third-party companies that specialise in wealth screening or data insights to obtain general information about you.
If you prefer not to have your data used for profiling or wealth screening, you can opt-out by contacting our Data Protection Officer.
6 - How we update your information
At Proof Accelerator, we regularly review and update our records to ensure your information is accurate. We appreciate your assistance in informing us of any changes to your contact details. To maintain up-to-date records, we may use publicly available resources, such as the Post Office's National Change of Address database, or information provided by other organisations, as detailed in Section 1. Keeping your personal data current is crucial for us to effectively manage your preferences and ensure accurate communication, including cross-referencing with the Mail and Telephone Preference Services.
7 - Who do we share information with
At Proof Accelerator, we are committed to protecting your data. It will never be sold to external organizations and will only be shared with trusted agents and data processors who perform work on our behalf. Any engagement with external parties will be governed by formal agreements to ensure your data remains secure. These parties may include:
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Suppliers: Entities that handle communications for us, such as sending event invitations (e.g., email service providers like DotDigital).
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Wealth screening and insight companies: Providers used for profiling and analysis.
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Affiliated charities and organisations: Charities related to HM The King* and our Development Boards and Trustees, where information is shared strictly for internal processes and policies. In the event of a merger with another organisation, your data may be transferred to the new entity.
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Delivery partners: Organisations within the UK or internationally that assist us in delivering our programs effectively.
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8 - How to access, correct, or delete your information
Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) 2016/679, you have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you. To request access to your data, please email our Data Protection Officer or send a written request to:
Data Protection Officer
Proof Accelerator
8 Warren Yard, Warren Park, Milton Keynes, MK12 5NW
When making a request, please provide your full name, address, and phone number to assist us in locating your information.
If you wish to stop receiving updates from Proof Accelerator and be removed from our mailing list, please use the unsubscribe link included in our emails.
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9 - How we keep your data safe
We are committed to safeguarding the personal information you provide to us through rigorous physical, technical, and managerial measures. For instance, our online forms are encrypted, and our network is continuously protected and monitored. All staff members receive training on secure data handling.
When we engage external companies to collect or process data on our behalf, we conduct thorough evaluations and establish contracts that define our expectations and requirements. Your data may be transferred outside the European Economic Area (EEA) for services such as event invitations or participation in international activities related to Proof Accelerator. In such cases, we will ensure that your data is handled according to stringent security standards, in line with our legal obligations. By submitting your information, you consent to this transfer.
While we strive to maintain the highest security standards, no data transmission over the internet can be entirely secure. Therefore, we cannot guarantee the absolute security of any information you disclose to us and advise you to share your data at your own risk.
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10 - How long do we store your data for
We will retain your personal information only as long as necessary for the relevant activity. If you request to opt out of receiving marketing materials, we will maintain a record of your contact details and relevant information to ensure compliance with your request. Any information not essential to this purpose will be securely deleted
11 - Changes to the Privacy Notice
Any updates to this Privacy Notice will be indicated by the word 'NEW' next to the 'Privacy Notice' link on our website, and we will notify you at least 30 days before these changes take effect. This Privacy Notice was last updated in August 2024.
12 - Contact us
If you have any queries about this Notice or any complaints about the administration of the Privacy Notice, please contact our Data Protection Officer.
13. Further information
The use of your data is governed by the following laws:
Additionally, we adhere to the best practices outlined in the Fundraising Regulator's Code of Fundraising Practice. For more information or to report any concerns, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) at www.ico.org.uk. The ICO is the UK's independent authority dedicated to upholding information rights and promoting transparency and data privacy. We collaborate with the ICO to ensure that we handle your data responsibly and in line with your reasonable expectations.
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Published: August 2024