Shop American Handcrafted (“we,” “us,” or “our”) respects your privacy and is committed to handling personal information responsibly.

This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and protect information when you visit our website, make a donation, submit a store for our directory or map, sign up for communications, contact us, inquire about a partnership, or otherwise interact with us online.

By using our website, you acknowledge this Privacy Policy. Please also review our Terms of Use.

1. Who We Are

Shop American Handcrafted is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization helping independent American artists build stronger, more sustainable businesses through education, visibility, advocacy, practical resources, and access to meaningful opportunity.

We also work to increase public understanding of the skill, value, and human connection behind handcrafted work while helping consumers discover independent retailers that carry authentic American handcrafted products.

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, you may contact us at service@shopamericanhandcrafted.com.

2. Information We Collect

We may collect the following types of information:

Information You Provide Directly

You may choose to provide personal or business information when you:

• contact us by email or through a form
• submit a store for inclusion in our directory or map
• make a donation
• sign up for updates, newsletters, or other communications
• inquire about a partnership, program, or artist opportunity
• request correction or removal of information
• otherwise communicate with us

Depending on the situation, this information may include:

• name
• email address
• phone number
• mailing address
• store, business, or organization name
• professional role or affiliation
• store location and public contact details
• website and social media links
• donation amount and transaction details
• partnership, program, or opportunity interests
• any other information you voluntarily submit

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, we or our service providers may automatically collect certain technical and usage information, such as:

• IP address
• browser type
• device type
• operating system
• referring website
• pages visited
• time spent on pages
• approximate location derived from an IP address, if collected
• date and time of visits

This information may be collected through cookies, analytics tools, server logs, security tools, or similar technologies.

3. How We Use Information

We may use the information we collect to:

• operate, maintain, secure, and improve our website
• respond to inquiries and communicate with you
• review and manage store directory or map submissions
• facilitate and document donations
• provide donation receipts or acknowledgments
• send updates, newsletters, or other communications you request or consent to receive
• respond to partnership, program, or artist-opportunity inquiries
• understand how visitors use our website
• prevent fraud, spam, abuse, scraping, or misuse
• maintain organizational and financial records
• comply with legal, tax, accounting, or regulatory obligations
• support and advance our nonprofit mission

4. Store Directory and Map Submissions

If you submit a store for inclusion in our directory or map, we may collect the information you provide for review and possible publication.

Information submitted for a listing may include business or store-related information such as:

• store name
• store address
• public phone number
• public email address
• website
• social media links
• store description
• photos or logos
• other related business details

If a listing is approved, some or all of the submitted business information may be displayed publicly on the website. Please do not submit personal contact information that you do not want included in a public business listing.

Submission of a listing does not guarantee approval or continued inclusion. We reserve the right to review, edit, reject, remove, or update listings at our discretion.

To request listing consideration, please visit Submit Your Store.

5. Donations

Donations made through our website are processed by PayPal or another payment provider identified at the time of the transaction. Payment information is submitted directly to the payment provider and is subject to that provider’s privacy policy and terms.

Shop American Handcrafted may receive and retain limited information related to a donation, such as:

• donor name
• email address or other contact information
• donation amount
• date of donation
• transaction identification or confirmation details
• information needed to provide a receipt or written acknowledgment

Shop American Handcrafted does not receive or store full payment card information entered through PayPal.

To support our mission, please visit Donate Today.

6. Email Communications

If you sign up for updates or otherwise ask to receive email communications, your name, email address, and related subscription information may be processed through Constant Contact or another email-service provider identified at the time of signup.

We may use this information to send nonprofit updates, artist resources, advocacy information, partnership news, opportunities, and other communications related to our mission.

You may unsubscribe at any time by using the unsubscribe link included in an email or by contacting us at service@shopamericanhandcrafted.com.

7. Cookies, Analytics, and Security Tools

We may use cookies and similar technologies to support website functionality, understand website usage, maintain security, and improve the visitor experience.

Cookies are small data files stored on your browser or device. They may help remember preferences, understand site traffic, support forms, and improve performance.

You can control cookies through your browser settings. Disabling cookies may affect certain website features.

We may also use third-party analytics, hosting, form, mapping, and security tools. These providers may collect technical or usage information according to their own privacy policies.

Some website forms may use Google reCAPTCHA or a similar service to help prevent spam and automated submissions. Use of Google reCAPTCHA is subject to Google’s Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

8. How We Share Information

We do not sell or rent personal information.

We may share information in the following circumstances:

• with service providers that help us operate, host, secure, or maintain the website
• with payment providers, such as PayPal, in connection with donations
• with email-service providers, such as Constant Contact, when you subscribe to communications
• with providers used to operate forms, maps, directories, analytics, or security features
• when you ask us to share information or otherwise provide consent
• if required by law, subpoena, court order, or other legal process
• when reasonably necessary to protect the rights, safety, property, or security of Shop American Handcrafted, our users, or others
• in connection with an organizational restructuring, consolidation, or transfer of operations, if permitted by law

Any business information included in an approved store listing may be visible to website visitors and search engines.

9. Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as reasonably necessary for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, including to:

• respond to requests and provide requested services
• maintain directory and map records
• maintain donation acknowledgments and financial records
• manage email subscriptions and communications
• maintain partnership or program-related correspondence
• comply with legal, tax, accounting, or operational obligations
• resolve disputes and enforce our policies

We may retain de-identified, aggregated, or archived information for longer periods where permitted by law.

10. Data Security

We take reasonable administrative, technical, and organizational measures intended to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use, alteration, or disclosure.

We also limit the personal information we collect to what is reasonably useful for operating the website and advancing the organization’s mission.

However, no website, platform, or method of electronic storage or transmission is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

11. Your Choices and Requests

You may choose not to provide personal information, but doing so may limit your ability to use certain website features or receive requested communications.

You may unsubscribe from marketing or informational emails by using the unsubscribe link included in the email or contacting us.

You may contact us to request:

• correction or updating of information you previously provided
• removal of a public store listing or specific listing information
• removal from non-required communications
• information about the personal information we maintain about you, where applicable

Depending on where you live, applicable law may provide additional rights regarding your personal information. We will review requests and respond as required by applicable law. We may need to verify your identity before completing certain requests.

12. Children’s Privacy

Our website is intended for a general audience and is not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information online from children under 13.

If you believe a child under 13 has provided personal information through our website, please contact us so we can review and delete it when appropriate.

13. Third-Party Links and Services

Our website may contain links to third-party websites, educational platforms, maps, social media services, payment processors, retailers, artists, or other external resources.

We do not control and are not responsible for the privacy practices, content, availability, or security of third-party websites or services. Your use of those websites and services is subject to their own terms and privacy policies.

14. Do Not Track

Some web browsers may offer a “Do Not Track” setting. At this time, unless otherwise stated on a specific part of the site, Shop American Handcrafted does not respond to browser Do Not Track signals in a uniform way.

15. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our website, programs, service providers, legal obligations, or information practices.

When changes are made, we will revise the Effective Date at the top of this page. We encourage visitors to review this Privacy Policy periodically.

16. Contact Us

If you have questions about this Privacy Policy, would like to make a privacy-related request, or have concerns about your information, please contact: