Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 2026

The Institute for Responsible Citizenship ("we," "us," or "the Institute") operates this website at https://www.theinstitute.net. We are located at 1227 25th Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20037, and you can reach us at 202-660-2501 or info@theinstitute.net. We respect your privacy and collect only the information we need to operate the Institute and respond to you.

Information You Provide to Us

We collect the information you choose to give us directly, including:

• Contact form. When you use our contact form, we collect your name, email address, the role you select, and the content of your message. We use this only to respond to your inquiry.
• Applications. When you apply to one of our programs, application materials are submitted through third-party application forms and by email. This may include your contact details, academic information, essays, references, and any other materials you send.
• Donations. When you make a gift, your donation is processed by our third-party payment provider (see Third-Party Services below). We do not collect or store your full payment card information on this website.
• Correspondence. If you email or call us, we keep a record of that correspondence so we can help you.

Information Collected Automatically

Like most websites, our site and hosting provider automatically record standard technical information in server logs, such as your IP address, browser type, referring page, and the date and time of your visit. We use this information to operate, secure, and understand general usage of the site. We do not use it to build advertising profiles.

How We Use Your Information

We use the information described above to:

• respond to your inquiries and correspondence;
• review and administer program applications;
• process, acknowledge, and steward donations;
• operate, maintain, and secure the website; and
• comply with applicable law.

Third-Party Services

We rely on a small number of trusted service providers to run parts of our website. When you use those features, your information is handled under the provider's own privacy policy:

• Donations are processed by Blackbaud eTapestry. Clicking "Give now" takes you to their secure form to complete your gift.
• Program applications are collected through third-party online form services.
• Embedded media, such as videos, may be served by third parties that can set their own cookies when the media loads.

Cookies

We use only the cookies necessary for the website to function. We do not use cookies for advertising. Third-party content embedded on our pages (for example, videos) may set its own cookies, which are governed by those third parties. You can set your browser to refuse cookies, though some features of the site may not work as intended.

How We Share Information

We do not sell or rent your personal information. We share it only with the service providers described above so they can perform services for us, and only as needed. We may also disclose information when we believe in good faith that doing so is required by law, or is reasonably necessary to respond to a legal process or to protect the rights, property, or safety of the Institute, our scholars, or the public.

Data Retention

We keep personal information only for as long as it is needed for the purposes described in this policy, or as required by law, and then delete or de-identify it.

Security

We use reasonable, commercially acceptable measures to protect your information. Please remember, however, that no method of transmission over the Internet or method of electronic storage is completely secure, so we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on where you live (for example, California and certain other states), you may have the right to request access to the personal information we hold about you, to ask us to correct or delete it, and to opt out of certain uses. We do not sell personal information. To make a request, contact us at info@theinstitute.net. We will respond as required by applicable law and will not discriminate against you for exercising these rights.

Children's Privacy

This website is intended for a general and adult audience and is not directed to children under 13. 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.

Links to Other Sites

Our website may link to sites we do not operate. We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of those sites, and we encourage you to review their privacy policies.

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. Your continued use of the website after a change takes effect constitutes your acceptance of the updated policy.

Contact Us

If you have questions about this policy or your information, please contact us or write to us at 1227 25th Street, NW, Sixth Floor, Washington, DC 20037.