Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 29, 2026

Heritage Ohio respects the privacy of our members, donors, program participants, event attendees, volunteers, community partners, website visitors and other individuals who interact with our organization.

This Privacy Policy explains how Heritage Ohio, referred to in this policy as “Heritage Ohio,” “we,” “us” or “our,” collects, uses, protects and discloses information obtained through:

  • Our website at https://heritageohio.org
  • Membership and donation activities
  • Event, conference, workshop and webinar registrations
  • Contact forms and other online submissions
  • Historic preservation and community-revitalization programs
  • Technical assistance and professional services
  • Publications, advocacy efforts and educational programs
  • Email, telephone, mail, social media and in-person communications
  • Third-party platforms and service providers used to operate our organization

By accessing our website, submitting information to us, registering for a program or event, becoming a member or making a donation, you acknowledge the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

Information We Collect

The information we collect depends on how you interact with Heritage Ohio.

Information Submitted Through Our Website

When you complete a contact form or otherwise communicate with us through the website, we may collect:

  • Your first and last name
  • Your email address
  • Your telephone number
  • Your organization, employer or community affiliation
  • Your mailing address
  • The nature of your inquiry
  • Questions, comments and other information you provide

Please do not submit Social Security numbers, complete financial account information or other highly sensitive personal information through a general website contact form.

Membership Information

When you become a Heritage Ohio member or renew a membership, we may collect:

  • Your name
  • Organization or business name
  • Professional title
  • Mailing address
  • Email address
  • Telephone number
  • Membership type and level
  • Membership start and renewal dates
  • Payment and transaction information
  • Communication preferences
  • Program and event participation information

We may use membership information to administer benefits, provide publications, offer event discounts, provide access to educational resources and communicate about Heritage Ohio programs.

Donation Information

When you make a donation, pledge or other financial contribution, we may collect:

  • Donor name
  • Organization or business name
  • Mailing and billing addresses
  • Email address
  • Telephone number
  • Donation amount and date
  • Donation frequency
  • Tribute or memorial information
  • Campaign or program designation
  • Payment status and transaction reference information
  • Communication and recognition preferences

Payment card or banking information may be collected and processed directly by an independent payment processor. Heritage Ohio may not receive or retain complete payment card or bank account credentials.

We may retain donation records as required for accounting, tax reporting, auditing, donor relations and legal compliance.

Event and Program Registration Information

When you register for a conference, workshop, webinar, training session, tour, awards program or other event, we may collect:

  • Your name and contact information
  • Organization and professional title
  • Mailing or billing address
  • Event and session selections
  • Registration type
  • Membership status
  • Payment and transaction information
  • Dietary restrictions
  • Accessibility or accommodation requests
  • Continuing education or certification information
  • Attendance and participation records
  • Emergency contact information, when appropriate
  • Questions and feedback concerning the event

Information about dietary restrictions or accessibility accommodations may reveal health-related information. We use this information only as reasonably necessary to provide the requested accommodation or service.

Community and Technical-Assistance Information

When a community, organization, property owner or other participant requests technical assistance or applies for a Heritage Ohio program, we may collect:

  • Names and contact information
  • Community or organization information
  • Property addresses and ownership information
  • Building, district or project information
  • Historic documentation
  • Project goals and challenges
  • Photographs, maps, plans and reports
  • Funding and budget information
  • Program applications
  • Assessment responses
  • Communications and meeting notes
  • Information about local officials, volunteers, property owners and community stakeholders

Some information submitted through preservation, revitalization, loan, easement or technical-assistance programs may become part of organizational, governmental or public project records.

Consultant and Business Directory Information

Heritage Ohio may maintain databases or directories of preservation professionals, artisans, contractors, consultants and other businesses.

Information submitted for a directory listing may include:

  • Individual and business names
  • Business addresses
  • Telephone numbers and email addresses
  • Website and social media information
  • Service areas
  • Trades, specialties and professional expertise
  • Licenses, certifications and qualifications
  • Photographs, logos and business descriptions
  • References or examples of past work

Information submitted for a public directory is intended to be displayed publicly and may be indexed by search engines or accessed by third parties.

Heritage Ohio does not guarantee the qualifications, availability, performance or workmanship of an individual or business included in a directory.

Awards, Nominations and Project Submissions

When you submit an award nomination, preservation project, historic property, community story or similar content, we may collect:

  • Nominee and submitter names
  • Contact information
  • Organization and property information
  • Project descriptions
  • Historical information
  • Photographs and videos
  • Supporting documents
  • Professional credits
  • Owner and participant information
  • Permission or release information

Submitted information may be published through our website, publications, social media, presentations, award programs or promotional materials.

You should submit photographs, personal information and copyrighted materials only when you have the authority or permission to do so.

Employment and Volunteer Information

When you apply for employment, an internship, board service or a volunteer opportunity, we may collect:

  • Your name and contact information
  • Résumé or curriculum vitae
  • Employment history
  • Education
  • Professional qualifications
  • References
  • Volunteer interests
  • Availability
  • Writing samples or work examples
  • Other information relevant to the opportunity

Submitting information does not guarantee employment, appointment or participation.

Communications

When you communicate with us through email, telephone, mail, social media, a website form or in person, we may retain:

  • Your contact information
  • The date and method of communication
  • The content of the communication
  • Documents, photographs and attachments
  • Notes concerning your inquiry or participation
  • Records of actions taken in response

Information Collected Automatically

When you visit our website, certain technical and usage information may be collected automatically through cookies, server logs, analytics services and similar technologies.

This information may include:

  • Internet Protocol address
  • Browser type and version
  • Device type
  • Operating system
  • Referring website
  • Pages viewed
  • Links selected
  • Date and time of access
  • Approximate geographic location
  • Website interactions
  • Session information
  • Error and diagnostic information

We may use this information to operate, secure, evaluate and improve our website, programs and communications.

How We Use Information

We may use personal and organizational information to:

  • Respond to questions and requests
  • Administer memberships and membership benefits
  • Process donations and provide donation acknowledgments
  • Register individuals for conferences, workshops, webinars and events
  • Provide technical assistance and program services
  • Administer preservation, revitalization, advocacy and educational programs
  • Evaluate applications, nominations and project submissions
  • Publish magazines, reports, directories and educational materials
  • Communicate with members, donors, participants and community partners
  • Send newsletters, organizational updates and event announcements
  • Coordinate volunteers, speakers, sponsors and exhibitors
  • Process payments, refunds and reimbursements
  • Maintain financial, transaction and participation records
  • Conduct surveys and evaluate program effectiveness
  • Advocate for historic preservation and community-development initiatives
  • Improve our website, programs, publications and services
  • Protect our website, systems and organizational records
  • Detect and prevent fraud, spam, misuse and security incidents
  • Enforce agreements, policies and legal rights
  • Comply with accounting, tax, grant, contractual, regulatory and legal obligations

We may aggregate or de-identify information so that it no longer reasonably identifies an individual. Aggregated or de-identified information may be used for research, reporting, grant administration, advocacy, program evaluation and organizational planning.

How We Disclose Information

Heritage Ohio does not sell or rent personal information for monetary compensation.

We may disclose information as described below.

Employees, Board Members and Authorized Representatives

Information may be shared with employees, board members, volunteers, contractors and other authorized representatives who require access to:

  • Respond to an inquiry
  • Administer a membership or donation
  • Coordinate an event
  • Deliver a program
  • Evaluate an application or nomination
  • Prepare a publication
  • Provide technical assistance
  • Manage the organization

Service Providers

We may share information with vendors and service providers that assist us with:

  • Website hosting and maintenance
  • Membership and donor management
  • Event registration
  • Email communications
  • Payment processing
  • Accounting and financial administration
  • Cloud hosting and data storage
  • Video conferencing and webinar hosting
  • Surveys and online forms
  • Printing and mailing
  • Publication distribution
  • Marketing and analytics
  • Information technology and cybersecurity
  • Data backup and disaster recovery
  • Legal, auditing, insurance and professional services

These providers may access information only as reasonably necessary to perform services for Heritage Ohio and are subject to applicable contractual or legal obligations.

Event Partners, Sponsors and Presenters

We may share limited information with event venues, presenters, sponsors, exhibitors, partners or service providers when necessary to:

  • Administer registration
  • Prepare attendee materials
  • Provide meals or accommodations
  • Issue continuing education credit
  • Coordinate event access
  • Deliver a requested program or benefit

We do not provide attendee contact lists to sponsors for independent marketing unless appropriate notice or consent has been provided.

Community and Program Partners

Information may be shared with:

  • Local governments
  • Main Street organizations
  • Community-development organizations
  • Preservation organizations
  • State or federal agencies
  • Foundations and grant providers
  • Consultants and technical experts
  • Educational institutions
  • Other organizations involved in a Heritage Ohio program

Information is shared only as reasonably necessary to administer a program, provide assistance, satisfy grant obligations or complete a collaborative project.

Publicly Submitted Content

Information submitted for public directories, awards, nominations, publications, historic-property listings, project profiles or community stories may be published through:

  • Our website
  • Printed and digital publications
  • Email newsletters
  • Social media
  • Videos and presentations
  • Reports
  • Press releases
  • Event materials
  • Partner websites and communications

Once information has been published publicly, it may be copied, archived or redistributed by third parties beyond Heritage Ohio’s control.

Legal and Security Disclosures

We may disclose information when we reasonably believe disclosure is necessary to:

  • Comply with applicable law
  • Respond to a subpoena, court order, warrant or lawful government request
  • Satisfy grant, audit, tax or regulatory requirements
  • Enforce an agreement, policy or legal right
  • Detect, investigate or prevent fraud or unlawful activity
  • Protect our website, systems, property, records or personnel
  • Protect the rights, safety or property of our members, donors, participants or others
  • Respond to an emergency involving a risk of harm

Organizational Transactions

If Heritage Ohio participates in a merger, consolidation, reorganization, transfer of programs or assets, or similar organizational transaction, information may be reviewed, disclosed or transferred as part of that process, subject to reasonable confidentiality protections.

Payment Processing

Membership fees, donations, registrations and other payments may be processed through independent payment processors or financial institutions.

These providers may collect:

  • Name and contact information
  • Billing address
  • Payment card or bank account information
  • Transaction amount
  • Device and fraud-prevention information

Information submitted directly to a payment processor is governed by that provider’s privacy policy and security practices.

Heritage Ohio may receive transaction details such as your name, contact information, payment amount, transaction date and payment status, but may not receive your complete payment credentials.

Cookies and Similar Technologies

Our website may use cookies, pixels, tags, local storage and similar technologies.

These technologies may be used to:

  • Provide essential website functionality
  • Maintain website security
  • Remember visitor preferences
  • Process forms and registrations
  • Measure website traffic
  • Understand visitor interactions
  • Detect technical errors
  • Improve website performance
  • Protect against spam and automated submissions
  • Measure communications and outreach campaigns
  • Support embedded media and social media features

Some cookies may be necessary for the website to function properly. Other cookies may be used for analytics, preferences, embedded content or marketing.

Where required by applicable law, non-essential cookies and tracking technologies will be activated only after appropriate consent has been obtained.

You may manage cookies through your browser settings and any consent-management controls provided on the website. Disabling certain cookies may affect website functionality.

Analytics

We may use third-party analytics providers to understand:

  • Website traffic
  • Visitor interactions
  • Device and browser information
  • Referral sources
  • Approximate geographic information
  • Form and registration activity
  • Website and campaign performance

Analytics providers may use cookies, pixels, device identifiers or similar technologies.

Where required by applicable law, non-essential analytics technologies will be activated only after appropriate consent has been obtained.

Email and Marketing Communications

If you provide an email address, become a member, make a donation or participate in a Heritage Ohio program, we may send:

  • Responses to inquiries
  • Membership notices
  • Donation acknowledgments
  • Event confirmations and updates
  • Program communications
  • Newsletters
  • Advocacy alerts
  • Publication notices
  • Educational resources
  • Fundraising appeals
  • Other organizational announcements

You may unsubscribe from promotional or fundraising emails by using the unsubscribe link included in the message or by contacting us.

Opting out of promotional communications will not prevent us from sending necessary membership, donation, registration, transaction or administrative communications.

Advocacy Communications

Heritage Ohio may communicate with members, supporters and community partners about legislation, public policy, historic preservation, community development and related advocacy matters.

Participation in an advocacy campaign may involve submitting your name, contact information, district, organization or a message intended for an elected official, government agency or other public-policy recipient.

Information submitted for delivery to a public official or government entity may become part of a public record under applicable law.

Embedded Media and Social Media

Our website may include videos, maps, social media feeds, event tools or other content provided by third-party platforms.

When you interact with embedded content, the provider may collect:

  • Your Internet Protocol address
  • Device and browser information
  • Cookies and identifiers
  • Content-viewing activity
  • Account or login information
  • Website interactions

Information collected directly by a third-party provider is governed by that provider’s privacy policy and terms.

Photographs, Videos and Event Recordings

Heritage Ohio may photograph, record or livestream conferences, workshops, tours, award ceremonies and other public programs.

These materials may be used for:

  • Educational resources
  • Publications
  • Program documentation
  • Website content
  • Social media
  • Marketing and fundraising
  • Reports and presentations
  • Future event promotion

When required or appropriate, we will provide notice or obtain permission before using identifiable photographs, recordings, testimonials or personal stories.

Individuals who have concerns about being photographed or recorded should notify Heritage Ohio or event staff.

Third-Party Websites and Services

Our website may contain links to:

  • Event-registration platforms
  • Payment processors
  • Social media networks
  • Video and webinar platforms
  • Government websites
  • Community organizations
  • Professional consultants
  • Preservation resources
  • Grant and funding resources
  • Other independently operated websites

Heritage Ohio does not control and is not responsible for the privacy, security, availability, accuracy or content practices of third-party websites.

This Privacy Policy applies only to information collected by or on behalf of Heritage Ohio. We encourage you to review the privacy policy of any third-party service before providing personal information.

Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical and physical safeguards designed to protect information from:

  • Unauthorized access
  • Accidental or unlawful disclosure
  • Alteration
  • Destruction
  • Loss
  • Misuse
  • Fraud
  • Security incidents

These safeguards may include access restrictions, authentication controls, secure hosting, encryption where appropriate, system monitoring, backups, personnel confidentiality requirements, vendor oversight and secure disposal procedures.

Access to personal, financial and organizational information is limited to individuals who require it for legitimate operational purposes.

No website, email system, payment platform, database, network or electronic transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

Data Retention

We retain information for as long as reasonably necessary to:

  • Respond to inquiries
  • Administer memberships and donations
  • Coordinate programs and events
  • Maintain community, project and technical-assistance records
  • Provide publications and membership benefits
  • Maintain accounting, transaction, grant and tax records
  • Evaluate organizational programs
  • Satisfy contractual, regulatory and legal obligations
  • Resolve disputes
  • Enforce agreements
  • Prevent fraud and security incidents
  • Protect our legal rights

Retention periods vary depending on the type of information, the purpose for which it was collected and applicable legal, grant, accounting or contractual requirements.

When information is no longer required, we may delete, destroy, anonymize or securely archive it.

Your Privacy Rights

Depending on your state of residence and applicable law, you may have the right to:

  • Request access to personal information we maintain about you
  • Request correction of inaccurate information
  • Request deletion of certain information
  • Request a copy of certain information
  • Object to or restrict certain processing
  • Withdraw consent where processing is based on consent
  • Opt out of promotional and fundraising communications
  • Request information about categories of information collected or disclosed
  • Opt out of certain targeted advertising, sales or sharing
  • Appeal certain decisions concerning a privacy request

These rights may be subject to identity-verification requirements and exceptions involving:

  • Donation and tax records
  • Membership and transaction records
  • Grant and program obligations
  • Published or archival materials
  • Public records
  • Fraud prevention and security
  • Legal claims
  • Other record-retention requirements

We may request additional information to verify your identity and protect information from unauthorized access, alteration or deletion.

We will not unlawfully discriminate against an individual for exercising an applicable privacy right.

Do Not Track and Global Privacy Control

Some browsers provide a “Do Not Track” setting. Because there is no universally accepted technical standard for responding to these signals, our website may not respond to every Do Not Track request.

Where required by applicable law and supported by our website technology, we may recognize browser-based opt-out signals such as Global Privacy Control.

Children’s Privacy

Our website and general programs are not directed toward children under the age of 13.

We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13 through the public website without appropriate authorization.

Certain educational, community or preservation programs may involve minors. When personal information concerning a minor is required, we may seek authorization from a parent, guardian, school or participating organization as appropriate.

If we learn that a child under 13 submitted personal information through the website without appropriate authorization, we will take reasonable steps to delete it.

Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in:

  • Our website
  • Our membership and donation programs
  • Our events and services
  • Our technology and service providers
  • Our organizational practices
  • Legal or regulatory requirements
  • Our information-handling practices

When changes are made, the revised policy will be posted on this page with an updated “Last updated” date.

Contact Heritage Ohio

For questions about this Privacy Policy, our information-handling practices or a privacy request, please contact:

Heritage Ohio
800 East 17th Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43211

Phone: 614-258-6200
Fax: 614-258-6400
Email: info@heritageohio.org
Website: https://heritageohio.org

You may also contact us through the contact form available on our website.

Please do not include payment card numbers, Social Security numbers or other highly sensitive information in a general website inquiry.