Online Privacy Policy

Last Updated: Sept. 15, 2026 

Outsiders Inn (“Outsiders Inn,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a Washington nonprofit organization providing shelter, housing stability, and outreach programs in Vancouver, Washington. We respect your privacy and are committed to protecting the personal information you share with us through our website, www.outsidersinn.org (the “Site”), including through our online Volunteer Application. This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, how we use and share it, and the choices and rights available to you.

By using the Site or submitting a Volunteer Application, you acknowledge that you have read and understood this Policy.

1. Contact Information

Outsiders Inn

3303 Ste B NE 44th St., Vancouver, WA 98663
Phone: (360) 830-6647
Email: info@outsidersinn.org
EIN: 81-3259312

Questions about this Policy or your personal information may be directed to the contact information above.

2. Information We Collect

2.1 Volunteer Application Information

When you complete our online Volunteer Application, we collect the following information directly from you:

  • Identity and Contact Information: First and last name; date of birth; gender (optional — “prefer not to answer” is available); phone number; email address; residential address (street, city, state, ZIP).

  • Volunteer Preferences: Preferred volunteer location/program.

  • Marketing Preferences: Whether you would like to receive news, updates, and notice of future volunteer opportunities only, no sales included.

  • Application Certifications and Signature: Your typed signature, the date signed, and your responses to a series of acknowledgment statements (e.g., accuracy of application information, unpaid volunteer status, confidentiality regarding shelter guests, assumption of risk / hold-harmless acknowledgment, and consent to a background check).

2.2 Sensitive Personal Information

Because in-person volunteer roles involve contact with shelter guests and other vulnerable individuals, our Volunteer Application collects certain categories of sensitive personal information, limited to what is necessary to evaluate and screen volunteer applicants:

  • Criminal History: Whether you have ever been convicted of a felony and, if so, a narrative explanation you provide.

  • Background Check Authorization and Results: Your authorization for Outsiders Inn to obtain a criminal background check through the Washington State Patrol WATCH (Washington Access to Criminal History) program, and the results of that background check.

  • Date of Birth: Used to verify identity and to process the background check.

  • Gender: Voluntarily self-disclosed; you may select “prefer not to answer.”

We only collect this sensitive information because it is necessary to evaluate your eligibility to volunteer in a role that involves direct contact with shelter residents, and we collect it directly from you with your knowledge and explicit consent at the time you submit the Volunteer Application. We do not use this information for marketing or advertising, and we do not sell it.

2.3 Website Usage Data

When you visit the Site, certain information may be collected automatically, such as your IP address, browser type, device information, pages visited, referral source, and general location derived from your IP address.

2.4 Cookies and Tracking Technologies

The Site may use cookies and similar technologies (such as analytics tools) to support site functionality, remember preferences, and understand how visitors use the Site. You can control cookies through your browser settings, though some Site features may not function properly if cookies are disabled.

3. How We Use Your Information

We use the information described above for the following purposes:

  • Volunteer Screening and Placement: To evaluate your Volunteer Application, verify your identity, conduct a criminal background check through the Washington State Patrol WATCH program, and match you with an appropriate volunteer opportunity or location.

  • Program Safety: To help protect shelter guests, staff, and other volunteers, consistent with our responsibility to screen individuals who will have contact with the people we serve.

  • Communicating with You: To respond to your application, coordinate volunteer scheduling, and, if you opt in, notify you of future volunteer opportunities and organizational news and updates.

  • Legal and Compliance Purposes: To comply with applicable law, respond to legal process, and maintain records related to volunteer screening.

  • Website Operation: To operate, maintain, and improve the Site.

We do not sell your personal information, and we do not use your sensitive personal information (including background check results) for advertising or cross-context behavioral advertising.

4. How We Share Your Information

We share personal information only as described below:

  • Washington State Patrol (WATCH Program): Information necessary to process your background check authorization is shared with the Washington State Patrol’s WATCH criminal background check system.

  • Host Shelter Locations: As disclosed on the Volunteer Application, host shelter locations (e.g., St. Paul’s Men’s Shelter, Outpost, and 415 West Safe Stay) receive your name to comply with their site access and safety policies.

  • Service Providers: We may share information with vendors who help us operate the Site or manage volunteer records (e.g., website hosting, email/communications tools), under obligations to protect your information and use it only to perform services for us.

  • Legal Requirements: We may disclose information if required by law, subpoena, or court order, or to protect the safety of our guests, staff, volunteers, or the public.

  • With Your Consent: For any other purpose disclosed to you at the time of collection and to which you agree.

We do not sell or share your personal information (as those terms are defined under applicable state privacy law) for cross-context behavioral advertising.

5. Data Retention

We retain Volunteer Application information, including background check results, for as long as necessary to evaluate your application, support your volunteer engagement, and meet our recordkeeping, safety, and legal obligations, and for a reasonable period afterward. When information is no longer needed for these purposes, we securely delete or de-identify it.

6. Data Security

We use reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information — including sensitive information such as background check results — from unauthorized access, use, or disclosure. Access to background check results and criminal history information is limited to personnel who need it to evaluate volunteer eligibility. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security.

7. Your Privacy Rights

Depending on where you live, you may have rights regarding your personal information, which may include the right to know what information we collect and how we use it, to access a copy of your information, to correct inaccurate information, to request deletion, and to opt out of marketing communications. To exercise any of these rights, contact us using the information in Section 1.

7.1 Washington and Oregon Residents

We do not sell personal information. If you are an Oregon resident, you may have rights under the Oregon Consumer Privacy Act, including the right to access, correct, delete, and obtain a copy of your personal data, and to opt out of certain processing. Contact us to exercise these rights.

7.2 California Residents

If you are a California resident, you may have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA/CPRA), including the right to know, delete, and correct your personal information, and to limit the use of sensitive personal information. We do not sell or share personal information as those terms are defined under the CCPA/CPRA.

7.3 Marketing Communications

If you opted in to receive volunteer opportunity notices or organizational news, you may opt out at any time by contacting us or using the unsubscribe mechanism in our communications.

8. Children’s Privacy

The Site and our Volunteer Application are not directed to children, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children. Our minimum age for volunteers is 18 unless accompanied by an adult family member. If you believe a child has provided us with personal information, please contact us so we can address it.

9. Links to Other Websites

Our Site may contain links to third-party websites (for example, meal-train sign-ups or partner organization sites). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites and encourage you to review their privacy policies.

10. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Policy from time to time. Changes will be posted on this page with an updated “Last Updated” date. Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the updated Policy.