Privacy Policy

Better Me e.V.
Last updated: February 2026

1. Data Controller

Better Me e.V.
Schroederstr. 16b
29640 Schneeverdingen
Germany

Email: [email protected]
Website: https://betterme.org

Better Me e.V. is responsible for processing your personal data in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

2. What Personal Data We Collect

We may collect and process the following categories of personal data:

a) Website Visitors

  • IP address

  • Browser type and device information

  • Pages visited and timestamps

  • Cookies and tracking identifiers (subject to consent)

b) Volunteer Applications

  • Name, address, email, phone number

  • Date of birth, nationality

  • CV, qualifications, motivation letter

  • Emergency contact details

  • Health-related information (only if necessary and with explicit consent)

c) Sponsorship Program & Child Sponsorship

  • Name and contact details

  • Payment and billing information

  • Communication history

  • Sponsorship preferences

  • Records of sponsorship correspondence and updates

d) Donors

  • Name and contact details

  • Donation amount and frequency

  • Payment details (processed via secure third-party providers)

  • Donation history

  • Communication preferences

e) Newsletter & Marketing

  • Name and email address

  • Consent status

  • Interaction data (opens, clicks)

f) Direct Contact (Email / Contact Form)

If you contact us via email or contact form, we process your data solely to respond to your inquiry.
We retain such data only as long as necessary to handle the correspondence and do not share it beyond necessary service providers.

We do not sell personal data.

3. Legal Basis for Processing (Art. 6 GDPR)

We process personal data based on:

  • Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR – Consent (e.g., newsletters, health data)

  • Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR – Contract performance (donations, sponsorships, volunteer agreements)

  • Art. 6(1)(c) GDPR – Legal obligation (tax and accounting requirements)

  • Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR – Legitimate interest (communication, website security, operational management)

4. Data Retention

We retain personal data only as long as necessary:

  • Donation and financial records: 10 years (legal obligation)

  • Volunteer records: 7–10 years

  • Sponsorship records: Duration of sponsorship + legal retention requirements

  • Newsletter subscribers: Until consent is withdrawn

  • General inquiries: Up to 3 years

5. Sharing of Personal Data

We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information to third parties.

Personal data may be shared only when necessary for the operation of our services and strictly for legitimate organizational purposes. This includes sharing with carefully selected service providers who support us in delivering our activities, such as:

  • Website hosting and IT infrastructure providers

  • Payment processing providers

  • Customer relationship management (CRM) systems

  • Email and newsletter distribution services

  • Messaging and communication platforms (including SMS or WhatsApp delivery providers)

  • Accounting, auditing, and legal advisors

All service providers process personal data on our behalf under data processing agreements in accordance with Article 28 GDPR. They are contractually prohibited from using personal data for their own purposes or for marketing.

We do not share phone numbers, SMS consent, or other communication data with third parties for their own marketing purposes.

Personal data may also be disclosed if required by law, regulation, legal process, or governmental request, or if necessary to protect the rights, safety, or integrity of Better Me e.V., its beneficiaries, donors, volunteers, or partners.

6. International Data Transfers

If personal data is transferred outside the European Union, we ensure appropriate safeguards such as:

  • Standard Contractual Clauses (SCCs)

  • EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework (where applicable)

  • Adequacy decisions by the European Commission

7. Cookies and Tracking

Our website uses cookies and similar technologies.

We use:

  • Essential cookies (necessary for website functionality)

  • Analytics cookies (only with consent)

  • Marketing cookies (only with consent)

You can manage your cookie preferences through our cookie banner or your browser settings.

8. Third-Party Analytics, Advertising & Tracking Tools

Our website uses third-party analytics and advertising tools. These services may collect information such as IP address, device information, browser data, and user interactions with our website. Processing is based on your explicit consent in accordance with Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR and §25 TTDSG (for cookies and tracking technologies).

You may withdraw your consent at any time via our cookie settings.

Google Analytics

We use Google Analytics provided by Google Ireland Limited, Gordon House, Barrow Street, Dublin 4, Ireland.

Google Analytics uses cookies and similar technologies to analyze website usage. IP anonymization is enabled where technically possible. Data may be transferred to servers of Google LLC in the United States.

The transfer is based on the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework and/or Standard Contractual Clauses pursuant to Art. 46 GDPR.

You may prevent Google Analytics tracking by adjusting your cookie settings or using Google’s browser opt-out plugin.

Google Ads & Conversion Tracking

We use Google Ads conversion tracking to measure the effectiveness of our advertising campaigns.

If you access our website via a Google advertisement, a cookie may be stored on your device. This enables us to measure conversions and optimize campaigns.

The Google G4A Pixel is activated only after you have provided your consent via our cookie banner in accordance with §25 TTDSG and Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR. Data may be transferred outside the European Union with appropriate safeguards in place.

Meta (Facebook & Instagram) Pixel

We use the Meta Pixel provided by Meta Platforms for conversion tracking, remarketing, and advertising optimization.

When visiting our website, a connection to Meta servers may be established and user behavior may be analyzed.

Meta may process data in the United States. Data transfers are based on the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework and/or Standard Contractual Clauses.

We are jointly responsible with Meta for certain data processing activities under Art. 26 GDPR (Joint Controllership). Information on joint controllership with Meta can be found in Meta’s Data Processing Terms.

The Meta Pixel is activated only after you have provided your consent via our cookie banner in accordance with §25 TTDSG and Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR. Data may be transferred outside the European Union with appropriate safeguards in place.

TikTok Pixel

We use the TikTok Pixel provided by TikTok to measure the effectiveness of advertising campaigns and enable remarketing.

When you visit our website via a TikTok advertisement, tracking technologies may be used to analyze user interactions.

The TikTok Pixel is activated only after you have provided your consent via our cookie banner in accordance with §25 TTDSG and Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR. Data may be transferred outside the European Union with appropriate safeguards in place.

Donorbox & Stripe (Donation Processing)

Our donation form is provided by Donorbox and payments are processed through Stripe.

When using the embedded donation form, personal data including payment information may be processed directly by Donorbox and Stripe.

This processing is necessary for contract performance (Art. 6(1)(b) GDPR). Donorbox and Stripe may process data in the United States under appropriate safeguards such as the EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework and/or Standard Contractual Clauses.

GoHighLevel (CRM & Marketing Automation)

We use GoHighLevel as our customer relationship management and marketing automation provider.

GoHighLevel may process personal data such as contact information, communication history, and tracking data for the purpose of managing communications and campaigns.

Processing is based on consent (Art. 6(1)(a) GDPR) and/or legitimate interest (Art. 6(1)(f) GDPR), depending on context. Data may be transferred outside the EU with appropriate safeguards.

9. Data Security

We implement appropriate technical and organizational measures to protect personal data, including:

  • SSL encryption

  • Secure hosting infrastructure

  • Access control restrictions

  • Encrypted data storage where appropriate

However, no internet transmission can be guaranteed to be completely secure.

10. Your Rights Under GDPR

You have the right to:

  • Access your personal data (Art. 15 GDPR)

  • Rectify inaccurate data (Art. 16 GDPR)

  • Erase data (“right to be forgotten”) (Art. 17 GDPR)

  • Restrict processing (Art. 18 GDPR)

  • Data portability (Art. 20 GDPR)

  • Object to processing (Art. 21 GDPR)

  • Withdraw consent at any time (Art. 7(3) GDPR)

To exercise your rights, contact: [email protected]

You also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local supervisory authority in Germany.

11. SMS & Messaging Privacy (A2P 10DLC Compliance)

If you provide your phone number to Better Me e.V., it will only be used for the specific purpose for which it was provided. This may include volunteer coordination, sponsorship updates, donation confirmations, event information, or responding to inquiries.

  • We do not sell, rent, or share phone numbers or SMS consent information with third parties for their own marketing purposes. SMS consent and phone numbers collected for messaging purposes will not be shared with any third party or affiliate for marketing purposes.
  • Personal data may be processed by contracted service providers (such as messaging platforms or technical providers) strictly for the purpose of delivering our communications. These providers act under data protection agreements and may not use your data for their own purposes.
  • Messaging frequency may vary depending on your interaction with us.
  • You may opt out of SMS communications at any time by replying STOP. After you send STOP, you will receive a confirmation message and will no longer receive SMS messages from us.
  • For assistance, reply HELP or contact us at [email protected].
  • Message and data rates may apply depending on your mobile carrier.

    12. Changes to This Privacy Policy

    We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect legal or operational changes.
    The latest version will always be available on our website.