Last updated: August 10, 2025
US–China Education Trust (“USCET,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), a program of the F.Y. Chang Foundation, is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that advances mutual understanding between the United States and China. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, share, and safeguard personal information when you use our website at www.uscet.org (the “Site”), sign up for our programs and events, subscribe to communications, donate, or otherwise interact with us.
By using the Site or providing personal information to us, you agree to the practices described here. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site and contact us with any concerns.
1) Information We Collect
a) Information you provide directly
We collect information you choose to share with us, including:
- Contact details (name, email address, phone number, mailing address)
- Professional and academic information (title, employer, affiliation, biography)
- Program, event, or scholarship application information (CV/resumé, statements of interest, references)
- Event registration details (dietary needs, accessibility requirements, travel preferences; for select delegations, limited identity documents when required for logistics or security)
- Donation information (donation amount, gift designation, and—via our payment processor only—billing details)
- Communications you send us (questions, feedback, media inquiries)
b) Information collected automatically
When you visit the Site, we may automatically collect:
- Device and usage data (IP address, browser type, device identifiers, pages viewed, links clicked, referring pages, time and date of visits)
- Cookie and tracking data (see “Cookies & Similar Technologies” below)
c) Information from third parties
We may receive information from service providers (e.g., email/CRM platforms, analytics providers, donation processors), partner organizations, and publicly available sources to help maintain accurate records and support engagement.
2) How We Use Your Information
We use personal information to:
- Provide, maintain, and improve the Site and our programs, events, publications, and services
- Process registrations and applications; coordinate travel and logistics where applicable
- Communicate with you (program updates, event confirmations, newsletters, invitations, and organizational announcements)
- Manage fundraising and donor stewardship
- Conduct research, reporting, and impact assessment (in aggregate and/or de-identified form where feasible)
- Personalize content and understand Site usage through analytics
- Comply with legal obligations and protect our rights, users, and the public
We do not use your personal information for automated decision-making that produces legal or similarly significant effects without human involvement.
3) Legal Bases (EEA/UK/Switzerland visitors)
Where the GDPR/UK GDPR applies, we process personal data based on:
- Consent (e.g., subscribing to newsletters, accepting optional cookies)
- Contract (e.g., fulfilling event registrations or program participation)
- Legitimate interests (e.g., organizational outreach, network building, program administration, site security, and analytics balanced against your rights)
- Legal obligations (e.g., recordkeeping, sanctions screening where relevant)
- Vital interests (e.g., emergency event communications)
You may withdraw consent at any time where consent is the basis of processing.
4) Cookies & Similar Technologies
We use cookies and similar technologies to:
- Enable core Site functionality and security
- Remember your preferences
- Measure and improve performance through analytics
Where required, you will see a cookie banner giving you choices to accept or manage categories (e.g., strictly necessary vs. analytics). You can also control cookies through your browser settings. If you block cookies, some Site features may not function.
“Do Not Track”: Because there is no consensus on how to interpret DNT signals, the Site does not currently respond to them.
5) Analytics, Email, and Third-Party Tools
We may use analytics tools (for example, Google Analytics or comparable services) to understand Site usage and improve performance. We may use email service providers to manage newsletters and invitations. These providers act on our behalf under agreements that limit their use of your information.
6) Donations and Payment Processing
Online donations are processed by third-party payment processors. USCET does not store full payment card numbers. Your payment data is handled in accordance with the processor’s privacy and security practices. Donation records (e.g., amount, date, designation) are retained for financial and stewardship purposes.
7) How We Share Information
We do not sell or rent your personal information. We may share information:
- With service providers who help operate our Site, communications, events, programs, or donations (bound by confidentiality and data protection obligations)
- With partner organizations when co-hosting programs or events, or where sharing is necessary to deliver a program you join (we will aim to disclose this at collection)
- For legal and safety reasons (to comply with law, enforce terms, or protect rights, safety, and security)
- In organizational transitions (e.g., restructuring or merger of nonprofit operations)
If we ever engage in “sharing” for cross-context behavioral advertising under applicable U.S. state law, we will disclose that and provide opt-out mechanisms.
8) International Data Transfers
USCET is based in the United States, and your information may be processed in the U.S. and other countries with different data protection laws than your home country. For transfers from the EEA/UK/Switzerland, we rely on appropriate safeguards (such as Standard Contractual Clauses) or your explicit consent where required.
For certain programs or delegations, limited data may be shared with trusted partners outside your jurisdiction to arrange logistics; we disclose this contextually and minimize what is shared.
9) Data Retention
We retain personal information only as long as needed for the purposes described above, including meeting legal, accounting, and reporting requirements. Retention periods vary by data category (e.g., donation records may be retained to satisfy tax laws). When no longer needed, we delete or de-identify data where feasible.
10) Data Security
We use administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect personal information. No method of transmission or storage is completely secure; we cannot guarantee absolute security. If we discover a security incident affecting your data, we will follow applicable notification laws.
11) Your Privacy Rights
Your rights depend on your location and applicable law. Subject to exceptions, you may have the right to:
- Access: know whether we process your information and receive a copy
- Correct: request correction of inaccurate data
- Delete: request deletion of certain information
- Restrict or object: limit or object to certain processing (including processing based on legitimate interests)
- Portability: receive certain data in a portable format
- Opt out: object to marketing communications at any time (use the unsubscribe link or contact us)
- Cookie choices: manage non-essential cookies via our banner or your browser
- U.S. state rights (e.g., CA/CO/CT/VA): request to know, correct, delete, and, where applicable, opt out of “sales” or “sharing” for targeted advertising and limit use of sensitive personal information
To exercise rights, please contact us (see “Contact Us”). We will verify your request consistent with applicable law. If we deny your request, you may have a right to appeal by replying to our decision; if you remain unsatisfied, you may contact your state attorney general or relevant authority.
12) Children’s Privacy
Our programs and Site are intended for general audiences and are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13 without appropriate parental/guardian consent. If you believe a child provided us information without consent, please contact us so we can delete it.
13) Event Photography & Media
USCET events and programs may be recorded, photographed, or live-streamed for educational and promotional purposes. By attending, you acknowledge that you may appear in such media. If you have concerns or require an accommodation, please contact us in advance and we will do our best to help.
14) Third-Party Links
The Site may link to external websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those third parties. We encourage you to review their privacy policies.
15) Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. The “Last updated” date indicates the latest revision. Significant changes will be highlighted on the Site or communicated directly where appropriate.
16) Contact Us
If you have questions, requests, or complaints about this Policy or our data practices, please contact:
US–China Education Trust (USCET)
Email: info (at) uscet.org
Mailing address: 1957 E Street NW, Suite 605, Washington, DC 20035, United States of America
For EEA/UK residents: You may also have the right to lodge a complaint with your local data protection authority.
17) Summary of Key Choices
- Unsubscribe from emails: Use the link at the bottom of our messages or contact us.
- Cookies: Adjust preferences through our cookie banner (where available) or your browser settings.
- Access/Correction/Deletion requests: Email us with “Privacy Request” in the subject line and describe your request and the jurisdiction you’re in.