Last updated: September 3, 2026
The Henderson-Wessendorff Foundation (“the Foundation,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) respects the privacy of everyone who visits hw-foundation.com (the “Site”). This policy explains what information we collect, why we collect it, who we share it with, and the choices available to you.
By using the Site, you agree to the practices described here. If you do not agree, please do not use the Site.
1. Information We Collect
Information you give us directly
The only place on this Site where we ask you to submit information is the contact form on our Contact page. When you use it, we collect:
- Your name
- Your email address
- Your phone number
- The content of your message
We use this information solely to read and respond to your inquiry and to keep a record of our correspondence. We do not sell it, rent it, or use it for advertising. You may also contact us by phone or postal mail instead, using the details in Section 9.
Information collected automatically
Like most websites, our web server automatically records technical information each time a page is requested. This typically includes your IP address, browser type and version, operating system, the page you requested, the page that referred you, and the date and time of the request. These server logs are used for security, troubleshooting, and maintaining the Site.
We also use Google Analytics to understand how visitors use the Site in aggregate. See Sections 2 and 3.
Information we do not collect
The Site does not process donations or payments, does not sell products, does not require accounts or logins for visitors, and does not host a grant or scholarship application form. We do not knowingly collect Social Security numbers, financial account information, health information, or other sensitive personal information through this Site.
2. Cookies and Similar Technologies
Cookies are small text files placed on your device by a website. We use a small number of them, described below.
| Cookie | Set by | Purpose | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|---|
_ga | Google Analytics | Distinguishes one visitor from another so that visit counts are accurate | 2 years |
_ga_VJECJ5MN5N | Google Analytics | Maintains the state of an individual browsing session | 2 years |
| WordPress functional cookies | This Site | Set only if you log in to the Site as an administrator or editor; ordinary visitors do not receive them | Session to 1 year |
We do not use advertising cookies, retargeting pixels, social media tracking pixels, or cross-site behavioral advertising technology on this Site.
You can control cookies through your browser settings — most browsers let you block or delete cookies, and many offer a private browsing mode. Blocking cookies will not prevent you from reading any page on this Site or from using the contact form. You can also install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on to stop Google Analytics from collecting data about your visits to any site.
3. Analytics
We use Google Analytics 4, a service provided by Google LLC, to measure Site traffic and understand which pages are useful to our visitors. Google Analytics collects information such as pages viewed, time on page, approximate geographic location derived from your IP address, device and browser type, and the site or search engine that referred you.
This information is used in aggregate. We do not use it to identify individual visitors, and we have not enabled Google Analytics advertising features, remarketing audiences, or the Google Signals cross-device reporting feature. Google processes this data on our behalf under its own terms; you can review Google’s Privacy Policy and how Google uses data from sites that use its services.
4. Third-Party Services and Links
Services embedded in this Site
- Google Analytics — website traffic measurement, as described above.
- Google Fonts — typefaces used in the Site’s design are delivered from Google’s font servers. Loading them transmits your IP address and browser information to Google.
- Our web host — the Site is hosted by a third-party provider that maintains server logs and security records on our behalf.
Services we link to
Several pages link out to platforms we do not operate. Once you follow one of these links, this policy no longer applies and the third party’s own privacy policy governs your information:
- Foundant Technologies GrantInterface (
grantinterface.com) — our grant applications are submitted, reviewed, and managed on this external platform. Any information you enter there, including organizational and financial details, is collected by Foundant on our behalf under its own privacy and security terms. - Google Docs — some grant reference documents are shared as Google Docs.
- University financial aid and ApplyTexas websites — linked from our Scholarships page for applicants’ convenience. Scholarship applications are handled by those institutions, not through this Site.
We are not responsible for the content or privacy practices of third-party websites. We encourage you to read their privacy policies before providing information to them.
5. How We Use and Share Information
We use the information described above to:
- Respond to questions, requests, and correspondence sent through the Site
- Operate, secure, maintain, and improve the Site
- Understand aggregate visitor traffic and interest in our programs
- Comply with applicable law and our recordkeeping obligations as a private foundation
We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information. We share it only:
- With service providers who help us operate the Site (such as our web host and analytics provider), and only to the extent needed to perform that work
- With Foundation trustees, staff, and professional advisors who need it to evaluate a request or respond to an inquiry
- When required by law, subpoena, or other legal process, or where we believe disclosure is necessary to protect our rights, safety, or property, or that of others
6. Data Retention
Contact form submissions are stored in the Site’s database and forwarded to Foundation staff by email. We keep them for as long as needed to respond and to maintain a reasonable record of correspondence, and we periodically delete submissions that no longer serve a purpose. Server logs are retained for a limited period consistent with our host’s standard practice. Google Analytics data is retained according to the retention period configured in our Analytics property.
7. Security
The Site is served over an encrypted HTTPS connection, and we take reasonable administrative and technical measures to protect the information we hold. No method of transmission or storage over the internet is completely secure, however, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. Please do not send confidential or sensitive information — such as Social Security numbers, bank or account numbers, or medical information — through the contact form.
8. Your Choices and Rights
Everyone
You may contact us at any time to ask what personal information we hold about you, to request that we correct it, or to request that we delete it. We will respond to reasonable requests, subject to any records we are required to retain by law. You can also decline cookies through your browser, use the Google Analytics opt-out add-on, and simply choose not to use the contact form.
Children
The Site is intended for a general 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 with personal information through this Site, please contact us and we will delete it.
Do Not Track
Some browsers transmit a “Do Not Track” signal. There is no common industry standard for how such signals should be honored, and this Site does not currently respond to them. The choices described above remain available to you.
Visitors outside the United States
The Foundation operates in Richmond, Texas, and serves the greater Richmond and Fort Bend County area. Information collected through this Site is stored and processed in the United States, which may have data protection laws different from those in your country. If you are visiting from outside the United States, you consent to that transfer and processing. If you are located in the European Economic Area or the United Kingdom and would like to exercise rights available to you under applicable law, please contact us using the details below.
9. Contact Us
Questions about this policy, or requests concerning your information, may be directed to:
The Henderson-Wessendorff Foundation
Wessendorff Building
611 Morton Street
Richmond, Texas 77469
Phone: 281-342-2044
Or use our contact form.
10. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes to the Site, to the services we use, or to applicable law. When we do, we will revise the “Last updated” date at the top of this page. Material changes will be posted here, and your continued use of the Site after an update constitutes acceptance of the revised policy.