Program policies
Privacy & records
This page explains, in plain language, what CARA does with the information you send with a micro grant application.
What we collect
Organization and contact details, entity information such as your EIN and entity type, the amount requested, your description of the use of funds and community benefit, budget and outcome information, conflict-of-interest answers, and any documents you upload with the application.
If your organization was referred, we also record which partner or representative made the referral.
How we use it
Information you submit is used solely to review your application, make and document a funding decision, prepare award agreements, and monitor the results of funded work. We do not sell it, and we do not use it for advertising.
Who can see it
Access is limited to CARA staff and reviewers assigned to the program, and to auditors or funders who have a legitimate need to verify how funds were awarded and used.
Applicants can see their own application status using their reference number and the email address on the application. Internal review notes are never shown to applicants or to the public.
How long we keep it
Applications, decision records and award documentation are retained for at least seven years after an application is closed, in line with standard grant recordkeeping practice and any funder or audit requirement that applies to the award.
Applications that are declined or withdrawn are retained on the same schedule so CARA can show that every decision was made consistently.
Security
Application data and uploaded documents are stored in access-controlled systems. Documents are kept in a private store and are not publicly reachable.
Your choices
You may ask what CARA holds about your organization, ask us to correct information that is wrong, or withdraw an application that has not yet been decided. Write to info@cara-now.org and include your reference number.
Records CARA must keep for audit or legal reasons cannot be deleted on request.
Non-discrimination
CARA does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or age in its grantmaking.
Questions
Contact CARA at info@cara-now.org. We will respond to records questions within a reasonable time.