Effective Date: June 2, 2026
1. Introduction
This Cookie Policy explains how Aid Registry, Inc. (“Aid Registry,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) uses cookies and similar technologies on our website and platform (the “Platform”) at aidregistry.org.
This Cookie Policy should be read alongside our Privacy Policy (aidregistry.org/privacy) and our Terms of Service (aidregistry.org/terms), which together govern your use of the Platform. Capitalized terms not defined here have the meanings given in our Privacy Policy.
Aid Registry is committed to transparency about our data practices. We keep our cookie usage minimal by design: we do not use advertising cookies, behavioral tracking cookies, or any third-party analytics cookies. Our analytics are powered by our own self-hosted tools, which means your browsing data on our Platform is not shared with external analytics providers.
2. What Are Cookies and Similar Technologies
Cookies are small text files placed on your device (computer, tablet, or smartphone) when you visit a website. They allow the website to recognize your device, remember your preferences, and understand how you interact with the site.
Similar technologies include:
- Session storage and local storage — browser-based storage that holds temporary data for the duration of your session or until cleared
- Pixel tags / web beacons — tiny invisible images embedded in pages or emails that can signal when content is loaded (Aid Registry does not currently use these)
Cookies can be:
- First-party — set directly by Aid Registry for use on our Platform
- Third-party — set by external services we use (e.g., Stripe for payment processing)
- Session cookies — deleted automatically when you close your browser
- Persistent cookies — remain on your device for a set period or until you delete them
3. How We Use Cookies
We use cookies for three purposes: to keep the Platform functioning correctly, to understand how visitors use the Platform using our own first-party analytics, and to remember your preferences. We do not use cookies to serve you advertising, to track you across other websites, or to build behavioral profiles.
4. Types of Cookies We Use
4.1 Strictly Necessary Cookies
These cookies are essential for the Platform to operate. Without them, core features — such as logging in, accessing your account, processing donations, and maintaining session security — would not work. These cookies cannot be disabled through our Platform, though you may block them via your browser settings (see Section 6). Blocking strictly necessary cookies is likely to break core functionality.
4.2 Analytics Cookies
We use our own self-hosted analytics tool to understand how visitors use the Platform — for example, which pages are visited most, how long visitors stay, and where they arrive from. This helps us improve the Platform over time.
Because our analytics are self-hosted, the data collected is retained by Aid Registry and is not transmitted to any third-party analytics provider such as Google Analytics. Analytics cookies are first-party only.
4.3 Functional Cookies
These cookies remember your preferences and settings to improve your experience. For example, they may retain display preferences or remember that you have previously dismissed a notice. These cookies are first-party and optional.
4.4 Third-Party Cookies (Stripe)
When you make a donation or interact with our payment flow, Stripe — our third-party payment processor — may set cookies on your device. These cookies are used by Stripe solely for fraud detection, security, and payment session management. Aid Registry does not control these cookies, and they are governed by Stripe’s own Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy, available at stripe.com/privacy.
We do not use any other third-party services that set cookies on your device. We do not use Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, advertising networks, or any other external tracking tools.
5. Cookie Inventory
The following describes the primary cookies currently in use on the Platform. Cookie names may change periodically as the Platform is updated; this list reflects our current implementation.
_charity_portal_session
Provider: Aid Registry (first-party)
Category: Strictly Necessary
Purpose: Maintains your login session and keeps you authenticated while using the Platform.
Duration: Session — deleted when you close your browser.
Can be disabled: No — disabling this cookie will break login functionality.
ahoy_visit
Provider: Aid Registry (first-party, self-hosted — no data shared with third parties)
Category: Analytics
Purpose: Helps us understand aggregate usage patterns such as page views, session duration, and navigation flow using our own self-hosted analytics tool. No data is transmitted to any external analytics provider.
Duration: Up to 4 hours.
Can be disabled: Yes — see Section 6 for browser opt-out instructions.
ahoy_visitor
Provider: Aid Registry (first-party, self-hosted — no data shared with third parties)
Category: Analytics
Purpose: Helps us understand aggregate usage patterns such as page views, session duration, and navigation flow using our own self-hosted analytics tool. No data is transmitted to any external analytics provider.
Duration: Persistent — up to 2 years.
Can be disabled: Yes — see Section 6 for browser opt-out instructions.
__stripe_sid and __stripe_mid
Provider: Stripe, Inc. (third-party — stripe.com/privacy)
Category: Strictly Necessary (Payment Processing)
Purpose: Set by Stripe solely for fraud detection, payment session security, and transaction integrity. These cookies are not used for advertising or cross-site behavioral tracking. Aid Registry does not control these cookies.
Duration: __stripe_sid: Session. __stripe_mid: Persistent — up to 1 year.
Can be disabled: No — disabling these cookies may prevent donations from completing successfully.
Note: The list above reflects currently known cookies and will be updated as the Platform evolves. Your development team should verify that actual cookie names match those listed here.
6. Managing Your Cookie Preferences
6.1 Browser Settings
Most web browsers allow you to control cookies through their settings. You can typically:
- View cookies currently stored on your device
- Block all cookies or cookies from specific sites
- Delete existing cookies
Instructions for managing cookies in common browsers:
- Google Chrome — Settings > Privacy and Security > Cookies and other site data
- Mozilla Firefox — Settings > Privacy & Security > Cookies and Site Data
- Safari — Preferences > Privacy > Manage Website Data
- Microsoft Edge — Settings > Cookies and site permissions
Please note that blocking strictly necessary cookies (including Stripe’s payment cookies) may prevent you from donating or using core features of the Platform.
6.2 Stripe Opt-Out
For information about Stripe’s use of cookies and your options, please visit stripe.com/privacy. Stripe’s cookies are required for payment processing; disabling them may prevent donations from completing.
6.3 Do Not Track
Some browsers offer a “Do Not Track” (DNT) setting that signals to websites that you do not wish to be tracked. At this time, Aid Registry does not respond to DNT signals, as there is no uniform technical standard for how such signals should be interpreted. Because we do not use advertising or cross-site behavioral tracking, the practical impact of DNT on our Platform is limited to our first-party analytics cookie. You may disable the analytics cookie via your browser settings as described in Section 6.1.
7. Cookie Consent
The Platform is intended for use within the United States. Aid Registry does not currently register or onboard charities outside the United States, and our services are directed at U.S.-based donors and U.S.-recognized tax-exempt organizations.
Strictly necessary cookies (including Stripe’s payment cookies) are set based on our legitimate interest in operating a functional and secure platform and do not require your prior consent.
Analytics and functional cookies are set based on your implied consent through continued use of the Platform. If you do not wish to receive these cookies, you may disable them via your browser settings as described in Section 6.1 at any time.
8. Changes to This Policy
We may update this Cookie Policy from time to time to reflect changes in the cookies we use, applicable law, or our data practices. When we do, we will post the revised Policy on this page with an updated Effective Date. Your continued use of the Platform after the updated Policy is posted constitutes your acceptance of the changes. We encourage you to review this Policy periodically.
9. Governing Law
This Cookie Policy is governed by the laws of the State of North Carolina, consistent with our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
10. Contact Us
If you have questions about this Cookie Policy or our use of cookies, please contact:
Aid Registry, Inc. — Privacy Team
Website: aidregistry.org