1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that are placed on your device (computer, mobile phone, or tablet) when you visit our website CROPministries.org. They help us provide you with a better experience by remembering your preferences and understanding how you use our services.

2. How We Use Cookies

CROP Ministries uses cookies and similar tracking technologies to:

• Keep you logged in to your account
• Remember your preferences and settings
• Understand how you use our website
• Improve our services and content
• Provide relevant information and support

3. Types of Cookies We Use

Essential Cookies (Required)

These cookies are necessary for our website to function properly and cannot be disabled:

Session Cookies:

• Purpose: Maintain your login session and account security
• Duration: Deleted when you close your browser
• Information: Session identifiers, authentication tokens

Security Cookies:

• Purpose: Protect against fraud and unauthorized access
• Duration: Varies (typically 24 hours to 30 days)
• Information: Security tokens, device identification

Analytics Cookies (Optional)

These cookies help us understand how visitors use our website:

Google Analytics:

• Purpose: Website traffic analysis, user behavior insights
• Duration: 2 years (or until you clear your cookies)
• Information: Page visits, time on site, browser type, general location
• Provider: Google LLC
• Opt-out: Available through Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

Performance Tracking:

• Purpose: Monitor website speed and technical performance
• Duration: 30 days
• Information: Page load times, error reports, browser capabilities

Marketing Cookies (Optional)

These cookies are used for marketing and advertising purposes:

Meta Pixel (Facebook):

• Purpose: Measure advertising effectiveness, create custom audiences
• Duration: 180 days
• Information: Website interactions, page views, conversion events
• Provider: Meta Platforms, Inc.
• Privacy Policy: https://www.facebook.com/privacy/policy/

Email Campaign Tracking:

• Purpose: Measure email open rates and click-through rates
• Duration: 30 days
• Information: Email engagement, link clicks
• Provider: ZOHO Corporation

Preference Cookies (Optional)

These cookies remember your choices to improve your experience:

Site Preferences:

• Purpose: Remember your settings and preferences
• Duration: 1 year
• Information: Language preferences, display settings, accessibility options

4. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies are set by third-party services we use:

Video Content (YouTube/Vimeo)

When you watch embedded videos:

• YouTube: May set cookies for video preferences and analytics
• Vimeo: May set cookies for video playback and user preferences
• Your Control: You can disable these by not playing embedded videos

Community Platform (Skool)

When you access our community features:

• Purpose: Community functionality, user preferences, session management
• Your Control: Managed through Skool’s privacy settings

Payment Processing (Stripe)

When you make purchases:

• Purpose: Fraud prevention, secure payment processing
• Duration: Varies based on Stripe’s policies
• Information: Device fingerprinting, transaction security data

5. Your Cookie Choices

Managing Cookies

You have several options for controlling cookies:

Browser Settings:

• Most browsers allow you to refuse cookies or delete existing cookies
• You can usually find these options in your browser’s “Settings” or “Preferences” menu
• Note: Disabling essential cookies may affect website functionality

Opt-Out Tools:

• Google Analytics: Use the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on
• Facebook Pixel: Adjust your Facebook advertising preferences
• General Advertising: Visit the Network Advertising Initiative opt-out page

Impact of Disabling Cookies

If you disable cookies, you may experience:

• Need to log in repeatedly during each session
• Loss of website preferences and customizations
• Reduced website functionality
• Less relevant content recommendations

6. Cookie Categories and Legal Basis

Required Cookies (Legitimate Interest)

• Essential for website security and functionality
• Cannot be disabled without affecting core services
• Legal basis: Legitimate business interest in providing secure services

Analytics Cookies (Consent)

• Help us improve our website and services
• Can be disabled through browser settings or opt-out tools
• Legal basis: Your consent (implied through continued use)

Marketing Cookies (Consent)

• Used to provide relevant information about our services
• Can be disabled through privacy settings or opt-out tools
• Legal basis: Your consent (implied through continued use)

7. Data Retention

Cookie Lifespan

Different cookies have different retention periods:

• Session cookies: Deleted when you close your browser
• Persistent cookies: Remain until expiration date or manual deletion
• Analytics cookies: Typically 2 years
• Marketing cookies: Typically 30-180 days

Data Deletion

You can delete cookies at any time through:

• Your browser’s privacy/security settings
• Third-party opt-out tools
• Contacting us to request account data deletion

8. Children’s Privacy

COPPA Compliance: We do not knowingly use cookies to collect personal information from children under 13. Since parents supervise their children’s use of our content:

• All cookies are tied to the parent’s account
• No tracking profiles are created for children
• Parents can control all cookie settings through their account

9. Updates to This Policy

We may update this Cookie Policy to reflect:

• Changes in the cookies we use
• New legal requirements
• Updates to our website functionality
• Changes in third-party services

When we make significant changes:

• We will post the updated policy on our website
• We will update the “Last Updated” date
• We may provide additional notice for material changes

10. International Considerations

US-Based Services: Our website and cookies are designed for users in the United States. If you access our services from other countries:

• Your information may be processed in the US
• Different privacy laws may apply
• Some third-party cookies may be subject to international data transfers

11. Contact Us

For questions about our use of cookies or this Cookie Policy:

CROP Ministries

• Email: info@cropministries.org
• Phone: (208) 660-7096
• Mail: CROP Ministries c/o CRM, P.O. Box 77160, Corona, CA 92877
• Support Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM PST
• Response Time: 24 hours

12. How to Control Cookies

Browser-Specific Instructions

Google Chrome:

1. Click the three dots menu → Settings
2. Privacy and security → Cookies and other site data
3. Choose your preferred cookie settings

Firefox:

1. Click the menu button → Options
2. Privacy & Security → Cookies and Site Data
3. Choose your preferred settings

Safari:

1. Safari menu → Preferences
2. Privacy tab → Cookies and website data
3. Choose your preferred settings

Microsoft Edge:

1. Click the three dots → Settings
2. Privacy, search, and services → Cookies and site permissions
3. Choose your preferred settings

Mobile Devices

iOS (Safari):

1. Settings → Safari → Privacy & Security
2. Block All Cookies (choose your preference)

Android (Chrome):

1. Chrome app → Settings → Site settings
2. Cookies → Choose your preference

Your Privacy Matters: At CROP Ministries, we believe in transparency about how we collect and use information. This Cookie Policy is part of our commitment to protecting your privacy while providing the best possible experience for our faith-based educational services.

Questions about cookies or privacy? We’re here to help! Contact us anytime during our support hours.