Donor Cookie Policy

Empowr CIC Hero Programme

Last Updated: 28 July 2026

Understanding Cookies

This policy explains what cookies are, how we use them on the Empowr Heroes website, and how you can control them.

We believe in transparency, so we've written this in plain English. If you have any questions, see our contact details at the end of this document.

1. What Are Cookies?

Cookies are small text files that websites place on your device (computer, phone, or tablet) when you visit them. They help websites:

• Remember your preferences (e.g., language settings)
• Understand how you use the site (e.g., which pages you visit)
• Keep you logged in to services
• Improve your experience by personalising content

Cookies are widely used across the internet and are generally harmless — they cannot access other files on your device or spread viruses.

Types of Cookies:

Session Cookies
Temporary cookies that expire when you close your browser. Used for essential functions like keeping you logged in.

Persistent Cookies
Remain on your device for a set period (days, months, or years). Used to remember your preferences across visits.

First-Party Cookies
Set by the website you're visiting (in this case, the Empowr Heroes site).

Third-Party Cookies
Set by external services (e.g., analytics tools, payment processors) that we use on our site.

2. Cookies We Currently Use

The Empowr Heroes website uses essential cookies for payment processing, and privacy-preserving cookieless analytics to understand how the site is used.

Essential Cookies (No Consent Required):

These cookies are strictly necessary for the website to function. You cannot opt out of these.

Stripe Payment Processing
When you click "Become a Hero" and go to Stripe's checkout page, Stripe may set cookies to:

• Prevent fraud
• Process your payment securely
• Remember your payment session

Important: These cookies are set by Stripe, not by us. They are covered by Stripe's Cookie Policy.

Analytics Cookies (PostHog, Cookieless):

We use PostHog analytics, configured in cookieless server hash mode. PostHog computes a temporary, non-reversible daily hash derived from your IP address and browser type to distinguish visits — no cookies or local storage are used, and the hash is deleted every 24 hours.

Data captured includes: pages visited, time on site, referral source, and device type. No personal information is collected. Our legal basis for this processing is legitimate interest — the same basis used by privacy-focused analytics tools such as Plausible and Fathom.

3. Analytics in Use: PostHog

We use PostHog to understand how visitors use the Empowr Heroes site. PostHog is configured in cookieless server hash mode, which means:

• No cookies are set on your device
• No localStorage or session data is stored
• A temporary, non-reversible daily hash of your IP address and browser type is used to group your visits into a session — the hash is deleted every 24 hours
• PostHog aggregates behavioural data on its own servers, not in your browser

Data captured includes: pages visited, time on site, device type, and referral source. No personal information is collected and data is never sold. Our legal basis is legitimate interest — the same basis used by privacy-focused analytics tools such as Plausible and Fathom.

4. Cookie Banner and Consent

Because PostHog is configured in cookieless server hash mode and stores nothing on your device, no cookie banner or consent prompt is shown on this website for analytics. This is compliant with UK PECR because nothing is read from or written to your browser for analytics purposes.

A separate essential cookie is used only for Stripe payment processing when you make a donation (see Section 2 above). If we change our analytics approach in a way that requires storing data on your device, we will update this policy and seek your consent first.

5. Third-Party Cookies

Some cookies on our site may be set by third-party services we use.

Current Third Parties:

Stripe (Payment Processing)
When you click "Become a Hero" and go to Stripe's checkout page, you leave our website and enter Stripe's domain. Stripe may set cookies to:

• Process your payment securely
• Prevent fraud
• Remember your payment details for future subscriptions

For details on Stripe's cookies, see their Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.

Potential Future Third Parties:

If we add analytics or marketing tools, we may use:

• Google Analytics — Google's Cookie Policy
• Mailchimp or HubSpot — for email tracking (e.g., whether you opened our newsletter)
• Social media platforms — if we add social sharing buttons or pixels

We will update this policy and ask for your consent before adding any new third-party cookies.

6. How to Control and Delete Cookies

You have full control over cookies. Here's how to manage them:

Option 1: Use Our Cookie Settings (When Available)

If we add a cookie banner in the future, you can click "Cookie Settings" at any time to change your preferences.

Option 2: Use Your Browser Settings

All modern browsers let you control cookies. Here's how:

Google Chrome:

1. Click the three dots (top right) → Settings
2. Privacy and Security → Cookies and other site data
3. Choose: Block all cookies / Block third-party cookies / Allow all

Safari:

1. Preferences → Privacy
2. Choose: Block all cookies / Prevent cross-site tracking

Firefox:

1. Menu → Settings → Privacy & Security
2. Choose: Standard / Strict / Custom tracking protection

Microsoft Edge:

1. Settings → Cookies and site permissions
2. Manage and delete cookies

Option 3: Delete Existing Cookies

You can delete cookies already stored on your device:

1. Go to your browser settings
2. Find "Clear browsing data" or "Privacy"
3. Select "Cookies" (and optionally "Cached images")
4. Choose time range (e.g., "All time")
5. Click "Clear data"

Note: Deleting cookies will log you out of websites and remove saved preferences.

Option 4: Opt Out of Third-Party Tracking

Google Analytics Opt-Out:
Install the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on

General Ad Tracking:
Visit Your Online Choices to opt out of behavioural advertising from hundreds of companies.

7. What Happens If You Block Cookies?

If You Block Essential Cookies:

• Payment processing via Stripe may not work
• You may not be able to complete donations
• Some website functions may break

If You Block Non-Essential Cookies (Analytics/Marketing):

• The website will work perfectly fine
• We won't be able to understand how visitors use the site
• You won't see personalised ads (if we use them in future)

Our Recommendation: Allow essential cookies (required for payments) and decide for yourself on analytics/marketing cookies based on your privacy preferences.

8. Cookies and Your Privacy

We Do NOT:

❌ Use cookies to identify you personally (without your consent)
❌ Share cookie data with third parties for their marketing purposes
❌ Track you across other websites (no cross-site tracking)
❌ Sell cookie data to anyone

We DO:

✅ Use cookies only for legitimate purposes (payments, analytics, improving the site)
✅ Ask for your consent before setting non-essential cookies
✅ Give you full control over your cookie preferences
✅ Respect your privacy and data rights under UK GDPR

For full details on how we handle your data, see our Privacy Policy.

9. Children's Privacy

The Hero programme is intended for adults (18 years and over).

We do not knowingly collect data from children under 18 via cookies or any other means. If you are under 18, please ask a parent or guardian to make a donation on your behalf.

10. Changes to This Cookie Policy

We may update this policy from time to time to reflect:

• New cookies we're using
• Changes in cookie technology
• Updates to privacy laws

When We Update:

• We'll post the new policy on this page with an updated "Last Updated" date at the top
• For significant changes (e.g., adding new tracking), we'll notify you via email or a website banner
• Continued use of our site after changes take effect means you accept the updated policy

We recommend reviewing this policy periodically to stay informed.

11. More Information About Cookies

Want to learn more about cookies and how they work?

UK Information Commissioner's Office (ICO):
ico.org.uk/for-the-public/online/cookies

All About Cookies:
allaboutcookies.org

Your Online Choices (Ad Cookie Opt-Out):
youronlinechoices.com/uk

12. Questions or Concerns?

If you have any questions about our use of cookies:

Cookie Policy Questions: legal@empowrcic.org
Hero Programme Enquiries: hero@empowrcic.org
Founding Patron Enquiries: patron@empowrcic.org

Mailing Address:
Empowr CIC
Crown House, 27 Old Gloucester Street
London, WC1N 3AX

Summary: What You Need to Know

✓ We use essential cookies only for Stripe payment processing
✓ We use PostHog analytics in cookieless server hash mode — no cookies stored, no consent banner required for analytics
✓ You have full control — block, delete, or manage cookies anytime via browser settings
✓ Your privacy matters — we only use cookies for legitimate purposes and never sell your data

This cookie policy was last updated on 28 July 2026.