Privacy Policy
Operated by Closely Crafted, Inc. · Effective date: October 10, 2026 · Last updated: October 10, 2026
Privacy at a glance
• We are a nonprofit. We do not sell your personal information, and we do not show ads.
• We collect what we need to run the Platform: your account details, the profile or job postings you create, and basic technical data.
• We do not ask for Social Security numbers, government ID numbers, bank or card numbers, immigration or citizenship status, criminal history, or health information. Please do not post them.
• Job Seekers control who sees their profile. An Employer sees your application only when you apply or choose to share it.
• You can see, correct, download, or delete your information at any time.
• Questions? Contact us at info@closelyconnected.org.
This summary is for convenience. The full Privacy Policy below controls.
1. Who we are and what this policy covers
Closely Crafted, Inc. (“Closely Crafted,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) is a New York nonprofit organization, tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, dedicated to preserving and sustaining craft in the American fashion industry through industry commitment, community, and workforce development. We operate the Garment District Resource Hub “Closely Connected”, (the “Platform”), an online job and resource board that connects craftspeople and other people looking for work, apprenticeships, or training (“Job Seekers”) with brands, factories, workshops, mentors, and other businesses and organizations offering opportunities in and around New York City’s Garment District (“Employers”).
This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect through the Platform, how we use and share it, and the choices you have. It applies to the Platform at https://www.closelyconnected.org/ and to the emails, text messages, and other communications we send about the Platform. It does not cover:
• how an Employer handles your information after you apply to or contact that Employer;
• other websites or services you reach through links on the Platform; or
• Closely Crafted’s main website at closelycrafted.org, donations, newsletter sign-ups, and other activities unrelated to the Platform.
This Privacy Policy is a notice of our practices. It is separate from, and not part of, our Terms of Use, which govern your use of the Platform. Capitalized terms not defined here have the meanings given in the Terms of Use.
2. Information we collect
Information you give us
Account information — Examples: Name, email address, phone number, password, preferred language, and whether you are a Job Seeker or Employer — Required?: Name, email, and password are required
Job Seeker profile — Examples: Craft and trade skills, work history, training and certifications, résumé, portfolio photos and descriptions of your work, general location (such as borough or ZIP code), availability, languages spoken, desired pay, and interest in apprenticeships or mentorships — Required?: Optional, but a fuller profile helps Employers find you
Employer information — Examples: Business name and address, contact person, website, industry, number of employees, and [information we use to verify the business, such as a New York Department of State filing or EIN] — Required?: Required to post opportunities
Job postings — Examples: Title, duties, pay range, schedule, work location, and whether the role is employment (W-2) or freelance/independent contractor work — Required?: Required to post
Applications and messages — Examples: Application materials and messages you send through the Platform — Required?: As you choose
Program and demographic information — Examples: ZIP code of residence, age range, gender, race and ethnicity, veteran status, and how you heard about us, which we use to report on the program to our funders — Required?: Always optional. Skipping it never affects your access.
Support, surveys, and events — Examples: Questions you send us, survey answers, and workshop or event registrations — Required?: As you choose
Information we do not ask for
We designed the Platform so it does not need sensitive identifiers. We do not ask for, and you should not post on the Platform, any of the following:
• Social Security numbers or Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers;
• driver’s license, passport, or other government ID numbers;
• bank account, credit card, or debit card numbers;
• immigration or citizenship status;
• arrest or conviction history; or
• medical, health, or health insurance information.
An Employer may need some of this information after making you an offer (for example, to complete federal Form I-9 or set up payroll). That exchange happens directly between you and the Employer, outside the Platform. If anyone asks you for this information through the Platform, do not provide it, and please report it to us.
Information collected automatically
When you use the Platform, we and our service providers automatically collect:
• device and log information, such as IP address, browser and device type, operating system, pages viewed, links clicked, the website that referred you, and the date and time of your visit;
• approximate location derived from your IP address (city or region, not your precise location); and
• information from cookies and similar technologies.
We use cookies that are necessary to keep you signed in, remember your settings, and protect the Platform. [We also use analytics cookies from [vendor] to understand how the Platform is used.] We do not use advertising cookies, and we do not allow advertising networks to track you on the Platform. Section 5 explains your cookie choices.
Information from other sources
• Other users: for example, when an Employer invites you to apply or responds to your application.
• Closely Crafted programs: for example, if you applied to our Apprenticeship Pilot Program, we may add information from your application to your Platform account [with your permission].
• Partner organizations: for example, a workforce or community organization that refers you to the Platform with your permission.
• [Sign-in providers: if you choose to sign in with [Google/LinkedIn], we receive your name, email address, and profile photo from that service.]
• Public sources: such as business registration records we use to verify Employers.
3. How we use information
We use information to:
• Run the Platform: create and manage accounts, display profiles and job postings according to your settings, and deliver applications and messages.
• Help Job Seekers and Employers find each other: through search, filters, and job or candidate suggestions based on skills, location, and preferences. Suggestions are only suggestions. Employers, not the Platform, decide whom to contact, interview, or hire. We do not score, rank, or screen candidates on Employers’ behalf.
• Keep the Platform safe and fair: verify Employers, review postings, and detect and stop fraud, scams, spam, discrimination, and other violations of our Terms of Use.
• Communicate with you: send account, application, and security messages; and, if you sign up for them, newsletters, job alerts, workshop announcements, and other updates from Closely Crafted. [We send text messages only if you agree to receive them. Reply STOP to opt out at any time. Message and data rates may apply.]
• Report to our funders and measure impact: for example, the number of people served, jobs posted, and hires by borough or trade. We report in aggregate or de-identified form unless our grant requires otherwise (see Section 4).
• Improve our services: understand how the Platform is used, fix problems, and develop resources such as sample contracts and know-your-rights guides.
• Meet legal obligations: comply with the law, our grant agreement, and valid legal process, and protect the rights and safety of our users, Closely Crafted, and others.
4. How we share information
We do not sell your personal information. We do not share it for targeted advertising, and we do not rent or trade mailing lists. We share information only as described below.
With other users, at your direction. When you create an account, you will be asked to check a box authorizing us to share your information with other users. Based on that authorization and the settings you choose, we share your information as follows:
• Job Seeker profiles are visible to [verified Employers only] [all signed-in users] [the public], based on the visibility setting you choose. You can hide your profile at any time.
• When you apply for an opportunity or message an Employer, that Employer receives your profile, application materials, and messages.
• Employer profiles and job postings are public.
Employers must use Job Seeker information only to consider people for work opportunities, and must protect it, under our Terms of Use. Once an Employer receives your information, the Employer’s own privacy practices also apply, and we cannot recall information already shared.
With service providers. We use vendors to host the Platform and store data, send emails and text messages, provide analytics, and support customer service and security. They may use your information only to provide services to us, under written agreements that require them to protect it.
With the City of New York and other funders. We report program information to the Garment District Association as our grant requires. Metrics measure engagement from each audience target, the platform’s ability to reach non digitally native communities, successful role fulfillment, increased workflow opportunities, thread participation, and the long term accessibility and sustainability of the project. Metrics include but are not limited to:
• Total registered users segmented by audience
• Weekly/Monthly active users
• Response rate to threaded posts
• Job listings posted versus roles filled
• Return visitor rate
• Number of in person touchpoints established through canvassing
• Sign ups attributed to canvassing versus digital outreach
• Language breakdown of users
• Interpreter session requests
• Number of employers onboarded
• Job listings posted per employer
• Average duration a posting remains live
All data collection and reporting shall be anonymized and aggregated and shall comply with applicable law and consents.
Our collection, retention, and disclosure of identifying information in connection with the grant is also governed by New York City’s Identifying Information Law (NYC Administrative Code §§ 23-1201 to 23-1205) and the City’s privacy policies and protocols.
With partner organizations, with your permission. For example, if you ask us to connect you with a training program, apprenticeship, or legal services organization.
For legal reasons and safety. We may disclose information if we believe in good faith that disclosure is required by law, subpoena, court order, or other legally binding process, or is necessary to prevent imminent harm to someone’s safety. We review every request, disclose only what is legally required, and will push back on requests we believe are overbroad or invalid. Unless the law or a court order prohibits it, we will try to notify you before disclosing your information so you have a chance to object. [We do not voluntarily share information with immigration enforcement authorities, and will disclose information to them only when legally compelled to do so, such as by a judicial warrant or court order.]
If the Platform changes hands. If Closely Crafted merges with another organization, or if the Platform is transferred to another nonprofit or a government entity, including at the end of our grant if the grant agreement requires it, your information may be transferred as part of that transaction. Any recipient must honor this Privacy Policy for the information transferred, and we will notify you before your information becomes subject to a different privacy policy.
With your consent. We may share information for other purposes when you ask us to or give us permission.
De-identified information. We may share aggregated or de-identified information that cannot reasonably be used to identify you. For example, in reports about the Garment District workforce. We will not attempt to re-identify it.
5. Your choices and rights
You can:
• Access and update most of your information in your account settings.
• Control your profile: choose who can see it or hide it completely.
• Download a copy of the information you have provided, [in your account settings or] by contacting us.
• Delete your account in your account settings or by contacting us. We will delete or de-identify your information within 30 days, except for information we must keep for legal, grant-reporting, security, or dispute-resolution purposes (see Section 7). Applications and messages you already sent remain with the people who received them.
• Withdraw optional information, such as demographic information, at any time.
• Opt out of marketing: use the “unsubscribe” link in any newsletter or reply STOP to any text message. We will still send messages about your account and applications.
• Manage cookies through your browser settings. Blocking necessary cookies may prevent you from signing in. Because we do not use advertising cookies or track you across other websites, we do not change our practices in response to “Do Not Track” signals. We treat Global Privacy Control signals as a request to turn off optional analytics cookies.
How to make a request. Email info@closelyconnected.org or write to us at the address in Section 12. We may need to confirm your identity before acting on a request. We respond within 30 days and never charge for requests. A caseworker, family member, or other person may help you make a request with your permission. Depending on where you live, you may have additional rights under your state’s law, and we will honor requests as that law requires.
6. How we protect information
We maintain reasonable administrative, technical, and physical safeguards designed to protect your information, consistent with New York’s data security law (the SHIELD Act). These include [encryption of data in transit and at rest, securely hashed passwords, multi-factor authentication for staff accounts, access limited to staff and contractors who need it, security requirements for our vendors, staff training, regular risk assessments, and secure disposal of information we no longer need.
No system is perfectly secure. Protect yourself by using a strong, unique password and keeping it private. Closely Crafted will never ask for your password. A real job never requires you to pay money up front.
If a security breach affects your personal information, we will notify you and the appropriate government authorities as required by law [and our grant agreement.
7. How long we keep information
We keep information only as long as we need it for the purposes described in this Privacy Policy, then securely delete or de-identify it.
Account and profile information — How long we keep it: While your account is open. If your account is inactive for [24] months, we will notify you and then delete or de-identify it.
Job postings — How long we keep it: [12] months after the posting closes
Applications and messages — How long we keep it: [24] months after the last activity, or until you delete your account
Program and grant-reporting records — How long we keep it: As long as our grant agreement requires
Technical and security logs — How long we keep it: [12] months
8. Children
The Platform is for people 18 and older. We do not knowingly collect personal information from anyone under 18. If we learn that we have, we will delete it. If you believe a minor has created an account, please contact us.
9. Links to other websites
The Platform links to Employer websites, online application systems, and other services we do not control. Their own privacy policies apply, so please review them before sharing information.
10. Languages and accessibility
This Privacy Policy is available in [English, Spanish, Chinese, and other languages]. If a translation differs from the English version, the English version controls [to the extent permitted by law]. To request this policy in another format, such as large print, contact us.
11. Changes to this Privacy Policy
We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time. We will post the updated version on the Platform and change the “Last updated” date. If we make a material change, we will notify you by email or a notice on the Platform at least 30 days before it takes effect. We will not use information we have already collected in a materially different way without your consent.
12. Contact us
Closely Crafted, Inc. Attn: Privacy 23 Pell Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10013 info@closelyconnected.org