Privacy Policy

1. Introduction and Overview.

This Privacy Policy describes how Comic Relief, Inc., a nonprofit Delaware corporation, and its various programs (“Comic Relief US,” “we,” “our,” or “us”) collects, uses, and shares information about you and applies to your use of any online service location that posts a link to this Privacy Policy and all features, content, and other services that we own, control and make available through such online service locations (collectively, the “Service”). This Privacy Policy does not apply to our information collection activities outside of the Service (unless otherwise stated below or at the time of collection). By using the Service, you agree to our Terms of Use and to our collection, use and disclosure practices, and other activities as described in this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree and consent, discontinue use of the Service.

2. Information Collection.

A. Information You Provide.

“Personal Information” is information that identifies you personally (whether alone or in combination), such as your first and last name, e-mail address, phone number, postal address, and payment card and shipping information. You may choose to voluntarily submit certain other information to us through the Service, including Personal Information, but you are solely responsible for your own Personal Information in instances where we have not requested that you submit such information to us.

We collect information you provide directly via the Service. When you make a donation and/or interact with us through the Service, we collect the following Personal Information about you:

  • Contact Data, including your first and last name, email address, postal address, and phone number. 
  • Donation Data, including your donation amount, date of donation, payment instrument number (such as a credit or debit card number), expiration date, and security code as necessary to process your donation. We may work with payment processors to facilitate your donations, but we will not receive access to your payment card information from any payment processors.
  • Demographic Data, including your age, gender, and country.  
  • Other Information, including other information you provide such as when you fill out a form, post information to our Service, participate in events, or communicate with our customer care team and other employees.

B. Information Collected Automatically.

We and our Service Providers (as defined below) automatically collect certain information about you when you access or use the Service. The categories of information automatically collected include:

  • Usage Data, including, but not limited to, data about features of the Service you use, pages you visit, advertisements you view, the time of day you browse, and your referring and exiting pages.
  • Device Data, including your IP address, device identifier, browser type, operating system, data regarding network connected hardware, and information about your use of the Service. To the extent that we combine Usage Information with your Personal Information, we will treat the combined information as Personal Information under this Privacy Policy.
  • Location Data, including imprecise location data (such as location derived from an IP address or data that indicates a city or postal code level).

The methods that may be used on the Service to automatically collect such information include:

Log Information: Log information is data about your use of the Service, such as IP address, browser type, internet service provider, referring/exit pages, operating system, date/time stamps, and related data, which is stored in log files.

Information Collected by Tracking Technologies: Cookies, web beacons (also known as “tracking pixels”), embedded scripts, location-identifying technologies, voice processing technologies, device fingerprinting, in-app tracking methods, and other tracking technologies now and hereafter developed (collectively, “Tracking Technologies”) may be used to automatically collect information about your interactions with the Service or e-mails, including information about your browsing and activity behavior.

  • Cookies: A cookie is a small text file that is stored on a user’s device, which may be a session ID cookie or tracking cookie. Session cookies make it easier for you to navigate the Service and expire when you close your browser. Tracking cookies help in understanding how you use the Service, personalizing your experience, and supporting security features. Tracking cookies may remain on your device longer, and expire on a set expiration date or when they are manually deleted. The Service may associate some or all of these types of cookies with your devices. 
  • Web Beacons (“Tracking Pixels”): Web beacons are small graphic images, also known as “internet tags” or “clear gifs,” embedded in web pages and e-mail messages. Web beacons may be used to count the number of visitors to the Service, to monitor how users navigate the Service, and to count content views by permitting us or a separate entity to drop or read cookies on your browser. Web beacons are used in combination with cookies to track activity by a particular browser on a particular device.
  • Embedded Scripts: An embedded script is programming code designed to collect information about your interactions with the Service. It is temporarily downloaded onto your device from our web server or a third party with whom we work, is active only while you are connected to the Service, and deleted or deactivated thereafter.

Some information about your use of the Service and certain Third Party Services (defined below) may be collected using Tracking Technologies across time and services and used by us and third parties for purposes such as to associate different devices you use, and deliver relevant ads and/or other content to you on the Service and certain Third Party Services.

For further information on Tracking Technologies and your choices regarding them, please see “Third Party Services, Features, and Devices” and “Your Rights and Choices” below.

C. Information Collected from Other Sources.

We may obtain information about you from other sources, including Service Providers and Third Party Services, and combine such information with information we have collected about you. The categories of sources from which we collect information include:

  • Social media platforms, with which you interact.
  • Vendors and other parties, in connection with processing your donations to Comic Relief US.
  • Publicly-available sources, including data about you in the public domain.

To the extent we combine such third party sourced information with Personal Information we have collected about you on the Service as described herein, we will treat the combined information as Personal Information under this Privacy Policy. We are not responsible for the accuracy of any information provided by third parties or third party policies or practices.

3. Use of Information.

We may use information about you, including your Personal Information, with your consent as provided above in accordance with the practices described in this Privacy Policy for the following:

  • Manage our Service and provide the Service to you;
  • Facilitate the processing of your donations (we or an authorized third party on our behalf will collect and/or use your payment card and shipping information to process your donation and issue a tax receipt to you);
  • Respond to your comments, questions, and requests, and provide customer service;
  • Send you technical notices, updates, security alerts, information regarding changes to our policies, and support and administrative messages;
  • Prevent and address fraud, breach of policies or terms, and threats or harm;
  • Monitor and analyse trends, usage, and activities;
  • Improve the Service or other Comic Relief US websites, applications, marketing efforts, products and services;
  • Send you additional information about Comic Relief US;
  • Solicit donations to Comic Relief US;
  • Send you direct marketing, including advertisements and communicate with you regarding our and third party products, services, offers, promotions, rewards and events;
  • Serve personalized advertising we think you may be interested in based on your interests on our Service and Third Party Services (for information on how this works, please see “Interest-based Advertising,” and for more information about how to manage these communications and marketing efforts, please see “Your Rights and Choices” below); and
  • Fulfill any other purpose at your direction or otherwise permitted or required under applicable law.

Notwithstanding the above, we may use publicly available information or information that does not identify you (including information that has been aggregated or de-identified) for any purpose to the extent permitted by applicable law. For information on your rights and choices regarding how we use information about you, please see the “Your Rights and Choices” section below.

4. Disclosure of Information.

Our agents, vendors, consultants, and other service providers (collectively, “Service Providers”) may receive, or be given access to your information, including your Personal Information, in connection with their work on our behalf. For example, in order to enable you to make donations and receive updates, we will disclose your Personal Information to (a) third parties authorized to act on our behalf, including, without limitation, credit card processing, banking and other service providers and (b) as applicable, other charitable organizations associated with your donation. If you elect to make a donation to Comic Relief US through other websites, information you provide to authorized third parties on our behalf will be subject to the policies and procedures of such third parties, over which Comic Relief US has no control.

These Service Providers are prohibited from using your Personal Information for any purpose other than to perform the services for us, although we may permit them to use information which does not identify you (including information that has been aggregated or de-identified) to the extent permitted by applicable law.

We may also disclose information about you with third parties for any purposes consistent with our statements under this Privacy Policy or as permitted by applicable law, including as follows:

  • To comply with the law or other legal process, and where required, in response to lawful requests by public authorities, including to meet national security or law enforcement requirements;
  • To protect the rights, property, life, health, security and safety of us, the Service or any third party;
  • In connection with, or during negotiations of, any proposed or actual merger, purchase, sale or any other type of acquisition or business combination of all or any portion of our assets, or transfer of all or a portion of our business to another business;
  • With our affiliates and related entities, including where they act as our Service Providers or for their own internal business purposes;
  • With our affiliates, business partners, and other third parties for their own business purposes, including direct marketing purposes;
  • For purposes at your request or direction; and
  • With notice to you and your consent.

Without limiting the foregoing, in our sole discretion, we may disclose information which is publicly available information or does not identify you (including information that has been aggregated or de-identified) with third parties or affiliates to the extent permitted by appliable law. For information on your rights and choices regarding how we disclose information about you, please see the “Your Rights and Choices” section below.

5. Sweepstakes, Contests, Promotions.

We may offer sweepstakes, contests, surveys, and other promotions (each, a “Promotion”) jointly sponsored or offered by third parties that may require submitting your Personal Information. If you voluntarily choose to enter a Promotion, your Personal Information may be disclosed to third parties for administrative purposes and as required by law (e.g., on a winners list). By entering, you agree to the official rules that govern that Promotion, and may, except where prohibited by applicable law, allow the sponsor and/or other parties to use your name, voice and/or likeness in advertising or marketing materials.

6. Third Party Services, Features, and Devices.

Our Service contains content from and hyperlinks to websites, locations, platforms, and services operated and owned by third parties (“Third Party Services”). In addition, our Service contains features that allow you to interact with, connect to, or access our Service through certain Third Party Services and third party devices (“Third Party Features”). For example, you use a Third Party Feature when you “like” or “share” content over social media through our Service. Remember that third parties may use Tracking Technologies to independently collect information about you and may solicit Personal Information from you. Also, if you use a Third Party Feature, both we and the applicable third party may have access to and use information associated with your use of the Third Party Feature. If you publicly reference our Service on a Third Party Service (e.g., by using a hashtag associated with Comic Relief US in a tweet or post), we may use your reference on or in connection with our Service.

The information collected and stored by third parties, whether through our Service, a Third Party Service, a Third Party Feature, or a third party device, remains subject to their own policies and practices, including what information they disclose to us, your choices on their services and devices, and whether they store information in the U.S. or elsewhere. We are not responsible for and make no representations regarding third party policies and practices, and encourage you to familiarize yourself with and consult their privacy policies and terms of use. To the extent we combine information we receive from third parties with information we collect directly from you on the Service, we will treat the combined information in accordance with the practices described in this Privacy Policy.

7. Analytics and Advertising Tracking Technologies.

Our Service also contains Tracking Technologies operated by third parties. For example, analytics services, such as Google Analytics, may use Tracking Technologies on our Service to help us analyze your use of the Service, compile statistic reports on the Service’s activity, and provide other services relating to Service activity and internet usage. Similarly, ad serving services, advertisers, and other third parties may use Tracking Technologies on our Service and Third Party Services to track your activities across time and services, and tailor ads to you based on your activities, which may include sending you an ad on a Third Party Service or third party device after you have left the Service (“Interest-based Advertising”).

For further information on Tracking Technologies and your choices regarding them, please see “Information Collected Automatically” above and “Your Rights and Choices” below.

8. Your Rights and Choices.

A. Accessing Your Information.

You may access, update, or remove certain information that you have voluntarily submitted to us through the Service by sending an e-mail to us at info@comicrelief.org. We may require additional information from you to allow us to confirm your identity. Please note that we will retain and use your information as necessary to comply with our legal obligations, resolve disputes, and enforce our agreements. California residents have additional rights set forth in “Your California Privacy Rights” below.

B. Tracking Technologies Generally.

Regular cookies may generally be disabled or removed by tools available as part of most commercial browsers, and in some instances blocked in the future by selecting certain settings. Browsers offer different functionalities and options so you may need to set them separately. Please be aware that if you disable or remove Tracking Technologies some parts of the Service may not work and that when you revisit the Service your ability to limit browser-based Tracking Technologies is subject to your browser settings and limitations.

Your browser settings may allow you to automatically transmit a “Do Not Track” signal to online services you visit. We do not monitor or take action with respect to “Do Not Track” signals or other mechanisms at this time, unless otherwise required by law. For more information on “Do Not Track,” visit http://www.allaboutdnt.com.

C. Analytics and Interest-Based Advertising Management.

You may exercise choices regarding the use of cookies from Google Analytics by going to https://tools.google.com/dlpage/gaoptout or downloading the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

You may exercise choices regarding receipt of Interest-based Advertising by submitting opt outs. Some of the advertisers and Service Providers that perform advertising-related services for us and our partners may participate in the Digital Advertising Alliance (“DAA“) Self-Regulatory Program for Online Behavioral Advertising. To learn more about how you can exercise certain choices regarding Interest-based Advertising, visit http://www.aboutads.info/choices, and http://www.aboutads.info/appchoices for information on the DAA’s opt out program for mobile apps. Some of these companies may also be members of the Network Advertising Initiative (“NAI”). To learn more about the NAI and your opt out options for their members, see http://www.networkadvertising.org/choices/. Please be aware that, even if you are able to opt out of certain kinds of Interest-based Advertising, you may continue to receive other types of ads. Opting out only means that those selected members should no longer deliver certain Interest-based Advertising to you, but does not mean you will no longer receive any targeted content and/or ads (e.g., from other ad networks). Comic Relief US is not responsible for effectiveness of, or compliance with, any third-parties’ opt out options or programs or the accuracy of their statements regarding their programs.

D. Communications.

You can opt-out of receiving certain promotional communications (e-mails, text messages, and calls) from us at any time by (i) for e-mails, following the instructions as provided in e-mails to click on the unsubscribe link, or contacting us at info@comicrelief.org with the word UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject field of the e-mail; (ii) for text messages, texting “STOP” in response to any text message you receive from us or contacting us at info@comicrelief.org and specifying you want to opt-out of text messages; and (iii) for calls, requesting opt-out during any call you receive from us or contacting us at info@comicrelief.org and specifying you want to opt-out of calls. 

Please note that your opt-out is limited to the e-mail address, device, and phone number used and will not affect subsequent subscriptions or, for e-mails, non-promotional communications, such as those about your account, transactions, servicing, or Comic Relief US’s ongoing business relations.

E. Your California Privacy Rights.

California’s “Shine the Light” law permits residents of California, once per calendar year, to request: (a) a list of the categories of personal information (as that term is defined by Shine the Light) disclosed by us to third parties during the immediately preceding calendar year for those third parties’ own direct marketing purposes; and (b) a list of the categories of third parties to whom we disclosed such information. 

If you are a California resident and wish to obtain information in accordance with this law, please e-mail us at info@comicrelief.org or send us a letter to Comic Relief Inc., 120 Broadway, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10271. Requests must include “California Shine the Light Request” in the subject or first line of the description and include your name, street address, city, state, and ZIP code. We may require additional information from you to allow us to verify your identity and are only required to respond to requests once during any calendar year. Please note that Comic Relief US is not required to respond to requests made by means other than through the provided e-mail address or mail address.


F. International Data Privacy

Comic Relief US is based in the United States and does not direct its Services outside of the United States. As such, the information we collect is governed by United States law. If you are accessing the Service from outside of the United States, please be aware that information collected through the Service may be transferred across borders, and from your country or jurisdiction to other countries or jurisdictions around the world, including the United States. 

Please note, data protection laws in the United States and other jurisdictions may be different from those of your country of residence. By using the Service, you are expressly consenting to the transfer to and from, processing, usage, sharing, and storage of your information, including personal data, in the United States. If your personal data was collected prior to the Effective Date of this Privacy Policy in the United Kingdom, the European Economic Area, or Switzerland (collectively, “Europe”), we have deleted any such personal data.

9. Children.

The Service is intended for a general audience and not directed to children under sixteen (16) years of age. Comic Relief US does not knowingly collect personal information as defined by the U.S. Children’s Privacy Protection Act (“COPPA”) in a manner that is not permitted by COPPA. If you are a parent or guardian and believe Comic Relief US has collected such information in a manner not permitted by COPPA, please e-mail us at info@comicrelief.org or send us a letter to Comic Relief Inc., 120 Broadway, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10271, and we will remove such data to the extent required by COPPA.

10. Data Security.

We implement and maintain reasonable administrative, physical, and technical security safeguards to help protect information about you from loss, theft, misuse and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration and destruction. Nevertheless, transmission via the internet is not completely secure and we cannot guarantee the security of your information collected through our Service.

11. International Transfer.

We are based in the U.S. and the information we and our Service Providers collect is governed by U.S. law.  If you are accessing the Service from outside of the U.S., please be aware that information collected through the Service may be transferred to, processed, stored and used in the U.S.  Data protection laws in the U.S. may be different from those of your country of residence. Your use of the Service or provision of any information therefore constitutes your consent to the transfer to and from, processing, usage, sharing and storage of your information, including Personal Information, in the U.S. and other jurisdictions as set forth in this Privacy Policy.

12. Changes to this Privacy Policy.

Our privacy policy may change from time to time. We will post any privacy policy changes on this page and, if the changes are significant, we will provide a more prominent notice (including, for certain services, email notification of privacy policy changes). Such changes will take effect immediately once posted to the Website.

13. Contact Us.

If you have questions or concerns about any of our information collection or handling practices, or if you wish to change or remove any Personal Information provided to us, please contact us by e-mail at info@comicrelief.org or by postal mail at Comic Relief, Inc. 120 Broadway, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10271.


Financial Information

Tax Exempt Status

Comic Relief, Inc. is an organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a tax-exempt entity described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations to Comic Relief, Inc. are tax deductible to the extent provided by U.S. law.

Comic Relief, Inc. retains full discretion and control over all donations received by it.

Gift Matching Programs

If your workplace matches your contributions, the following may be useful for your company giving program:

Name: Comic Relief, Inc.
Business address: Comic Relief, Inc., 120 Broadway, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10271
Tax # (EIN): 01-0885377

Please email us at if you have any queries.

Financial Information

Comic Relief, Inc. (“Comic Relief US”) is a Delaware non-profit non-stock corporation.

On occasion, America Gives Back (‘AGB’, now known as Comic Relief, Inc and formerly known as Charity Projects Entertainment Fund) acted as a fiscal sponsor for organizations whose activities are in line with its vision and mission, including:
Flying Start Fund
Red Nose Day Fund

The key issues funded are health and education and the protection of children and young people at risk in the U.S. and the poorest countries in the world.

View Comic Relief Inc’s 2015 990 here.
View Comic Relief Inc’s 2016 990 here.
View Comic Relief Inc’s 2017 990 here.
View Comic Relief Inc’s 2018 990 here.
View Comic Relief Inc's 2019 990 here.
View Comic Relief Inc's 2020 990 here.
View Comic Relief Inc’s 2015/2016 Audited Financial Statement here.
View Comic Relief Inc’s 2017 Audited Financial Statement here.
View Comic Relief Inc’s 2018 Audited Financial Statement here.
View Comic Relief Inc's 2019 Audited Financial Statement here.
View Comic Relief Inc's 2020 Audited Financial Statement here.
View Comic Relief Inc's 2021 Audited Financial Statement here.

U.S. State Information

Under various state solicitation regulations, we are required to inform residents of the following U.S. states that they may also contact their state’s charities registration or licensing office for further information.

Colorado – Colorado residents may obtain copies of registration and financial documents from the office of the Secretary of State, 303.894.2680, http://www.sos.state.co.us, regarding Registration Number 20073003091.

Florida – FL REGISTRATION number CH 22640, a copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free, within the state 1-800-help-fla. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the state.

Georgia – A copy of the current financial statement of Comic Relief, Inc. is available upon request.

Kansas – The official registration and annual financial report of Comic Relief, Inc. is filed with the Kansas Secretary of State. Kansas Registration #21-022590

Maryland – A copy of the current financial statement of Comic Relief, Inc. is available upon request.  For the cost of copies and postage, documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitations Act are available from the Maryland Secretary of State, 16 Francis Street, Annapolis MD 21061 (410) 974-5521.

Michigan – MICS 37060

Minnesota – Comic Relief, Inc. is located in New York, NY.  All contributions to Comic Relief, Inc. are tax deductible to the extent provided by US law.

Mississippi – The official registration and financial information of Comic Relief, Inc. may be obtained from the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office by calling 1-888-236-6167. Registration by the Secretary of State does not imply endorsement by the Secretary of State.

New Jersey – Information filed with the attorney general concerning this charitable solicitation and the percentage of contributions received by the charity during the last reporting period that were dedicated to the charitable purpose may be obtained from the attorney general of the state of New Jersey by calling 973-504-6215 and is available on the internet at http://www.njconsumeraffairs.gov/ocp.htm#charity. Registration with the attorney general does not imply endorsement.

New York – Upon request, a copy of the latest annual report can be obtained from the organization or from the Office of the Attorney General by writing the Charities Bureau. Comic Relief, Inc. makes contributions to other organizations, and a list of all organizations that have received contributions during the past twelve months may be obtained from Comic Relief, Inc.

North Carolina – Financial information about this organization and a copy of its license are available from the State Solicitation Licensing Branch at 1-888-830-4989. The license is not an endorsement by the State.

Pennsylvania – The official registration and financial information of Comic Relief, Inc. may be obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of State by calling toll-free within Pennsylvania 1-800-732-0999. Registration does not imply endorsement.

Virginia – Financial statements for the last fiscal year are available from the State Office of Consumer Affairs, P.O. Box 1163, Richmond, VA 23218.

Washington  – The registration required by the charitable solicitation act is on file with the Office of the Secretary of State. Financial and other additional information can be obtained from the Office of the Secretary of State by calling 800-332-4483 or visiting www.sos.wa.gov/charities.

West Virginia – West Virginia residents may obtain a summary of the registration and financial documents from the Secretary of State, Capitol, Charleston, WV 25305. Inquiries can be made to the administrator at Comic Relief, Inc.