PREAMBLE

As a matter of fundamental principle, the foundation requires the highest ethical standards because public trust in our performance is the bedrock of our legitimacy. Donors, volunteers and grant recipients trust the foundation to carry out our mission, to be good stewards of endowment funds, and to uphold rigorous standards of conduct.

The Foundation must earn this trust every day. It is therefore essential that the people involved with the Foundation, Board members, staff and volunteers demonstrate their ongoing commitment to the core values of integrity, honesty, impartiality, openness, respect, and responsibility.

Simple adherence to the law is not enough. The foundation will often need to go beyond legal requirements and make sure that our actions are transparent, open and responsive to public concerns.

Code of Ethics:

The Board of Directors promotes the highest standards of ethical behaviour. This Code of Ethics has been established to provide appropriate guidelines.

Integrity

Foundation members shall act with competence, honesty, integrity and fairness while carrying out their obligations for the foundation.

Role

The well-being of the people of our community will be the primary role of foundation members. In addition, the Board, staff and volunteers will act in the best interests of the foundation in fulfilling its mission.

Governance

The Board understands its role as the governing body of the foundation and accepts full responsibility for setting the vision, mission, strategic direction and foundation policies. The Board is also responsible for oversight of the finances and operations and for the actions and performance of the Executive Director. The directors will ensure that as a group they have or will acquire the relevant skills and experience along with securing the required resources to complete the foundation's mission.

Accountability and Transparency

In carrying out philanthropic activities, foundation directors, staff and volunteers act within the letter and the spirit of the law. The foundation embraces public interest, takes full responsibility for its actions, communicates truthfully, and ensures public records are easily available while maintaining appropriate privacy and confidentiality. The foundation will manage its resources carefully and frugally, actively avoiding excessive expense.

Diversity and Inclusiveness

The foundation seeks diversity and inclusiveness in order to reflect our community. The foundation strives to ensure that a full range of perspectives contributes to the common good of our local society. In conducting its business all members of the foundation will listen to and treat all others who come together under the auspices of the foundation with respect.

Conflict

The foundation seeks to involve Board members, staff and volunteers who are active in community life. It is very likely that on occasion conflicts of interest will arise. Everyone involved with the foundation will act conscientiously to ensure that all conflicts are declared, and appropriate actions are taken within the policies and guidelines established by the Board. The directors shall serve without remuneration for their services. No director shall directly or indirectly receive any profit from their position.

Canadian Law and Regulatory Compliance

Directors, officers, employees and volunteers will comply with the Income Tax Act, the Foundation's governing statute and documents, applicable human-rights, employment, privacy, anti-spam and fundraising laws, and fiduciary duties respecting charitable property.

Foundation resources will not be used to confer an undue private benefit, directly or indirectly support or oppose a political party or candidate, facilitate unlawful activity, or advance a purpose outside the Foundation's stated charitable purposes. Reasonable payment for necessary property or services is permitted only when properly authorized, documented and fair to the Foundation.

Application note: This template must be read with the Foundation's articles, bylaws, gift terms and the federal, provincial or territorial laws that apply to its incorporation, activities and operating jurisdictions. Organization-specific facts and provincial requirements require lawyer confirmation before adoption.

Monitoring: This policy will be reviewed every three years and receive an annual risk management report.

Board Acceptance: This policy was approved/reaffirmed at the_______ Board meeting.