STATEMENT OF VALUES AND CODE OF ETHICS

Statement of Values

National Health Foundation’s code of ethics is built on a foundation of widely shared values. The values of National Health Foundation (NHF) include:

  • Commitment to the public good;
  • Accountability to the public;
  • Commitment beyond the law;
  • Respect for the worth and dignity of individuals;
  • Inclusiveness and social justice;
  • Respect for pluralism and diversity;
  • Transparency, integrity and honesty;
  • Responsible stewardship of resources; and,
  • Commitment to excellence and to maintaining the public trust.

These values inform and guide the actions that NHF has taken in developing its policies and informing its practices.

I. Personal and Professional Integrity

All staff and Board members of the National Health Foundation will act with honesty, integrity and openness in all their dealings as representatives of NHF. NHF promotes a working environment that values respect, fairness and integrity.

II. Mission

NHF has a clearly stated mission and purpose, approved by the Board of Directors, in pursuit of the public good. All of NHF’s programs support that mission and all who work for or on behalf of the organization understand and are loyal to that mission and purpose. The mission is responsive to the constituency and communities served by the organization and of value to the society at large.

III. Governance

NHF has an active governing body (Board of Directors) that is responsible for setting the mission and strategic direction of the organization and oversight of the finances, operations, and policies of the organization. The governing body:

  • Ensures that its Board members have the requisite skills and experience to carry out their duties and that all members understand and fulfill their governance duties acting for the benefit of the organization and its public purpose;
  • Has a conflict of interest policy that ensures that any conflicts of interest or the appearance thereof are avoided or appropriately managed through disclosure, recusal or other means;
  • Is responsible for the hiring, firing, and regular review of the performance of the chief executive officer, and ensures that the compensation of the chief executive officer (CEO) is reasonable and appropriate;
  • Ensures that the CEO and appropriate staff provide the Board of Directors with timely and comprehensive information so that the Board can effectively carry out its duties;
  • Ensures that the organization conducts all transactions and dealings with integrity and honesty;
  • Ensures that the organization promotes working relationships with Board members, staff, Trustees, and program beneficiaries that are based on mutual respect, fairness and openness;
  • Ensures that the organization is fair and inclusive in its hiring and promotion policies and practices for all Board and staff positions;
  • Ensures that policies of the organization are in writing, clearly articulated and officially adopted;
  • Ensures that the resources of the organization are responsibly and prudently managed; and,
  • Ensures that the organization has the capacity to carry out its programs effectively.

IV. Legal Compliance

NHF will endeavor to be knowledgeable of and in compliance with all laws, regulations and applicable international conventions.

NHF will manage its funds responsibly and prudently. This includes the following considerations:

  • The organization spends a reasonable percentage of its annual budget on programs in pursuance of its mission;
  • The organization spends an adequate amount on administrative expenses to ensure effective accounting systems, internal controls, competent staff, and other expenditures critical to professional management;
  • The organization compensates staff, and any others who may receive compensation, reasonably and appropriately;
  • In soliciting funds the organization has reasonable fundraising costs, recognizing the variety of factors that affect fundraising costs;
  • The organization prudently draw from endowment funds consistent with donor intent and to support the public purpose of the organization;
  • The organization ensures that all spending practices and policies are fair, reasonable and appropriate to fulfill its mission; and,
  • The organization ensures that all financial reports are factually accurate and complete in all material respects.

VI. Openness and Disclosure

NHF will provide comprehensive and timely information to the public, the media, and all stakeholders and is responsive in a timely manner to reasonable requests for information. All information about the National Health Foundation will fully and honestly reflect the policies and practices of the organization. Basic information and data about the organization will be posted on NHF’s website or otherwise available to the public. All solicitation materials accurately represent the organization’s policies and practices and will reflect the dignity of program beneficiaries. All financial, organizational, and program reports will be complete and accurate in all material respects.

VII. Program Evaluation

NHF regularly reviews program effectiveness and has mechanisms to incorporate lessons learned into future programs. The organization is committed to improving program and organizational effectiveness and develops mechanisms to promote learning from its activities and the field. The organization is responsive to changes in its field of activity and is responsive to the needs of its constituencies.

VIII. Inclusiveness and Diversity

NHF has a policy of promoting inclusiveness and its staff and Board reflect diversity in order to enrich its programmatic effectiveness. The organization takes meaningful steps to promote inclusiveness in its hiring, retention, promotion, Board recruitment and constituencies served.

IX. Fundraising

NHF shall be truthful in its solicitation materials. The organization respects the privacy concerns of individual donors and expends funds consistent with donor intent. The organization discloses important and relevant information to potential donors.

In raising funds from the public, NHF will respect the rights of donors, as follows:

  • To be informed of the mission of NHF, the way the resources will be used and the organization’s capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes;
  • To be informed of the identity of those serving on NHF’s governing board and to expect the Board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities;
  • To have access to the organization’s most recent financial reports;
  • To have access to the organization’s most recent financial reports;
  • To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given;
  • To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition;
  • To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality, when requested, to the extent provided by the law;
  • To expect that all relationships with individuals representing NHF to the donor will be professional in nature;
  • To be informed whether those seeking donations are Board members, employees of the organization or hired solicitors;
  • To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that NHF may intend to share; and,
  • To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.