The Executive Committee, authorized members of the Board of Directors (Board), staff, and in limited circumstances, designated volunteers of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases (NFID), a 501(c)(3) public charity, shall have the authority to solicit and accept gifts on behalf of NFID in compliance with this Funder Engagement Policy. Such persons shall comply with all NFID policies, and with federal, state, and local laws and regulations concerning the solicitation and acceptance of gifts, including without limitation, Internal Revenue Code and related Treasury Regulations rules, state charitable solicitation registration rules, and Foreign Agent Registration Act rules. The Board may establish a gift review committee consistent with NFID organizing documents and policies for the purpose of reviewing proposed gifts.

NFID receives funding from a range of sources, including industry and foundation grants, government contracts, corporate sponsorship, and private/individual donations to advance the NFID mission. To ensure that NFID funder relationships do not compromise accepted ethical and educational standards for accredited continuing education, NFID conforms to the Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Continuing Education set forth by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education.

The Board has oversight of all NFID programs. To provide further guidance and clarification on specific issues that pertain to NFID and its funder relationships, the following additional guidelines have been adopted:

  • NFID accepts cash and in-kind support only if such acceptance does not pose a conflict of interest and in no way impairs NFID objectivity, influence, priorities, and actions, and only if such acceptance would not jeopardize the financial or tax-exempt status of NFID, any applicable laws, or the charitable purposes of NFID.
  • NFID is an independent organization, and no funder will be permitted to exert any influence over NFID content or activities. NFID acceptance of support from funders does not imply NFID approval or endorsement of such funder policies, products, or services, whether a program is funded by a single or multiple sources.
  • The decision on whether to accept cash or in-kind support from any funder rests solely with NFID.
  • Support will only be sought and/or accepted for programs or activities consistent with the NFID mission and primary goals, and its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.
  • Unless otherwise determined in NFID’s sole discretion, NFID will not accept support that is subject to any conditions or restrictions on any programs or activities that involve the generation or dissemination of scientific information, or any conditions or restrictions on the use of the support by NFID, either imposed by the donor and legally, such as conditions, covenants, easements, liens, or encumbrances. NFID will be solely responsible for the development and content of any such scientific/educational programs or services.
  • Whenever possible and feasible, NFID will seek funding for programs or services from a variety of sources. However, there may be occasions when support for a specific program or activity from a sole source is appropriate. In all cases, measures will be taken to avoid any actual or perceived conflicts of interest.
  • NFID will review and negotiate funding agreements with potential donors to ensure compatibility with the NFID charitable mission, compliance with all of NFID policies, and compliance with all state, local, and federal laws applicable to tax-exempt 501(c)(3) public charities.
  • NFID will not provide advice to donors about the tax or other treatment of gifts and will encourage all prospective donors to seek guidance from their own legal counsel and financial or tax advisors relating to their gifts. NFID will provide acknowledgments to donors meeting the Internal Revenue Code’s substantiation requirements for property received by NFID as a gift.
  • Where appraisals are needed to determine the value of the gift, the donor shall be responsible for obtaining an independent appraisal at their own expense.

 

Approved September 2024