Member Code of Conduct Membership Member Code of Conduct Context Environment Funders Canada (EFC) is a network of funders working toward a sustainable future through ambitious and innovative environmental solutions. EFC is committed to providing members with: a trusted, non-solicitous space for learning and collaboration, an open, respectful, and supportive environment for knowledge-sharing, and a welcoming culture that values inclusion, generosity, diverse backgrounds, and differing political perspectives and approaches to change. EFC membership may include: Community foundations Corporate foundations Private foundations Public foundations Government funding programs Corporate giving programs Donor-advised funds Individual philanthropists Family offices Public pension funds and other public institutions Member Guidelines The following guidelines apply to all individuals participating in EFC-hosted spaces, whether virtual or in person. 1. Conflicts of Interest Grantee Conflicts of Interest EFC membership must not be used for grant-seeking, fundraising solicitation, or promotion of business products or services. EFC recognizes that increased collaboration between funders and environmental NGOs (ENGOs) can strengthen the environmental movement. However, overlapping roles may create real or perceived conflicts of interest. To maintain trust and transparency: Members must disclose to the Executive Director any situation in which their staff or directors also serve as staff or directors of grant-seeking ENGOs. Where possible, designated EFC member representatives should not simultaneously hold staff or director roles within grant-seeking ENGOs. EFC member representatives affiliated with ENGOs must not solicit funding from EFC members unless specifically invited to do so by EFC or the member organization(s) involved. Concerns regarding the appropriateness of a member representative’s conduct related to ENGO involvement may be referred to the Executive Director or Board Chair for review. Personal Financial Conflicts of Interest Members should avoid participating in EFC activities where actual, perceived, or potential financial conflicts of interest exist. Examples include: Direct conflicts: where a member representative or their family member could personally benefit financially from information shared within the network. Indirect conflicts: where a member representative or their family member is affiliated in a paid capacity with an organization that could benefit from information shared through EFC. Members uncertain about whether a conflict exists are encouraged to consult EFC’s Conflict of Interest Policy or seek guidance from the Executive Director. 2. Conduct and Communication Members are expected to contribute to an environment of trust, openness, psychological safety, and constructive dialogue. Members should: seek out and respectfully engage with diverse perspectives, listen attentively regardless of title or status, approach disagreement with curiosity rather than hostility, encourage questions, clarification, and thoughtful discussion, acknowledge mistakes and remain open to changing perspectives, and value vulnerability, honesty, and good-faith participation. When tensions arise, members are expected to: assume good intentions, seek clarification and confirm assumptions before making judgments, challenge ideas rather than individuals, engage constructively in disagreement, identify and address harm transparently and respectfully, and take responsibility for unintended harm when made aware of it. 3. Confidentiality and Representation Members may share personal information, funding perspectives, and strategic views within the EFC network with the expectation that such information will remain confidential and be used solely to advance environmental philanthropy. Members must respect the privacy and confidentiality of: personal information, funding information, strategic discussions, and individual viewpoints shared within EFC spaces. As EFC represents a broad range of perspectives on environmental funding and policy, public statements on behalf of EFC may only be made by: the Executive Director, the Board Chair, or individuals expressly authorized by the Executive Director. Members must not represent themselves publicly as speaking on behalf of EFC without prior authorization. Members also acknowledge that EFC is a registered charity and must operate in accordance with its charitable purposes and legal obligations. 4. Respectful and Inclusive Participation EFC maintains zero tolerance for: hate speech, discrimination, harassment, threatening or abusive behaviour, inappropriate language or gestures, disruption of events, or recording participants without consent. This applies to conduct related to gender, sexuality, race, religion, age, disability, physical appearance, or any other protected characteristic. EFC reserves the right to deny or revoke participation in EFC-hosted events or membership for individuals or organizations that violate these standards. Governance and Process This Code of Conduct was developed with and approved by EFC’s Board of Directors. The Code is: published on the EFC website, shared during annual membership renewals, and included in new member onboarding. Member organizations are responsible for ensuring that all individuals representing them within the EFC network are aware of and comply with this Code. While EFC does not oversee the day-to-day operations of member organizations, the Board reserves the right to refuse or revoke membership for organizations whose conduct undermines EFC’s mission, values, or community standards. EFC encourages members to seek guidance from the EFC Executive Director or Board Chair whenever questions arise regarding appropriate conduct under this Code.