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code of ethics

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Kids Beating Cancer
Statement of Values and Code of Ethics  
Statement of Values
KBC's code of ethics is built on a foundation of widely shared values. The core values of Kids Beating Cancer (KBC) are as follows:
· Compassion - KBC will put first the priority of the needs of the children and their families.
· Dedication - KBC will commit to its mission and achieving its goals in all acts and decisions and as its primary focus at all times
· Credibility - KBC will earn and maintain the complete trust of our corporate partners.
· Integrity - KBC is determined to hold the highest ethical standards, and to always do what is right.
· Team Work - KBC works together as a team with its staff, volunteer, partners, and supporters and feels collectively responsible for achieving KBC's mission and goals.

In addition to these core values, KBC believes in the following principles:
· Accountability to donors;  
· Commitment beyond the law;  
· Respect for the worth and dignity of individuals;  
· Respect for pluralism and diversity  
· Transparency
· Responsible stewardship of resources; and,  
· Commitment to excellence and to maintaining the publics trust at all times.  

These values provide the foundation for KBC's organizational Code of Ethics. These values inform and guide the actions of our Board of Directors, employees, and volunteers.

Code of Ethics  
A. Personal and Professional Integrity
All staff, Board of Directors, and volunteers of KBC act with honesty, integrity and openness in all their dealings as representatives of the organization.   KBC promotes a working environment that values honesty, respect, fairness and integrity.  

B. Mission
Kids Beating Cancer exists to provide critical life saving and life-enhancing services for children with cancer, leukemia, and other life-threatening diseases, and to see that those children whose survival depends on receiving a marrow or blood stem cell transplant, have the maximum opportunity for a cure.  

KBC's mission as approved by the Board of Directors is in pursuit of the public good.   All of KBC's programs support that mission and all who work for or on behalf of KBC understand and are loyal to that mission, purpose, and goals. The mission is responsive to the constituency and communities served by KBC and of value to the society at large.  

C. Governance
KBC has an active governing body 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 of Directors has 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 KBC 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, refusal or other means; and  
· Is responsible for the hiring, firing, and regular review of the performance of the Officers, and ensures that the compensation of the Officers is reasonable and appropriate;  
· Ensures that the CEO and appropriate staff provide the governing body with timely and
comprehensive information so that the governing body can effectively carry out its duties;  
· Ensures that KBC conducts all transactions and dealings with integrity and honesty;  
· Ensures that KBC promotes working relationships with the Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and program beneficiaries that are based on mutual respect, fairness and openness;  
· Ensures that KBC is fair and inclusive in its hiring and promotion policies and practices for all Board, staff and volunteer positions;  
· Ensures that policies of KBC are in writing, clearly articulated and officially adopted;  
· Ensures that the resources of KBC are responsibly and prudently managed; and,  
· Ensures that KBC has the capacity to carry out its programs effectively.  

D. Legal Compliance
KBC is knowledgeable of and complies with all laws, regulations and applicable international conventions.

E. Responsible Stewardship  
KBC manages its funds responsibly and prudently.   Kids Beating Cancer has adopted the voluntary standards of the Better Business Bureau as guidelines for determining responsible stewardship.  
· KBC spends the highest percentage possible of its annual budget on programs in pursuance of its mission;  
· KBC spends a small and reasonalable amount on administrative expenses to ensure effective accounting systems, internal controls, competent staff, and other expenditures critical to professional management;  
·KBC compensates staff, and any others who may receive compensation, reasonably and
appropriately;  
· KBC has reasonable fundraising costs,  
· KBC ensure that all spending practices and policies are fair, reasonable and appropriate to fulfill the mission of KBC; and,  
· KBC financial reports are factually accurate and complete in all material respects.  
· The President of Kids Beating Cancer publicly attest to the accuracy, completeness, and fairness of our financial statements and IRS 990 filings.

F. Openness and Disclosure
KBC provides 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 KBC will fully and honestly reflect the policies and practices of the organization. Basic informational data about KBC, as disclosed on the IRS 990, is posted on the organization's website.   All solicitation materials accurately represent KBC'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.

G. Program Evaluation
KBC 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. KBC is responsive to changes in its field of activity and is responsive to the needs of its constituencies.

H. Inclusiveness and Diversity
KBC has a policy of promoting inclusiveness and its staff, board and volunteers reflect diversity in order to enrich its programmatic effectiveness. KBC takes meaningful steps to promote inclusiveness in its hiring, retention, promotion, board recruitment and constituencies served.

I. Fundraising
KBC is committed to transparency and full disclosure in its solicitation materials. KBC respects the privacy concerns of individual donors and expends funds consistent with donor intent.  

In raising funds from the public, KBC believes that every potential donor has the right:
· To be informed of the mission of KBC, the way the resources will be used and our capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes;  
· To be informed of the identity of those serving on KBC's governing board and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities;  
· To have access to KBC's most recent financial reports;  
· To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given;  
· To receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition;  
· To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by the law;  
· To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature;  
· To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, or employees of KBC;  
· To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from any communication lists; (KBC does not share the names of our donors or wish families with any other organization);
· To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.

 J. Code Implementation  
· KBC management will actively encourage an internal dialogue on ethics, provide guidance for staff and ensure that internal systems, policies and procedures are consistent with this Code.  
· Copies of the Code will be provided to each staff and board member and posted on our web site.
· The Code will be annexed to all contracts of employment and signed along with it.  
· Raising an Issue/ Whistleblower Protection  

1) Any concerns about an interpretation, application or suspected violation of the Code of Ethics that staff or other stakeholders are not comfortable raising directly with staff concerned should be brought to the attention of a member (acting as an Advisor) of the Board of Directors.
2) If the complainant or the Advisor is not satisfied with the outcome of their consultation, then the matter may be brought to the attention of the full Board of Directors.  
3) No one shall be discriminated against, disciplined, or reprimanded for reporting concerns or requesting guidance concerning the Kids Beating Cancer Code of Ethics whether or not the concerns are established as valid or substantiated.   

(Adopted from the Independent Sector model policy and the Donor Bill of Rights developed by the American Association of Fundraising Counsel)

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