Donors and volunteers support  organizations like the The Friends of AIDS Foundation (FOA) because they trust the organizations to carry out their missions and to uphold rigorous standards of conduct. Not-for-profit organizations must earn this trust every day and in every possible way.

To demonstrate its ongoing commitment to the core values of integrity, honesty, fairness, openness, respect, and responsibility, The Friends of AIDS Foundation has formally adopted a Statement of Values and Code of Ethics.

Statement of Values

Founded in 2006 by Anthony Bongiorno, The Friends of AIDS Foundation FOA) is a leader in the fight against HIV/AIDS. We collaborate with community organizations to develop and improve HIV/AIDS services; coordinate prevention, care, and advocacy projects; and remain committed to effective, compassionate HIV/AIDS policy.

The Friends of AIDS Foundaton is built on a foundation of widely shared values. These values include:

- Commitment to our mission

- Confidentiality and empowerment through self-determination

- Respect for the worth and dignity of all individuals

- Accountability to all stakeholders

- Respect for diversity

- Integrity and honesty

- Responsible stewardship of human and financial resources

- Commitment to excellence and to maintaining the public trust

These values lead directly to the Code of Ethics that follows. The values inform and guide the way we,The Friends of AIDS Foundation's board members, staff, and volunteers perform our responsibilities when acting on behalf of this organization.

Code of Ethics

I. Personal and Professional Integrity
All staff, board members, and volunteers of The Friends of AIDS Foundation act with honesty, integrity, and openness in our dealings as representatives of the organization. FOA promotes a working environment that values respect, fairness, and integrity, and we put the needs of the organization in front of personal gain and interest.

II. Mission
The Friends of AIDS Foundation has a clearly stated mission and purpose, approved by the board of directors, in pursuit of the public good.

Our mission is to enhance the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empower people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus by delivering cutting edge programs and services to individuals regardless of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or lifestyle.

All of our programs support our 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 communities served by the organization and of value to society at large.

III. Governance
The Friends of AIDS Foundation has a Board of Directors that is responsible for setting the mission and strategic direction of the organization and overseeing the finances, operations, and policies of the organization. The Board of Directors:

*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 or other means.

*Is responsible for the hiring, firing, and regular review of the performance of the Executive Director, and ensures that the compensation of the Executive Director is reasonable and appropriate.

*Ensures that the Executive Director and appropriate staff provide the Board of Directors with timely and comprehensive information so that the Board of Directors can effectively carry out its duties.

*Ensures that FOA conducts all transactions and dealings with integrity and honesty.

*Ensures that we promote working relationships with board members, staff, volunteers, and program beneficiaries that are based on mutual respect, fairness and openness.

*Ensures that FOA is fair and inclusive in its hiring and promotion policies and practices for all board, staff and volunteer positions.

*Ensures that FOA's policies are in writing, clearly articulated and officially adopted.

*Ensures that our resources are responsibly and prudently managed.

*Ensures that FOA has the capacity to carry out its programs effectively.

IV. Legal Compliance
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is committed to complying with all applicable laws and regulations.

V. Responsible Stewardship
The Friends of AIDS Foundation manages its funds responsibly and prudently. We operate only in ways that are consistent with our mission, strategic vision, and values; our respect for our donors; and our goals of ending HIV/AIDS and enhancing the lives of those currently living with HIV/AIDS.

Our stewardship includes the following considerations:

*We invest an adequate amount on administrative needs to ensure effective accounting systems, internal controls, competent staff, and other expenditures critical to professional management.

*We compensate staff, and any others who may receive compensation, reasonably and appropriately.

*We recognize the variety of factors that affect fundraising costs.

*We do not accumulate excessive operating funds.

*We ensure that all spending practices and policies are fair, reasonable, and appropriate to fulfill the mission of the organization.

*All financial reports are factually accurate and complete in all material respects.

*We allocate funds through processes that are fair, reasonable, and responsive to community needs.

VI. Openness and Disclosure
The Friends of AIDS Foundation 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 FOA will fully and honestly reflect the policies and practices of the organization. Basic informational data about the organization will be posted on our website or otherwise made available to the public. All solicitation materials accurately represent FOA's policies and practices and will respect the dignity of program beneficiaries. All organizational and program reports will be complete and accurate in all material respects.

VII. Ongoing Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement
The Friends of AIDS Foundation continuously monitors program effectiveness. We are responsive to changes in our field of activity and responsive to the needs of our constituencies.

VIII. Inclusiveness and Diversity
The Friends of AIDS Foundation has a policy of promoting inclusiveness; the diversity among our staff, board, and volunteers enriches our programmatic effectiveness. FOA takes meaningful steps to promote inclusiveness in our hiring, retention, promotion, board recruitment, and constituencies served.

IX. Fundraising
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is truthful in our solicitation materials. We respect the privacy concerns of individual donors and expend funds consistent with donor intent. FOA discloses important and relevant information to potential donors. In raising funds from public and private sources, FOA will respect the rights of donors, as follows:

*To be informed of our mission, the way the resources will be used and FOA's capacity to use donations effectively for donors intended purposes.

*To be informed of the identity of those serving on FOA's governing board and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.

*To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.

*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 between FOA and donors will be professional in nature.

*To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organizations, or hired solicitors.

*To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful, and forthright answers.