Code of Ethics

The McKnight Brain Research Foundation is committed to:

• Act honestly, truthfully and with integrity in all transactions and dealings
  
  
• Promote the avoidance of conflicts of interest and commit to the appropriate handling of actual or apparent conflicts of interest in all relationships
  
  
• Treat all grantees fairly and treat every individual with dignity and respect
  
  
• Be a good corporate citizen and to comply with both the spirit and the letter of the law
  
  
• Act responsibly toward the professional communities in which we work and for the benefit of the professional communities we serve
  
  
• Be responsible, transparent, and accountable for all of our actions
  
  
• Attend all regularly scheduled board meetings insofar as possible, and become informed concerning the issues to be considered at those meetings
  
  
• Endeavor to make policy decisions only after full discussion
  
  
• Render all decisions based on the available facts and independent judgment, and refuse to surrender that judgment
  
  
• Encourage the free expression of opinion by all board members, and seek systematic communications among the board members
  
  
• Work with other board members to establish effective board policies and to delegate authority as appropriate
  
  
• Stay informed about pertinent issues by individual study and through participation in programs providing needed information relevant to the MBRF
  
  
• Take no private action that will compromise the Foundation, and respect the confidentiality of information that is privileged under applicable law
  
  
• Monitor and evaluate on a regular basis the MBRF actions and activities
  
  
• Ensure that the resources of the Foundation are responsibly and prudently managed
  
  
• Adopt and monitor spending practices and investment policies which are fair, reasonable and appropriate to fulfill the mission of the Foundation
  
  

Adopted: May 18, 2005