Our Corporate Donation Acceptance Policy

1. Purpose

Silent Spring Institute solicits and accepts gifts that support its core programs, special projects, and general operations. The Institute generally accepts donations and other forms of support from foundations, individuals, government agencies, and other entities. To ensure that Silent Spring Institute’s mission and work remain uncompromised, this policy outlines our guidelines and safeguards for accepting corporate donations and grants in a manner that upholds the Institute’s integrity, credibility, transparency, and independence. 

2. General Principles

Silent Spring abides by agreements that require disclosures of relevant financial relationships that might influence the research. To maintain our credibility as independent scientists, we will only accept gifts that we anticipate will not require disclosures of potential conflicts of interest for our scientific work. As such, corporate contributions must not influence the Institute’s research topics, research questions, findings, dissemination, outreach, and translation efforts.

To guide us in this principle, Silent Spring will only solicit and accept corporate donations for unrestricted funds, or for sponsorships that support the annual Gala Celebration, the proceeds of which are directed to unrestricted general support.  Silent Spring retains full control over the use of donated funds.

The acceptance of donations does not imply endorsement of a donor’s products, services, policies, or practices.

3. Criteria for Accepting Corporate Donations

Silent Spring will accept corporate donations at or below $30,000 based on the following criteria:

• To avoid conflicts of interest, we will not accept donations from companies if our research may have a direct and predictable effect on their business. For example, we will avoid donations from companies whose primary function is to manufacture products that are the subject of our research.
• By accepting only unrestricted or gala gifts, donations are made without conditions that could limit or be perceived to limit the Institute’s ability to conduct independent research or disseminate findings.

4. Additional Due Diligence for Large Corporate Donations

For corporate gifts above $30,000, Silent Spring Institute’s Executive Director, Director of Research and Board President will review the donation to ensure compliance with this policy.

5. Use of Silent Spring Name in Promotional Materials

Corporate donors must receive prior written approval from Silent Spring before using Silent Spring’s name, trademarks, or other logos in any publicity, advertising, or news release.

6. Transparency and Accountability

• All corporate gifts that are made to the Gala will be published on the Gala website.
• All other corporate gift amounts and company names will be made available to the public upon request.
• If concerns arise regarding an accepted donation, the Institute reserves the right to return the funds.
• The Board of Directors’ finance committee will oversee and periodically review corporate donations to ensure compliance with this policy.

7. Review and Amendments

This policy will be reviewed annually with the Silent Spring Institute’s Board of Directors to ensure it remains relevant and aligned with Silent Spring’s mission. Amendments may be made with majority vote of the board to reflect best practices in ethical fundraising.

Contact Information

For any questions regarding corporate donations, please contact Rachel Sarvey, Silent Spring Institute’s director of development at sarvey@silentspring.org or 617-332-4288.