Founding Governance Principles (Draft)
Status: EndFIV.org has not yet been formally established as a nonprofit organization. These principles describe the governance commitments under which it is intended to be founded and operated. Once the organization is established, these principles are intended to be incorporated into its governing documents where legally appropriate.
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Mission First
Once a separate legal organization is established, all funds and assets should belong to that organization and be used exclusively to accelerate credible development of effective prevention or suppression therapy for Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV).
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Transparency
The organization should publish regular financial reports, including donations received, material recipients, purposes, amounts, approvals, major expenses, and remaining funds.
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Restricted Donations
Donations designated for a specific purpose or reward should be used only for that purpose unless the donor explicitly agrees otherwise. Organizational and personal funds must never be mixed.
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Prize Integrity
Published reward rules should be applied fairly and consistently. If no submission satisfies the published criteria, the reward should remain unawarded until the criteria are met or the rules are prospectively revised.
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Independent Scientific Review
Scientific claims eligible for rewards should be evaluated by qualified independent experts with relevant expertise and without material conflicts of interest. Grants and rewards should use milestone-based payments where practical.
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Conflicts of Interest
Directors, officers, reviewers, and other decision-makers should disclose material conflicts of interest and should not participate in related decisions.
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No Private Benefit
Organizational assets should not be used for private benefit except for reasonable compensation, reimbursement of legitimate expenses, or payments made under published programs consistent with the organization's mission. Founder or officer compensation should require independent approval and prior public disclosure.
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Shared Approval
Significant expenditures should require approval by more than one authorized person. No founder or officer should be able to unilaterally redirect substantial donated funds.
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Rule Changes
Governance principles and reward rules should be published before taking effect and should not retroactively disadvantage donors or participants who relied on previously published rules.
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Accountability
The organization should maintain complete financial and operational records to demonstrate compliance with these principles. Alleged violations may be addressed through the organization's governance procedures and, where applicable, through legal or regulatory mechanisms available under the governing law.
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Major Donations
Major donors may use direct bank transfer, a written restricted-donation agreement, or an independent charitable foundation or fiscal intermediary if one formally agrees to administer funds for EndFIV. Written agreements may specify permitted use of funds, reporting obligations, milestones, remedies for material breach, and other mutually agreed terms.
Donate Through a Trusted Foundation
Some donors may prefer to contribute through an established independent charitable organization that can hold and administer funds for veterinary research. This kind of fiscal sponsorship or foundation-administered structure may increase transparency, reporting discipline, and donor confidence.
EndFIV is open to collaborating with an appropriate fiscal sponsor or charitable foundation if such an organization agrees to support the project under its own approval process, legal requirements, and policies.
Organizations that could potentially serve this role, subject to their own approval and policies, include Wellcome, Open Philanthropy, Silicon Valley Community Foundation, King Baudouin Foundation, and CAF America.
Note: These organizations are examples only. EndFIV is not currently affiliated with or endorsed by any of them, and no partnership should be implied unless officially announced.
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Dissolution
If the organization ceases operations, any remaining assets, after satisfying legal obligations, should be transferred to one or more compatible nonprofit organizations pursuing veterinary medical research or animal welfare, in accordance with applicable law. Remaining assets should never be distributed to founders, officers, members, or donors personally.