Direct grant recipients of JRS can generally use the JRS name and logo for the sole purpose of acknowledging that grant support, but such use must follow the policies stated herein and is, in any case, governed primarily by the relevant grant agreement. Indirect recipients of JRS support, such as the sub-grantees and sub-contractors of JRS grantees, may not use the JRS name or logo without the prior written permission of JRS.

If such use is permitted, JRS’s logo can be used to link to the JRS website or to acknowledge JRS assistance or affiliation. JRS’s logo shall not be used in a manner that falsely implies employment by or affiliation with JRS and JRS’s logo shall not be used to imply endorsement, or to endorse, any product or service. In places where use of the logo itself is not appropriate, JRS recommends using the following language:

“Support for this <program, conference, publication, website, article, etc.> was provided by a <grant, contract> from the JRS Biodiversity Foundation.”

For materials where full support is not provided by JRS:

“Support for this <program, conference, publication, website, article, etc.> was provided in part by a <grant, contract> from the JRS Biodiversity Foundation.”

To download the JRS Biodiversity logo for use in accordance with these policies, please click on the images below. Additional formats and sizes are available upon request (.jpg, .png, .eps, transparent, .ai).

JRS reserves all copyright rights in and to any JRS original works of authorship posted by JRS to the JRS website. All rights in and to such works are reserved to JRS. The content may be reprinted or otherwise reproduced only for noncommercial purposes as long as proper permission and attribution is given. All photographs, illustrations, and artwork appearing in the JRS website are the property of JRS and/or other copyright owners, and may be reproduced or reprinted only with written permission of JRS or the copyright owner.

The JRS name and logos, all custom graphics, and all trademarks and service marks appearing on the JRS website, unless otherwise noted, are trademarks, service marks and/or trade dress of JRS. All other trademarks, service marks, product names, company names, logos, and/or trade dress mentioned, displayed, cited or otherwise included in the JRS website are the property of their respective owners.

All photographs appearing in the JRS website are the property of JRS or other copyright owners (“JRS Photos”) as indicated in the captions or metadata associated with the images, and may be reproduced or reprinted only with the prior written permission of the copyright owner. Non-exclusive permission will only be granted by JRS for scholarly, academic, non-profit, or journalistic use of properly credited JRS Photos. JRS Photos may not be sold or used in any way for profit or commercial purposes, including use in commercial or professional websites or printed materials. JRS Photos may not be used to suggest endorsement by JRS of any product or service.

The JRS Biodiversity Foundation believes that open access to biodiversity information and knowledge by all stakeholders is essential to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The Foundation is committed to the principle of free and open access to the results of its grant-funded projects for the benefit of biodiversity conservation, science and society. Please see our Open Data Policy page for a full statement of this policy.

JRS requires that grant application budgets and financial reports must be stated in U.S. dollars. Funds received from JRS be held in U.S. dollars and are only to be exchanged into local currency as necessary or as required by institutional or national policies. Interest or other income generated by JRS funds, including currency gains, must be applied to the purpose of the grant award. Fluctuation in exchange rates can result in real gains and losses for the grantee. In order to account for this uncertainty, the grantee is obligated to report currency changes at the end of each reporting period. Net currency gains will be assessed before the final performance period to assess whether and how to apply gains towards purposes within the scope of the approved grant and how to compensate for losses. Download a full statement of the policy below.

JRS aims to support the capacity and success of our grantees.  We recognize that financial support for operating infrastructure is essential to many of the organizations that we fund.  We seek that such expenses are accounted for as specific direct expenses. JRS reimburses unspecified indirect costs of grant projects at the rates listed below:

• Up to 15% rate: Non-Profits and Educational Institutions are eligible for up to 15% of indirect costs.
• Up to 10% rate: Government agencies of African countries.
• 0% rate: Government agencies of OECD countries and for-profit organizations.

A complete statement of the policy and the definition of direct and indirect costs may be downloaded below.

JRS Biodiversity Foundation does not pay per diem in grants. It pays only direct costs for travel, lodging, food, etc. , supported by receipts.

This policy is not an attempt to minimize the importance or number of field trips, conferences, trainings or meetings. The problem we have encountered is that on some projects, perdiem had become a primary part of a budget, to the detriment of those expenses that directly related to the project’s goals and outcomes.

In the case of someone staying at a hotel for a conference/meeting, this would be based on the actual, direct costs for accommodation, meals, meeting room rental, etc. Obtaining receipts for such expenses is comparatively easy.

Conferences and meetings:
In the case of someone staying at a hotel for a conference/meeting, expenses must be based on the actual, direct costs for accommodation, meals, meeting room rental, etc. Obtaining receipts for such expenses is comparatively easy. Examples of direct costs:

• rental fee for the conference/meeting room and perhaps equipment rental for the event
• meals including tea/coffee/snacks for breaks
• transportation costs
• actual cost of hotel or guest-house rooms and meals
• meeting rooms can be at any building that has space such as a voluntary or religious organization that can be rented out, and meals can be taken at a restaurant or catered in

Field trips:
For field trips, direct costs may be more complex, and comprise food, supplies, equipment rental, fuel, and payments to local communities or community members for services they provide related to the trip, and the like. Receipts in some cases will need to be hand-written. Examples of direct costs:

• food/fuel that is brought with the field teams or purchased in the field
• informal lodging arranged by communities (if this occurs)
• assistance from community members with preparing/providing lodging, meals preparation, and similar services
• local transportation costs (e.g. a boat to transport team members to a field site)
• guide services from community members, to relevant field sites
• hand-written receipts are likely for some of the above expenses

Questions:
If you have any questions, feel free to discuss them with us – ideally before costs are incurred.

The content on JRS’s website is provided on an “as is” basis. JRS makes no warranties, expressed or implied, as to such content. Further, JRS does not warrant or make any representations concerning the accuracy, likely results, or reliability of the use of the materials on its website, or otherwise relating to such materials, or relating to materials or content on any sites linked to the JRS website. JRS’s policy is to comply with all federal and state laws prohibiting unfair or deceptive practices. You should notify JRS immediately if you believe that any materials or content are not in compliance with these requirements.

External Links

JRS’s website contains links to other sites, also known as external links. When you click on one of these external links, you are entering another website for which JRS has no responsibility. Check the privacy policy of any of these websites before sharing personal information. The inclusion of any external link on the JRS website does not imply any endorsement by JRS of that website or its contents.

JRS Biodiversity Foundation (herein referred to as “JRS”) is committed to protecting the privacy of its website visitors. JRS collects, uses, and discloses information gained by your visit to, or use of, the JRS website only as described herein. JRS will retain information only as long as necessary for JRS internal purposes. JRS will not sell, rent, or share your information with other individuals or organizations without your permission. JRS may collect information through web forms and emails submitted to JRS. JRS may also collect visitor information during your visit to the JRS website, which may include your IP address, browser details, and address used to visit the JRS website. JRS uses this information only for improving the design, function, and content of the JRS website and to present the JRS website and its content to you. The web server hosting JRS’s website may collect certain information about visitors to the JRS website automatically and through tracking technology. The type of information gathered in this manner may include:

• The length of time spent browsing the site;
• The domain name and/or ISP address used to visit the site;
• The type of browser(s) being used to access the site; and
• The type of operating system(s) used.
• E-mail addresses are not automatically gathered.

JRS’s website may deposit certain bits of information called “cookies” in a visitor’s computer. Cookies are sent back only to the website that deposited them when a visitor returns to that site. Cookies can tell JRS how and when pages in a website are visited and by how many people. This technology does not collect personal identifiable information; the information collected is in an aggregate, non-identifiable form. JRS uses the information collected through this technology only to improve its website.

Please read this policy carefully to understand JRS’s practices regarding your information and how JRS will treat it. If you do not agree with JRS’s policies and practices, your choice is not to use the JRS website. By visiting or using the JRS website, you agree to this privacy policy. This policy may change from time to time (see Changes to Policies below). Your continued use of the JRS website after JRS makes changes is deemed to be acceptance of those changes, so please check periodically for updates.

Do Not Track Policy

As to any personally identifiable information or user online activity as described above that may be collected by JRS in connection with your visit to or use of the JRS website, JRS does not respond to web browser “do not track” requests or similar signals that users may use. But JRS does not permit third parties to collect personally identifiable information or information about your online activities over time or across different websites other than JRS’s web server host for the limited purposes described above.

JRS will post any changes made to JRS’s policies on this page of the JRS website. If JRS makes material changes to how JRS treats users’ personal information, JRS will notify you through a notice on the JRS website home page. These policies were last revised on the date below. Visitors are responsible for periodically visiting the JRS website privacy policy link to check for any changes. These policies have been updated and are effective as of January 4, 2016. Users of the JRS website should check these policies from time to time for updates and changes.

The JRS Biodiversity Foundation recognizes the importance of human diversity as an integral element of its vision of sustainability for society and all life on earth. The Foundation strives for inclusiveness and diversity of background, expertise, and perspective in hiring, promotion, Board of Trustees composition, and grant-making decisions. We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity, and we do not tolerate discrimination against employees, Trustees, grantees or others based on race, age, sex, religion, sexual orientation, disability, military status, or any other basis prohibited by United States law. Download our Diversity Statement below.

In 2015, the Foundation put in place a Whistleblower Policy as part of policies that support good governance such as those in the bylaws and the conflict of interest policy. All trustees and officers of the J.R.S. Biodiversity Foundation (“Foundation”) and any employees of the Foundation (referred to for purposes of this Policy as “Staff”) are expected to ensure that the Foundation and the individuals associated with it will comply with high standards in financial accounting and reporting and engage in lawful and ethical behavior.  This Policy is intended to remind these individuals of this expectation, to encourage all to report any concerns about possible violations, to lay out procedures for reporting and investigating complaints, and to describe the protections afforded under this Policy.  The Foundation Board of Trustees will oversee this Policy.  

Complaints

If any trustee, officer, or Staff member knows or has a reasonable belief that persons associated with the Foundation have engaged or plan to engage in illegal or unethical conduct in connection with the Foundation’s financial resources or operations, such person is expected to file a complaint immediately.

Procedure for Filing Complaints

Complaints may be reported on a confidential, anonymous basis, orally or in writing, giving as much detail as possible, to the President of the Foundation.  Contact information is appended to this Policy.  The President, upon receiving a verbal complaint, will promptly prepare a written summary of the complaint, including as much detail as possible.  

Handling of Complaints Received by the Foundation

• • All non-anonymous complaints will be acknowledged promptly by the individual receiving the complaint.

• The individual receiving the complaint, if not the President, will report it to the President, unless the complaint concerns the President, in which case the complaint will be reported to another Board member.  

• The complaint will be reviewed, possibly with counsel, and investigative action will be undertaken as promptly as possible.
• The President, in consultation with another Board member, will decide on further actions to be taken, including additional investigation and/or legal or disciplinary action.
• The President will report to the Board any complaint that has been determined to be credible and material.  This report will generally include a copy of the complaint and the date and nature of the complaint.  It will also describe the conduct and status of any investigation and any recommendations to address the complaint.

Action on Complaints

The Foundation will take appropriate action in response to any complaints, including disciplinary action against any person who, in the Foundation’s assessment, has engaged in unethical conduct or misconduct and, where appropriate, reporting of such misconduct to the relevant civil or criminal authorities.  

Protection Under Policy

The Foundation will not knowingly, with the intent to retaliate, take any action harmful to any trustee, officer, Staff member, or other complainant for: 

• reporting a complaint in good faith pursuant to this Policy or to law enforcement officers, governmental agencies or bodies, or persons with supervisory authority over the complainant;
• providing in good faith information regarding a complaint to law enforcement officers, governmental agencies or bodies, or persons with supervisory authority over the complainant, or otherwise assisting in any investigation conducted by the Foundation; or
• otherwise participating or assisting in a proceeding filed or about to be filed.
• Any trustee, officer, or Staff member who retaliates against another for reporting a complaint in good faith pursuant to this Policy will be subject to disciplinary action.  Any trustee, officer, or Staff member who deliberately or maliciously provides false information may be subject to disciplinary action.

Confidentiality

In conducting its investigations and in reporting complaints, the Foundation will strive to keep as confidential as possible the identity of any complainant or any individual who provides information during an investigation, except that the Foundation may share such information as it deems necessary with appropriate Foundation personnel and advisors, or as may be required by law.   

Scope of Policy

This policy covers complaints made regarding the Foundation’s financial resources or operations including grant awards, grant selection and grant oversight.