Non-Discrimination Policy

Finn Wardman World Explorer Fund Inc
US 501(c)(3) public charity, EIN 42-2773838
191 Sarles St, Mount Kisco, NY 10549
Effective 1 October 2026. Approved by the Board of Directors.

1. Our commitment

The Finn Wardman World Explorer Fund exists so that money is never the reason a young person misses a defining experience. Prejudice should never be the reason either. We judge every applicant, grantee, director, volunteer, contractor and employee on what they bring and what they plan to do, not on who they are or where they come from.

2. Who this policy covers

This policy applies to everything the Fund does, including:

• grant applications, interviews, selection and payment;
• the Board of Directors, officers and the selection committee;
• volunteers, contractors and anyone we hire;
• donors, partners and vendors we work with;
• events, the website, the podcast and our social media.

3. What we will not do

The Fund does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion or creed, sex, pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age (outside the published grant age range), disability, genetic information, marital or familial status, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local law, including the New York State Human Rights Law.

This covers decisions about who receives a grant, how much, who is invited to interview, who serves on the Board or selection committee, and who is engaged to work with us.

4. Grant eligibility rules are not discrimination

Our grant programme has published eligibility rules: applicants must be aged 18 to 26, must have a specific, dated opportunity with a real funding gap, and must live in a country we currently accept applications from. These rules follow from our charitable purpose as set out in our Certificate of Incorporation. Every applicant who meets them is assessed on the same criteria: the strength of the plan, evidence of commitment, honesty about the budget, and how much the grant would change what is possible for them.

As a US charity we must also follow US law, including sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). Where the law stops us from paying a grant to a particular person or country, that is a legal requirement, not a judgement about the applicant.

5. Harassment

Harassment based on any of the characteristics listed in section 3 is a form of discrimination and is not tolerated. This includes slurs, jokes, threats, unwanted sexual attention, and any conduct that makes a person feel unsafe or unwelcome because of who they are. It applies in person, by email, on calls and online.

6. Accessibility and reasonable accommodation

If a disability, health condition, language barrier or religious practice makes it hard to complete our application, attend an interview or meet a deadline, tell us. We will make reasonable adjustments, such as extra time, a written interview instead of a call, or help with the form. Ask at info@finnwardman.com.

7. Raising a concern

Anyone who believes they have been treated unfairly under this policy can raise it by emailing info@finnwardman.com with the subject line "Non-discrimination concern". If the concern involves a director or officer, it will be handled by a director who is not involved. We will acknowledge every concern within 10 working days, look into it promptly and fairly, keep it as confidential as we can, and tell the person what we found and what we will do about it.

8. No retaliation

No one will lose a grant, an application, a role or a working relationship with the Fund for raising a concern in good faith, or for helping with an inquiry into one.

9. Consequences

A director, officer, committee member, volunteer or contractor found to have broken this policy may be removed from their role or have their engagement ended. A grant obtained or awarded in breach of this policy may be reviewed.

10. Responsibility and review

The Board of Directors is responsible for this policy. The President oversees how it is applied day to day. The Board reviews it at least once a year at its annual meeting and updates it when the law or our programmes change.

Questions about this policy: info@finnwardman.com