Ethical considerations when evaluating prospective funders

Historically, APHA members have expressed concern regarding real or perceived ethical concerns and/or conflict of interest from seeking and/or accepting funding from corporate entities including corporate foundations. For more than a decade, APHA has actively engaged its Committee on Social Responsibility (CSR) comprised of appointed Executive Board members and representatives from the ISC, COA and the Ethics Section to evaluate corporations/corporate foundations as potential funding sources in terms of their business ethics and their social values being aligned with those of the Association.

Due to diminishing investments in public health from “traditional” funding sources, new initiatives will require innovative funding and unusual funders. To achieve the “Healthiest Nation by 2030,” APHA will be required to seek funds from a broad array of funders – both public and private sources.

Over the past year, APHA has engaged different sectors of its leadership in active discussions concerning the engagement of out-of-the-box collaborators and the establishment of new, unique funding entities. The purpose of this session is to continue the conversation with APHA’s general membership to further explore how APHA may continue to grow and expand and achieve financial sustainability in an increasingly competitive funding world all while maintaining organizational integrity.

Critical and consistent engagement with membership is necessary to determine what policy changes may be necessary for public health entities to stay evolutionary while remaining fiscally sound.