Young Caring For Our Young, Inc. (“the Organization”) is committed to maintaining the highest standards of conduct, ethics, and accountability in fulfilling its mission to help children in need.
This Whistleblower Policy is intended to:
Encourage and enable employees, volunteers, board members, and others to raise serious concerns internally before seeking external resolution.
Protect individuals who report suspected wrongdoing in good faith from retaliation or adverse actions.
Ensure that all reports of misconduct are handled promptly, thoroughly, and confidentially.
This policy applies to all:
Employees (full-time, part-time, and temporary)
Volunteers and interns
Board members
Contractors, vendors, and partners who conduct business with the Organization
Anyone covered under this policy may report concerns about suspected:
Fraud, waste, or misuse of organizational funds or property
Violations of federal, state, or local laws or regulations
Unethical conduct or conflicts of interest
Discrimination, harassment, or retaliation
Health or safety risks affecting staff, volunteers, or program participants
Violations of Organization policies or the Code of Conduct
Reports should be made in good faith and based on a reasonable belief that the information disclosed indicates misconduct or a potential violation.
The Organization encourages open communication and prompt reporting of concerns.
Reports may be made through any of the following channels:
Direct Supervisor or Manager – Employees are encouraged to report concerns first to their supervisor when appropriate.
Executive Director – If the concern involves a supervisor or if the individual is uncomfortable reporting to them, the report may be made directly to the Executive Director.
Board Chair or Whistleblower Contact – If the concern involves executive leadership or is of a sensitive nature, it should be directed to the Chair of the Board of Directors or a designated Whistleblower Officer.
Anonymous Reporting – Individuals may submit concerns anonymously via a confidential hotline, online form, or mailed written report addressed to “Confidential – Whistleblower Report.” (If applicable, insert your organization’s reporting method here.)
The Organization will handle all reports with the highest possible level of confidentiality consistent with a full and fair investigation.
Information will be shared strictly on a need-to-know basis. Anonymous reports will be accepted and investigated to the extent practicable.
All reports will be promptly reviewed and, if appropriate, investigated by the Executive Director or an independent investigator designated by the Board of Directors.
The investigator will:
Conduct an impartial review of the allegations
Document findings
Recommend appropriate corrective actions
The reporting individual will receive acknowledgment that the concern has been received and, when possible, feedback on the outcome of the investigation (subject to confidentiality limits).
No person who, in good faith, reports a concern or participates in an investigation shall suffer harassment, retaliation, or adverse employment consequences.
Any individual who retaliates against someone for reporting a concern in good faith will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination or removal from the Board.
Reports that are knowingly false or made with malicious intent may result in disciplinary action.
However, individuals who make reports in good faith, even if the allegations are not substantiated, will be protected under this policy.
The Organization will maintain a record of all whistleblower reports and investigations in a secure and confidential manner.
These records will include:
The nature of the complaint
Investigation steps taken
Conclusions and any corrective actions implemented
Records will be retained in accordance with the Organization’s document retention policy.
The Board of Directors of Young Caring For Our Young, Inc. is responsible for overseeing the administration, enforcement, and periodic review of this policy.
The policy shall be reviewed annually or as required by changes in law or organizational structure.
Young Caring For Our Young is committed to transparency, integrity, and protecting the well-being of all we serve. If you’ve observed something that doesn’t align with our values or policies, please share your concern here. You may report anonymously, and your information will be handled with care and confidentiality.
