The Taproot Foundation is committed to maintaining the public trust and requires all Directors and employees to conduct affairs with the highest standards of integrity. Inevitably, the interests of Directors and employees will involve them in other organizations, causes and endeavors which intersect with the affairs of the Taproot Foundation. Directors and employees are expected to comply with the following principles in order to avoid actual, potential or apparent conflicts of interest and maintain a culture of honest and ethical conduct.

A potential or actual conflict of interest occurs whenever a Director or employee is in a position to influence a decision that may result in any direct or indirect personal gain for him or herself, any other Director or employee, or an immediate family member. A Director or employee may not engage in activities that create a conflict between the interests of the Taproot Foundation and those of himself or herself. Conflict of interest may result from the close involvement with a vendor, service provider, or grantee. This includes, but is not limited to, serving as a board member, employee, or consultant to a current or potential grantee, service provider, or vendor. The Taproot Foundation also encourages avoiding the appearance of a conflict of interest, even if no actual conflict has occurred.

Directors and employees are committed to making a prompt, full and frank disclosure of his or her interest to the Taproot Foundation regarding any relationship or commitment which could affect the impartial fulfillment of their roles in the affairs of the Taproot Foundation. Antecedent affiliations and indirect associations also warrant disclosure. Such disclosure shall include all relevant and material facts known to such person about the contract or transaction that might reasonably be construed to be adverse to the Taproot Foundation's interest.

The body to which such disclosure is made shall thereupon determine, by majority vote, whether the disclosure shows that a conflict of interest exists or can reasonably be construed to exist. If a conflict is deemed to exist, such person should abstain from decision-making actions, including not voting on, nor using personal influence on, nor being present during the discussion or deliberations with respect to, such contract or transaction (other than to present factual information or to respond to questions prior to the discussion). If such an instance occurs at a Board meeting, the minutes of the meeting shall reflect the disclosure made, the vote thereon and, where applicable, the abstention from voting and participation.