Values & Anti-Discrimination Policy

MVF Values Statement 

MVF operates according to the following core values:

1. Inclusive and positive work environments 

2. Active solicitation of diverse perspectives in decision-making

3. Honest, ethical and transparent communication across stakeholders

4. Community accountability, locally and globally

MVF Anti-Discrimination Policy 

Note: Borrowed heavily from US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Externally:

• Discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, disability, age or genetic information (including family medical history) is counter to Maine Venture Fund’s (“MVF”) core values of inclusivity and equal opportunity. Furthermore, these practices are illegal and will not be tolerated in any form.

• Beyond non-discrimination, MVF is committed to anti-discrimination, meaning that MVF actively seeks to broaden the full scope of investment activities in underrepresented populations across the state, including Mainers of color, women, and those living in rural regions.

• MVF will provide reasonable accommodations to partners, founders, employees and anyone else with whom MVF interacts through day-to-day business dealings for medical or religious reasons, and for any other reason to the extent possible.

Internally:

MVF applies the same anti-discrimination policies internally that are applied externally. Additionally:

• Employees at MVF are encouraged to report discrimination to the MVF fund manager or any of the 11-member board of directors. Employees will not be punished for reporting discrimination, participating in a discrimination investigation or lawsuit or opposing discrimination.

• MVF will protect, to the greatest possible extent, the confidentiality of employees who report discrimination or participate in a discrimination investigation.

• MVF requires employees and managers to respond appropriately to discrimination and to report it to individuals who are authorized to respond. 

• MVF provides for prompt, thorough and impartial investigation of complaints.

• MVF provides for prompt and effective corrective and preventive action when necessary.

• Violation of the non-discrimination policy is grounds for dismissal.