Non-Discrimination Policy

Esprit de Corps Foundation does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age (18+ portals aside), marital or family status, pregnancy, disability (physical, cognitive, service-connected, or otherwise), military or veteran status, service component (active duty, National Guard, Reserve, retired, separated), rank, branch, military occupational specialty, era of service, combat exposure, discharge characterization (including honorable, general, other than honorable, or administrative characterizations), genetic information, citizenship or immigration status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

This policy applies to program participation, Ranks community membership, Chapter membership, EDC Membership, volunteer service, partnerships, sponsorships, vendor relationships, employment, contracting, and every other engagement with the Foundation.

We recognize service in all its forms:

• Active duty, National Guard, Reserve, retired, and separated service members across every branch and component.
• Military spouses, dependents, and family members. Family served too.
• Service-connected disabled veterans, including those with visible and invisible injuries.
• Service members and veterans across every discharge characterization. A discharge paperwork line does not define a person’s dignity or worth.

Community members outside the military-connected population are welcome to support the mission through Ranks and public events; this policy applies to them equally.

Some Foundation programs and funded benefits carry eligibility criteria that are set by the funder, the partner, the activity’s safety requirements, or the law. Common examples:

• Grant-funded benefits may require a specific discharge characterization (for example, honorable or general under honorable conditions) because the federal agency or private funder imposes that gate.
• Safety-sensitive activities may require medical clearance, fitness attestation, or background checks.
• Age-restricted portals (Team, Ranks, Volunteer) require participants to be 18 or older.
• Role-specific programs (Emerging Leaders, EDC Junior Service Committee™, Chapter officer slots) carry their own published criteria.

Where a program carries criteria set by someone other than the Foundation, we will say so plainly in the program’s own description so applicants can judge fit before applying. The Foundation does not add discriminatory criteria on top of what the funder, partner, or activity requires.

Even when an eligibility gate limits who can receive a specific benefit, the Foundation does its best to:

• Welcome every person into the broader community (Ranks, public events, educational resources).
• Point ineligible applicants toward other benefits, partners, or paths that may fit.
• Treat every applicant, partner, sponsor, and vendor with the same respect regardless of eligibility outcome.
• Keep the reasoning transparent so no one is left guessing why a decision landed where it did.

Partnerships, sponsorships, and vendor selections are evaluated on mission fit, capability, integrity, and value. The Foundation does not favor or exclude any partner, sponsor, or vendor based on the characteristics listed in Section 1. We expect the same from the organizations we work with inside Foundation activities.

The Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and volunteer organization. Hiring, assignment, compensation, promotion, discipline, and termination decisions are made on the basis of qualifications, performance, and conduct. The Foundation complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and provides reasonable accommodations on request.

Harassment, intimidation, and discriminatory conduct are prohibited on every Foundation surface and at every Foundation activity, consistent with the Community Guidelines and the Acceptable Use Policy. Retaliation against anyone who raises a concern in good faith or participates in an investigation is also prohibited.

Anyone who believes this policy has been violated may contact the Foundation through the Legal Center contact page or any Foundation officer. Reports are reviewed promptly, kept as confidential as the facts permit, and acted on in good faith.

This policy is reviewed at least annually by Foundation leadership and may be revised to reflect new law, new programs, or lessons learned. Material changes are noted in the Change Log.