Terms & Conditions

Paragraph overview

The North Face will be accepting applications from organisations registered in France, Germany, Italy and the UK. Applicants must be in compliance with the provisions of the VF Global Compliance Principles.

By applying to the COVID-19 EXPLORE FUND, Grantee agree to abide by and be bound by these Terms and Conditions (Ts&Cs) and the North Face’s decisions, which are final and binding in all respects and not subject to appeal.

Applicants must not use funds provided under these Ts&Cs, directly or indirectly, in support of activities associated with organisations

  • linked to political parties or movements;
  • supporting religious causes;
  • political lobbying
  • practicing discrimination on the basis of race, age, color, national/social/ethnic origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability;

Applications from the following organisations will be accepted for consideration; conservation groups and organisations, outdoor charities, outdoor industry associations, orgnanisations or companies involved in the following activities: camping, environmental education, hiking, kayaking, rock climbing, indoor climbing, skiing, snowboarding, trail running, white water rafting, alpinism.

Applicants must be in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and rules and will not infringe, misappropriate, or violate the intellectual property, privacy, or publicity rights of any third party. Applicants must confirm they are; a) an entity duly organized or formed, qualified to do business, and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which they are organized or formed; b) are not an individual (i.e., a natural person) or a disregarded entity (e.g. a sole proprietor or sole-owner entity); c) have the right to enter into and fully perform an Agreement with The North Face. The applicant must be able to provide documentation to verify its expenditure and governance, and report progress against the goals for Explore Fund grant funding.

Reporting & grant payment schedule

Payments are subject to compliance with the VF Partnership Agreement or Cash Donation Policy, including achievement of any applicable targets, milestones, and reporting deliverables required under these Ts&Cs. VF International SAGL, in its quality of Licensee of the The North Face trademark may, in its reasonable discretion, modify payment dates or amounts and will notify the Grantee of any such changes in writing.

Project description and charitable purpose

VF International SAGL is awarding grant funding to carry out the project (the “Project”) described in the Funding Application in order to further the Grantee’s organizational purpose.

Use of funds

At VF International SAGL’s request, any portion of Grant Funds and/or income used or committed in material breach of these Ts&Cs will be required to be repaid, as determined by VF International SAGL in its discretion.

Responsibility for others

The Grantee is responsible for all acts and omissions of any of their trustees, directors, officers, employees, subgrantees, subcontractors, contingent workers, agents, and affiliates assisting with the Project and ensuring their compliance with the terms of these Ts&Cs

Anti-corruption and anti-bribery

The Grantee shall not directly or indirectly pay, offer or promise to pay, or authorize the payment of any money, or give, offer or promise to give, or authorize the giving of anything else of value, to: (1)any Government Official in order to influence official action; (2)any Person (whether or not a Government Official) (i) to influence such Person to act in breach of a duty of good faith, impartiality or trust (“acting improperly”), (ii) to reward such Person for acting improperly, or (iii) where such Person would be acting improperly by receiving the money or other thing of value; (3)any other Person while knowing or having reason to know that all or any portion of the money or other thing of value will be paid, offered, promised or given to, or will otherwise benefit, a Government Official in order to influence official action for or against either Party in connection with the matters that are the subject of this Agreement; or (4)any Person to reward that Person for acting improperly or to induce that Person to act improperly. Party Representatives shall not, directly or indirectly, solicit, receive or agree to accept any payment of money or anything else of value in violation of the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, as amended, the UK Bribery Act 2010, as amended, or any other applicable anti-corruption laws and laws for the prevention of fraud, racketeering, money laundering or terrorism.

Compliance with VF global compliance principles

The Grantee must be in compliance with the provisions of the VF Global Compliance Principles. The Grantee will not use funds provided under these Ts&Cs, directly or indirectly, in support of activities associated with organisations

  • linked to political parties or movements;
  • supporting religious causes;
  • practicing discrimination on the basis of race, age, color, national/social/ethnic origin, gender, religion, sexual orientation, disability;

Lobbying and electioneering prohibition

Grantees may not use Grant Funds to influence the outcome of any election for public office or to carry on any voter registration drive. Grantees will acknowledge that VF International SAGL has not earmarked Grant Funds to support lobbying activities or to otherwise support attempts to influence legislation.

Other lobbying, gift, and ethics rules

Grantees will agree to comply with any national, state, local, or other lobbying, gift, and ethics rules applicable to the Project. VF International SAGL is not retaining or employing the Grantee to engage in lobbying activities.

Publicity

The North Face and the Grantee (each of them the “Party”) may publicly disclose information about the award of this grant, including the other Party’s name, the total amount awarded, and a description of the Project, provided that a Party obtains prior written approval before using the other Party’s name for promotional purposes or logo for any purpose. Any public disclosure by the Grantee or their sub- grantees, subcontractors, contingent workers, agents, or affiliates must be made in accordance with the Foundation’s then-current brand guidelines.

Compliance with laws

In carrying out the Project, the grantee will comply with all applicable laws, regulations, and rules and will not infringe, misappropriate, or violate the intellectual property, privacy, or publicity rights of any third party.

Reliance

Grantees will acknowledge that VF International SAGL is relying on the information the Grantee provide in reports and during the course of any due diligence conducted prior to the Start Date and during the term of these Ts&Cs. The Grantee represent that VF International SAGL may continue to rely on this information and on any additional information the Grantee provides regarding activities, progress, and Funded Developments.

Term

these Ts&Cs are valid from the Start Date and continues until the End Date, as outlined in the VF Partnership agreement unless terminated earlier as provided in these Ts&Cs. VF International SAGL, in its discretion, may approve in writing any request by the Grantee for a no-cost extension, including amending the End Date and adjusting any affected reporting requirements.

Termination

VF International SAGL may modify, suspend, or discontinue any payment of Grant Funds if: (a)VF International SAGL is not reasonably satisfied with the Grantee’s progress on the Project; (b) there are significant changes to the Grantee’s leadership or other factors that VF International SAGL reasonably believes may threaten the Project’s success; or (c) The Grantee fails to comply with this Agreement and with VF Partnership Agreement.

Record keeping

Grantee shall maintain complete and accurate accounting records and copies of any reports submitted to VF International SAGL relating to the Project. The Grantee will retain such records and reports for 4 years after Grant Funds have been fully spent. At VF International SAGL’s request, the Grantee will make such records and reports available to enable VF International SAGL to monitor and evaluate how Grant Funds have been used or committed.

Compliance with requirements

The Grantee will conduct, control, manage, and monitor the Project in compliance with all applicable ethical, legal, regulatory, and safety requirements, including applicable international, national, local, and institutional standards. The Grantee will obtain and maintain all necessary approvals, consents, and reviews before conducting the applicable activity.

Applicable law and venue

VF INTERNATIONAL SAGL and Grantee agree that this Agreement shall be construed, interpreted, governed, and applied in accordance with the laws of Switzerland. Any dispute under this Agreement must be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Commercial Court of the Canton of Zurich/Switzerland ("handelsgericht des Kantons Zurich/Schweiz").