The Chesapeake Bay Trust’s (Trust) mission is to engage and empower diverse groups to take actions that enrich natural resources and local communities of the Chesapeake Bay region. Our position is that all residents benefit from healthy natural resources, and, in turn, all residents have the opportunity to benefit natural resources. To achieve our mission and fully perform as an organization, the Trust commits to fostering the inclusion of individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds. The Trust does not discriminate on the basis of age, gender, race, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religious beliefs, physical abilities, sexual orientation, military status, citizenship, or socioeconomic status in matters affecting employment or in providing access to any of its programs, services, or activities. The Trust complies with all state and federal laws, including Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
Retaliation and intimidation against any person who files a complaint or participates in an investigation is strictly prohibited. Any claims of intimidation or retaliation related to the complaint process will be handled promptly and fairly pursuant to the below procedure and in the same manner as other claims of discrimination.
The Trust will generally provide reasonable and accessible accommodations to those that need it, upon request. If you are in need of assistance in filling out any of our applications, reach out to the support team at least 48 hours before the application deadline. We can be reached by email at grantadmin@cbtrust.org or by phone at 410-974-2941, menu option two.
To view the Trust’s statement on Diversity & Inclusion visit cbtrust.org/diversity-inclusion.
To view this statement as a PDF document click here.
How to Submit a Discrimination Complaint
Individuals may submit a complaint of discrimination regarding Trust services, programs, and activities by completing and submitting complaints in writing by postal mail or electronic mail as follows:
Vice President of Finance and Administration
Non-Discrimination Coordinator
108 Severn Avenue
Annapolis, Maryland 21403
Email: NonDiscrimination@cbtrust.org
Phone: 410-974-2941 x108
For questions on how to file a complaint, please contact the Trust’s Non-Discrimination Coordinator.
Appropriate assistance shall be provided to individuals with disabilities and individuals with limited English proficiency, upon request. Also, complaints in alternative formats shall be accepted from individuals with disabilities. If assistance is needed to submit a complaint or appeal, please contact the Non-Discrimination Coordinator.
All discrimination complaints should be submitted no more than 90 days after the alleged discriminatory service, program, or activity took place.
Note: Submission of the discrimination complaint only initiates an investigation by the Trust of alleged discrimination by the organization.
The complaint should include the following:
- Your information including name, address, phone and email
- Complaint information including service/program/activity name, personnel involved and their position(s), if known, location, and date(s)
- Reason for the complaint including age, gender, race, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religious beliefs, physical abilities, sexual orientation, military status, citizenship, or socioeconomic status
- A detailed narrative of the complaint
- Affirmation that the information provided is true and complete to the best of your knowledge
- Signature and date
Investigation of Complaints
An investigation should include interviews of the complainant, any witnesses identified by the complainant, relevant staff of the subject of the investigation (the Trust or its contractor or awardee) and any witnesses identified by the subject of the investigation. An investigation should also include review of relevant documents, inspection of relevant premises and, if necessary, consultation with technical experts, including legal advisors.
Disposition of Complaints
Within 90 days of receiving a written complaint, the Trust will respond in writing to the complainant with the findings and recommendations, if any, made in the investigative report, based upon a preponderance of the evidence. The preponderance of the evidence standard requires that a party prove their claim is more likely true than not, meaning there is a greater than 50% chance that the claim is correct. The Trust will implement the recommendations as approved by the President with a resolution.
Appeal Process
If the complainant disagrees with the disposition, they may file a written appeal within 15 calendar days. The written appeal should be addressed to Trust’s Non-Discrimination Coordinator. A final decision will be issued within 90 calendar days of receiving the appeal.
Confidentiality
All information related to a complaint will be maintained as confidential to the extent possible, consistent with the need to conduct a fair and thorough investigation.
Recordkeeping
The Trust will maintain records of all complaints, investigations, and resolutions for a minimum of three (3) years and make such records available, as required, upon request. When any complaint or other action is brought before the three-year period ends, the Trust shall continue to keep the records beyond the three-year period until the complaint or action is resolved.
The Trust will also collect, maintain, and as required, upon request, provide the following:
- A brief description of any lawsuits pending against the recipient that allege discrimination prohibited by federal and state laws and statutes
- A log of discrimination complaints which identifies the complaint, the date it was filed, the date the recipient’s investigation was completed, the disposition, and the date of disposition, and the date of disposition
- Reports of any compliance reviews conducted by any federal agencies
