MJFF Communications Policy

Overview: The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF) is pleased to support the communications efforts of its grantees and affiliates. Given the volume of requests that MJFF receives and the need to ensure the brand integrity of MJFF, MJFF has set out the following communications guidelines. Please note that this guidelines are subject to change and this page will be updated directly to reflect and changes in guidance. Please reach out to your current or previous Grants Manager or press@michaeljfox.org should you have any questions.

Summary of Policy

All uses of the MJFF name, logo or brand, or that of Michael J. Fox, must be reviewed by MJFF's communications team. To have your item reviewed, email your item to press@michaeljfox.org with your Grants Manager in CC. Please allow the communications team up to ten business days for review. Failure of MJFF to approve an item within this review period will be deemed as non-approval. Please wait for MJFF's approval confirmation prior to any use, even if a grant is already closed.

The only exception to this are brief references to MJFF as a funder, such as in a paper or poster. However, these references must follow the guidelines set out below.

Please note: While drafting of communications items can begin as soon as a grantee has received word that they will be funded, any press or communications around a grant can only be issued once the grant contract is fully negotiated and signed (the project will be in "Open" status in the grant portal).

MJFF Press Release Drafting Guidelines and Template

When drafting press releases or other communications that reference The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research (MJFF), please follow these guidelines to ensure accuracy and alignment with MJFF’s brand. Grantees may also use the provided press release template if useful.

definition of brand and logo use

MJFF Brand Definition: MJFF's brand is defined as MJFF's name, logo, marks, trade dress, image, and likeness of Michael J. Fox, its founder.

Examples of materials that must be reviewed: Any use of MJFF's brand on written or visual materials such as press releases, blog posts, websites, social media posts, recruitment materials, must be reviewed and approved by the MJFF communications team.

The only exception to this is a brief mention of MJFF's name when referencing MJFF as a funder or thanking for financial support. Please see more details about this exception below.

Logo Use: Should you wish to use a copy of MJFF's logo on any materials or your website, please reach out to press@michaeljfox.org with your Grants Manager in CC and explain why you require a copy of MJFF's logo. MJFF's communications team can provide you with a high resolution version of this logo. Please note that the logo use must be approved and MJFF's logo may not be manipulated in any way (the logo may be resized, but height and width ratios must be maintained).

Use of mjff name that does not require review

The only use of MJFF's name that does not require a full communications review are brief mentions of MJFF as a funder. For example a brief mention of MJFF on a scientific poster or in a clinical protocol does not need to be reviewed as long as the reference meets the following guidelines. Please note that MJFF does like to be informed of use of it's name. It is recommended that a final version of the item is sent to your MJFF Grants Manager and press@michaeljfox.org for MJFF's reference.

Please use the guidelines below when referring to MJFF as a project funder:

• Spell out the full name of the foundation "The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research"
• For example, "The Michael J. Fox Foundation" is not sufficient
• Reference the ID (or IDs) of the grant being referenced or acknowledged
• The grant ID is a six figure ID associated with the grant such as MJFF-XXXXXX or ASAP-XXXXXX
• MJFF is always referred to as the "funder" of a project NOT the "sponsor"
• Please note that when publications result from work funded under the Award, you are required to update MJFF, even if such publications occur after the expiration of the Award term.
• Acknowledgement example: We gratefully acknowledge the support of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research for their support of this study (MJFF-XXXXXX).

Communications and publications Policies as outlined in MJFF contracts

Communications Policy: "You agree to abide by the following policy regarding use of MJFF’s name, logo, marks, trade dress, image, and likeness of Michael J. Fox, its founder (collectively, the “MJFF Brand”). MJFF prohibits any use of the MJFF Brand in any publicity efforts, notices, releases, statements or publications without its prior written approval. Any use of the MJFF Brand including, without limitation, the name/image/likeness of Michael J. Fox shall be submitted in advance to MJFF for approval. Failure of MJFF to approve any proposed use of the MJFF Brand within five (5) business days of its receipt of any request for approval of a proposed use shall be deemed non-approval of the proposed use. You acknowledge that these terms are reasonable precautions to protect the MJFF Brand and its goodwill, both of which are extremely valuable assets of MJFF. Any goodwill resulting from an approved use of the MJFF Brand by you shall inure solely and exclusively to MJFF."

Publications Policy: "Any publications resulting from this Award shall include acknowledgement of the funding provided by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research and shall reference the Grant ID of the Project. When
publications result from work funded under the Award, you are required to update MJFF, even if such
publications occur after the expiration of the Award term."

Common questions

Is MJFF able to issue a joint press release or a joint social media post? Is MJFF able to repost my social media post?

In order to be fair to all grantees, MJFF does not typically issue joint press releases or joint social media posts. MJFF also does not typically repost from other organizations. Please reach out to press@michaeljfox.org should you have any further questions about joint communications items.

Is MJFF able to provide a quote for my press release?

In most cases, yes. Please reach out to press@michaeljfox.org (CCing your project's Grants Manager and Scientific Lead) with a copy of your press release and where you would like the MJFF quote inserted. MJFF's communications team will review and provide a quote accordingly or confirm if a quote is not possible at this time.

I haven't heard from MJFF about my item and I need to have it ready to present shortly. What should I do?

Items are not considered approved unless written approval has been received. If you have not yet heard back on your item, it is not considered approved. Consider sending an urgent email or calling your Grants Manager, however, please note that the communications team requires up to ten business days to review most items as some items may require external donor review.

I am conducting an internal presentation, does my use of MJFF's name or logo need to be approved?

Yes, all use of MJFF's name and logo must be approved.

We just learned that we are being funded. When can we put out our press release?

While drafting of communications items can begin as soon as a grantee has received word that they will be funded, any press or communications around a grant can only be issued once the grant contract is fully negotiated and signed (the project will be in "Open" status in the grant portal). MJFF recommends coordinating with the communications team to have all communications items approved during the set-up/contracting of the grant. With this coordination, communications items can be swiftly released as soon as the contract is finalized.