Overview of External Relationships

Johns Hopkins Medicine values its relationships with donors, research sponsors, program sponsors, clinical trial sponsors, vendors, suppliers, consultants, and licensees, and encourages factual and appropriate sharing of information about these relationships.

Distinct guidelines apply to donor-related fundraising and development activities, which differentiate between factual acknowledgment (permitted) and promotional or endorsement-based use (restricted).

Approval Requirements and Oversight

Use of the Johns Hopkins Medicine name in third-party materials must be reviewed and approved in advance by JHM Brand Management or the Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine, based on defined criteria including purpose, audience, format, and alignment with institutional standards.

Permitted Use of Name and Acknowledgment

Donors may factually describe their philanthropic support to Johns Hopkins Medicine in connection with public communications, provided such descriptions are limited to acknowledgment and do not imply endorsement or commercial affiliation.

In most cases, donor acknowledgment should rely on text-based descriptors rather than logos or marks.

Text-based descriptors may be used to acknowledge collaborations, sponsorships, programs, or donations from third parties.

Restrictions on Logo and Brand Use

Donors may not use Johns Hopkins Medicine logos in connection with these statements unless explicitly approved under defined recognition guidelines.

Use of logos or marks is generally restricted unless explicitly approved, and must not create the appearance of endorsement, commercial promotion, or formal partnership.

Industry and Commercial Sponsorship Requirements

Commercial support from pharmaceutical, medical device, biomedical, and similar companies must be consistent with the JHM Policy on Interaction with Industry.

Reputational and Ethical Considerations

Donor recognition and fundraising activities must also consider reputational and mission alignment, and support from entities whose business activities may present significant brand or ethical risk may be subject to additional review.

Support from a company whose business may reflect negatively on Johns Hopkins should be avoided (e.g., the alcohol, tobacco or firearm industry).