Neutrality: GDIN is a non-profit corporation with tax exempt status under US Federal Law. (501(c)(3).

GDIN is also politically neutral and is made up of experts and organizations from every sector in order to be sure that each sector can easily discuss issues and propose solutions to the others on an equal basis. In addition, though the model we have chosen encourages officials from each sector to take on management position in the secretariat and Executive, as well as in working groups and committees, (in order to take comparative advantage of their strengths) GDIN does not report to any organization. It is independent.  It does abide by the ethical rules of Interaction.org.

Legal Personality: To improve how GDIN hires, lets contracts, pays for research and eventually provides services and assistance to economically challenged disaster managers, GDIN2001 in Canberra, Australia charged the Executive Director and the Executive Committee with the responsibility of recommending a legal personality for the project by GDIN2002 in Rome, Italy.  This international mandate led to the incorporation of GDIN.

Fund: The GDIN Fund is also covered by US federal law as a charitable arm of GDIN and poised to support policies and programs set down by the membership.