# Personal Interest > Personal Interest means a financial gain or disadvantage related to a member or employee, or their immediate family, within an [organization] **Term:** Personal Interest **Last updated:** 2026-07-29 ## Definition ## What Personal Interest Means in a Contract Personal Interest refers to a situation where an individual connected to an organization, typically a member, director, or employee, stands to gain or lose financially because of a decision, contract, or transaction that the organization is considering. The financial dimension is central: the term is not about general opinions or preferences, but about money, property, equity, commissions, or other tangible advantages that could flow to the individual or to someone closely tied to them. Contracts and internal policies use this term to identify moments where an individual's judgment might be compromised because they, or their immediate family, have something to gain or lose. Once a Personal Interest is identified, the agreement typically requires that it be disclosed, and often that the interested person step back from voting, negotiating, or approving the matter in question. This concept sits at the heart of many