making ourselves better
Over the last year and a half there’s been a spotlight on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), with nonprofits, schools, and corporations alike honing in on how to express their stance on the matter. An increasing number of funders have released their own DEI statements, declaring DEI as fundamental to their office culture, how they interact with customers, and to their stewardship within communities. Many have added questions to their application process to gauge whether applicants are aligned with their DEI values. In some cases, funders will request a copy of a nonprofit’s DEI statement.
Diversity, equity, and inclusion may mistakenly be used interchangeably, however, they are not the same. Diversity is the presence of differences (race, gender, school of thought, politics, etc.) within a given setting. Equity is the manner of ensuring that processes and systems are impartial, fair and provide equal possible outcomes for every individual. Inclusion is the practice of ensuring that people feel a sense of belonging in a given setting.
These DEI statements are not to be confused with a company’s anti-discrimination policy. An anti-discrimination policy addresses hiring practices and commits to not using race, gender, age, religion, or sexual orientation, as well as other categories, as basis for hiring and firing. Anti-discrimination policy can certainly be used to support a company’s overall DEI position, but it does not take place of a DEI statement. A DEI statement conveys how a company addresses diversity, equity, and inclusion in the totality of its work, from hiring to governance to how it treats its beneficiaries or customers.
Moving forward, Nonprofit Navigators recommends that its clients spend significant time in 2022 discussing its view on DEI issues and be open to critiquing its processes to ensure its actions match company values. While nonprofits are filled with well-intentioned people, racism and inequity may persist because systems, policies, and practices continue to be racially inequitable. Racism is not just individual or interpersonal; it is also institutional and structural. An equity audit, the study of the fairness of an institution’s policies, programs, and practices, may be conducted in-house or by a third party. If your organization needs assistance in crafting a DEI statement or has interest in an equity audit, please contact your navigator.
Resources
Free webinars
Psychological Safety and Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion: How Embracing Discomfort Leads to Growth, December 9 @ 11:00 am – 12:00 pm ET, Free, https://www.social-current.org/event/psychological-safety-and-equity-diversity-and-inclusion-how-embracing-discomfort-leads-to-growth/?utm_source=JVA+411&utm_campaign=e543c8579b-411_April_25_2017_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_41e6e6c091-e543c8579b-308054501#block_617a33a0b38e6-what-you-ll-take-away
Uncovering the Traps of Implicit Bias, December 7 @ 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm ET, Free, https://www.social-current.org/event/uncovering-the-traps-of-implicit-bias/?utm_source=JVA+411&utm_campaign=e543c8579b-411_April_25_2017_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_41e6e6c091-e543c8579b-308054501
The following free webinars are available for download through Nonprofit Learning Lab (https://www.nonprofitlearninglab.org/download-webinars):
Diversity is not a Quota | Alpha Beta Creatives
Website Accessibility for Nonprofits: Your Legal Requirements & How To Develop A Culture of Accessibility
IN*clude Us: Designing LGBTQ+ Inclusive Forms
Bursting the Board Bubble Diversifying Your Board of Directors
Social Media for All of Us: Making Content Inclusive and Accessible
Equity vs. Equality
Diversity in Recruiting for Your (Paid) Internship Program
How to Promote Inclusion While Working at Home
Articles
Society for Human Resources Management | Try These Strategies to Reduce Implicit Bias in Your Workplace https://www.shrm.org/ResourcesAndTools/hr-topics/behavioral-competencies/global-and-cultural-effectiveness/Pages/Try-These-Strategies-to-Reduce-Implicit-Bias-in-Your-Workplace.aspx
The Denver Foundation | Recruiting Board Members of Color http://www.nonprofitinclusiveness.org/recruiting-board-members-color
Website
Bloomerang: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the Nonprofit Sector – Essential Resources for Nonprofit Professionals, https://bloomerang.co/resources/dei/
Eloise Casdorph has more than a decade of government and social services experience and has worked with numerous nonprofits.