FAQs
- How do I explain the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion to my staff or coworkers?
- What is the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Toolkit?
- Why did Charities Review Council create the Toolkit?
- What’s the difference between the Accountability Wizard® and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Toolkit?
- How does the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Toolkit work?
- How many people should take the survey?
- What if my Board isn’t on board to take the assessment?
- I’ve taken the assessment, now what?
- Do you have any other resources for building a more diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment?
- How much does it cost?
How do I explain the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion to my staff or coworkers?
An organization that represents its community has better outcomes and more proven impact. Nonprofits are stewards of our collective resources. A majority of support for nonprofits comes directly or indirectly from the public. Therefore, being representative and inclusive of the population identified by a nonprofit’s mission and goals is key to maintaining public trust, supporting organizational sustainability, and fostering effectiveness. A diverse, equitable, and inclusive nonprofit strives to serve its community by incorporating the diversity of those impacted by their work in solutions; it also tracks gaps, progress, and successes of inclusion efforts. Nonprofits are stronger when they include a variety of experiences, perspectives, and skills, and utilize practices that nurture creativity and equity.
Learn more about Charities Review Council’s Accountability Standards®.
What is the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Toolkit?
The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Toolkit is an affordable, organization-focused, self-administered assessment for organizations who wish to build a more effective and reflective organization from the inside out. Powered by your organization, this toolkit does not require the use of a consultant to implement.
Why did Charities Review Council create the Toolkit?
From 2013 to 2016, Charities Review Council found that more than 86% of nonprofit organizations served by the Council needed assistance to meet the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Standard, which is included in our set of 25 Accountability Standards®. Organizations shared a need for resources that were affordable and focused on organizational development (versus individual training). The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Toolkit was designed to meet nonprofits’ needs and provide resources for completing this work.
What’s the difference between the Accountability Wizard® and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Toolkit?
Both, the Accountability Wizard® and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Toolkit, are online capacity-building tools for organizations. Whereas the Accountability Wizard® is designed specifically for nonprofit organizations, the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Toolkit can be used across sectors, for organizations of all shapes and sizes.
The Accountability Wizard® reviews and strengthens key aspects of nonprofit operations including fundraising, financial activity, public disclosure, and governance. Whereas, the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Toolkit is related specifically to (you guessed it) strengthening diversity, equity and inclusion practices within your organization.
During the Accountability Wizard® review process, you’re asked to answer questions and upload documents for the Council to review. The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Toolkit is structured more like a super-powered survey, where your key stakeholders log in and answer a few questions based on their personal experience with the organization. This process is led in large part by an internal Project Champion, who is assigned by you.
How does the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Toolkit work?
Once you’ve paid the license fee, you’ll gain access to your very own dashboard, branded specifically for you and your organization. We do a lot of the heavy-lifting online, but before you dive in you’ll want to assign a Project Champion to help facilitate the in-person stuff.
Sending the survey is super easy. Simply enter the stakeholder email addresses, and hit send! Rest assured, information is fully protected using HIPAA compliant encryption from survey start to finish.
Once you’ve received more than 12 completed surveys, the Toolkit will generate a customized report of results tailored to your organization. Review, reflect, and discuss the organization’s results, setting action-oriented goals that focus on people, process, and power (you’ll learn more about this in the Toolkit!).
How many people should take the survey?
For privacy reasons, the Toolkit maintains a minimum response requirement before allowing access to the results of the assessment. At least 12 responses must be received before any results are accessible. In order to further protect individuals within certain roles (e.g., staff), at least 6 responses must be received from respondents in that role before their results are divided out and shown separately.
What if my Board isn’t on board to take the assessment?
As the primary stewards of your organization’s mission, strategy, and financial health, your board should be focused on delivering mission impact and healthy finances. Knowing how your organization reflects your community is part of that. However, if your organization isn’t open to taking a critical look at its governance, maybe this isn’t the place for you to start. Consider hosting Equity in Governance as a learning topic for your next board meeting. Bring this for required reading.
I’ve taken the assessment, now what?
Set your three main goals using our Project Champion Dashboard, work those goals, and then take the assessment again to track your progress. Stay tuned for more features to be added to the Toolkit in 2018 and beyond.
Do you have any other resources for building a more diverse, equitable and inclusive work environment?
This is a brand-new tool, and in 2018 Charities Review Council will be adding new features and resources to the Toolkit to help you steward the process internally. While the first phase is largely an assessment to help you address your current processes, you can find a large number of resources in the “Works Consulted” section of the Toolkit.
How much does it cost?
A one-year subscription to the toolkit is $500, with discounts available for longer subscription lengths. Pricing is subject to change in future releases.
My organization is ready to get started!
Download an overview of the DEI Toolkit (PDF)
Have feedback? Let us know!
Questions? Contact your Project Champion or toolkit@smartgivers.org.
