Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) has long been a top priority for Charities Review Council. However, from 2013-2016 we found that 86% of our nonprofit partners needed additional support in order to meet our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Accountability Standard®, and we knew we needed to do more.
So in 2017, we launched The Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Toolkit, an affordable, organization-focused, self-administered assessment tool for organizations who wish to build a more effective and reflective organization from the inside out. Since the launch, 40 organizations have taken the leap and gotten started with the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Toolkit. But in our efforts to build a new tool for others, internal DEI efforts took a backseat.
Perhaps you and your organization can relate? Despite good intentions and a desire to commit to internal goals around DEI, busy to-do lists and competing organizational priorities can leave limited time to focus on organizational growth.
So, with the launch of our new strategic plan in 2018, we were intentional about adding DEI priorities back to the top of the list. We made this work part of our annual plan, with a metric that we had to report on at each board meeting. We championed board and staff members to lead our efforts, and in late 2018, we finally got started with the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Toolkit.
In an effort to live out our values, we’re sharing our journey through the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Toolkit with all of you; The challenges, successes, opportunities, goals, and tough conversations. You’ll find our notes, ideas, recommendations, and process all on the Giving Matters Blog. Stay tuned for our next update, coming soon! Until then, learn more about the Diversity Equity & Inclusion Toolkit here.
