Bringing people with different backgrounds and outlooks into a group boosts creativity, innovation, and effective decision making, research shows. Yet although more and more grant makers are focusing on supporting efforts to advance equity, most foundations lack racial and ethnic variety on their staffs and boards.
People of color account for only 15 percent of foundation trustees and just 5 percent of board chairs, according to a survey of 111 grant makers conducted by BoardSource. Four out of 10 foundations have all-white boards.
Increasing diversity within an organization requires commitment from leaders and an intentional approach to recruitment — plus time for these efforts to deliver results.
Take the Annie E. Casey Foundation, which expanded the share of people of color on its staff from 42 percent to 57 percent over six years. The foundation has taken deliberate steps to ensure that its hiring process fosters diversity, says Kimberly Brown, vice president for human resources. For example, Casey publishes job openings on websites appealing to diverse candidates. One of the organization’s main sources for attracting applicants is the Council on Foundations website. Casey often pays for an upgrade that ensures its posts will be shared with people of color, women, people with disabilities, and other groups.
Here are Chronicle resources that will help your foundation assemble a diverse team, create an inclusive work environment, and advance equity in your community.
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Trends
Grant Makers Inch Toward Equity
Foundations are taking steps to make sure their giving benefits people of color. -
Advice
3 Ways Foundation Heads Can Lead on Racial Equity
Support projects that alleviate economic and social inequality by addressing their root causes, educate staff members, and change organization culture. -
Opinion
6 Steps Foundations Can Take to Advance Racial Equity (Opinion)
The world of philanthropy has shown renewed interest in curbing racism and hate, and several grant makers have teamed up to urge more collective action. -
Tool Kit
How to Build a Diverse Nonprofit Staff
A collection of Chronicle resources to help your nonprofit take concrete steps to hire people from a variety of backgrounds and create a culture that welcomes diverse perspectives. -
Advice
Becoming Diverse: One Foundation’s Evolution
Six years ago, the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s staff was 58 percent white. Today, that figure is 43 percent. A focus on retention of minority employees is among the reasons for its success. -
News
Foundations Show Little Interest in Making Their Boards More Diverse, Report Says
Whites fill all the trustee positions at four out of 10 foundations, according to a survey by BoardSource. -
News
Baltimore Foundation Turns to Local Consultants to Reach the People It Serves
The Annie E. Casey Foundation has gathered a group of eight young black men and women to produce a report on youth unemployment in the city. -
Advice
How Foundations Can Ensure Diversity Efforts Include People With Disabilities
10 questions a nonprofit can ask to assess whether its policies and practices promote inclusion. -
Tool Kit
How to Diversify Your Nonprofit’s Board
Advice to help you recruit trustees with varied backgrounds and experiences to ensure an inclusive approach to governance. -
Advice
A Fellowship Program Creates Paths to Boosting Diversity at Foundations
By introducing professionals of color to work in the field, a regional network of grant makers aims to make philanthropy more inclusive and effective. -
Advice
A Tool One Foundation Uses to Ensure Diversity
Developing guidelines about diversity can help your nonprofit maintain those policies even as staff and board members change.