Inside Out: Doing Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Work Internally
Equity Worksheet
“Inside Out: Doing Race, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Work Internally”
Forum of Regional Associations of Grantmakers 2017 Annual Conference
Leadership
Although the equity efforts of many philanthropy-serving organizations’ (PSOs) “bubble up” from staff or members, success requires that key leaders embrace an equity focus. How interested is your leadership in pursuing equity within your organization?
- Who needs to be on board to make equity work a priority?
- List 3 things you can do to introduce or engage your CEO, key staff or board members in equity discussions and planning
Definition
“Equity” comes with many nuances, depending on who’s saying and hearing it. Providing a clear definition of what your organization means by “equity” helps everyone understand the direction in which you’re moving and what you hope to accomplish.
- Do we have a working definition of “equity” for our organization? (If so, what is it?)
- If yes, how are we using it consistently and where are we missing opportunities?
- If no, how might we begin to create a definition?
Target Areas
Philanthropy-serving organizations are typically more equitable in some areas of their operations than in others. For example, many PSOs have at least broached the subject of equity in educational programming, but not in areas like finance, investments, human resources, purchasing, etc.
- List areas where you are making at least some progress
- List areas where you are falling short
Strengths
Even if your PSO has little experience with equity, you likely have strengths or assets to call upon to get the work started. For example, you may have at least started conversations, have easy access to disaggregated data, have foundation members who are making advances in operationalizing equity, or have a staff that can bring diverse perspectives into play.
- List 3-5 strengths your organization possesses.
- How might you begin to leverage them?
Barriers
Barriers to achieving equity are many and can be intertwined. For example, employees at an organization with entrenched traditions may find it difficult to shift to an equity frame. PSOs with key philanthropic partners may find those relationships to be resistant to new approaches.
- List 3-5 barriers you’re definitely facing, or areas where you may be challenged.
- How might you begin to overcome these barriers?
Getting Started
Equity is a long journey, so the sooner you start, the more ground you’ll cover. What are things you can begin to do now (e.g. use disaggregated data, begin conversations with leaders/peers, explore hiring practices, determine how we define equity)?
- 3 steps to implement tomorrow
- 3 steps to implement down the road
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