Championing Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion in your Nonprofit

Welcome to our first lessons on diversity, equity, and inclusion!

Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) are more than twenty-first century buzzwords. They are terms that signify a shift in how relationships can be transformed between people and groups to create environments (or “spaces”) that are encouraging and supportive of all people.

Diversity, which is “the condition of being comprised of differing elements,” is often used to describe the many identities represented in a group or organization. Equity acknowledges that the diverse people involved in a group have varying needs and obstacles to success. Inclusion is the action required to create space for the differing perspectives that exist in our groups.

In the bronze badge, we will explore in detail these three terms, why they matter, and how we can utilize them to create a sense of belonging for participants.

Let’s get started.

In this lesson, we'll jump in on an overview of what diversity, equity, and inclusion is as a concept.

Be sure to download the transcript to begin building your reference library, and also feel free to use the audio-only download below for on-the-go learning.

Now that you have some basics about DEI, let's take a look at why it matters to nonprofits just like yours.

Remember, you can download the transcript for this video below, and can also turn closed captions on and off for your convenience.

In this lesson, we'll look at the key skills related to diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Remember: skills can be learned, practiced, and developed over time, so if you feel that you have a little (or a lot of!) room for improvement, know that you're on the right track!

In this lesson, we'll bring together our learning on how to work effectively in this capacity, starting from a self-reflective point regarding our own biases. We'll answer the question "What does effective diversity-focused work look like?" and also consider how we measure some of the key indicators of DEI success.

Now that we know how our own biases may influence our inclusion efforts, let's take a look at how we can spot some of the most effective measures of DEI work.

Remember, you can download the transcript for this video below, and can also turn closed captions on and off for your convenience.

Many of us are interested in exploring how we can impact our communities through a diversity, equity and inclusion lens. We want to do more than just talk about a problem. How can we work to increase and expand diversity, while reducing inequity and exclusion?

Our silver badge will uncover a number of ways we can make meaning of the work we do in the realm of DE&I. We will begin with suggestions on how to activate your own efforts. Once we establish how to get started on your personal journey, we will explore tips on how to lead DEI-building efforts, suggestions for nonprofits on how to create belonging using DE&I, and tips for DE&I goal-setting for individuals and groups you work with and serve.

Let’s jump in.

*Remember that a transcript of all audio is available for download below on the lessons below, and you can always turn on closed-captions on the video settings above.

In this lesson, we'll jump get ready to do some action planning around DE&I efforts, and look closely at how you can make (or support) a really great plan for positive change in your own nonprofit.

Be sure to download the transcript to review your learning.

Now that we have a little bit of foundation in DE&I efforts, let's think about how we can apply this to your organization.

Remember, you can download the transcript for this video below, and can also turn closed captions on and off for your convenience.

In this lesson, we'll look at how to put DE&I leadership into practice with a look at how to build belonging in your nonprofit.

Be sure to download the transcript to review your learning.

Your work in the DEI space is not solely for building your own nonprofit’s capacity. It also will expand your own skill set and understanding of working with diverse groups.

Be sure to download the transcript to review your learning.

Goals can get us to new levels of functionality in many areas of our organization. We'll next consider how setting DE&I goals for yourself and your nonprofit can be successful both at the individual and team levels.

Remember, you can download the transcript for this video below, and can also turn closed captions on and off for your convenience.

Now that we have a clear understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion and the many ways you can use this topic to impact your organization, it is time to get motivated about the task ahead of building true belonging. While this topic is one that invokes much passion, passion alone cannot sustain meaningful change during the challenging times.

In order to be intentional and impactful, we can add intrinsic motivation to this passion.

To achieve positive impact, it’s healthy to recognize that total structural change does not have to be the goal. In addition, the purpose of diversity, equity and inclusion work is not to change the way that we and others think as much as it is to positively change how we and others behave. It is helpful to use the goal of behavioral change as a target outcome to keep up your motivation along this journey.

In the gold lessons that follow, we will offer some additional tips on how to get and stay motivated to do the work of DEI.

*Note that a transcript of all audio is available for download on the lessons to come, as well as an audio-only version of the lessons. You can always turn on closed-captions on the video player settings above.

In this lesson, we'll look at how motivation can be supported in building DEI efforts in your organization.

Be sure to download the transcript to not only review your learning but also to see the research references used in this lesson.

There are many ways to create positive energy around DEI work and encourage others to be change agents, but we’ll narrow it down to three that are easy and effective in this lesson.

Remember, you can download the transcript for this video below, and can also turn closed captions on and off for your convenience.

In this final teaching lesson on DEI, we're bringing together all our learning into a capstone video on how we can grow from everything we've covered thus far!

Be sure to download the transcript to not only review your learning but also to see the research references used in this lesson.