While charities and nonprofits overwhelmingly express support for the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI), when it comes to concrete actions many are doing less than they can and should. This finding, from the landmark study Shifting power dynamics: Equity, diversity and inclusion in the nonprofit sector, is a clear wakeup call that charities and nonprofits have not sufficiently prioritized EDI. Led by the Equitable Recovery Collective, a group of organizations working to advance equity in the nonprofit sector, with support from Scotiabank, this new study examined the state of EDI practices in over 1,650 charities and nonprofits across Canada.
In the last three years, the COVID-19 pandemic, countless well-publicized incidents of racism, Islamophobia and other forms of discrimination, and the heartbreaking “discovery” of the unmarked graves of children at residential schools have starkly highlighted the systemic inequities in our society. Many charities and nonprofits responded with commitments to change through EDI strategies. However, the study shows that while most organizations are working to improve their practices, only a minority demonstrate a comprehensive and enduring focus on EDI.
“The fact that organizations led by Black, Indigenous and racialized people are taking the lead on advancing EDI in the sector while navigating the systemic discrimination they aim to dismantle may be surprising to many. But it’s not surprising to those of us belonging to equity-seeking groups. We have always been acutely aware of this reality,” said Kris Archie, CEO of The Circle on Philanthropy and member of the Equitable Recovery Collective. “But now that we have evidence to demonstrate it, we’re calling on nonprofit organizations, especially those that are settler-led, to commit to advancing EDI within our sector and in society more broadly. We’re also calling on funders to support nonprofits in a manner that’s equitable, and that will allow all organizations to focus on this important work.”
From staff recruitment and retention to how organizations use information about the people they serve, the study shows significant gaps in equity practices depending on organizational leadership, level of commitment to EDI, intentionality of action, and the resource and capacity challenges organizations face. However, it also shows clear evidence of ways to improve, including establishing equity working groups and learning from the practices of Black, Indigenous, and racialized leaders whose organizations are leading the way in concretely applying EDI principles.
“Systemic discrimination remains a major barrier to equity, and addressing it must form the foundation for any EDI advancement within the sector and beyond,” said amanuel melles, Executive Director of the Network for the Advancement of Black Communities (NABC) and a member of the Equitable Recovery Collective. “The sector needs to take stock of these findings, engage in conversations about the value of EDI, and learn how to implement concrete EDI practices in governance and management, programs and services, and collaborative efforts. This is why NABC advocated for the Equitable Recovery Collective to conduct this study. We believe this research can be a catalyst for a real movement towards greater equity and justice.”
Read the full report here.
