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Equity and Diversity in Fundraising
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It’s about strengthening your organization/institution. Ensuring its sustainability as wealth and philanthropy changes in the US. Does your organization/institution look like your community or alumni? If not, you should consider my unique services. I believe in “Full Diversity”. That is understanding your constituency/alumni vs three parts of your organization/institution.
Many speakers and consultants can tell you that your organization has a diversity problem. Many can tell you how to work on Staff or Board diversity. Very few will talk about your lack of diversity in your donors.
I work on all three levels.
I believe all three levels support and affect each other. I am unique also in that I am grounded in the use of Prospect Research. I identify the right people based on their ability to help your organization/institution. No tokens.
I tailor my work to your organization's needs. I can focus on some of these aspects or create a long-term project to work on all of them. Each project, of course, is different and generally requires an initial assessment.
I work at two levels:
Deliverables may vary by a client but here is a sample list of the most common:
Many organizations/institutions aren’t sure they need this type of work. I have created a simple set of self-assessment questions to help you and your leadership have a useful discussion. I have found that leadership that is able to safely and accurately self-assess their diversity can make powerful and lasting change.
I hope these questions helped advance your internal thinking and/or discussion. Let’s have a conversation if your interested to see if your organization/institution is ready for this type of work.
- Your Board
- Staff
- Donors (Including Major Donors)
Many speakers and consultants can tell you that your organization has a diversity problem. Many can tell you how to work on Staff or Board diversity. Very few will talk about your lack of diversity in your donors.
I work on all three levels.
I believe all three levels support and affect each other. I am unique also in that I am grounded in the use of Prospect Research. I identify the right people based on their ability to help your organization/institution. No tokens.
I tailor my work to your organization's needs. I can focus on some of these aspects or create a long-term project to work on all of them. Each project, of course, is different and generally requires an initial assessment.
I work at two levels:
- Produce a Comprehensive Study and Assessment with an action plan.
- Use the Comprehensive Study and Assessment to coach, consult and help enact this plan.
Deliverables may vary by a client but here is a sample list of the most common:
- Comprehensive Study and Assessment of Your Organization
- Board Recruitment Plan
- Staff Recruitment Plan
- Supporting Research for Recruitment Plans
- General Fundraising Diversity Assessment and Plan
- General Major Gifts Diversity Assessment and Plan
- Design of Diversity Fundraising Campaign- Annual/Mass
- Design of Diversity Fundraising Campaigns-Major Gifts
Many organizations/institutions aren’t sure they need this type of work. I have created a simple set of self-assessment questions to help you and your leadership have a useful discussion. I have found that leadership that is able to safely and accurately self-assess their diversity can make powerful and lasting change.
- Does your Board and Staff Leadership come close to matching the demographics of the community you serve or your alumni?
- Do we have a demographically diverse donor base?
- Are half your Board women? Are they Major Donors as well?
- Have there been intentional efforts to reach out to and recruit new diverse donors?
- Is your program, services that you provide well known in every community? Language?
- Are your materials, website, outreach, emails multilingual and culturally sensitive?
I hope these questions helped advance your internal thinking and/or discussion. Let’s have a conversation if your interested to see if your organization/institution is ready for this type of work.
