2019 Nonprofit Diversity Practices Survey – Take it Now!
Survey takers receive access to results before the general public!
Diversity has increasingly become a top priority for nonprofits. Diversity is a complex issue that impacts all areas of an organization. But, promoting diversity in your nonprofit proves beneficial in many aspects. Getting to the benefits of having a diverse workforce does not have to be grueling. In fact, there are many tools available to assist you in this endeavor. An objective of Nonprofit HR’s Diversity Practices Survey is to collect, document and publish unprecedented data which will assist you in strengthening your existing plan or creating a new one.
Diversity in the workplace is defined as intentionally recruiting, hiring and retaining employees who may have differing backgrounds, educations and experiences. Diversity is all encompassing. It is broad and includes, but is not limited to, race and ethnicity, physical appearance, gender, national origin, religious and political beliefs, education, age, mental and physical conditions, or sexual orientation.
From turnover to disgruntled stakeholders, nonprofits are realizing the impact on their mission if they do not have a diverse workforce. The impact of the lack of diversity is compounded when an organization’s staff and practices are not in alignment with the communities they represent. As a result, organizations have fallen under scrutiny by the public and their communities as the importance of diversity comes to the forefront.
A study by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) found that “increasing the diversity of leadership teams leads to more and better innovation and improved financial performance.” Improved performance has also been found to be a result of greater diversity. For social sector leaders, human resources, and talent management experts, cultivating a workplace that values diversity will capitalize on the unique talents of individual employees, encourage a culture that is focused on receptiveness and propel the organization forward.
Designing and implementing solutions to promote diversity of all kinds will also boost organizational sustainability. Employees will be encouraged to show up as their full selves when they know that they are in a workplace that rewards, embraces and celebrates their existence and background. Therefore, addressing the many facets of diversity is about defining what diversity means for your organization and approaching it as an organizational asset and key value. By generating inclusive, respectful and constructive dialogue around diversity across all functions of your nonprofit, it will be easier to identify and operate with it as a part of your overall organizational strategy. Here are a few preliminary questions to ponder:
- How will our nonprofit benefit from a formal diversity statement and plan?
- What diversity challenges do we face?
- What strategies have we put in place?
A comprehensive diversity strategy will ensure the maintenance of credibility and transparency, which will benefit your staff, your communities and the overall advancement of your organization’s mission. The data from survey, to be published fall 2019, will provide you with first-time benchmarking data and strategies from other nonprofits that can assist you and your leadership team as you address this crucial issue and consider its impact on your organization. You will be able to use this data to empower your organization to take action to promote diversity in areas of reporting, recruitment, training, and retention, and ultimately to advance the impact of your mission.