What do you do if your fundraising team lacks diversity and inclusivity?

1 Assess Reality

Begin by conducting an honest assessment of your team's current state. This involves looking at the makeup of your team in terms of race, gender, age, and other aspects of diversity. It also means examining the team culture to see if it's truly inclusive, where all members feel respected and able to contribute. Acknowledge any unconscious biases that may exist and understand how they could be influencing team dynamics. This step is about gathering information and getting a clear picture of where your team stands.

2 Set Goals

Once you've assessed your team's diversity and inclusivity, set clear and achievable goals for improvement. These goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). For example, you might aim to recruit team members from underrepresented groups or to implement training sessions that focus on inclusivity. Goals give your team a target to aim for and help to focus your efforts on making meaningful changes.

3 Engage Team

Your next move is to engage your team in open discussions about diversity and inclusivity. This can be done through regular meetings, workshops, or informal conversations. The key is to create a safe space where everyone can express their thoughts and experiences without fear of judgment or retribution. Encourage team members to share their ideas on how to make the team more welcoming and representative of the community you serve.

4 Implement Training

Providing training for your team is a vital step towards enhancing diversity and inclusivity. This could include workshops on cultural competency, unconscious bias, and communication skills. Training helps to raise awareness among your team members and equips them with the tools they need to create an inclusive environment. It's important that this training is ongoing and not just a one-time event to ensure lasting change.

5 Monitor Progress

As you implement changes, it's important to monitor progress towards your diversity and inclusivity goals. This could involve regular check-ins with team members, surveys to gauge the team's sentiments, or reviews of recruitment and retention rates among diverse groups. Monitoring progress helps you understand what's working and what isn't, allowing you to adjust your strategies as needed.

6 Celebrate Wins

Finally, make sure to celebrate the wins, no matter how small. Recognizing progress in diversity and inclusivity not only boosts morale but also reinforces the importance of these values within your team. Celebrations can be simple acknowledgments in meetings or more formal events. They serve as reminders of the positive impact that diversity and inclusivity have on your team's effectiveness and the broader community.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?