A donor questions your organization's inclusivity efforts. How will you address their discomfort?

Acknowledge their concern and share how inclusiveness is central to the organization's mission; in particular, emphasize that inclusivity helps serve all stakeholders and expands the reach of the organization to ensure maximum "good" for all.

Acknowledge their concern, explain that becoming more inclusive is a goal of the organization, and ask them if they would share ideas about how our organization can grow in this area.

Asking them to elaborate and share more about their concerns will help you effectively address their concerns. If through the course of the discussion, you find an area that could be improved, ask for their help in strengthening the organization. They may be willing to engage to help ensure future mission success!

It is important to thank them for bringing their concerns to the leadership. It shows that they care about their investment with our organization. Actively listen to what they have to say without becoming defensive. Then review with them our organization’s policies, initiatives, and plans in this area. Perhaps additional follow-up will be required with the donor if there was a specific issue or incident. In that case, let them know you will look into the issue and respond back to them by a specific day. Follow up with them to ensure their satisfaction and/or understanding as necessary. If organizational change is needed, then thank them again and invite them to be on a subcommittee if appropriate.

To address a donor's discomfort regarding your organization's inclusivity efforts, start by listening carefully to their concerns. Acknowledge their feelings and thank them for bringing the issue to your attention. Share specific actions and initiatives your organization has implemented to promote inclusivity, providing examples and data to illustrate progress. Emphasize your commitment to continuous improvement and transparency in these efforts. Invite the donor to engage further, offering opportunities for them to contribute ideas or participate in inclusivity initiatives. By demonstrating a sincere commitment to inclusivity and openness to feedback, you can build trust and reinforce your organization's values.

Along with education, I think transparency is key in building trust. Offer detailed information about the steps you've taken and are currently taking to enhance inclusivity. This could include training programs, partnerships with diverse organizations, or changes in recruitment practices. Transparency about your ongoing efforts shows your seriousness and accountability: "We have implemented several initiatives to promote inclusivity, such as mandatory DEI training for all staff and volunteers, forming partnerships with diverse community organizations, and revising our recruitment practices to attract a more diverse workforce. We continuously evaluate and refine these efforts to ensure they effectively address the needs of our community."

Sharing specific wins is key! Showcase stories where diverse backgrounds led to better solutions, or where inclusive practices expanded your reach. These real-life examples not only demonstrate the value of inclusivity, but emotionally connect donors to your cause. They become living proof that inclusivity isn't just an ideal, but a powerful tool that strengthens your impact.

Reaffirm your mission and explain how DEI has a crucial role in achieving it. Express gratitude for the donor sharing their thoughts and perspectives. Thank them for their continued support and emphasize the collective effort required to drive meaningful change. Invite the donor to play a part: "We are dedicated to advancing our mission of [organization's mission], and our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is unwavering. We are grateful for your support and partnership as we work together to create a more inclusive and equitable future."

Tough talk here, but if anyone questions your inclusivity as an org, if you don't know immediately where you sit on the spectrum from "what's inclusivity?" to "we're 100%" you've got a problem. Just as important, if your answer does not include evidence from voices outside your ogranisation and voices from minoritised groups, then you've another problem. You don't know how inclusive your organisation is. You should probably listen to your donor and see what they suggest and then go looking elsewhere to learn more. Curiosity is key!

When a donor questions your organization's inclusivity efforts, address their concerns with transparency and openness. Start by actively listening to their specific concerns and acknowledging their feelings. Provide detailed information about your inclusivity initiatives, including the goals, actions taken, and measurable outcomes. Highlight any success stories and improvements made over time. Invite the donor to engage in a constructive dialogue, offering them the opportunity to provide feedback and suggestions. Demonstrating a commitment to inclusivity and a willingness to continuously improve can help reassure the donor and strengthen their trust in your organization's mission.