Our Enduring Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Philanthropy has a profound responsibility to champion the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in all facets of American life, from culture and political ideology, to race, ethnicity and sexual identity, to geography and worldviews. At the Council on Foundations, we provide foundations with essential tools and guidance to integrate DEI practices, policies, and procedures into both their philanthropic work and internal operations.
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Meet Yoo-Jin Kang, Our Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Programs
Read an interview with Yoo-Jin about her work and how the Council is committed to supporting foundations' DEI journeys.
Our Theory of Change
At the Council, we’re focused on supporting organizations and individuals that are just starting or are on the earlier stages of their DEI journey. We believe that if we engage organizations and individuals in the early stages of integrating diversity, equity and inclusion in their work, and we share resources and foster relationships that help them make progress, then we can empower more philanthropic organizations to confidently contribute to a more equitable and inclusive society. For the charitable sector at large, we believe that having diverse voices at the table enables better decisions, greater adaptability, and lasting progress on challenges we face.
DEI Services and Offerings
We are committed to supporting our members toward greater diversity, equity, and inclusion with a range of offerings:
- DEI Peer Learning Circles: A monthly, peer-led space for members across all foundation types who are in the process of implementing DEI within their work, co-led and facilitated by foundation leaders in the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion field and Yoo-Jin Kang, our Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs.
- DEI Discovery Sessions: Personalized support for all your DEI questions. Members can submit inquiries through our consultation form to connect via email or virtual meeting with our Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Programs. This benefit is free for members.
- DEI Roundtables: A seasonal DEI Roundtable Series, tailored specifically for professionals implementing DEI work in the philanthropic sector.
- Discussion Guide: Use this document to help initiate conversations about how your foundation's mission and values connect to integrating DEI policies and practices.
- Resource Library: Access a comprehensive and growing library of resources, filtered by type and foundation, to find the tools you need.
Our Internal Commitment
Embracing DEI is fundamental to our mission at the Council. Our board and staff are actively engaged in ensuring that our policies, practices, and procedures foster an inclusive and welcoming environment where all staff can thrive.
