One of the Community Foundation’s key tenets of its We Do Three Things initiative is to connect resources to nonprofits through grantmaking and education. For over 100 years, the Community Foundation has been committed to supporting the welfare of those most in need, including the poor, underemployed, and marginalized. Through our grantmaking, we address community needs such as access to essential healthcare, education, housing, safety, and other critical services. The social service organizations we fund are on the front lines, addressing these challenges while tailoring services to meet the community’s needs. By considering cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and values, these organizations make their services more accessible, effective, and welcoming for all.
While some organizations nationally are stepping back from their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) commitments, the Community Foundation remains steadfast. We recognize that staying the course is vital to our organization’s effectiveness and the well-being of the community we serve. DEI is woven into the fabric of our Let’s Rise! Vision Plan and is a sustaining part of our organizational culture. It guides how we do business, from board governance and committee representation to staff engagement.
While the words Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion might mean different things to different people, to the Community Foundation, they represent bringing together diverse perspectives and viewpoints to enable effective decision-making that best serves our community’s needs. For us, DEI extends beyond gender and race to include attributes like educational background, sexual orientation, lived experiences, physical and mental abilities, religious beliefs, political values, and military or veteran status—each contributing valuable perspectives to our organization. Guided by our core value of Equity, we strive to honor the unique needs of each individual and organization, ensuring equitable access to resources and opportunities.
Since late 2022, with the support of our HR Committee, we have partnered with Ellequate, a leading employer certification and cohort-based leadership program, to cultivate an inclusive and equitable work environment. Recognizing the importance of practicing what we preach, we began by examining our own processes. Over the past two years, the HR Committee has facilitated a rigorous, in-depth review of our workplace systems and employee experiences, ensuring we are as strong internally as we are in serving our community. In December, we were proud to be recertified by Ellequate as a Silver Level Leader in Workplace Equity.
As we enter 2025, we are excited to continue fostering staff engagement, building trust and understanding, and growing as an organization dedicated to serving a community where all people can thrive.