Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Our Enduring Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Philanthropy has a profound responsibility to champion the values of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). At the Council on Foundations, our commitment to DEI is integral to our mission. We provide foundations with essential tools and guidance to integrate DEI practices, policies, and procedures into both their philanthropic work and internal operations.  

We support our members to deepen their understanding, enhance their equity practices, and access the resources needed to make their organizations and the field more diverse, equitable, and inclusive.

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Our Theory of Change 

At the Council, we’re focused on supporting organizations and individuals that are just starting 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.  

Our Goals

Aligned with our 2021-2025 Strategic Direction, we aim for historically underrepresented individuals to occupy leadership positions within philanthropic organizations. We seek to ensure that boards and staff reflect the diversity of the populations they support and to eliminate disparities in pay and tenure by race or gender. We are committed to having all Council members embrace DEI practices as essential to their missions. Through strategic partnerships with organizations focused on advancing DEI, we support our members in making meaningful progress on their DEI journey. 

For more details on our strategic direction, see our 2021-2025 Strategic Direction. 

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, led by Celia Yapita, Community Leadership & Learning Director of Albuquerque Community Foundation 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. 

Related Programs and Resources

In addition to our core DEI services, we offer several programs and tools designed to support philanthropic professionals at various stages of their careers, each with a strong focus on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion: 

• Grantmaker Salary and Benefits (GSB) Report: This report provides the most comprehensive data on the composition of philanthropic staff in the United States. It emphasizes transparency in compensation and highlights diversity gaps, helping organizations identify and address inequities within their workforce. 
• Career Pathways: Established in 2010, this leadership development program is dedicated to cultivating bold, representative, and inclusive decision-makers. It equips participants with skills, executive coaching, and case studies or capstones that address barriers to equity. Nearly 90% of Career Pathways graduates now hold senior-level executive positions within foundations, reflecting a commitment to advancing diverse leadership in the sector. 
• Values-Aligned Philanthropy: In response to growing concerns about funding sources, this initiative focuses on ensuring that charitable dollars are not used to support hate, extremism, or violence. Our white paper, "Values-Aligned Philanthropy: Foundations Resisting Hate and Extremism," along with our resource hub, provides guidance for establishing grantmaking policies aligned with core values of equity and justice. 
• Building Common Ground: This core pillar of our work aims to foster a philanthropic environment where organizations can unite across differences, actively listen, and collaborate to advance societal progress. Key initiatives include the Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort, a landscape scan of funders committed to building common ground, and sector-wide convenings such as Building Together. These efforts are rooted in the belief that diverse perspectives and inclusive practices are essential for meaningful social change. 

Our Internal Commitment

Embracing DEI is fundamental to our mission at the Council. Our board and staff are actively engaged and guided by an employee-led Race, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (REDI) committee. This committee ensures our policies, practices, and procedures foster an inclusive and welcoming environment where all staff can thrive. Learn more about working at the Council here.