Business Case for Diversity in Nonprofit Sector (Rural)

Craig Wesley, MPA
Manager, Diversity & Community Outreach
National MS Society
National Rural Health Association’s
Multiracial & Multicultural Health Conference
December 4-5, 2013
San Antonio, TX

Outline
• Defining Diversity & Inclusion
• Face of America is Changing
• Quick Glance of the Nonprofit Sector
• Critical Components for D&I Strategy
• Strategies for Making Change

Society’s Definition of Diversity &
Inclusion
As we move forward in creating a more inclusive culture we feel it is important to first define diversity and inclusion.
These definitions will help us form a common understanding for both terms and help everyone associated with the
Society embrace them. We recognize that when we begin to implement future strategies around diversity and inclusion
we will talk about characteristics; use examples; and become much more specific in the actions we intend to take. At
this stage, however, we believe that clear and concise definitions are a critical element of the foundation that needs to
be created to ensure our future success.
Diversity is the fact of differences present within people. The Society is committed to actively seeking out, recognizing
and appreciating the myriad of characteristics that make individuals unique. We further believe that embracing diversity
must be intentional and includes a celebration of the various differences, backgrounds, beliefs, and dimensions present
within each person associated with the Society.
Inclusion is the culture in which everyone involved with the Society feels engaged and valued. Differences, diverse
identities and various perspectives are actively sought and the organization fully utilizes the benefits of this diversity to
support individual and Society-wide achievement.

The Face of America is Changing
“Nonwhites will constitute a Majority of
Children in the U.S. by 2015.”
“The Next America”-National Journal, March 31, 2011

Between 2000 and 2010 the population
of the American South grew by 14%. The
Latino population in the South grew by 57%.
“The Hispanic Population: 2010.” U.S. Census Bureau, 2011

One in Five Americans have a disability,
and most Americans will experience a disability
at some point in their lives.
“People with Disabilities: Living Healthy.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Same-Sex Couples live in 93%
of the counties in the U.S.
-“Census Snapshot 2010.” The Williams Institute, 2011

In California, Latinos will
outnumber White people
by the end of 2013.
-LA Times, February 1, 2013

57% of College Graduates are
Women.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2012

Percent of Population African American

Percent of Population American Indian
& Alaska Native

Percent Population Hispanic or Latino

Nonprofit Sector Industry
• The third largest workforce of U.S. Industry behind manufacturing and
retail trade. (10.7 million employees) -Urban Institute’s 2012 Almanac
• Has grown faster in terms of employment and wages than either the for-
profit or government sector –Urban Institute’s 2012 Almanac
• Demand for services will increase (Nonprofit Finance Fund, 2012)

Nonprofit Sector at a Glance
• An estimated 2.3 million nonprofit organizations operate in the US
• Contributed $804.8 billion to the US economy in 2010, 5.5% of the
country’s gross domestic product (GDP).
• Public charities reported $1.51 trillion in revenue, $1.45 trillion in
expenses, and $2.71 trillion in assets (2010).
• Private charitable giving totaled $298.42 billion (2011).
• 26.8% of adults in the US volunteered, contributing 15.2 billion hours,
worth an estimated $296.2 billion (2011).
Urban Institute-The Nonprofit Almanac 2012

Rural Nonprofits: Resource Gap
• “Rural nonprofits experience a chronic lack of resources, which stymies their ability to
adequately serve geographically dispersed populations with increasing needs.”
• Federal funding- rural areas receive less per capita for community resources, human resources, and
national functions
• Private Foundations- A 2006 analysis of grant making of the top 1,000 US foundations shows that
although rural America accounts for 17% of the nation’s population and 28% of those who live in
poverty, grants to rural America accounted for only 6.8% of overall annual giving by foundations.
• Corporate giving- A 2000 study of giving by 124 Fortune 500 corporations found that rural
organizations received only 1.4% of the 10,905 grants made.
-Newstead & Wu, The BridgeSpan Group, 2009

Nonprofits value Diversity
• A surveycommissioned by Commongood Careers and the Level
Playing Field Institute found:
 While nearly 90% of nonprofit employees believe their
organizations value diversity,
 Over 70% of employees surveyed believe their nonprofit employer
does not do enough to create a diverse and inclusivework
environment.

Nonprofits continue to struggle with
workforce diversity
• The greatest diversity and inclusion challenges:
 Retaining staff under the age of 30
 Having staff reflect the composition of the communities they
serve
 Balancing ethnic and cultural diversity
-National Nonprofit Employment Trends Survey (2013)- Nonprofit HR Solutions LLC

Critical Components for D&I Strategy
• CEO Commitment
• Communication
 Internal
 External
• Human Capital
 Staff
 Volunteers
• Alignment with Operational Practices
 Core Value
• Accountability
 Metrics
 Measures of Success
 Diversity Council

Strategies for Making Change
• Have open conversations about diversity and inclusion
• Communicate effectively about diversity commitments
• Develop partnerships and networks that facilitate effective recruiting
• Ensure hiring process is free from both real and perceived bias
• Embrace, develop, advance, and retain employees

Business Case for Diversity in Nonprofit Sector (Rural)

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

What's hot

What's hot (20)

Viewers also liked

Viewers also liked (13)

Similar to Business Case for Diversity in Nonprofit Sector (Rural)

Similar to Business Case for Diversity in Nonprofit Sector (Rural) (20)

Business Case for Diversity in Nonprofit Sector (Rural)