The Phases of a DEI Journey

Every organization may find itself on a different place in their DEI journey. We have designed this website to provide information based on three phases of the DEI journey.

DEI Foundations

Awareness & Knowledge-Building 

Are you finding common language and making a case for DEI within your organization?

The initial stage of the DEI journey is about building a foundation. Look for resources to:

  • Help establish common language
  • Affirm the importance of DEI for nonprofits
  • Develop a shared understanding of DEI issues 

DEI Capacity-Building

Capacity Building & Action

Are you ready for Capacity Building & Action?

In the next phase of the journey, you begin to really address DEI issues. Look for resources to help determine pathways for:

  • Internal changes
  • External changes
  • And other considerations nonprofits might want to consider along the DEI journey

DEI Sustaining

Celebrating & Giving Back 

Would you like to Celebrate & Give Back? 

While DEI is a continuous journey, there is a point where you have implemented your goals and are looking to maintain the capacity to manage DEI issues. At this stage you may also wish to reach out and  and assist others. Resources and tools to support this include:

  • Identifying issues that organizations will need to address over time
  • Integrating DEI across all facets of an organization’s internal structure
  • Considering the external impact of its actions
  • Ways for nonprofits to continue to grow, learn, and adapt
  • Opportunities for nonprofits to assist other organizations by sharing their experiences and lessons

DEI Resources

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Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Nonprofit Bylaws

One way to lock DEI in as a core value of an organization is to include DEI principles and language into an organization’s Bylaws. This article...

What Does It Take to Build a Culture of Belonging?

An essential part of DEI work is to create a culture where every employee, regardless of their background, feels they belong. This article from...

Why Are We Still Struggling with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Nonprofit Governance?

A panel of nonprofit scholars and professionals convened at the Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action (ARNOVA)...