Why is Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Important to Nonprofits?

Nonprofit leaders in New Hampshire want to figure out how to address diversity, equity, and inclusion as part of their mission-driven work.  When deciding to embark on the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion journey, making the case for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion within their organizations and with their boards is an important part of getting folks engaged.  At least three reasons are offered for getting on the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion trail.

Organizations that integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion perform better.

In every sector – private for-profit, public, and nonprofit – the evidence base is growing to demonstrate that paying attention to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion improves outcomes.  In 2015, McKinsey & Company research demonstrated that “companies in the top quartile for gender or racial and ethnic diversity are more likely to have financial returns above their national industry medians.”   

Achieving a nonprofit mission requires attention to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Nonprofit organizations aim to enhance society by addressing social challenges through mission-driven work.  By definition, most nonprofit organizations are committed to fostering a society that engages its citizens in purposeful ways that improve humankind and the world in which we live.   

New Hampshire’s Demographics are Changing

While New Hampshire is 82% White, a recent analysis  of 2020 Census data by University of New Hampshire demographer Kenneth M. Johnson, Ph.D., reveals that there was a 75% increase in the number of non-White residents as compared with a decade ago in New Hampshire.  

Resources for this page

University of New Hampshire, Carsey School of Public Policy:  Modest Population Gains, but Growing Diversity in New Hampshire with Children in the Vanguard, by Kenneth M. Johnson.  (August 30, 2021)  https://carsey.unh.edu/publication/modest-population-gains-but-growing-…

UNH Carsey Research Regional Issue Brief #66 (Summer 2021)  https://scholars.unh.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1439&context=carsey

New Hampshire Public Radio:  N.H. Census Updates:  Nearly 75% Jump in Non-White Residents in Last Decade, by Sarah Gibson, Sara Plourde.  (September 1, 2021) https://www.nhpr.org/nh-news/2021-08-12/census-nh-latest

University of New Hampshire, Carsey School of Public Policy:  New Census Data Reveal Modest Population Growth in New Hampshire Over the Past Decade, by Kenneth M. Johnson.  (August 12, 2021) https://carsey.unh.edu/publication/new-census-data-reveal-modest-popula…

UNH Carsey Research National Fact Sheet #41:  New Census Data Reveal Modest Population Growth in New Hampshire Over the Past Decade, by Kenneth M. Johnson. (Summer 2021)  Access downloadable Fact Sheet here: https://scholars.unh.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1438&context=carsey

United States Census Bureau.  New Hampshire:  2020 Census (August 25, 2021)  https://www.census.gov/library/stories/state-by-state/new-hampshire-pop…

New Hampshire Office of Strategic Initiatives.  2020 Census.  https://www.nh.gov/osi/data-center/2020-census/index.htm