Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion – how do we make this front and centre in Philanthropy?
June 2022
Covid-19 and world events in 2020/21 have brought attention to the need for better outcomes around equality, diversity, and inclusion (ED&I) in the charity sector. In the world of philanthropy, we know that charities are looking at ways to make sure their major giving programmes are move inclusive. More and more charities are also looking at ways to incorporate EDI in their Due Diligence assessments alongside other factors. The latest research from the Covid-19 voluntary sector impact barometer, shows that 79% of charities have drawn up plans to address diversity and inclusion within their organisation.
Charities are starting to be bolder in approach, looking at historical biases and addressing this through difficult conversations to create impactful change. But how can a charity engage with more diverse donors, especially at high value gift level?
Working with Diverse Leaders
Change always starts with leadership. Many charities are looking at new ways to bring diversity into both their philanthropy teams and volunteer philanthropy leadership. They are looking to bring more professionals of colour on board, along with more women, younger philanthropists, people with disabilities and people in the LGBTQ+ community. This diversity can provide new voices and ideas as well as connections to the wider community. It may also help charities better reflect the diversity of beneficiaries.
Back in 2020, speakers at the CIOF Major Donor conference highlighted the need for major donor fundraisers to gain a better understanding of Black, Asian and Minority ethnic communities (BAME) to appeal to potential philanthropists within these communities. The recognition of this need continues to grow and one of the ways some organisations are starting to address this, is by working with BAME influencers with a connection to the charity sector, to boost donations.
Working with Diverse Influencers
If you read our last newsletter, you will have seen the role that social media can play in opening doors for new high net worth (HNW) supporters. Many organisations are combining this use of social media with their ambitions around EDI. For example, some have mapped out a route of working with influencers of colour. The focus is not on their wealth (they do not have to be HNW) but the key is that they are but are highly respected in their fields. They are the door openers that we are all seeking to identify. There are some great case studies where this is really making a difference. For example, British-born Nigerian TikTok star Naomi Eluwa. Eluwa gave the world time to think about serious issues during the Covid pandemic. She was named one of ‘TikTok voice of change in 2020’ and now uses her TikTok social media platform to create change by teaching and educating her audience and raising awareness for the BLM movement through short video content.
Young trustee and advocate Nikkita Chadha is also helping to boost donations for charities, by raising awareness around biases surrounding disability for women of colour for the transformative community, ‘Voices of Colour’. Chadha is also an advocate for the organisation ‘Cysters’, (a collective of individuals changing the narrative around Reproductive and Mental Wellbeing). Through her sharing her experiences around mental health and endometriosis as a British Indian woman, Chadha has been able to raise great awareness on how the pandemic impacted on peoples' mental health.
The 2022 Sunday Times Giving List
2022 also sees an Egyptian and two black philanthropists in the top 12 of the Sunday Times Giving List: Giving List, namely Mo Salah, Stormzy and Lewis Hamilton.
British rapper Stormzy is creating change around diversity in the philanthropy sector through his Merky foundation. The foundation has pledged £10 million over 10 years, to organisations, charities and movements that are committed to fighting for racial equality, justice reform and black empowerment in the UK. This is to help elevate, support, and amplify the voices of the black community.
Liverpool F.C footballer Mo Salah, uses his influential presence to help address inequality in his home country Egypt. Salah has been helping people experiencing poverty for many years providing the people of Nagrig with clean water and sanitation, funding a new girl’s school and a charity for orphans and the vulnerable. His philanthropic work further aided on multiple fronts to soften the blow of the pandemic for communities in Egypt. The Mohammad Salah Charity Foundation was able to donate oxygen cylinders and create an ambulance centre, to help locals during the pandemic.
Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton also helps to combat diversity within the charity sector through his foundation, ‘Mission 44’. In 2021 Hamilton pledged nearly $30 million to support diversity and inclusion in motorsports and empower underrepresented youth groups in Britain. Most recently in January 2022, his foundation partnered with British broadcaster and telecommunications company Sky, receiving a £1m donation to address disproportionate rate of school exclusions amongst black pupils. This is part of Sky’s commitment to tackle systemic racism and make a difference in communities impacted by racism.
Shifting Culture to Create Change
By embedding diversity and being open to change you will help bring a diverse range of donors to your philanthropy programme. Having a diverse and inclusive leadership board will help you on your path. Recognising the multitude of ways that people from diverse backgrounds can help influence and grow your philanthropic programmes is the key.
Get in Touch
Have you thought about how to incorporate EDI principles into your philanthropy programmes? Are you starting to look at diversifying you boards and shifting culture to create impactful change? If you would like help with exploring how your organisation can better your philanthropy in relation to ED&I, then please get in touch. Please email us at info@prospectingforgold.co.uk or give us a call on 01491 577311.
