At Nonprofit Network, diversity, equity, inclusion, belonging, and accessibility are part of building organizational strength. These working definitions provide shared language to help us examine decisions, strengthen relationships, and turn our values into practice. They will evolve as we learn alongside the organizations and communities we serve.
Diversity — The differences people bring.
Diversity is the range of identities, backgrounds, experiences, abilities, and perspectives within and across communities. It includes race, ethnicity, age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, religion, language, economic circumstances, and other dimensions that shape people’s lives. Strengthening diversity means examining whose experiences are represented—and whose are missing—among staff, boards, partners, and people served.
Equity — Fairness built into how organizations work.
Equity means identifying and changing conditions that create unfair differences in access, opportunity, influence, and outcomes. It recognizes that historical and present-day discrimination, including racism and ableism, shape the resources and choices available to people. Equitable organizations examine how they distribute resources, make decisions, and provide support, then adjust their practices to address those barriers.
Inclusion — Meaningful participation and influence.
Inclusion is the intentional practice of ensuring people can contribute to and shape the work that affects them. It requires organizations to examine whose input is sought, how decisions are made, and whether people’s contributions influence what happens next. Inclusive practice creates multiple ways to participate and treats lived experience as valuable knowledge.
Belonging — Being accepted, connected, and valued.
Belonging is the experience of knowing you have a place in an organization and that your presence and contributions matter. People can express their identities, raise concerns, and offer different perspectives while being treated with dignity. Organizations support belonging through trustworthy relationships, shared responsibility, and consistent responses when exclusion or harm occurs.
Accessibility — Designing for people to participate.
Accessibility means designing spaces, information, technology, programs, and services so people with disabilities can use them and participate meaningfully. It includes anticipating access needs, removing barriers, and providing accommodations. We also address participation barriers related to language, cost, transportation, scheduling, and technology. Access is an ongoing responsibility shaped by the people who encounter those barriers.
Our commitment in practice
We use these definitions to guide questions about our governance, management, programs, and partnerships: Who is represented? Who has influence? What barriers exist? How are resources shared? What needs to change? Progress requires listening, action, and accountability for the effects of our decisions.