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

The Face of America is Changing

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

The Face of America is Changing

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

The Face of America is Changing

Same-Sex Couples live in 93%

of the counties in the U.S.

-“Census Snapshot 2010.” The Williams Institute, 2011

The Face of America is Changing

In California, Latinos will

outnumber White people

by the end of 2013.-LA Times, February 1, 2013

The Face of America is Changing

57% of College Graduates are

Women.U.S. Census Bureau, 2012

Percent of Population African American

Population by County

Percent of Population American Indian

& Alaska Native

Population by County

Percent Population Hispanic or Latino

Population by County

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

Nonprofit Sector Workforce

Nonprofits value Diversity

• A survey commissioned 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 inclusive work 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

Policies & Practices

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