The Diversity Initiative (DI) is one of two grant programs in Third Sector New England’s Mission Effectiveness Program. As it works to support the work of nonprofit organizations, TSNE is dedicated to promoting democratic principles and values. In this mission, TSNE joins others around the nation and globe in creating a just and sustainable future.

To accomplish this mission, nonprofit organizations must develop more inclusive methods of dialogue and organizing – and work across traditional boundaries such as race, class, gender, specialized interest and geography. Diversity, as a value, is central to organizational development and building organizational capacity. For years, the Diversity Initiative has urged its grantees to view their diversity work within this broad context.

Most Recent Grant Recipients

Eight organizations have received grants in 2007. They are:

Alternatives for Community & Environment (ACE)

ACE is a membership organization that promotes the belief that everyone has the right to a healthy environment and to be decision makers in issues affecting communities. ACE was founded in 1993 with a mission to build power in communities of color and lower-income communities in New England to eradicate environmental racism and classism and to achieve environmental justice.

The DI grant award will support implementation of an organizational assessment and the development of strategies to bridge the divides that challenge ACE as a multiracial, multiclass antiracist organization.

The Alliance – Advancing Community Development by Confronting Racism

The Alliance is a broad coalition of community development organizations established in 2003 to address the limited racial and ethnic diversity, particularly in leadership, of the community development field despite the increasing racial and ethnic diversity of the communities being served.

While the grant award from the Diversity Initiative will support the coordinator position for the Alliance, the organization will collaborate to establish training opportunities for those within the DI who wish to confront racism and its barriers within organizations.

The City School

The City School founded in 1986 provides civic education, leadership development as well as social justice learning and practice for teenagers through programs and community work. Youth are encouraged to assume leadership positions within the school and in other opportunities in their communities.

The grant award will provide for some staff support, youth stipends and an organizational assessment to build upon ongoing anti-racism efforts to reinforce the City School's inclusive environment.

Executive Service Corps of New England (ESCNE)

ESCNE provides technical assistance and capacity building services to area nonprofits implemented by a pool of 130 semi- or retired senior level executives from private industry, government and the nonprofit sectors.

The Diversity Initiative will collaborate with the Hyams Foundation to help ESCNE develop an organizational diversity plan with internal and external goals. Specifically, the DI grant will support implementation of an organizational assessment.

Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston

Fair Housing Center of Greater Boston’s mission is to eliminate housing discrimination and promote open communities. Established in 1998, the organization is committed to eliminating discrimination and creating a more open environment within its day-to-day operations. Allocation of the DI grant award will support an organizational assessment, planning and staff training.

Haymarket People’s Fund

Haymarket, which began its work in 1974, is an antiracist and multicultural foundation committed to strengthening the movement for social justice throughout New England by supporting grassroots organizations that address the root causes of injustice. In its efforts to become anti-racist, the organization has restructured staff, policies and practices and the framework of Haymarket’s grantmaking to institutionalize its commitment.

The DI grant award will support documentation of the journey to become an antiracist organization, institutional changes and lessons learned by individuals and the collective organization.

Pro-Choice Mass NARAL Foundation

Pro-Choice NARAL’s mission, since 1972, is to guarantee every woman the right to make personal decisions regarding the full range of reproductive choices. The organization is committed to shifting its culture to reflect inclusion of women of color. An organizational assessment and development of a diversity plan will be supported by the grant award from the Diversity Initiative, which previously provided funding for the organization in 1993 and 1994.
 
Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) 

UCS combines independent scientific research and citizen action to develop innovative, practical solutions and to secure responsible changes in government policy, corporate practices and consumer choices. UCS began in 1969 at MIT, and is now an alliance of over 225,000 citizens and scientists committed to safeguarding the future of the planet. The Diversity Initiative grant award will support efforts to establish and institutionalize the strategic value of diversity to the organization’s work as outlined in the current strategic plan.