The Diversity and Inclusion Initiative awards new grants every other year to nonprofit organizations in Greater Boston. All local nonprofit organizations are eligible to apply. Applicants must be seeking to build capacity and effectiveness in fulfilling the organization’s mission through organizational diversity and inclusive policies and practices.

The application process follows. Please read it completely. New grants will be awarded in March 2007.

Eligible Activities

The overall goal of the Diversity Initiative is to help organizations achieve internal change, especially as it relates to the diversity of staff and board members. Based on experiences of previous DI grantees, we require organizations to undertake a comprehensive organizational diversity assessment or audit. If an assessment has already been completed, it need not be repeated unless the organization believes that a significant amount of time has elapsed or there has been significant staff turnover. If no assessment has been done, priority will be given to applicants that include this process in their planning and budget.

Examples of other activities eligible for DI funding include but are not limited to:

• Development of organizational diversity plans 
• Redrafting of mission statements, bylaws or strategic plans to reflect diversity 
• Multicultural training for staff and board members to teach strategies for implementing and sustaining diversity and inclusive practices
• Creation of minority staff and board recruitment and retention strategies 
• Review and revision of personnel policies and benefits in order to better support a diverse workforce 
• Creation of staff affinity groups or mentoring programs 
• Changes in office environment that promote diversity such as special events or activities to acknowledge staff contributions
• Salary support for an individual(s) responsible for the implementation of the diversity grant.

Evidence of Demonstrated Commitment to Diversity

To receive funding, an organization must demonstrate that it has involved staff and board members in identifying needs and developing the proposed initiative. This involvement is designed to foster collaboration among staff and board and to strengthen the effectiveness of the initiative throughout the organization. Applicants must demonstrate also how they will maintain a commitment to organizational diversity following the grant period.

The executive directors of successful proposals will be expected to meet at least once with other executive directors from grantee organizations. There are quarterly “learning community” meetings with all DI grantees. All grantees are required to participate and to send a consistent representative(s). Participatory evaluation will be incorporated into these meetings. During quarterly meetings, organizations share a learning experience as a part of our ongoing efforts to support a community of practice that identifies lessons learned and best practices.

At this time, $100,000 is available for distribution to up to 10 organizations. Grant awards will range from $5,000 to $12,000. The average grant size is likely to be under $10,000 in order to assist as many organizations as possible. Grants are for an 18-month period. Individual grant requests should not exceed $12,000.