Do charities and non-profit organizations have an obligation to embrace diversity and inclusion initiatives? I argue that the question properly phrased should read... Do charities have an opportunity to advance their mission through diversity and inclusion?

Yes. On a recent flight, an article titled Reflecting Our World by Calin Rovinescu, President and CEO of Air Canada caught my attention. In this letter, Mr. Rovinescu states – “From promoting diversity and inclusion to building a workforce made up of people from a wide array of cultures, traditions and languages, Air Canada aims to reflect the nations social and cultural fabric that of unity in diversity.” He goes on to articulate that the company’s diversity and inclusion initiatives are at the heart of their strategy for success. Embracing this key strategic objective insures that Air Canada will stay relevant and grow in the decades ahead.

How are charities and nonprofit organizations mirroring the work of Air Canada and other forward thinking companies?

One organization taking a lead role is the Association of Fundraising Professionals, AFP. Although as Chairperson of the Board of AFP International, I am admittedly biased in applauding the organization for promoting work on inclusion and diversity. In particular two specific programs championed by the AFP Foundation for Philanthropy Canada in Ontario and by the AFP Greater Cincinatti Chapter in Ohio.

The AFP Foundation for Philanthropy – Canada received a multiyear grant, valued at $403,674, from the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Immigration and International Trade to create a fellowship program that will support and train fundraisers from diverse backgrounds. The project is built on the three-year initiative titled “From Diversity to Inclusion in Philanthropy: An Action Plan for Ontario’s Charitable Sector”. In this fourth year of the project, more than 70 fellows will be recruited representing diverse communities across Ontario. Each fellow receives intensive professional development and mentorship opportunities, and participates in organizational policy development on inclusion and equity issues.

Similarly the project in Cincinnati Ohio, titled “New Faces of Fundraising”, was made possible through a lead grant from the Cincinnati Community Foundation. This program is aimed at attracting 5 to 7 participants from diverse backgrounds into fundraising and leadership positions in the nonprofit sector. Participants are first enrolled into introductory classes on fundraising. They participate in site visits to area nonprofits, and are matched with a mentor from the non-profit sector. The capstone of this project is a 120-hour internship for each participant. To date five of graduates are actively involved in fundraising, three are working in nonprofits and one returned to academia to get a degree in Leadership.

Together both of these initiatives in Ontario and Ohio are being lifted up as demonstration projects to replicate in other areas throughout Canada and the United States. Our objective is that through education, mentorships and internships, we will attract more fundraising and nonprofit leaders from diverse communities to insure that our sector stays relevant and thrives in the years ahead.

Like Air Canada, I believe that charities and non-profit organizations will more successfully achieve their full potential by reflecting the communities they serve. AFP is leading the way and taking bold steps that will positively shape the fundraising profession for the future. Hopefully, the rest of the charitable sector will follow.

Pat Feeley has been fundraising in the non-profit sector since 1993.  He is currently the Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer for Caron Treatment Centers where he oversees a team of 18 development staff members. He is Chairperson for the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) International and Vice Chair for the Clean Air Council. He is a frequent instructor for Temple University’s Event Leadership Certificate Program.

Pat resides in Philadelphia, PA.  He enjoys running, reading, and most of all traveling.