Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

 
 

Impact100 Essex’s DEI Action Committee was created in 2020 as a change agent to ensure that diversity, equity and inclusion are fully integrated in all aspects of our work.

We work to:

  • develop leaders and members reflecting the diversity of Essex County

  • refine our grants process, outreach to non-profits and member training to ensure all applicants have an equal consideration in the grant review process

  • recognize and reduce bias in all Impact100 Essex processes and procedures

  • introduce diversity, equity and inclusion training to membership with additional sessions for our leadership team

  • improve communications to members about the unmet needs of the wider Essex County community

  • consult with BIPOC non-profit leaders immersed in the work for guidance and learning

  • look to local BIPOC providers for administrative and operational services

Membership: Including All Voices

We are committed to building a membership that reflects the diversity of Essex County. In 2021, we expanded our existing Every Voice Fellowship Program to amplify important, often under-heard, or missing voices from our community. The fellowship funds all or a portion of each Fellow’s contribution to Impact100 Essex. We are especially interested in welcoming women from the nonprofit community, women of color, Latina women, and young women early in their careers. More information about the Fellowship program can be found on our Join or Renew page.

Grants: Expanding Our Reach

Last year, we broadened our impact to include unrestricted mission-based grants to local nonprofits led by Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) in the name of increasing equity in grantmaking. These grants are separate from and in addition to our $100,000 Impact Grant. Three grants totaling $45,000 were granted to three BIPOC-led nonprofits. Meet our 2021 Equity Grant Recipients.

This year, Impact100 Essex awarded three Equity Grants ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 to local BIPOC-led non-profits. These Equity Grants are in addition to our annual $100,000 Impact Grant to be awarded in spring. Meet our 2022 Equity Grant Recipients.

We are committed to understanding the role of systematic inequality and the role of implicit bias in evaluating grants.

Events: Deepening Our Perspective

During 2021, we offered numerous events for our members focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. We listened to nonprofit voices in Essex County and best practice women’s organizations and spent time connecting and building community with other BIPOC Impact100 Essex members. Our events included:

  • ‘Unconscious Bias’ with Kishshana Palmer

  • ‘On The Ground: Nonprofit Voices of Essex County’ panel discussion with our Impact Grant Finalists

  • ‘Radical Generosity’ with Ana Oliveria, President and CEO, The New York Women’s Foundation

  • ‘Mingle for BIPOC Members’

  • ‘On the Ground: Voices from our Equity Grantees’

See our Calendar for additional learning opportunities.

Enhancing Our Communication

Our weekly member communication, “This Week,” includes a segment called ‘Doing the Work’ as part of our commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, & Action. Shared articles, videos, podcasts and more help members think about incorporating an equitable lens on grant making and beyond. We are using social media to amplify the voices of BIPOC-led nonprofit organizations, particularly our Equity Grant recipients and applicants.

 Supporting Local Businesses

Impact100 Essex strives to patronize local businesses for our events and resources, particularly women- or BIPOC-run businesses. For more information on BIPOC-run businesses, check out this link.

Members interested in joining the DEI Committee, please contact DEI@impact100essex.org