Increasing Diversity in Nonprofit Sector

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The Urban Institute, a nonpartisan research group based in Washington, D.C. released a study last year that reported that 86% of all persons serving on nonprofit boards nationwide are white, and only 7% are African-American.

These staggering statistics have raised questions about how well homogeneous groups can serve diverse constituencies. This trend also holds true for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. Although the City of Cleveland is comprised of a population that is overwhelmingly minority (primarily African-American and Hispanic/Latino), those serving on the nonprofit boards that serve the most pressing needs of these minority groups are overwhelmingly white.

A lack of diversity on these boards often makes it more difficult for trustees to understand and respond to the critical needs of the minority populations that they serve. It is in this regard that a group of African-American professionals have come together to address this challenge by creating a Minority Board Member Pipeline Initiative.

This group will work with Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU) and perhaps others in the coming months to offer programs and initiatives that connect emerging minority professionals with nonprofit board service opportunities. Those involved in coordinating this effort include the following:

April Miller Boise, Partner - Thompson Hine

Caprice Bragg, Vice President - The Cleveland Foundation

Stephanie McHenry, President - ShoreBank

Randell McShepard, Vice President - RPM International Inc.

Eddie Taylor, President and CEO - Beverage Dispensing Solutions

Lorna Wisham, Vice President - The Illuminating Company

This initiative will kick-off with a "Role of the Board" training session to introduce minority professionals interested in serving on nonprofit boards to their fiduciary and legal obligations. The session will take place on June 6, 2008, at Key Tower, 39th Floor in the offices of Thompson Hine from 8:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The session will include a Legal overview of nonprofit board governance and best practices, a provocative panel discussion with experienced board members and nonprofit leaders, small group case study analysis and Q&A. BVU will also share information about board matching services and technical assistance that they provide for nonprofits. Breakfast is sponsored by RPM International Inc. The cost of the event is $20 and seating is limited.

Register for the event here.

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Comments

# Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sun, 04/13/2008 - 09:00.

The United Way of Summit County offers Project Blueprint, a program targeting development for board service for minority community members.







		

		

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			Submitted by npenny on Mon, 04/14/2008 - 01:40.		

		
Noelle P


This initiative has read my mind. 


There's no implication that the Caucasian community can't significantly contribute to the minority community, but it's an obvious answer that you can't solve a problem without including those affected by the problem. The members of the minority are the ones who are affected by the declining economy. They suffer the struggles of high unemployment, inadequate education and low income. Why shouldn't they be involved in the decisions made that concern them? I can speak from personal experience that it's hard to watch the news on new laws, new rules or new companies moving in and feeling like the last to know. 


The results of being empowered can greatly outnumber the results of feeling helpless. 

		

	










		

		

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			Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 04/15/2008 - 12:20.		

		
Board training offers a chance to raise the strength of board members and to increase minority representation; but, an emerging energy is growing around taking a fresh look at Board diversification, overall.


One way to really strengthen nonprofit capacity is to look at Board growth from a Stakeholder Contact perspective; who does your organization touch and interact with, and how can they be engaged on the board?


By driving board composition and management under a "stakeholder" construct, we also begin to set into play the opportunity to create new and vibrant partnerships, collaborative networks and resource consolidations.


There also is value in looking at board functioning outside the box, and realize that new structure may breathe life into organizations.  This could include complimentary structures as:  a Community Advisory Board, a Next Generation Advisory Board, a Women's Advisory Board, etc....


Realizing that nonprofits need MORE VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE than ever to reach their service goals - creative restructuring could encourage new vitality.


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