True Diversity

True Diversity

True Diversity is an equality-based, holistic framework for embracing diversity. It values every person as a unique individual and empowers charitable organizations with the freedom and flexibility to advance their missions and help those in need.

What is True Diversity?

By embracing the richest possible diversity of unique traits, backgrounds, perspectives and experiences within each individual, True Diversity offers a way for organizations to most effectively advance their missions, help communities in need and make every person feel they truly belong—and matter.

This framework represents a powerful way for charitable organizations to honor the things that make us all human and harness their power to develop individualized pathways to opportunity that serve the whole person. True Diversity provides the freedom and flexibility these organizations need to pursue ideas and strategies that empower those on the ground and achieve better outcomes. In short, it’s the best way to both advance the most effective solutions and fully achieve the benefits of diversity in a complex world.

Five Principles of True Diversity

  1. Value each individual. Each person is a unique individual worthy of dignity and respect. It is only by taking the time to know and understand them, their challenges and their circumstances, rather than simply making assumptions based on how they look, that we can best support them.
  2. Advance the mission. Excellent results are best achieved by bringing together people with diverse skill sets, backgrounds and perspectives to further a common mission. Each organization is in the best position to know what types of diversity in leadership and staffing will best support its mission—and thus strengthen the communities it serves.
  3. Seek diverse perspectives. Good ideas can come from anywhere, and there are many ways to address social challenges. Bringing together people with diverse views is the key to encouraging a robust competition of ideas, experimentation with different approaches and ultimately better answers and outcomes.
  4. Embrace conversation. Discussion and debate open the door to progress. Direct, honest and respectful conversation may take courage, but it is the antidote to division, resentment and stagnation.
  5. Cultivate empowerment. The best way to uplift individuals and strengthen communities is to foster the sense of agency that only comes when everyone is empowered to reach their full potential.

Featured Voices

  • Karith Foster: Embracing Diversity in the Workplace Without Division

  • Stephanie Holmes: How to Embrace Diversity and Respect Employees’ Rights at Work

  • Devon Westhill: The Real Meaning of “Equity”

  • Mike Gonzalez: Address the Causes of Disparities, Don’t Engineer Outcomes

  • Ian Rowe: Embrace Agency, Not Victimhood

  • Patrice Onwuka: Celebrate Everything That Makes Us Unique

True Diversity Toolkit

We’ve compiled our True Diversity resources into a convenient eBook! It includes legal resources, guidance for human resources professionals, research and policy analysis and best practices for diversity training. Best of all, we’ll continue updating it with new resources as they become available.

Learn More

Toolkit Chapters

    • True Diversity: An Introduction

      by Philanthropy Roundtable
      • Holistic Diversity Training and Resources

        by Philanthropy Roundtable
        • Legal Overview & Recommendations for Employers

          by Stephanie Holmes
          • U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Affirmative Action in Higher Education

            by Jonathan Berry
            • How Effective Are Gender Quotas on Corporate Boards?

              by Patrice Onwuka

            Latest Blogs

              • March 14, 2024

              Christie Herrera in New York Post: How Donors Can Shake Up Higher Ed 

              by Philanthropy Roundtable
              • March 1, 2024

              Denisha Allen (Merriweather) on Our American Stories: “Education Saved My Life” 

              by Philanthropy Roundtable
              • February 22, 2024

              Where DEI Failed, Merit can Succeed

              by Patrice Onwuka
              • February 8, 2024

              Devon Westhill: Lawyers…Do Better

              by Philanthropy Roundtable
              • January 18, 2024

              Kathryn Hougham in Washington Examiner: When DEI Threatens the Arts, Embracing Merit is the Way Forward

              by Kathryn Hougham
              • January 17, 2024

              Patrice Onwuka in Newsmax: Envisioning a Promised Land of Academic Freedom on MLK Day

              by Philanthropy Roundtable

            True Diversity Statement of Principles

            “There is a yearning in the charitable community for a new paradigm with a more inclusive outlook—an approach that expands diversity beyond physical and biological characteristics alone to fully embrace the multifaceted characteristics that make each individual special and unique.”

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