Often it is unnecessary to pay for consulting or specialized training to develop and deploy a nonprofit Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) plan. There are many free and affordable resources available online. However, unless your organization is all-volunteer (meaning no staff is paid for their time) nonprofits will require funding to pay for people power in addition to any paid resources needed to train staff and develop a plan.

General support funds can be used for such an objective as can capacity building grants. Both of these types of grants can be used to strengthen an organization’s ability to serve its community more equitably and effectively.

Searching for grants

Google can be your friend, however, it is well worth the financial investment to join a grant database or platform. One of the most affordable is GrantStation when purchased through a nonprofit association or through Techsoup (there is an annual sale with even deeper discounts). The Foundation Directory Online (FDO) is a free grant database when accessed through a participating public location like a library or community center. If you are working from home, lack transportation, or are geographically far from a FDO location, paying for a service may be essential to your organization.

GrantStation also offers a free weekly newsletter “filled with the latest information on grantmakers, upcoming grant deadlines, and news that will assist the serious grantseeker”. Sign up here.

Lastly, be sure to check the grant databases of local and national banks. Bank of America, Wells Fargo, TD Bank, Chase Bank, Capital One, and more have a philanthropic database of grantmaking clients. Start with the banks where you live and go out from there.

Grants for DEI

When searching for grants to support your organization’s DEI initiative, look for foundations that provide General Operating Support, Capital Building, Professional Development, and Diversity.

The following grant opportunities are a select list of grantmakers that support the development of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Initiatives in nonprofit organizations. Before applying, please ensure the mission of your organization is in alignment with the grant maker’s area(s) of focus and geographic guidelines.

David and Lucile Packard Foundation

The Foundation aims to ensure that: policies and practices of nonprofit organizations and the philanthropic community address the interests of diverse communities, foundations and nonprofit organizations have the skills to engage with diverse communities in crafting solutions that meet their needs, and the leadership within the nonprofit sector reflects the diversity of its members and beneficiaries.

Hewlett Foundation

The Effective Philanthropy Program seeks to strengthen the capacity of Hewlett Foundation grantees and philanthropy in general, to achieve their goals and benefit the common good.

The American Philosophical Association

The American Philosophical Association, in keeping with its mission and goals and the association’s longstanding commitment to addressing philosophy’s serious lack of demographic diversity, funds projects aiming to increase the presence and participation of women, racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, people of low socioeconomic status, and other underrepresented groups at all levels of philosophy. 

Ms. Foundation

Ms. Foundation is our committed to supporting grantee organizations not only with funding, but also with a variety of opportunities to help them become as effective as possible in achieving their missions and advancing our collective goals. This includes investment in strengthening organizations and organizational core, cultivating leaders with leadership training opportunities, and building momentum through collective synergy towards systemic change.

Check back often for updates to this resource or subscribe here to be notified. Please note that NOPI INC receives no incentives or funding for the recommendation of any of the resources listed above.