The Bay Area Community Foundation (BACF) and the YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region (GLBR) have joined forces to introduce a groundbreaking program that will guide nonprofit staff in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) learning and planning. The Building Nonprofit Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Awareness program is now available to 501(C)3 organizations serving Bay County, offering an invaluable opportunity for growth and progress. With a commitment to fostering a more inclusive and equitable community, the Bay Area Community Foundation has generously provided funding for up to 80 individuals to participate in the program, which will be facilitated by a staff member from the YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region. This staff facilitator holds a Diversity and Inclusion Certification from Cornell University and is a certified Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Qualified Administrator.
At the core of this program is the IDI assessment, a powerful tool that evaluates intercultural competence—the ability to embrace cultural perspectives, adapt behaviors, and appreciate both differences and commonalities. By utilizing the IDI assessment, this program aims to confront unconscious beliefs and behaviors. Through a process of self-reflection and awareness, participating organizations will identify and dismantle biases that hinder cooperation and connection within their teams and the wider community.
“The Building Nonprofit Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Awareness program is an exciting opportunity for our community to take the next step following the release of the Bay Area Community Foundation’s 2023 DEI Report,” expressed Moira Branigan, Executive Director of YWCA GLBR. “This program enables us to examine our internal biases and gain a deeper understanding not only of our neighbors but also of ourselves. The YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region is honored to partner with the BACF in launching the Building Nonprofit Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Awareness program, and we look forward to kickstarting these important conversations!”
Applications can be filled out through the provided link – https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=bayfoundation.
To learn more about the Building Nonprofit Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Awareness program and how your organization can participate, please contact Erin Kreutzberg at the Bay Area Community Foundation by calling 989-893-4438.
YWCA Great Lakes Bay Region (GLBR) is committed to eradicating racism, empowering women, promoting peace, justice, and freedom, and ensuring dignity for all. Their dedication to fostering a just and equitable society resonates through their initiatives and programs. Located in Bay City, Michigan, YWCA GLBR continues to strive for positive societal change. To learn more about their work, please visit www.ywcaglbr.org.
I am proud to serve my community through my role at BACF. As a Program Officer, I collaborate with nonprofit, government, church, and school partners in Bay and Arenac counties to navigate our grant opportunities and find the right funding alignment. From project conception to post-award, I am your main contact for all things grants. Connecting organizations and donors who share the same vision and passion is at the heart of my work.
