Henry Smith Charity has updated its grant-making processes after setting up a diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) working group last year.
These changes include introducing “participatory decision-making approaches” in its grantmaking to “share power and address power imbalances”.
The funder, which gave out £47.1m in grants last year, pledged to implement a “more relational” grantmaking approach, “including greater transparency and accountability”.
It also proposed “becoming more flexible and supportive in working with others to achieve agreed outcomes”.
Definitions
Henry Smith Charity has developed a set of DEI definitions to guide its work so that grant applicants, recipients, trustees, staff and volunteers feel supported to incorporate these principles into their work.
It defines diversity as seeking out people with different backgrounds, identities and life experiences who can freely contribute ideas and perspectives.
This means bringing people of different backgrounds to the charity and understanding where its funds reach.
It defines equity as understanding and reducing barriers faced by different groups of people it works with internally and externally.
This means creating an environment that allows the charity to learn about the barriers faced by staff, grant applicants and recipients. It also means taking steps to reduce those barriers.
It defines inclusion as embedding diversity in its daily operations, actively listening and taking the time to learn about one’s own biases and one’s place in upholding systemic bias.
As a result of its DEI efforts, the charity hopes to be more knowledgeable and representative of grant applicants and recipients.
It said it hopes that communities facing barriers will have a greater chance to succeed and its staff and beneficiaries feel respected and comfortable to bring aspects of themselves to achieve their full potential.
The charity’s statement reads: “These serve as a foundation for ensuring that our DEI principles are woven into all policies, processes and guidelines, shaping how we work internally and externally.
“These definitions also support our grantmaking activities, helping us engage more meaningfully with stakeholders at all levels.
“We view DEI as something that should be embedded throughout our organisation.”
Strategic review
The charity recently closed its Improving Lives and Strengthening Communities grant programmes, which have provided £250m in grant funding over the last seven years, in June to review its funding pots.
It plans to publish a new funding strategy will be launched in spring 2025.
“Our future priorities will continue to fund organisations working to tackle social and economic disadvantage and support those in poverty, as well as seeking to maximise our long-term impact and support the sector in the most effective ways we can,” it stated on its website.
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