DIVERSITY EQUITY & INCLUSION

NEDRA recognizes that the strength of the prospect development community comes from the diversity of its members. Many of the institutions that employ our members have prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and NEDRA intends to amplify and support those organizational priorities. Created in 2016, the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DEI) Committee seeks to promote dialogue, understanding, and cultural competence throughout NEDRA's annual slate of programming, training, and education by embracing the values of belonging, justice, and accessibility.

NEDRA believes that the priorities of our association and our members will evolve. To that end, our association is committed to an ongoing process of reflection in order to reaffirm and/or redirect our efforts in support of these priorities and our vision of an equitable philanthropic landscape. In service of this vision, NEDRA’s DEI’s Committee's 2024–2025 priorities include:

• Establish and integrate an equity lens for all NEDRA sponsored events, programs, and trainings

• Serve as an advocate for a more inclusive and diverse prospect development profession 

• Assist prospect development professionals in finding ways to foster and incorporate DEI initiatives within their own work, departments, and/or organizations

• Serve as a thought leader regarding and revisiting DEI related best practices in prospect development, with consideration to tools, technology, and resources as well as topics such as compliance, identity data, and inclusive philanthropy

NEDRA's DEI Committee is part of a coalition of associations dedicated to enriching our industry nationwide, including APRA’s DEIBJA committee, AASP's DEI in Advancement Data Task Force, CASE’s Opportunity and Inclusion Center, ADRP’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, and AFP’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access initiative. Together, we work to align and amplify our efforts for the benefit of the greater Prospect Development community.

NEDRA’s DEI current members include:

Steve Grimes Adamo

Sharon Brown

Lauren Casas

Megan Horton

Constance Kristofik 

Nancy Lee

Melina Mardueño

Francesca Scarggi

Serah Sibley

Ashley Wright

In order to promote a shared foundation of knowledge from which conversation, learning, and growing can occur, NEDRA’s DEI Committee has compiled a glossary of terms central to our work in this important space:

• Diversity

• • Diversity encompasses the recognition and appreciation of the unique cultural identities, perspectives, and contributions that shape history and the human experience. It plays a vital role in forming and enriching communities, fostering growth and resilience. When nurtured, diversity drives innovation, strengthens economies, and contributes to wealth creation. It requires honoring the evolution of cultures and valuing the histories that serve as the foundation for civilizations, embracing their traditions, values, and expressions of humanity.

• Equity 

• • Equity recognizes that people have different starting points (with disadvantages and barriers) in life, and provides resources and opportunities with the goal of equal outcomes. The pursuit of equity disrupts historical patterns of inequality and exclusion, dismantles barriers to advancement, and ends any systematic bias and discrimination against people based on their identity and background. The ultimate goal of equity within an organization is to provide a full opportunity for everyone to achieve their full potential and thrive. 

• Inclusion 

• • Inclusion is the act and/or practice (of diversity) by creating an environment where all individuals and groups are welcomed, respected, supported and valued in addition to being heard, considered, and empowered to participate in those spaces.

• Belonging

• • The feeling that despite intrinsic differences, one is a part of a greater community of people.

• Accessibility 

• • Accessibility affirms the right of everyone along the continuum of human ability and experience to participate fully and independently in society. This extends to physical and digital spaces, and encompasses education, employment, public services, and beyond.

• Cultural competence

• • A set of values, behaviors, attitudes, and practices within a system, organization, program, or among individuals that enable them to work effectively cross culturally. Further, cultural competence is the ability to honor and respect beliefs, language, interpersonal styles, and behaviors of individuals and groups. Striving to achieve cultural competence is a dynamic, ongoing, developmental process that requires a long-term commitment.