Giving Compass' Take:

• Emily Withnall shares five ways to increase inclusivity in grant review boards to make better grants. 

• How can these practices be incorporated into your process? 

• Learn about creating an inclusive development culture. 

Research shows that a more inclusive workplace offers a wide range of benefits to professional teams. Working in a diverse setting helps people learn from each other, become better communicators, increase their social awareness, and develop higher levels of creativity.

Because having a variety of perspectives and insights also improves project outcomes, committing to a grant review board that exhibits diversity and embraces equity will enhance your organization. Here are some suggestions toward this end.

1. Take an Inventory of Your Workplace Culture
Before reaching out to a diverse group of potential grant reviewers, it’s important to assess the ways diverse viewpoints are valued in your organization. Often, measuring this can be done by looking at the kinds of micro-decisions that are made on a daily basis.

2. Do Your Homework
Posting a call for grant reviewers across your social media platforms may bring in some diversity, but you’ll have better luck if you reach out to the reviewers you want on the platforms where they spend the most time. If someone on staff has connections to a particular group or community, this can be the easiest way to put a call out. Should you decide to use an application form for new reviewers, be sure your language is inclusive.

3. Consider a Digital Review Process
Organizations opting for digital review of grant applications have an advantage that in-house staff reviewers don’t have. By shifting to an online review process, you are not limited to your staff or those within your immediate, physical community.

4. Communicate What You Are Offering Clearly
Depending on your organization’s size and budget, you may or may not be able to pay your reviewers. Either way, be honest about what you can offer when you are soliciting assistance. This will help establish trust in your organization and will save time for both potential reviewers and your team.

5. Broaden Authentically
Nothing is more off-putting to a team member than realizing she is the only woman on the team. Or the only Black person in the room. Diversity for diversity’s sake will leave reviewers feeling tokenized.

Read the full article about making a grant review board more inclusive by Emily Withnall at PEAK Grantmaking.