Diversity and Inclusion

United Way Worldwide strives to be a model of diversity and inclusion, and our  Board of Trustees, staff, and volunteers reflecting the many faces, cultures and walks of life, that proudly make up our nation.

We respect, value, and celebrate the unique attributes, characteristics and perspectives that make each person who they are.  We also believe that bringing diverse individuals together allows us to collectively and more effectively address the issues that face our communities. It is our aim, therefore, that our partners, strategies, and investments reflect these core values.

Definitions:

di·ver·si·ty (d-vûrs-t, d-) n.: the quality of being different or unique at the individual or group level. This includes age; ethnicity; gender; gender identity; language differences; nationality; parental status; physical, mental and developmental abilities; race; religion; sexual orientation; skin color; socio-economic status; work and behavioral styles; the perspectives of each individual shaped by their nation, experiences and culture—and more.  Even when people appear the same on the outside, they are different!

in·clu·sion (n-klzhn) n.: a strategy to leverage diversity.  Diversity always exists in social systems.  Inclusion, on the other hand, must be created.  In order to leverage diversity, an environment must be created where people feel supported, listened to, and able to do their personal best.

Statement of Principle

The United Way U.S. National Board of Trustees recognizes diversity and inclusion as core values that are critical success factors in achieving United Way’s mission. This is a business imperative that is required for United Way to grow, thrive and advance the common good in our communities. The U.S. National Board of Trustees, staff, and volunteers must reflect all of the many faces, and walks of life, that proudly make up our nation and the world. Together we genuinely demonstrate the principles of diversity and inclusion which enrich all communities.

To value diversity is to respect and appreciate race, religion, skin color, gender, nationality, language differences, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical, mental and developmental abilities, age, socioeconomic status, work and behavioral styles, parental status and the perspectives of each individual shaped by their nation, culture and experiences. To be inclusive is to leverage diversity by bringing together unique individual backgrounds to collectively and more effectively address the issues facing our communities.

It is our aim, therefore, that the U.S. United Way system’s strategies, investments and partners reflect these core values. Diversity and inclusion are at the heart of what it means to live united and advance the common good; to be a diverse and inclusive system is fundamental to achieving our mission and goals in education, income and health.