
Diversity, equity and inclusion
How can charities better reflect the people they serve?
The charity sector supports a diverse range of communities, people and causes. But this diversity is not reflected in its personnel, particularly at management level. People find it difficult to talk openly about what drives discrimination and exclusion.
Our #WalkingTheTalk initiative aimed to get the sector talking more about how charities ‘do’ diversity and inclusion and what might be holding the sector back. Come along to one of our debates and seminars to join the conversation as we investigate the big issues together.
Featured resources and commentary on diversity and inclusion

Embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of NPC
At NPC, our goal is to transform the social sector through our research, guidance and debates to increase the positive impact for the people and communities who need it. What would it mean to apply a diversity, equity and inclusion lens such as racial justice to this mission?

Walking the Talk
Walking the Talk is our cross-sector partnership to help charities improve their diversity

Walking the talk on diversity
Time and again, research into diversity amongst trustees and senior managers in the charity sector shows little progress. Our research briefing asks: what is holding the charity sector back from putting words into action?

Diversity in governance: The what, why and how
This paper outlines what it means to have a truly diverse board of trustees and what it brings to an organisation. It also explores how to manage and maintain a board that is diverse.

Why do we need diversity?
Most charities believe boards should be diverse. But, according to our State of the Sector research, many are unsure what specific benefits diversity brings and how to achieve it. At a recent event for charity trustees we explored the benefits and challenges a diverse board can bring.


Diversity in the voluntary sector: we’re only just getting started
Amina Memon, Professor of Psychology at Royal Holloway University blogs to introduce work she has done in collaboration with NPC. She asks does the charity sector really care about diversity, and what is holding it back from acting if it does?

Stop quoting Latin in your board meetings
The voluntary sector's board diversity and inclusivity issue is well known. How do we tackle this? Grace Wyld shares insights from a recent NPC event on the topic.


So how diverse is your charity’s board?
In the private sector, the move towards greater board diversity has been building for years now. A compelling case has been made for how it can boost performance. Julia Oliver argues that we need to step up and follow suit.
Latest updates

How NPC is considering race and ethnicity in its policy influencing work
At NPC, we’ve been taking steps to ensure that our analysis, research and advocacy considers and makes the case for equity for people from minority ethnic communities.

Charities, Child Q and the Inclusive Britain report
The government released its Inclusive Britain plan two days after the details of Child Q’s case were released. In this guest blog, Alba Kapoor of the Runnymede Trust says charities and funders must scrutinise these proposals and recognise that they don't go far enough.

Announcing the launch of Equitable Evaluation Collective in the UK
NPC, the Centre for Youth Impact, the Charity Evaluation Working Group, and the Social Investment Consultancy are pleased to announce the Equitable Evaluation Collective.

Embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into everything we do
One year ago, we shared our long-term commitment to embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of our work. This blog shares what we have achieved so far, what we have learned along the way, and where we still have important learning and work to do.

Impact measurement for flexible funding
For most funders, impact measurement is one of the feedback loops that drives grant-making decisions, so we can’t rethink grant-making without rethinking the way we measure impact and learn from our grants.

Equitable collaboration
The pandemic revealed the importance of collaboration and the need to embed greater equity in all that we do. Equitable collaboration combines both.

Embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into our events programme
This blog details how we have been embedding diversity, equity and inclusion across our events work. We hope the steps we have taken will enable NPC and our events to continue to help transform the social sector.

Have our DEI activities had a positive impact?
As part of our commitment to embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into all aspects of our work, we wanted to refresh our values and be more transparent about the standards we expect of ourselves and others. What impact have these changes had?

Incorporating diversity, equity and inclusion into our consulting work
We are embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into our work, this includes work with charities, philanthropists and funders. In this blog, we set out some of the progress we have made with our consultancy work.

Imagining the future for people of colour in grant-making
In April 2021, NPC held a philanthropist and funder peer network event on where the sector is falling short on racial justice. We sought to provide a window into the personal experiences of people of colour in grant-making.

Show The Salary: A campaign about power
Hiding salaries on job adverts deters applicants and it means that people often cannot access a fair wage. Here's how one campaign is combatting this inequity and helping to redress power imbalances within the charity sector.

How to rebalance data for the 21st century
A more equitable approach to evaluation seeks to redress unequal power dynamics. At a recent NPC event, two speakers discussed their work on trying to shift traditional third sector evaluation and measurement practices.
Talk to us
Got a question, or want to work with us on diversity and inclusion? get in touch with Katie Boswell, NPC’s Associate Director for Strategy and Leadership.
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