Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA)

ZIM values the perspectives, identities, and experiences of all people, inclusive of gender, gender expression, faith, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, race, creed, occupation, physical ability, or position. Our company values life-long growth and learning, the well-being of our team, clients, and the communities they serve, and the role nonprofits play in building a better world.

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Significant aspects of the nonprofit sector have a history of inequality and implementing systems that center whiteness, wealth, patriarchy, and colonialism. The remnants of these systems hurt the nonprofit sector’s ability to act as organizational allies, address inequalities, and create sustainable, equitable solutions. We recognize that our company occasionally encounters these unequal systems in ways that do not align with our values, and as a team, we are committed to addressing these issues.

 

To better understand how we can help others, we are also intent on looking inward. We continually examine our own company culture and practices, as well as the ways that we engage with the nonprofit sector, our clients, and the communities they serve. We value reducing harm and advancing justice and equity in all communities. To bring our culture in alignment with our values, we are committed to the following:

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1. Working with our clients to identify and address the root causes of systemic inequality and strengthening our team’s capacity to do the same.

2. Supporting nonprofits in advocating for more equitable and accessible grantmaking systems from funders.

3. Addressing the nonprofit sector’s lack of equitable employment opportunities for members of diverse and underserved communities.

4. Increasing access to funding for communities and organizations that have been systematically excluded from philanthropic grant-making.

5. Supporting an engaged committee with active leadership involvement to keep these issues at the forefront of our work.

6. Recruiting individuals from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences to strengthen our team.

7. Leveraging our influence, connections, and unique role in the nonprofit sector to advance justice and equity within our communities.