Nonprofits See Need for Diverse Leadership

April 16, 2010
By Betsy Nelson

Recently, nonprofit leaders from Baltimore and Washington came together to hear findings of the first major study looking at the diversity of the Baltimore-Washington region's nonprofit organizations' leadership.

The Urban Institute's Center on Nonprofits and Philanthropy conducted the study, which was commissioned by the Racial Diversity Collaborative, a group of nonprofit leaders in the Baltimore-Washington region who work together to support and expand the number of leaders of color in significant nonprofit leadership positions throughout the region. 

Diane Bell-McKoy, president and CEO of Associated Black Charities, and co-chair of the Racial Diversity Collaborative, said, "We know women in the boardroom and in leadership positions add value. They bring their experience and lens on specific situations, which are different than men. It is equally true for people of color. Having leaders of color in the nonprofit sector matters if we want to change the negative outcomes in communities of color." 

Report's findings 

The report documents the extent to which the region's nonprofit boards, staff, and executive leadership are racially and ethnically diverse. It also analyzes diversity by the organization's size, type, and geographic location. Findings of particular note include: 

People of color hold fewer nonprofit leadership positions than their share of the population. People of color make up nearly half (49 percent) of the Baltimore-Washington region's population, yet only 22 percent of nonprofits' executive directors are people of color. In Baltimore City and Washington, nearly 70 percent of the population consists of people of color, compared with 30 to 34 percent of the nonprofit executive directors.

People of color hold 27 percent of nonprofit board positions in the Baltimore-Washington region, compared with 14 percent nationwide. Nonprofits in Baltimore City and the District of Columbia report the highest levels of diversity in the region. In both cities, approximately one in three board members is a person of color.

Nonprofits with larger budgets are more likely than those with smaller budgets to have people of color on their boards. Also, as the size of the board increases, diversity on the board decreases. Health and human service nonprofits, on average, have the highest levels of diversity. Nonprofit arts boards have the lowest levels.

Young people of color are not entering the ranks of executive directors as readily as their non-Hispanic white counterparts. Filling the leadership pipeline may require promoting the nonprofit sector to young leaders of color so they consider the sector a viable career option.

Recruitment of leaders of color focuses primarily on building networks and personal relationships. Better connections must be made between potential candidates of color and decision-makers who fill leadership positions.

Create opportunities 

Beatriz "BB" Otero, President and CEO of Washington's CentroNía and co-chair of the Racial Diversity Collaborative, said, "We heard the need and desire that leadership opportunities be available to all who want and can take up the challenge. Diversity of backgrounds and experiences enriches our classrooms, our organizations and our communities. 

"The private sector makes the case every day when they choose 'diversity' to sell their products. In human services, we want children, families, clients, participants to identify and visibly see examples of leadership, success and possibility for their own aspirations and those of their children." 

Darryl Jones, CEO of the Maryland Association of Nonprofit Organizations, said, "The numbers come as no surprise and the challenges are apparent. For me, the most important question becomes, 'What are we going to do about them?' 

"Conversations around race are almost always difficult and uncomfortable. If we care about the future of our sector, we will be proactive and intentional about continuing the dialogue. Failing to work toward resolving the issue of underrepresentation puts the sector at risk of losing touch with the issues and individuals nonprofits were created to serve."