Introduction
At United Way of Larimer County (UWLC), we believe the nonprofit sector plays a vital role in creating and maintaining a resilient community. The identity-based disparities in access and outcomes revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the ongoing cultural discourse around racism in our country that began in 2020, prompted many local nonprofits to recognize their need for capacity-building support to advance equity within their organizations. UWLC is committed to providing resources for Larimer County social services providers that contribute to their ability to serve people in our community and strengthen our collective resiliency.
To support this need, UWLC will select up to 10 local nonprofit organizations to participate in a six-month Culture of Equity Cohort program from May–October 2022. This series of training and work sessions will focus on the development of knowledge, awareness, skills, and confidence for nonprofit leaders who seek a path forward toward a more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and just organization. There is no cost to participate in this program.
Program Description
This professional learning experience is designed to equip participants with an equity mindset, skillset, and actions to build inclusive cultures within their organizations and communities. Through intentionally sequenced, two-hour facilitated conversations, participants will:
- Gain insights into the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice
- Develop awareness of organization change processes
- Evaluate their organizational systems through an equity lens
- Examine the role of power and privilege
- Rethink organizational policies and practices.
The training will give participants the knowledge they need to support a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace. The goal of the cohort is to scale equity work across a diverse range of organizations through ongoing peer learning and support. Together, participants will take a journey from awareness to action with a focus on practical application and learn how to apply principles and core tenets of diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice to develop a culture of equity. During monthly virtual sessions, participants will engage as members of an ongoing learning community focused on developing equitable organizational cultures. This unique structured learning opportunity allows participants to delve into diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice with peers who face similar challenges. Cohort participants will gain valuable skills and strategies to advance DEIJ initiatives through this program, which is designed for professionals both new to and experienced with equity work. The cohort will be a safe space for learning, growth, and community building.
About Our Facilitator
Coronda Ziegler
Coronda Ziegler has worked to influence change in organizations for more than 20 years. She has helped organizations develop inclusive business strategies by asking questions, developing relationships, challenging the status quo and connecting with front-line employees, managers, and senior leadership to drive strategic change. She is known for decoding the roadblocks that lead to organizational change. Her ability to give perceptive, compassionate, and relatable feedback helps organizations cut through their issues and institute meaningful, effective, and sustained change. She consults with organizations of different sizes and sectors in the areas of diversity, equity, and inclusion; organizational culture; training, learning, and development; inclusive hiring and onboarding, and leadership development.
Coronda serves as a Student Success Manager at Colorado State University where she is responsible for the planning, development, and implementation of multifaceted, cross-divisional, university-wide programs; Graduate Coordinator for the M.Ed. in Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change through Colorado State University. Coronda has a PhD in Education and Human Resource Studies, with emphasis in Organizational Learning, Performance, and Change.
Participant Requirements and Key Dates
Applicant organizations should select 2-3 staff members to participate in the cohort. The individuals selected should possess a deep familiarity with and understanding of their organization’s culture and the willingness and capacity to engage in this work for the duration of the program. Participants do not need to be Executive Directors; however, the program’s emphasis on the application of learning means they will require access to and support from their organizations’ executive leadership.
Throughout the program, participants will be asked to self-reflect on their own experiences, apply the lessons from each session, and make a commitment to actively engage during and between learning sessions, as well as being empathetic to fellow participants.
All participating organizations will be required to:
- Attend the initial training session scheduled for Friday, May 27, 2022 from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
- Attend at least 5 out of 6 group training sessions, which will be held on the second Friday of each month from 10 a.m.–12 p.m. from May through October.
- Utilize all eight hours of 1:1 consultation and individualized support by October 31, 2022
- Participate in pre- and post-cohort assessments to assist United Way in evaluating the success of the program
- Submit a brief report outlining the outcomes achieved through their participation in this program
We strongly recommend that applicants reserve the dates listed above to ensure their complete and successful participation in the program. If you have any concerns about your ability to meet any of the requirements listed above, please contact Morgan Vanek, Director of Nonprofit Excellence, at mvanek@uwaylc.org before submitting your application.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria
To be eligible for this opportunity, applicants must represent organizations which:
- Are located in Larimer County and providing programs or services which benefit Larimer County residents
- Are registered as a 501(c)(3) with tax exempt status in the State of Colorado, working with a fiscal sponsor, a faith-based organization, or a public school district
- Provide services which address community needs or opportunities in one or more of United Way’s focus areas of Youth & Education and Financial Stability
The Culture of Equity Cohort is designed for traditional, established, and primarily white-led organizations seeking to elevate the quality and efficacy of their work by creating a culture of equity and inclusion for their staff, volunteers, clients, donors, and other stakeholders. Successful applicants will be nonprofit human services providers which focus on providing access to resources and services in the areas of youth & education and financial stability. The staff members chosen to represent their organizations in the cohort will have a strong desire to be catalysts for positive change and may be rising leaders in their agencies. The selection process will also be influenced by the overall composition of the cohort, including potential or existing partnerships between participant organizations and a diverse range of knowledge and experience with equity- related topics.
Selection Process
The deadline to submit an application is April 15th by 11:59 p.m. UWLC staff members will evaluate proposals and determine which applicants will be selected to participate in this program. We will notify applicants of our decision by April 30th.
How to Apply
Please click here to submit your application. Please find our comprehensive application guide here, including the questions you will be asked and additional context to support the development of your responses. If you have questions, need help, or experience technical difficulties, please contact Morgan Vanek (she/her), Director of Nonprofit Excellence, at mvanek@uwaylc.org or (970) 407-7045.
