--- title: "Daily Buzz: The Path to a More Diverse Nonprofit" id: "50956" type: "post" slug: "daily-buzz-the-path-to-a-more-diverse-nonprofit" published_at: "2020-08-19T20:04:14+00:00" modified_at: "2026-03-17T03:57:15+00:00" url: "https://associationsnow.com/2020/08/19/daily-buzz-the-path-to-a-more-diverse-nonprofit/" markdown_url: "https://associationsnow.com/2020/08/19/daily-buzz-the-path-to-a-more-diverse-nonprofit.md" excerpt: "Breaking down unnecessary barriers to recruitment will serve your organization. Also: An empathetic leader can build relationships and help employees grow." taxonomy_category: - "Conscious Inclusion" taxonomy_post_tag: - "age inclusion" - "AssociationsNow" - "biodiversity" - "Business" - "job recruitment" taxonomy_content_format: - "Article" taxonomy_role: - "Association CEO / Executive Director" - "Director" - "Manager" - "VP" taxonomy_persona: - "Association Professionals" --- [Home](https://associationsnow.com/) » [Articles](https://associationsnow.com/format/article/) » Daily Buzz: The Path to a More Diverse Nonprofit Looking to diversify your nonprofit? Your organization’s recruiters, HR executives, and leaders must be more intentional in their diversity efforts, argues Lisa Magill on the [Nonprofit Hub blog (opens in a new tab)](https://nonprofithub.org/featured/4-ways-to-attract-more-diverse-talent-for-your-nonprofit/) . “In order to see a meaningful shift, we need to evaluate our current processes and be open to changing the way our teams are currently filling roles,” she says. Take a look at your job descriptions: Is every listed requirement necessary? Make sure you’re not overstating the level of experience needed to excel in the role, such as required degrees or number of years of experience. Discouraging qualified candidates from applying at all will prevent you from seeing a wider range of individuals. When recruiting, make an effort to look outside your personal network, which might only consist of similar individuals. “Nonprofit roles are often filled by word-of-mouth, allowing the homogeneity of social circles to directly impact the potential diversity across candidates,” Magill says. “In order to increase diversity within your organization, you must look beyond personal networks and strategically leverage a broader list of resources and job boards.” Additionally, your diversity efforts will improve if you also focus on *current* employees. “Their day-to-day experiences, how satisfied they are in their work, and whether they feel empowered in their role will directly impact not only retention and productivity but also your ability to attract new talent,” Magill says. ### Embracing Empathy in Leadership > The Future of Leadership is Empathy—And Companies are Better for It [https://t.co/uyd7LYjwBS (opens in a new tab)](https://t.co/uyd7LYjwBS) > > — Entrepreneur (@Entrepreneur) [August 18, 2020 (opens in a new tab)](https://twitter.com/Entrepreneur/status/1295844181764710401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) **Showing more empathy at work** is a growing trend among young professionals, but what does it do for an organization? Empathy keeps a workforce steady when things go wrong and employees make mistakes. “Instead of jumping to conclusions and scolding your employee, get behind the why,” says [a recent post (opens in a new tab)](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/354774) from *Entrepreneur*. “An empathetic leader will check in on their employee and facilitate problem solving, as opposed to reacting.” ### Other Links of Note **Marketing automation can streamline** your efforts and make you more efficient, [argues HubSpot’s Rebecca Riserbato (opens in a new tab)](https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/marketing-automation-benefits) . She breaks down the benefits of automation. **What are hiring managers looking for** in remote job candidates? *Business Insider*’s May Teng identifies [three important skills (opens in a new tab)](https://www.businessinsider.com/skills-hiring-managers-are-looking-for-in-remote-job-candidates-2020-8) . **Planning a membership drive?** YourMembership’s Tirrah Switzer [offers six tips (opens in a new tab)](https://www.yourmembership.com/blog/six-tips-successful-membership-drive/?cn-reloaded=1) to make it a successful one. (CreativeNature_nl/iStock/Getty Images Plus) [Michael Hickey](https://associationsnow.com/author/michael-hickey/) Michael Hickey is a contributor to Associations Now. [More articles by this author](https://associationsnow.com/author/michael-hickey/) Tags: [#age inclusion](https://associationsnow.com/tag/age-inclusion/) [#biodiversity](https://associationsnow.com/tag/biodiversity/) [#Business](https://associationsnow.com/tag/business/) [#job recruitment](https://associationsnow.com/tag/job-recruitment/) **Stay Informed** [Subscribe to our free newsletter](https://associationsnow.com/newsletter/) , *Associations Now Daily News*, to find out what’s happening in the association world every business day. ## You Might Like - [VideoUsing DEI to Create Welcoming EnvironmentsAugust 29, 2023](https://associationsnow.com/2023/08/29/using-dei-to-create-welcoming-environments/) - [VideoWhy Strong Partnerships Matter for Equity, Diversity, and InclusionMay 18, 2023](https://associationsnow.com/2023/05/18/why-strong-partnerships-matter-for-equity-diversity-and-inclusion/) - [PodcastFostering Inclusion and Growth: Mentorship, Networking, and Workforce Development in AssociationsOctober 24, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/10/24/fostering-inclusion-and-growth-mentorship-networking-and-workforce-development-in-associations/) - [VideoCelebrating Black History Month: Hanif Smith Shares His StoryFebruary 1, 2024](https://associationsnow.com/2024/02/01/celebrating-black-history-month-hanif-smith-shares-his-story/) ## Comments **Comments are for ASAE members.** [Learn more about comments on this site.](https://associationsnow.com/comments/) [Log in](https://associationsnow.com/login?redirect_to=https%3A%2F%2Fassociationsnow.com%2F2020%2F08%2F19%2Fdaily-buzz-the-path-to-a-more-diverse-nonprofit%2F%23comments) to your member account or [join ASAE](https://my.asaecenter.org/select-a-membership-type/) !