Within our own organization, we create and maintain an equitable and inclusive environment that leverages the unique contributions of diverse individuals and organizations in all aspects of our work. 

• We take the broadest possible view of diversity, going beyond visible differences, to affirm the humanity of all individuals.
• We bring an equity lens to our organizational practices to guide decision-making and advance goals in this space.
• We engage the power of inclusion to create the innovative solutions and community ownership necessary to address complex community issues.
• We hold ourselves accountable, consistently examining and evolving our core beliefs over time, to honor the members of our communities.
• We ensure staff and volunteers broadly reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

As community leaders, we support our partner programs in diversity, equity, and inclusion capacity building by providing an awareness and foundation for best practices.

• We provide appropriate transparency around decision-making and facilitate meaningful opportunities for feedback, especially for those directly impacted.
• We act as a resource for the community by offering information, materials and training.
• We offer a measure of accountability by modeling and sharing best practices as well as providing a framework for assessment.
• We leverage our established partnerships and community connections to coordinate and drive efforts in this work.

Approved by the Board of Directors: 2022

UWKV's DEI Action Plan

United Way of Kennebec Valley adopted the following, three-year DEI Action Plan in March 2023.

Overarching Objective: UWKV staff, board and volunteers prioritize and incorporate DEI to reduce barriers to services in Kennebec County.

High-Level Plan:

1. Increase inclusivity and accessibility of marketing materials in Kennebec County to reduce barriers to services
2. Increase inclusivity and accessibility of community events in Kennebec County to reduce barriers to services. Aim for anyone entering a room to recognize themselves in that room
3. Improve DEI understanding and efforts across Kennebec County through Impact2032 activities
4. Ensure staff, board, and partners at all levels of the organization are representative of our community
5. Establish greater DEI focus and geographic balance in Community Investment Process (CIP) funding

Additional Resources

• Anti-Racism/Ethnic Discrimination Statement
• See detailed DEI Action Plan (2023-2025)

DEI Committee

Overview

We recognize that structural racism and other forms of oppression have contributed to persistent disparities that United Way seeks to dismantle. UWKV strives to engage community members, especially those whose voices have been traditionally marginalized, to create solutions that ensure everyone has the resources, supports, and opportunities they need to thrive. We have committed to leveraging UWKV’s assets to create a more inclusive organization and a more equitable Kennebec Valley. 

Committee Members