In 2020, Fozia Irfan (who chaired the DEI Coalition) and I brought together a group of foundations who recognised the need for a better way to understand how equitable our funding really was. That’s how the DEI Data Standard collaboration began. Together, we set out to create a shared framework that could help capture and analyse diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) data across the foundation sector - not just for individual organisations, but to build a clearer picture of the whole funding landscape.
The need for this was clear. Without a consistent approach, it was hard to see where funding was reaching or missing groups experiencing structural inequality. Our aim was to design a practical, shared framework that could be used to measure the level of funding going to organisations led for or with different communities.
Building off the work of the Funders for Racial Equity Alliance audit, the development of the DEI Data Standard was funded by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and The National Lottery Community Fund. The creation of the Standard was led by 360Giving and The Social investment Consultancy - it was vital that the Standard was a product of close consultancy with lived experience organisations, and the guiding principle was to follow their direction.
The DEI Data Standard collaboration now has around 50 foundation members who’ve either expressed interest in using the standard or have already adopted it. 360Giving continues as a key partner, acting as the technical host, and The Social Investment Consultancy who helped devise the original taxonomy remains a valuable partner. Each foundation has a named contact, and we bring them together quarterly for peer learning and focused discussions. A steering group also meets to consider updates to the Standard, ensuring it remains a living, evolving resource that reflects current language and thinking around DEI.
We used the Funders Collaborative Hub because it offered an easy way to share our materials and raise awareness of the DEI Data Standard. Esmée Fairbairn Foundation works within a particular network of funders, but we wanted to reach further. The Association of Charitable Foundations' wider membership and connections helped us do that. The first 25 funders came through our immediate networks, but since then, we’ve reached many more through the Hub.
The collaboration has really helped us spread the word about the DEI Data Standard, reaching well beyond our usual circles and has deepened understanding of how equitable funding looks across the sector.
Our motivations for sharing the collaboration on the Hub were simple: to connect with others, explore new collaborations, welcome new participants, and share what we’d learned more widely. We also wanted to be open and transparent about our activities and plans, build credibility by sharing on a trusted platform, and support the Hub in becoming a go-to place for funder collaboration.
We’ve used the Hub to promote events, publish blogs, and share learning and resources we’ve developed. Like any long-term collaboration, there’s a lot of ongoing work involved - maintaining the partnership, supporting members, developing guidance and producing research.
The collaboration has really helped us spread the word about the DEI Data Standard, reaching well beyond our usual circles. It’s been encouraging to see so much interest - in fact, the DEI Data Standard page is now the most visited collaboration opportunity on the Funders Collaborative Hub. More importantly, the project has deepened understanding of how equitable funding looks across the sector. We’ve started to see the difference it can make in practice too, through case studies from funders who’ve adopted the framework and made changes as a result. It’s also sparked ongoing, thoughtful conversations about DEI - giving funders a practical way to begin or strengthen their learning journey.
Looking ahead, the DEI Data Standard collaboration will continue to grow and evolve. We’re committed to refining the framework so it stays relevant and useful, and we’re keen to support more funders to adopt the standard and share their data. There’s still a lot to do to build consistency and commitment across the sector, but the progress so far has been promising.
To keep the momentum, we know we need to make the guidance even clearer for new users. We’re also planning to move resources to a more user-friendly home, as a single webpage on the Hub is no longer enough. We hope to create a secondary site while continuing to use the Hub as a key reference point.
For others developing collaborations, my advice would be: have a clear purpose, stay open to new partners, make sure you dedicate enough time and resource, and choose leadership that can hold the group steady. These things take time, so patience and persistence really matter.
In conclusion, the DEI Data Standard has made real progress in tackling structural inequalities across the foundation sector. There’s still plenty of work ahead, but the foundations we’ve built feel strong.
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